“SEMA and the SEMA Show management have provided the Quarter Mile Foundation with the facilities next to the show floor which have made this all possible,” noted Foundation Chairman, Traci Hrudka. “The room, which is very near our East Lobby display location, will let us work almost seamlessly to organize and expedite the interview filming process.
“We are concentrating on getting these first person narratives with the older members of the SEMA Hall of Fame, as well as other individuals who built and influenced drag racing and the performance aftermarket. As these men and women gather at the SEMA Show, the Foundation and the Association realized this was an ideal venue – rooms for filming were available, the annual SEMA Hall of Fame Luncheon and the electric atmosphere of the show itself bring many of these pioneers together.”
Plans currently call for 10 to perhaps as many as 12 interviews to be completed, and added to the interviews of Jon Lundberg and Dave McCelland which are have been finished. Currently scheduled for interviews will be Bob Airheart, Ed Iskenderian, Louis Senter, Carroll Shelby, “Speedy Bill” Smith, Don Smith, Linda Vaughn, “Doc” Watson and Alex Xydias. Among the group are manufacturers, racers, distributors manufacturers reps, and in the case of Linda Vaughn, a personality, who helped define the era.
Many of these individuals will also make personal appearances at the Quarter Mile Foundation/PROJECT 1320 display (Booth 26112) in the East Pavilion of the Central Hall signing autographs and reminiscing with show attendees.
“Without the help of the Association and the show management, this would have been a very difficult proposition,” said Ms. Hrudka. “The SEMA Show again provides the Foundation an excellent opportunity to showcase the PROJECT 1320 undertaking, and with the filming which will be occurring, we are anticipating a busy, rewarding week.
“I want to thank Chris Kersting and Peter MacGillivray and other members of the SEMA staff, and Chuck Schwartz of CONVEXX and his staff, for their continuing efforts to make this happen.”
The Quarter Mile Foundation is a 501(c)(3)not-for-profit foundation, which is producing PROJECT 1320, a documentary film series about the history of drag racing and the parallel growth of the performance automotive aftermarket.
