Another Legend Lost- Sush Matsubara
- Thread starter ProStockJunkie
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- Jul 8, 2006
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How sad. I had watched Sush race for a number of years, but the first time I actually met him was in the pits at San Fernando. I was working for Vanover Engineering and they had just come out with the first forged aluminum rocker arm for the Chevys. Sush ordered some for the Fiat and asked if anyone could bring them out to the Pond on Sunday and save him a trip. I volunteered as I was there every Sunday anyway.
When I arrived and introduced myself and gave him the rockers, he proceeded to take the valve covers off right away, and I was really surprised when I saw that he had about four rockers from everyone making them, Crane, Isky, etc plus half a dozen stock Chevrolets. He was desperate, nothing would live in that thing. But ours did.
Later when I was racing with Phil Poyner with the top fuel Chevy big block, we had Sush's home phone number and we would pull all nighters on Friday nights, rebuilding and repairing the motor from the last time we raced it.
Every time we ran into a problem, we would call him and wake him up. Probably did that three times a night. He was always cool with that.
Jay
When I arrived and introduced myself and gave him the rockers, he proceeded to take the valve covers off right away, and I was really surprised when I saw that he had about four rockers from everyone making them, Crane, Isky, etc plus half a dozen stock Chevrolets. He was desperate, nothing would live in that thing. But ours did.
Later when I was racing with Phil Poyner with the top fuel Chevy big block, we had Sush's home phone number and we would pull all nighters on Friday nights, rebuilding and repairing the motor from the last time we raced it.
Every time we ran into a problem, we would call him and wake him up. Probably did that three times a night. He was always cool with that.
Jay
It is a really sad time when we've lost funny car pioneers like Dyno Don, Ronnie Sox, Big John Mazmanian and now Sush in such a short period of time. As a friend of mine said in an email today, make it to your nearest Hot Rod Reunion to see the legends before they are all gone.
If Memory serves me right, it was Jimmy Nix who suggested that they hold the Hot rod reunion every year for those who couldn't make it for what ever reason. Less then one year after the fact, Jimmy was Killed during a run at the Texas Motorplex! That's one thing no Drag race fan is NEVER prepared for; seeing someone they've met get snuffed out on the Racetrack!
Michael Thomas
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- Jul 10, 2006
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this is the pits. i can remember him in the fiat, and the corvair at the dale. one very good man. and drove like willie did ,like he did not have a dime in it. we will miss you dude, R.I.P.
The pic of the Mondello and Matsubara car could have been in the coverage of the '05 California Hot Rod Reunion. The car, still with remnants of its original paint, was on display at Bakersfield by its current owners, which include Pete Eastwood who is heading up the restoration chores.
Both Joe M. and Sush were on hand for the CHRR.
I realize it is the force of nature, but far too many times lately we have been reading posts of yet another's passing.
To all...stay well.
DMaC
Both Joe M. and Sush were on hand for the CHRR.
I realize it is the force of nature, but far too many times lately we have been reading posts of yet another's passing.
To all...stay well.
DMaC
Rocketman 207
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- Jul 9, 2006
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ProStockJunkie
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Thanks for posting the photos Kelly.
Dave Mac, I agree. It seems every time you turn around, we're hearing of another of the legends of drag racing, passing.
May they all rest in peace.
Dave Mac, I agree. It seems every time you turn around, we're hearing of another of the legends of drag racing, passing.
May they all rest in peace.
ProStockJunkie
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Sush's final arrangements
Saturday, August 5, 2006
3:00 p.m.
Los Angeles Hompa Hongwanji Buddist Temple
815 East 1st Street
Los Angeles, California 90012
In lieu of flowers, the family will soon be providing information for possible donations.
Saturday, August 5, 2006
3:00 p.m.
Los Angeles Hompa Hongwanji Buddist Temple
815 East 1st Street
Los Angeles, California 90012
In lieu of flowers, the family will soon be providing information for possible donations.
ProStockJunkie
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Donations in lieu of flowers for Sush Matsubara
From Roland
In Lieu of Flowers you can make a donation in the name of Sush Matsubara to:
The American Lung Assoc. of California
@http://www.californialung.org/donate/donate.html
or by phone@ 1-800-568-4872
From Roland
In Lieu of Flowers you can make a donation in the name of Sush Matsubara to:
The American Lung Assoc. of California
@http://www.californialung.org/donate/donate.html
or by phone@ 1-800-568-4872
ProStockJunkie
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