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Preserving the History of Auto Racing in Northern California
Newsletter - June 2014
The 2014 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony & BBQ on May 3 at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico,
was a great success. In attendance were at least 100 fans, alumni, NCARA members and their
families. Much thanks goes out to the Fair Board for supplying the hamburgers, hot dogs, and
delicious salad. As usual, Bob Carrel, showed his expertise at the barbecue. Following lunch, a
multi-flavored cake decorated with the NCARA insignia was enjoyed by all.
In the absence of club president, Butch Schaefer, NCARA Historian, Phil Corcoran, took over the
job of Master of Ceremonies. Inductees were Rodney Tiner, Delno Becker, George Becker &
David Tarter. In the category of Racers Time Has Forgotten, But We Have Not were Herb Fuller
& Herb Early. The Lloyd Burton Founders Cup was awarded the the Bumgarner Family.
2014 NCARA HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
Rod Tiner
Rod Tiner has been around sprint car racing since he was 2 years old. He grew up watching his dad,
Johnny Tiner, race at West Capitol Raceway.When he was 16 he designed and built his first race car, which
he also raced.
Rod has been designing and fabricating sprint car chassis for more than 30 years, and is considered to be
one of the “best in the west” for setting up chassis. Over the years, he has accomplished much in sprint car
racing, and has enjoyed several championships as a car owner. He has been on the World of Outlaws tour
wrenching for many well-known drivers. In addition, Rod has also raced many tracks on the West Coast
with his brother Randy “Boo” Tiner, Tim Kaeding, Stephen and Jonathan Allard, Kyle Hirst, Steven Tiner
(nephew), Kyle Larson, etc.
Although Rod doesn’t race full time anymore, you will still see the 83 car in a select few races. He also
enjoys racing regularly with his grandson, Isaiah, running #83 outlaw cart at Cycleland and Dixon
Speedway.
Delno Becker
Delno Becker started racing motocross in the 1970’s from Mexico to Canada. In 1986, he won 7 races in a
row and all the starts were a Full Inversion. He raced both modifiers on dirt, and sprints. In 1989 he was
honored as Sprint Rookie of the Year. His most exciting finish was a last lap pass to win the Silver Cup. He
was a 2-Time Champion and finished second in points two years.
Delno retired from racing sprints and went back to motocross.
George Becker
George Becker got started in racing when a friend got him interested. He has a been a car owner and
builder for 54 years. He participated in flat track racing for 20 years in Marysville. He has also raced in
Lodi, Cycleland, and Chico, to name a few. From 1986-1988 George won 3 championships in the Hobby
Stock class. Then, from 1989-1991, he owned a Sprint Car that Delno Becker drove. George Becker
Continued Page 2
Inductees Cont’d
worked as a Tech person in Marysville. He built cars, motors and go-kart motors. Now, his involvement in
racing is mostly building Karts for his grandkids.
David Tarter
David Charles Tarter was born May 16, 1982 in Chico, Ca. Though he loved playing all sports, his true
passion was always racing. Since his dad and uncle Skip were very much involved in racing, it was only
natural for him to want to race too. When he was 7-8 years old, sitting in Shane Scott’s sprint car, He told
his dad, “Someday I’m going to race one of these!”
As a teenager, David was obsessed with cars and consistently got into trouble for speeding and street
racing. All that mattered to him was racing. Never mind his grades. Finally his dad made a deal…stay in
school and graduate, and they would begin the process. The rule was “no schoolwork, no race car.” That
was all he needed. As a high school senior he found himself on the Honor Roll for the first time.
David raced carts for several years, but his ultimate goal was to race a 410 sprint car. On June 8th, 2012,
he was suddenly gone.
Howard Tarter accepting award for son, David Tarter
Rod Tiner
Delno Becker
George Becker
Continued Page 3
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RACERS TIME HAS FORGOTTEN, BUT WE HAVE NOT
Herb Early
Hardtop racing started in Chico in the early 1940’s. Herb Early became interested in car racing at a young
age.
In 1953 Herb raced at the race track in Oroville. It was by the Oroville Airport. The following year he started
racing at the 8th St. track in Chico. He built a 1936 Plymouth Coupe, then a 1934 Ford, and a 1934 Plymouth
Coupe. Herb also raced at Willows, Gridley Fairgrounds, and the Quincy Fair. Some of his racing “buddies”
were Fred Cavier, Johnny Burrows, Johnny Serpa, and best of all, Freddy Wells. Some men had sponsors,
but usually they just provided gas or tires in exchange for a car owner/driver putting the sponsors name on
their car. The one thing you could depend on, was tearing your car up every night. Herb’s racing career
ended when he got a job on a drilling rig out of town.
Herb Fuller
Herb Fuller began racing in the early 1960s while living in Orland. He worked as a butcher at the local
Purity Grocery and built his 1st race car in his spare time. Tony’s “76” in Orland sponsored the car by
furnishing gas.
