Harry A. Miller Club news - July 2012

Spring Issue 2012

Harry A. Miller Club News Photos courtesy of John Hollansworth Jr.

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Millers at Milwaukee Event Includes Celebration of 100 th Anniversary of Vanderbilt Cup Race

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here is still time to enter your car in the 18th annual Millers at MilwaukeeVintage Indy Car Event! We already have a strong roster of impressive cars, but there is still room for a few more! An exciting weekend of activity has been planned, with six hours of track time on both Friday, July 6 and Saturday, July 7. The complete event schedule is printed on page 2.

have to put Milwaukee in your travel plans for this July. There is always an incredible group of vintage Indy cars on the famed Milwaukee Mile, with friendly members who are truly passionate about their cars and willing to share their stories!

A special addition this year includes recognition of the 1912 Vanderbilt Cup Race and a celebration of the 100th anniversary of this historic gathering! This premier race took place on the streets of Milwaukee, and has become the most celebrated and prestigious road course race of the early 20th Century. Vanderbilt Cup races were held from 1904 to 1916.

We have invited all Vanderbilt Cup era cars to participate in our event! 1912 Vanderbilt Cup Race In 1903, one year before the first Vanderbilt Cup race was held, automobile racing began at the Wis. State Fairgrounds Speedway, now known as The Milwaukee Mile! As you’re undoubtedly aware, the Milwaukee Mile is the oldest continuously operated auto race track in the world! For those members who may not own a car, you

Lenore by June 15 so that your name and sale items can be included in the track program.

The Crowne Plaza West is once again the host hotel for our gathering. Make sure to contact the hotel ASAP, if you need to make room reservations. The block of rooms is released June 6, and then they are available on a first come, first served basis.

Call 414-475-9500 and state that you are with the Millers at Milwaukee – Harry Miller Club group. Rates are reduced at $114 per night.

A special “Welcome to Milwaukee” social is planned for entrants on Thursday, July 5 at the hotel, from 5:30 until 7 p.m. The annual Banquet and Silent Auction will also be held in the first floor ballroom at the Photo courtesy of Howard Kroplick Crowne Plaza on Friday, July 6.

Some owners even share a ride around the Reservations are required for both events, track! Vendors are invited to participate in and can be made by returning the RSVP the weekend event and display their race form sent to all entrants. If space is available, car related treasures. This year, there is a non-entrant members may make banquet vendor’s fee of $35 which includes one pit reservations. The cost is $50 per person. pass! Miller car entrants, however, are able Please e-mail Lenore at harrymillerclub@ sbcglobal.net to make your reservation. to set up a table in the vendor’s area at no charge. We ask that all vendors contact Continued on page 2

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Spring Issue 2012

Millers at Milwaukee Event Includes Celebration of 100 th Anniversary of Vanderbilt Cup Race This will be the third year for our Silent Auction, and we hope you will plan to bring an item or two for this competitive, and fun sale! Many valuable racing books, posters, and memorabilia have found new homes while being a great benefit to the Miller Club.

Please contact Lenore by phone or e-mail if you will be donating an item for our auction. All items will be included on a roster, which will be distributed prior to the sale. Please give Lenore a call

by June 15, so all items can be part of this auction list.

Millers at Milwaukee entry forms can be requested, or found on the harrymillerclub.com website. The entry fee is $300 for the first car, and includes 2 pit passes and 2 tickets for both the Welcome Gathering and the Banquet. Each additional car entered is $200,

and this fee includes 2 additional pit passes. All entrants must be active members of the Harry Miller Club.

In an effort to make transportation of cars a little easier, Club President Dana Mecum stated, “ I would be happy to provide parking at my museum in Walworth, WI, if anyone needs to bring a car early and return later for the event. Walworth is about 45 minutes west of the Milwaukee Mile. I know there are a number of meets during the summer, and if parking a trailer helps with Miller event travel plans, please let me know. We are looking forward to an exceptional event this year, and hope you will plan to be a part of it!”

