as you might knows, Frank Rice had the misfortune of striping his beautiful '57 Custom 300 on both sides of the car at this year's race. It rarely happens, but it is certainly something we all acknowledge can happen when we run these cars down the strip. Well, this was posted on the Pure Stock Facebook page: My wife and I enjoyed our first PSMCDR and had a great time. I bought our car (Torino 429 Cobra) from my brother 3 years ago after he owned the car for ten years. My brother and I dreamed of transforming the car into an SCJ to run at PSMCDR together. Sadly, my brother passed away last February at age 55, but I wanted to keep our dream alive. I pursued period correct parts and transformed the 429 Cobra into a SCJ in pure stock form and participated this weekend. I carried my brother's picture in the car and his driver's license in my wallet as I competed. I was paired up against a nice young man named Justin Maher and was quickly introduced to his entire family, of which his father, brother and brother-in-law all race! What a great family, which exemplifies what pure stock is all about! Justin has an extremely fast 1967 Chevelle, but was struggling to make power. He finally got the car working well, and had the faster car, but ran faster than 3/10ths his qualifying time and was disqualified. This didn't seem to bother Justin, as he new my story and seemed thrilled that I would get to race in the Pure Stock Challenge. He continued to encourage me round after round until I finally won, at which time his whole family was there to congratulate me! I have to say that I believe my brother Brian was present on Saturday. My alternator light was on all day and my battery was slowly dying. In round 2 of the challenge, it took about 10 tries to get the starter engaged, so I left it running for the rest of the challenge. I was also on E, so my wife talked to Chris Jones and he found a friend that had 5 gallons of gas for me before round 3. All in all, it was a great weekend and met a lot of friendly people, most of which have been coming to this event for years. To top it off, it was my son's 20th birthday, which he celebrated away from home for the first time, as he is a Marine stationed in Hawaii! To honor my brother Brian's giving nature and his memory, my wife and I will match donations up to $1,000 for the gentleman (Frank) who wrecked his car during the PSMCDR this weekend. Fortunately, Frank was shaken, but not injured (I will have to work out the details with the organizers to see how to make this happen). This incident did remind everyone that although this is a fun sport, it is dangerous and breaking parts and damaging cars can be costly and would be devastating for most of us. Frank, we want to see you back next year! God Bless, Jeff and Leslie Wilkins
Frank is aware of the post and blown away by the offer. I have offered to collect any donations and get the money to Frank. If you feel like donating, please send it by Paypal to brass327@hotmail.com as a gift. If you want to send a check, make it payable to Frank Rice and OM me for my address. Jeff, you are a class act and your generosity is amazing.
Thanks Donny for helping out. I have sent to your Paypal account $200 for the Frank Rice fund. That's from Gary Place and myself to hopefully get the ball rolling and get the full $1,000 match. Many thanks to you Jeff as well. Donny said it best, you are a class act! Welcome to PSMCDR. Thomas
I'm in. Check is going in the mail this morning. I'd like to see that 57 Ford standing tall in time for MCACN.
^^^well said guys. Want to see this car back to her glory too. Psmcdr is a family thing and we take care of our family. Frank- help is on the way
Paypal sent. What a great idea. Thanks, Jeff. It's something we all fear racing these beautiful cars.
Thanks to all of you. I am speechless. I really don't know how to thank you. I was to have shown the car at Chicago this year, but obviously that's not a good idea right now. Donny is trying to raise awareness of our sport not scare people away. So I'll be there next year with a straight 57 Ford. Another way we can help that effort is to attend the show and spend some time explaining the sport to interested spectators. Pretty sure it's working, the stands were a lot more busy this year than I have ever remembered. Especially in light of the lower car count this year. Jeff, never met you, but I'll personally thank you in person next year. Thank you.
Frank, I think the best way you can thank us is to get your beautiful car back in shape and bring it back next year to run at Stanton. I've never met you nor has Gary Place, but we've seen your very cool car racing and we want to see it run again. After all, you're family. :beer Cheers, Thomas
:TU: Donny: PM sent to get your mailing addy for a check to this fund. Frank is a great guy and it was terrible to watch that accident unfold. Thank goodness he was not hurt, no other cars got involved, and his car was not destroyed. 'Hope to see the car in the air again for next year's PSMCDR, for sure. :TU: (All the best, Frank....and thank you so much, Jeff and Leslie. Fast Fords at The PSMCDR are too few and too far between, so 'hope you'll keep up the good work.) BP
Donny and every one who helped. As some of you know I managed to hit both guard rails at Stanton on September with my '57 Ford. Too much right foot, slow steering and reflexes all contributed. Stupidity may have played a part, the Radials on the car were ten years old. (listening Rusty?) Tonite I received a call and an Overnite envelope from Donny Brass. Enclosed was a Dozen or so checks, copies of PayPal transactions and cards of condolences from a number of people whom I will thank in person or by mail. I am (sort of) retired and the money does not come as quickly any more, so the checks, totaling 2,600 dollars will go a long way in redoing the car. I am completely at a loss for words to describe what this meant to me and my wife. I had considered retiring from drag racing but I'm gonna have to change my mind. The Ford will be back. Many of the people who contributed to this........I had never talked to. How can I ever thank you. One way would be to show up To OUR display at the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals in Chicago, organized by Donny. I will be there to thank as many of you as I can in person, the rest I'll see in Stanton next September. Frank
:TU: 'Way cool, Frank. It will be good to see you and the car "back at the track." And before that, I hope at The Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals in a couple weeks. All the best. :grin: BP
