AHDRA opens season at Orlando Speedword

The bike will have a new look and a new engine at this weekend’s season opener. We’ll have photos next week. (photo courtesy Grimes Racing)

Nitro Harley-Davidson racer Tommy Grimes will travel south for the AHDRA (All Harley Drag Race Association) season opener at Orlando Speedworld, located in Bithlo, Fla. 

This weekend's kick off for the 14-race series will be the premier event for Grimes on Mike Bahnmaier's Mid Continent's new 195 cubic inch PRP/Romine built engine.

"It's always a little nerve rattling at the first race, but to have a new motor, just adds to the edge,” said Grimes. "The bike's been here with us to finish the detailing and Freddie Robbins has been thrashing day and night to get the new exhaust system completed, it might not be shiny at this event but it'll be right. We'll be meeting the rest of the team at Orlando Speedworld and are anxious to get a few passes in the computer to see what this new motor will do." [2/23/2010]

Services set for Rocky Childs

Jim Bonn appeared with the Childs & Albert “Addict” dragster at the 2007 Festival of Speed in England.  (Michael Collins photo)

Raymal "Rocky" Childs died Feb. 15 at age 74. Born and raised in the hotbed of California's hot rod culture, the San Fernando Valley, Childs went to San Fernando High School where he was classmates and friends with the late Dick Landy. In the mid-1960s, he teamed with Jim Albert to launch Childs & Albert.

Albert retired in the late 1990s, and Childs subsequently split with remaining partner, Bruce Walker, and went on to form and own Akerly & Childs, a supplier of bearings and rings.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon, two children, and several grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Feb. 27, at 11 a.m. at Gates Kingsley and Gates West Valley Mortuary, 6909 Canoga Blvd., Canoga Park, CA. [2/23/2010]