Herb and his wife Claire rented a home on Chuck Sanford Sr. farm in Orland. It was on Road MM & 20,
hence the number 27M was painted on the race car. In his very first race Herb rolled the car over multiple
times. Fellow racers hauled it back to Orland for him on a trailer. Herb pulled the engine and transmission,
and the car went out in the farm’s “Iron Pile” untouched until recently. Fortunately, Chuck Sanford Jr.
retrieved it about a year ago, and contacted a member of NCARA. Chuck put wheels under it and
brought it to Chico to be part of Tom Herseth and Shane Scott’s “Trip Through Time”, celebrating the 60th
Anniversary of the Gold Cup in Chico, Sept. 4-7, 2013.
Accepting for their father, Herb Fuller, are
his daughters, Tina, Susan & Sally.
#27 M--1939 Ford Coupe
Original Engine V8 60 H.P.
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FOUNDERS CUP
Roy Bumgarner
The Lloyd Burton Founders Cup was awarded to the Bumgarner Family.
In 1964 the Bumgarner Family became involved in a top fuel dragster and won over 30 events in
California. Several years later, they became involved in the Bonneville Speed Weeks and set a
record at 259 mph at the Bonnyville Salt Flats that lasted for 7 years.
Over the years, sons Steve and Jerry began racing, first in the limited modified division at Silver
Dollar Speedway, then moving to Sprint cars in 1982. Jerry retired from driving in 1991, but the
family continued their involvement in auto racing with NARC and USAC with several other drivers
including their Grandson Brad Bumgarner. In 2005 They left USAC and switched back to dirt, competing at Silver Dollar Speedway, and with
King of the West, and the Civil War Series with Brad being their driver to this day.
Drivers who ha driven for the Bumgarner Family are: Steven, Jerry & Brad Bumgarner, Tom
Herseth, Greg Decaires, Bobby McMahon, Steven Allard, Mitch Sue, Billy Nutter, Greg Stanfill,
Jason McCord, & Danny Burton.
Chuck Sanford’s car.
Races in Roseville, usually driven by his nephew.
In memory of Don Porter by Jim Matson
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2014 HALL OF FAME CEREMONY & BBQ
Mary Burton
In memory of Jess Purcell
Herb Fuller Trophies
Northern California Racing History
Pat Carrel & Lori Weber
New NCARA Tee-Shirts For Sale
Family, Friends, & Racing Fans
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GONE BUT NOT
FORGOTTEN
Sadly, we have lost another early Chico Auto Racing Association “Racer”!
Andrew Detlefsen passed away March 23rd, 2014 at Colusa Hospital at the age of 85. Andy raced
in the early 50’s, he raced out of Delevan CA (Just S. of Willows CA) His racing career was short but
he raced at Chico & Willows Speedways. Andy continued his racing dreams by his dedicated fan
support of Chico’s Silver Dollar Speedway. RIP #93 Andy Detlefsen.
Tommy Herseth Andy’s favorite story…It was Andy’s Dad that was really into “Hard-Top” racing. His
Dad went to Sacramento to the best “Flat-Head” builder in Northern CA. He brought home a brand
new engine and Andy, his Dad and Toby Corbin proceeded to build their “Hard-Top”. Completed, it
was all new paint inside and out, welds were “Double & Tripled” Checked! They loaded it up and
took it out to Toby Corbin’s airplane runway for a test run, back & forth, up and down the runway,
everything went fine. Then Andy decided to do a little “Cornering”! After about the 3rd attempt at
“Cornering”…The Right front spindle broke off and a series of rolls and end over ends began….the
“Brand New” Hard-Top now looked like an aged veteran... Back to shop for repairs they went!
As a Footnote, Andy explained to me the reason his “Career” was so short was that after a few
races he determined that he had a wonderful wife and was starting a family and starting Rice
Farming Career, which I might add, in the end Andy was blessed with a wonderful family and a
successful Rice Farmer Life…..RIP my Friend
written by Tom Herseth
GARY RAY DUTRO, born January 30, 1943 in Chico to Ray and Leona Dutro, passed away May 9,
2014 at the age of 71 at his home in Red Bluff after a valiant battle with multiple illnesses. He was a
leader, mentor and driven farmer, yet balanced high expectations with a sense of humor and a wellplaced joke. As a boy, Gary was always the ringleader amongst his many cousins and friends,
making sure that fun was had by all. He graduated Chico High School in 1960, attended Chico State
College, then married his high school sweetheart Judy Shreve in 1963. After moving to Tehama
County and spending dawn-to-dusk days establishing a respectable farming operation they started
a family. If one didn't know Gary for his sugar beets, kidney beans, wheat, walnuts, almonds or
other crops to have graced their dinner tables, they certainly knew him as "car number 43", blazing
past opponents in turn four and taking the checkered flag at Silver Dollar Speedway or Shasta
Speedway (frequently on back-to-back nights). In the eighties, one could find Gary coaching Little
League girls' softball teams all the way to Western Regionals, making sure "Everybody hits!" He
spent his free time waterskiing, jet boating, snowmobiling, riding wave runners, and operating any
machine that satisfied his need for speed. After losing Judy to MS, he married longtime friend
Christie Noftz in 2008 and enjoyed great prosperity in almond farming despite failing health issues.
