Page 69 - NM Spring 2018
P. 69
quintessential, long-established, As far as how and why I selected annual Grand Prix Christmas party
true local speed shop and find out this particular place as the subject on Saturday, December 23. More
the secret to its longevity among for this article on “speed shop about that later, but first here is
its fast diminishing brethren in the survival,” I will have to provide some background…..
world of high-performance. a disclaimer. I met Jon 50 years In 1968, Jon was racing an
ago right after he opened Grand
Bingo! An hour-and-a-half away Prix’ doors and he became my first injected Chrysler-powered A/
and less than a block off Tulsa’s sponsor when I was racing my Top Fuel Dragster at area drag strips,
busy I-244 is the old, original Gas dragster, with John “Goat” including the new, purpose-built
dividing line between the north Osborn behind the wheel. With Southwest Raceway (now Tulsa
Raceway Park). When Kansas
and south sides of the city, Admiral a family, a less-than-great income City drag racers Ray Motes and
Place. It goes for miles, lined from my job in radio and a busy Dwane Smith approached Jon with
with industrial businesses and racing schedule with the Midwest a plan to sell him a “Grand Prix
warehouses, car lots, garages and All-Stars Top Gas Circuit, breaks Speed Shop” franchise, the Tulsan’s
numerous old retail shops and on parts and occasional lodging response was, “You bet!” It was
restaurants that have declined to of my car at his shop were really a quick and simple deal with Jon
move from that venerable old strip appreciated and never forgotten. arranging to trade his race car
of concrete. On a corner that closes I’ve seen and talked with Jon to the pair in lieu of cash. Of the
in on the downtown area is Grand over the phone and at the races original twelve franchises at the
Prix Auto Sports Center, a 50-year a few times, but had not been in time, Brook’s business acumen and
survivor in the speed shop attrition his business for years. At his hard work over the decades has
wars. invitation, I was there for the Continued on next page
Stripped for freshening over the winter, the A/FD shares space with guests at the Christmas party.
Spring 2018 Nitro Madness Magazine 69