—Lenore Heinzelmann

Harry A. Miller Club News

Club Sponsorship Opportunities We are only a month away from our 18th annual Millers at Milwaukee event! Please consider one of the following sponsorship opportunities, and depending on the level, you or your organization will receive advertising and promotional benefits offered through our newsletter, the event program, and banquet program. There is also a link on our website for the top

three sponsorship levels. We would like to thank the following individuals and organizations for their sponsorships. The Club is grateful for all the support provided, which helps ensure the continued success of our Millers at Milwaukee event. We sincerely thank our Associate Sponsors and Friends listed below, for their generous support for our Millers at Milwaukee Event.

Associate Sponsors Amelia Island Concourse d’Elegance Foundation

Ed Pink Racing Engines – Tom Mallory

•Full Page Ad in Miller Event Program •Full Page Ad in 3 Miller Club Newsletters •Link on Miller Website

Dano Davis

Phil Reilly & Company

Executive Sponsorship Benefits: $5,000

Friends of the Harry A. Miller Club

Friday, July 6

9:40 a.m.

10:00 a.m.

Driver’s Meeting Vanderbilt Cup era cars take first Laps on track, followed by all entrants

Gary Schroeder Dennis Holloway Mitch Rasansky Dale Mueller

Carl Jensen Eldon Eby Carl Schulz Augie Pabst

Mark Ulinski Tedd Zamjahn Bob Casey

Thursday, July 5

4:00 p.m.

Event concludes at track

6:00 p.m.

Cocktails at Crowne Plaza Silent Auction begins

7:00 p.m.

Banquet begins- Dinner Served

8:00 p.m.

Silent Auction winners announced Trailers/Cars parked at Milwaukee Mile Comments from Board Members 5:30 – 7 a.m. Welcome Social at Crowne Plaza First

Floor Restaurant and Patio

12– 4 p.m.

Friday, July 6 7:30 -9 a.m.

Trailers allowed to park at Milwaukee Mile

8:30 a.m.

Cars assemble on the track for group photo

9:00 a.m.

Photo taken of cars on track

•Full Page Ad in Miller Event Program •Full Page Ad in Miller Club Newsletter •Link on Miller Website

Associate Sponsorship Benefits: $2,000 •One-Half Page Ad in Miller Event Program •One-Half Page Ad in 3 Miller Club Newsletters •Link on Miller Website

Friends of Harry Miller Club: $100-$200 •Name Listed in Miller Event Program •Name Listed in one line Miller Club Newsletter

12-12:30 Lunch Break

July 6th-7th, 2012

Title Sponsorship Benefits: See Dana Mecum

The 18th Annual

Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance March 8-10, 2013

The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island The Golf Club of Amelia Island at Summer Beach

Featuring the Race Cars of Harry Miller

Saturday, July 7

7:00 a.m.

Gates open at Milwaukee Mile

8:00 a.m.

Event opens to public

10:00 a.m.

Cars allowed to run on track

12– 12:30

Lunch Break

4:00 p.m.

Event concludes

Vanderbilt Cup & Harry A. Miller Courtesy of Mark Dees, The Miller Dynasty

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In 1906, Harry Miller prepared Oldsmobile’s race car for The Vanderbilt Cup Races and was Ernie Keeler’s riding mechanic for the Elimination Trials... This was the only time Harry Miller participated directly in a motor race.

For Advance Tickets & Event Information, visit:

www.ameliaconcours.org Photo by Dave Wendt

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Harry A. Miller Club News

Communicating With Past Masters of Design

Reilly first met David Uihlein, Sr. at an Indy 500 event, and later shared restoration tips and support through cross country phone calls, as David worked on his own Alfa Romeo. We are pleased to feature Phil Reilly & Company, a highly successful restoration firm that has gained a formidable reputation for “simply remarkable work.”

