Parma Heights, Ohio (August 9, 2010) – Traci Hrudka, Chairman of the Quarter Mile Foundation, which is the production organization for PROJECT 1320, has announced film of interviews will begin at the end of August.
“I am very pleased to announce we will begin our filming of the legends of drag racing’s history with a very unique interview with the ‘voices’ of the sport for many, many years, Jon Lundberg and Dave McClelland,” said Ms. Hrudka. “Jon and Dave saw much of the sport’s early growth while they were in front of the public address microphones, describing the action for millions fans and racers.
“They witnessed triumph, tragedy and the milestones at drag strips across the U.S. and Canada, and we wanted to start the interview process with them. They will be the voices of the narration of the documentaries, and ironically, it will be the first time they have formally worked together.”
The interview process, according to Stephen Krystek of Synthetic Human Productions (Phoenix, Az.) will see each man interviewed separately, and then the two will interview each other in a somewhat conversational format. “I wanted to start with Jon and Dave,” said Krystek. “After looking at their careers, where they worked, and the milestones they witnessed, I felt the initial interviews would help set the tone for the PROJECT 1320 documentaries.
“Our film crew intends to utilize the time we have with them to gain greater insight into many of the pioneers and legends of the sport and the performance aftermarket, since they both know these people, the cars, the trends and the tracks very well, we’ll gain a valuable feel for the time period we are covering from the ’50s to the end of the ’80s.”
Dave McClelland observed, “After more than a half century of active and direct involvement in the great American sport of drag racing, I find it increasingly important to save the dramatic and incredible history of this sport for generations to come.
“Fifty plus years is not a long time in the overall scheme of things, but the technological and performance advances that have taken place in that somewhat short period of time defy the imagination.
“I am thrilled to be able to participate in Project 1320, Pioneers of the Quarter Mile documentary efforts to preserve the story of a home grown sport that has spawned world wide appeal.”
Jon Lundberg commented, “A young guy named Jon Lundberg became an ‘afflicted’ car guy in May of 1949. It led to a life-long addiction.
“Over the past six decades, I have had the marvelous experience of being both witness to and participant in the geometric rise of two socio-economic phenomena – drag racing and its supporting industry.
“Now, there’s an opportunity to preserve and share a journey such as mine and many others for future generations, while celebrating this one. That is truly exciting!
“I heartily encourage others to do the same through support of and a commitment to Project 1320.”
PROJECT 1320 is a 25-episode documentary films series about the birth and growth of drag racing from the post-World War II era through the end of the 1980s. It is produced by the Quarter Mile Foundation.
