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Tom Hoover's "Showtime" 1992
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BaldyLochs
Nitro Member
Awesome! I hope that some of you had the sincere pleasure of meeting George, Tom's Dad at some point over the years like I did. George was a not only a woderful, witty and friendly man - but a hell of a good nitro motor tuner as well. this car here looked wicked in the right lighting back then.....
DrRocket
Nitro Member
I had a chance to meet George, and you're right. He was fun to talk with. Knew his motors too, boy. I also met Tom's mom. She was in charge of selling broken parts for souvenirs.
I remember watching some folks who obviously thought that they could fast talk this "sweet little old lady" down to a lower price. HAH!!! They got edjumakated real fast.
That picture was also taken back when 3M was still making camera fillum. Used to buy it for cheap in the company store, along with a lot of nice automotive type chemicals. Thanks for the picture. Brings back warm memories.
I remember watching some folks who obviously thought that they could fast talk this "sweet little old lady" down to a lower price. HAH!!! They got edjumakated real fast.
That picture was also taken back when 3M was still making camera fillum. Used to buy it for cheap in the company store, along with a lot of nice automotive type chemicals. Thanks for the picture. Brings back warm memories.
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mick
Nitro Member
david, you an ex-3M man? my dad is retired 3M guy.......company store
products; very familiar with them. still get a box for xmas every year.
tom was so easy to route for with all the natural MN ties, and i agree, this
particular graphics scheme still looks great today.
wish 3M could find a way to again be involved with a pro team, but
just heard yesterday there were more layoffs here in twin cities;
graphics division.
was this the year he raced oswald in finals at gainesville? had to repair
body before final?, or was that oswald with the damaged body?
can't remember who won either?
Just Paul
Nitro Member
Hoover lost in his semi-final, and blew the body off in the process.
Oswald won, but lost a tire, and tore a huge chunk out of the rear of the body.
Both being Firebirds, and Oswald not having a spare, they took a sawzall to the body hoover had blown off, and cut out what was needed, and rivited and taped it into the section on Oswalds In-N-Out body that was missing. Oswald went on to win.
That's the kind of fun stuff that does not happen anymore.
My Grandpa was a mechanical engineer for 3M for over 25 years. Building 275 St. Paul
Oswald won, but lost a tire, and tore a huge chunk out of the rear of the body.
Both being Firebirds, and Oswald not having a spare, they took a sawzall to the body hoover had blown off, and cut out what was needed, and rivited and taped it into the section on Oswalds In-N-Out body that was missing. Oswald went on to win.
That's the kind of fun stuff that does not happen anymore.
My Grandpa was a mechanical engineer for 3M for over 25 years. Building 275 St. Paul
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.
Nitro Member
Very cool shot of the car. I always rooted for him since he was local to my aunt and uncle who lived in Eagan, MN at the time.
My uncle worked at 3M in the Twin Cities for many years. You didn't know anybody with the last name of Kugel, did you? When I was growing up we had tons of 3M and Scotch products in the house (especially audio and video tapes) because of my aunt and uncle.
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I believe that this is the car I built for Tom in the early '90s. The rear of the spoiler was hinged and the spill panels were removeable so the car would fit in the upper deck of the trailer. The person in the background is Steve Gladiuax who at one time worked at Tom's wheel alignment shop and drove Al Tschieda's funny car. The person on the left could be Tom's friend Chuck Datko. When Tom sold the car the body went to Al Tschieda and the chassis with a newer body went to England. To my knowledge the chassis is still being raced in England/Europe and has won at least one championship according to Tom. Not to toot my own horn, but Tom still says it was the most comfortable car he drove.
Yes, Tom Hoover and Showtime were great fan favourites in the UK many years. Not sure if this was the version - I believe Tom raced in the UK in the 80s.
We also had Raymond Beadle (6.04) racing Gene Snow (6.00) in one of the greatest ever races on this side of the Atlantic in 1979. In fact that was fastest side by side in the world for a few days.
We also had Raymond Beadle (6.04) racing Gene Snow (6.00) in one of the greatest ever races on this side of the Atlantic in 1979. In fact that was fastest side by side in the world for a few days.