This year marks the 30th anniversary for Phil Reilly & Company, as well as the beginning of a new ownership role for their long-time employee, Brian Madden. Phil Reilly & Company was founded in 1982 by equal partners, Ross Cummings, Ivan Zaremba and Phil Reilly. The business plan focused on mechanical restoration and repair of high performance and racing cars, with a special emphasis on engines. The company has grown to 11 employees, as well as the three partners, who will continue with the company for the foreseeable future.

The partners would say their specialty is, “Making cars and engines run and work the way they were designed to, without exception, compromise or excuse for

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age or current use,” stated Reilly. “Brian is committed to the same goal, with the same team of talented mechanics and machinists; several of whom have worked with the company for more than 20 years.” According to Reilly, David Wallace, Zeke Prince and founding partner Ross Cummings, have long been the brain and talent trust at the company. “I believe their abilities with the Miller designs are simply remarkable.”

Reilly reflected on the growth of his company, stating, “The very first job at Phil Reilly & Co. came with my first employee, Jim Stranberg. Jim, who later went on to become a preeminent Bugatti specialist with his High Mountain Classics, brought with him Bob Sutherland’s Miller 91 “Majestic Special”. That was my first contact with a Miller, and started an

enduring passion for the marquee. Since 1982 more than 25 Miller/Offenhauser projects have been through the shop, and it constitutes some of our finest work.”

The Phil Reilly & Co. website highlights their business philosophy. “Vintage car restoration is a form of communicating with the past masters of automotive design and engineering.” Their portfolio includes many photos of their incredible restorations, with highlights of recognition

earned from major racing publications, including Vintage Motorsport and Autoweek. A paragraph taken from an Autoweek feature captures the essence of their business. The shop has no sign out front, not has evennoasign name thenot building.

“The shop out on front, even None of the partners has a desk, a name on the building. None ofmerely the a long tidyhas workbench with aa metal stool. partners a desk, merely long tidy The shop is with notameant to be workbench metal stool.

Theexclusive, shop is merely selective.

From themerely beginning, says not meant to be exclusive, selective.

Reilly, made a conscious decision From“We the beginning, says Reilly, We made to only work for decision people we a conscious to like. onlyReilly work &forCo. operates its customers people on we the like.faith Reillythat & Co. operates onwill understand respond will similarly to the the faith thatand its customers understand commitment makes to to the its own ideals.” and responditsimilarly commitment it makes to its own ideals.”

Reilly brings his 1960 Bowes Seal Fast Special, driven by A.J. Foyt to our Miller event. He has high praise for all of our founders’ efforts to create a unique vintage-racing event, while recognizing the great talent of Harry Miller. “The Miller event gives you the opportunity to have the most fun possible with your car. To be able to drive your car on this kind of oval track – the kind they were meant to be driven on –is indescribable.

The meet is organized in such a way that everyone drives their cars with a sense of mutual respect and trust. Last year, Chris Wilke, the great grandson of Bob Wilke – who won Indy twice with Rodger Ward driving drove my Bowes Seal Fast Special. Chris had such a great time, and could really appreciate what his great grandfather had achieved.

Where else could this have taken place?”

—Lenore Heinzelmann Photo courtesy of Phil Reilley & Company

Sunbeam • Peugeot

hil Reilly is not only a loyal Harry Miller Club member and yearly entrant in our Millers at Milwaukee event, but for the past two years has also been an Associate Sponsor of our annual vintage race car meet at the Milwaukee Mile. Reilly is a founding business partner in the auto restoration firm Phil Reilly & Company, and Reilly’s connections to Miller Club founders Bob Sutherland and David Uihlein go back to the early 1980’s.