He is survived by his wife Christie, sister Kathy Leger (Ron), Durham; son Stephen (Jennie),
Redding; daughter Anne Coelho (H.D.) and granddaughters Madison, Gillian, and Hailey, Gerber;
stepsons Bill Noftz (Jamie), Seattle; Bob Noftz and two step-grandchildren Robert and Raquel, Red
Bluff.
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CHICO RACING NEWS
CHICO, CA (5-3-14) - Rutherford, CA's Rico Abreu reminded everyone on Saturday night why he is
arguably the hottest Sprint Car driver around at the moment, as he romped to his second
consecutive win in the prestigious Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial at Chico's Silver Dollar
Speedway.
It was Abreu's second consecutive King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series victory and the seventh of
his career, tying Kyle Hirst, Jimmy Sills, Kyle Larson, Greg Decaires and Randy Hannagan for 14th
on the all-time win list. The 22-year-old also claimed the $1000 Abreu Vineyards Dash and with lap
money added in will go home with $6500 for his efforts. Despite strong day time winds the track
surface held up and made for some entertaining racing throughout the night.
"It feels great to get another win here at the Bradway and I can't thank Paul Silva and my guys
enough for giving me a great car," Abreu commented. "I also want to thank everyone that helps put
the Dave Bradway Jr Memorial on. It's a pretty awesome event and seeing all the money and
awards up for grabs is pretty awesome. We've been on a roll here to start the year and I really hope
we can keep it up heading back to the Midwest. I also want to thank all the fans for coming out
tonight."
When the green lights came on Abreu got the jump on the field and would ultimately never look
back. Outside front row starter Shane Golobic of Fremont settled into second at the start, but had a
water fitting failure knock him out of contention early on. Golobic also will go home with the hard luck
award that features $300 cash courtesy of Dan & Laurel Belton and HMC Promotions the Louie
Vermeil Classic, plus a set of Schoenfeld Headers and Flowmaster Mufflers courtesy of Kaeding
brothers racing.
Current King of the West point leader Kyle Hirst carved his way into the runner up position as the
race wore on and would eventually finish in the spot for the second straight year.
Sacramento's Willie Croft had a great run in the main event to complete the podium aboard the
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Chico Racing New Cont’d
Holey Smokes BBQ No. 29 Sprinter.
Evan Suggs finished the main event in fourth, with Roseville's Colby Copeland doing a great in
the feature to come home fifth. Completing the top-10 in the 40-lapper were Chico's Jonathan
Allard, who earned the hard charger award coming from 17th to sixth. Allard will go home with
$1300 courtesy of Abreu Vineyards, Budget Landscaping, Browns Valley RV and Hunts Race
World the Hunt Family, plus a pack of tear offs. Seventh through 10th in the main event were
Oroville's Sean Becker, Campbell's Brent Kaeding, Campbell's Bud Kaeding and Hanford's DJ
Netto.
Leading all 12-laps to win the Last Chance Showdown was Placerville's Andy Gregg, who claimed
$1000 cash from Abreu Vineyards, plus an additional $600 in lap money. The eight-lap C-main
was won by Chico's Brad Bumgarner.
Rico Abreu won the six-lap Dash and took home the $1000 cash from Abreu Vineyards as
previously noted.
NOTICE:
NCARA is searching for a 5th Wheel trailer to
store and display our racing memorabilia at
local functions. We are hoping to find a trailer
that is 28 ft. or longer and reasonably priced.
If you know of one that would fit our needs,
please contact our President, “Butch”
Schaefer, or Secretary, Mary Burton.
INFORMATION WANTED
I am attempting to make a list of all the track champions at Chico’s Silver Dollar Speedway. This
includes anything that has raced at Silver Dollar, including Claimers, Flathead Modifieds, Late
Models, Street Stocks, Bombers, etc. .
I have the last 15 years and all the Sprint Car/Super Modifieds.
As proof I need a newspaper article, trophy, program, point list or something of that sort.
Any help would be appreciated.
You may contact me at Silver Dollar Speedway, e-mail at [email protected] or call me at
530-899-9704.
Thank you, Art Spaulding
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NCARA
Board of Directors
Butch Schaefer--President
Nick Porter--Vice President
Mary Burton--Treasurer
Bob Benefield--Board Member
Tom Herseth--Board Member
Kenny Briggs--Board Member
Doug Bauer--Board Member
Lori Weber--Board Member
Jim Matson--Board Member
Bob Carrel--Board Member
Historian--Phil Corcoran
Northern California Auto Racing Alumni Association
Chico - Anderson
"Preserving the Past and Capturing the Future"
Our Mission Statement
The specific purpose for which the corporation is to be organized is to preserve the history and
future of circle track automobile racing on dirt and pavement raceways principally in the Anderson
and Chico, California areas through recognizing the race car drivers, teams, owners, officials and
fans that have been and will be associated with the sport in years to come. The mission of the
NCARA is to protect and preserve the history of the sport, capturing its future, to promote and
educate the general public of the sport and its significance in Northern California. This will be
achieved through the formation of a Hall of Fame, alumni appreciation and socialization, awards
recognition, creation of a museum to educate the public and the induction of future racing Hall of
Fame candidates.
For membership information call 530-221-3341
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