1926 Locomobile Junior 8

Duesenberg • Sparks Thorne

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Miller •Meyer-Drake • Offenhauser

Offenhauser • Sunbeam • Meyer-Drake • Miller • Peugeot •Duesenberg • Sparks Thorne

5842 Paradise Drive AVE” Corte Madera, California D Y F F OF “O philreillycompany.com “HOME Tel. (415) 924.9022

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July 6th-7th, 2012

M e m b e r s h i p D r i v e C o n t i n u e s T h ro u g h J u n e 3 0 The goal of the Harry Miller Club is to share our members’ knowledge of vintage racing, and admiration for Harry A. Miller with the public and other racing enthusiasts. As an incentive to help build our membership, we are offering a special Harry Miller Club polo shirt to any current member who sponsors three new members before June 30. This program began in February, and we are pleased to announce that we have gained six new members in just a few months. Current members in good standing will retain the current

$25 membership rate for as long as their membership continues, uninterrupted. New members will pay an annual dues rate of $40 per year. Benefits of club membership include: 1) three newsletters per year; 2) a $5 discount at the Millers at Milwaukee event; 3) the opportunity to enter a car in our annual event; and 4) the opportunity to purchase banquet tickets at our annual meet.

Please ask your friends and fellow race car buffs to join and be a part The Harry A. Miller Club. Go to our website: www.harrymillerclub.com and complete

a membership application. Have them list your name as a sponsor. When we receive three membership applications with your sponsoring name, you will be notified and receive your handsome polo shirt.

Congratulations to Lance Baumberger for his sponsorship of new members Steve Serr, Dave Clem, and Bud and Joan Meyer. Lance has already received his handsome Miller polo shirt! Don’t miss out on this opportunity to help build your club membership, while also earning a great prize.

—Lenore Heinzelmann

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Spring Issue 2012

B i l l H o m e i e r – F ro m Te x a s t o C a l i f o r n i a a n d I n d i a n a p o l i s Article By: Steve Zautke All photos courtesy of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

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fter World War II, it wasn’t uncommon for a driver who cut his racing teeth in the Midget race car boom of post-war America to make the jump to the “big cars.” One driver who made the leap was Texas driver, Bill Homeier.

Born on August 31st, 1918, Homeier was a native of Rock Island, Texas and like many in the post-war 1940’s moved to southern California to race midgets and chase the big purses. In the late-1940’s, midget racing was king in California.

trivia answer, finishing in 33rd place, but completed 74 laps (184-miles), the most for a last place finisher. During his pit stop, his foot slipped off the clutch, causing the car to lurch into the wall, bending the suspension to a point that the car couldn’t continue. The following year, he drove Ernie Ruiz’s Travelon Trailer Kurtis KK500B and was unable to crack the

Over the next two seasons, he drove the familiar red car with the black tail in 13 events, making the field in several with a top finish of 5th at Sacramento in 1959 and 9th at Langhorne the following year.

In 1958, Eddie Kuzma built a lightweight, independent suspension roadster for J.C. Agajanian and his driver, Troy Ruttman.

Wrenched by ace mechanic, Frank

In California, he met tough competition, racing against the likes of Bill Vukovich, Sam Hanks, Troy Ruttman, Rodger Ward, Don Freeland, Bobby Ball, Danny Oakes, Allen Heath and others. In 1948, Homeier won at tracks such as Tulare, Fresno and Balboa driving the V-8 of Mike Casale.

the 500 miles to finish 13th and placed Homeier in the exclusive Champion Spark Plug 100-mile-an-hour club. After several marriages and two sons, William, Jr. and Carl, he married Helen and in 1962 drove

Driving in the AAA midget ranks in 1953, Homeier finished his best in points: second to Leroy Warriner of Indianapolis.

Homeier’s wins that year included, West Palm Beach, Heidelberg, St. Louis and Springfield. In fact, he won the first two races of the following year at Gardena.

He even won a 100-lap midget race at the tough Langhorne track in 1958, overall winning 12 national midget races (AAA/

USAC). It was in 1953 Homeier made it to the big track, Indianapolis. He passed his driver’s test driving the Coast Grain Special, a Lesovsky upright dirt car which he was unable to get up to qualifying speed.

On bump day, he tried to squeak the Cal Connell Special, a Kurtis KK500A with a trick special-reverse torque Cadillac into the starting field, but burned a piston on a late qualifying attempt. In 1954 he made his first “500,” driving the Jones & Maley Special. It was in this race he became a

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the final two races of his career. He took a teaching position at Cypress-Fairbanks High School outside of Houston, as an automotive instructor and received his teaching degree from Texas A&M. In the

1990’s, he retired to Palacios, TX passing away on May 5th, 2001 at age 82.

Thank you to William Homeier, Jr., Donald Davidson, and Gordon E. White for assistance on this article.

Over Five Decades of Engineering Excellence

starting field. During the race, he did drive relief for Walt Faulkner, driving 30-laps for the “little dynamo” as he was known, assisting him to fifth place. Homeier did not appear on the track in 1956 and 1957.

In 1958, he tried two cars including the former Jones & Maley (now known as Safety Auto Glass Spl.) Kurtis KK500C he drove in the 1954 “500.”

It wasn’t easy making the show at Indianapolis. In 1959, Homeier fell short as he lost an engine in Ollie Prather’s Go-Kart Kurtis 500G-2 on his second qualifying lap. Later that summer he picked up a ride, driving for Greek ship-owner, Tassi Vatis, who owned an aging Kurtis 4000.

McGurk, the car just wouldn’t make speed at the Brickyard. After failing to make the race twice, the car was brought to A.J. Watson’s shop in Glendale, CA where over the winter it was completely rebuilt in a more conventional manner. Norm Hall who owned the car, entered the car at the Speedway with the inimitable Ridgewood Builders on the hood for the 1960 race.

Early in the month, Hall was close on speed but not fast enough to make the race.

Chief mechanic, Bob Higman replaced Hall (the owner) with Homeier.

Homeier got in the car on the second weekend and proceeded to squeak into the 33-car field. On race day the car completed

Racing Engines Vintage/Historic Engines Street Rod Engines Dyno Testing & Track Support Design & Engineering

Bob Hast (L) and Charles Lawerence (R) enjoying a day of restoration.

Re m e m b e r i n g B o b H a s t

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harles Lawerence shared countless rides and great times with best friend and mechanic Bob Hast, while attending the past eight Miller events. Bob passed away last past December, and will be greatly missed this July at the Milwaukee Mile.

14612 Raymer St., Van Nuys, CA 91405 818.785.6740 • Fax 818.785.4710

edpink.com

engshop@edpink.com © 2010 Ed Pink Racing Engines

The Harry A. Miller Club

P.O. Box 541 • Germantown • WI • 53022 Tel (262) 388-5221 • harrymillerclub.com E-mail: harrymillerclub@sbcglobal.net

July 6th-7th, 2012 About Harry A. Miller Excerpted By Mark Dees, The Miller Dynasty; The Hippodrome Publishing Co., 1994.

Photography courtesy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway

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arry Miller was quite simply the greatest creative figure in the history of the American racing car. His engines dominated the American oval-track racing for almost more than half of a century. He created the great school of American thoroughbred engine design, which was faithfully followed by those who sought to outdo him. He was the originator, in the United States, of the racing car as an art object. Miller had a passion for metalwork and machinery that soared above and

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beyond of all the practical consideration.

Parts of his machines that never would be seen by eyes other than those of the builders were formed and finished with loving care.

David V. Uihlein, Sr., founder of the Harry Miller Club, sought to bring recognition to harry Miller and his accomplishments while sharing his great race car and engine designs with younger generations. Miller based cars and/or engines dominated championship competition in this country during the 1920’s, winning thirty-nine Indianapolis 500 races!

Harry A. Miller Club B o a rd o f D i re c t o r s President Dana Mecum Office (262) 275-5050

Directors Brian Brunkhorst Lenore Heinzelmann Tom Mallory Bill Warner Tedd Zamjahn

Editor Miller News Lenore Heinzelmann This newsletter welcomes contributions, photos, suggestions, etc. Our plan is to feature our members cars along with the restoration process. Mailing such items shall be considered an expressed warranty by the author that said material is no way an infringement upon the right of others and not submitted for publication.

The next deadline is August 22, 2012.