I agree with you skull. That car was ahead of its time. The two or three times I met Phillips. He seemed like a high strung prima dona. I'm not trying to start a pissing match either, but I think most drivers will agree that they are a bit pompus. I remember some of the names you mentioned, but others I dont.
When I talked with Augie. He said they tried Lates but didnt do well. I guess shortly after that. The relationship went bad.
I forgot to ask what motor they were running. I'll Get that next time I see him. (Soon) I want pics of the original car.
Any One have pics
Started by HARVESTER OF SORROW, Jan 20 2013 08:55 AM
56 replies to this topic
#41
Posted 26 January 2013 - 07:46 AM
#42
Posted 26 January 2013 - 10:42 AM
Tom who ?The fact that that car was ever permitted to run with the Semi-Lates is the single biggest reason that division was phased out in favor of the Limited or Sportsman Lates at Lernerville. It was so good and advanced compared to the Semi-Lates of the day that Bob Wearing,Sr. won a Late Model heat in it.
I'm not getting into a pissing match or trying to anger anyone here, but Tom Phillips was a below average driver. He needed that kind of advantage to win in anything. The car was so superior that it was a wonder to me how he ever got beat if he didn't wreck or break. He ran Lernerville as if it was two connected drag strips. Scream down the straights, lock it down and coast around the bottom, repeat. Donnie Allison, Banker Beach, Kenny Schaltenbrand, Sr., Bud Kunkel, Don Gamble, Dave Pegher, Eddie Bashaar, Barry Peters and Mark Harvanek, to name a few, were all much better drivers that he ever was. That was all the while mostly driving worn out old Howe cars from the 70's or home made creations. Tommy liked to spend other people's cash to win. When he did go Late Model racing, he was not even remotely competitive and was out of racing altogether within a year.
#43
Posted 26 January 2013 - 07:28 PM
I agree with you skull. That car was ahead of its time. The two or three times I met Phillips. He seemed like a high strung prima dona. I'm not trying to start a pissing match either, but I think most drivers will agree that they are a bit pompus. I remember some of the names you mentioned, but others I dont.
When I talked with Augie. He said they tried Lates but didnt do well. I guess shortly after that. The relationship went bad.
I forgot to ask what motor they were running. I'll Get that next time I see him. (Soon) I want pics of the original car.
I know I have programs with some shots of the Corvette. I'll have to dig around.
#44
Posted 26 January 2013 - 07:30 PM
Tom who ?
Brady.
#45
Posted 27 January 2013 - 04:34 PM
I found a pic I took at Lernerville, I think, in 1982. This may be a shot of the Late Model. I think I have a shot of the Corvette, will have to dig a little deeper. After doing a little more checking, this photo was taken in 1980.
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tommy_phillips0001__2_.jpg 407.26KB
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Edited by flash49, 27 January 2013 - 04:58 PM.
#46
Posted 27 January 2013 - 04:44 PM
WOW Great pic. Still waiting on Augie to call, say he found pics. Look at how sleek that car was! It just looks plain old fast. Notice how the air cleaner is under hood. I'm going to call Augie Monday.
Great work. Dig! Dig! Dig! 
#47
Posted 27 January 2013 - 04:44 PM
Here is a pic of the Corvette from 1981, looks like it might be from Motordrome.
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tommy_phillips10001.jpg 412.7KB
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#48
Posted 27 January 2013 - 04:47 PM
Now look at how cool that car was. Great pic. I know I can do better. Will have to wait.
My bad on the last pic. I think I do see the air cleaner.Need Glasses . 
#49
Posted 27 January 2013 - 10:59 PM
Why do I remember the phrase "White Lightning" associated with this race team? It seems to me there were a couple of woman seated by us every week that had that on their t-shirts, and it seemed as if Phillips was the only driver they were there to see.
BTW, it was a cool looking ride, for sure.
Edited by Skull, 27 January 2013 - 10:59 PM.
#50
Posted 28 January 2013 - 07:14 AM
Not sure about "White lightning". But I will surely inquire Augie about it.
Those wheel wells could have been cut a little better. Dont you think?
#51
Posted 29 January 2013 - 07:24 AM
Spoke with Augie last night. Never did look for the pics. I knew I'd have to push him to get them.
Looks like I have to go visit to get things done.
As far as the "White Lightning" thing goes. Augie said the car was painted white after him and Phillips split. So the girls had on new "groupie" shirts.
I'm a persistant pain in the ass. So watch for pics.
#52
Posted 29 January 2013 - 07:33 AM
Can you please explain your fetish with this car ??? I've seen much nicer stuff from the same era ...Spoke with Augie last night. Never did look for the pics. I knew I'd have to push him to get them.
Looks like I have to go visit to get things done.
As far as the "White Lightning" thing goes. Augie said the car was painted white after him and Phillips split. So the girls had on new "groupie" shirts.
I'm a persistant pain in the ass. So watch for pics.
#53
Posted 29 January 2013 - 08:53 AM
Legend your such an ass
#54
Posted 29 January 2013 - 09:00 AM
I'm being dead serious , that car is pretty crude compared to some of the stuff of the same era that I have seen ..Legend your such an ass
#55
Posted 29 January 2013 - 03:26 PM
The Firebird mini wedge was nothing special, but the Vette bodied car was racing in the semi late division in 1981. Nobody else had anything close to that in that division at the time. It wasn't nicer than the late models in '81, but nobody spent that kind of money in semi lates. Phillips was average at best, and when Mike Blose moved up to semi lates with an ex Flintstone Flyer-Tri City Buggy car later in the 80's, Phillips got his a$$ handed to him. He was a big fish with chrome wheels, an expensive engine, and a fiberglass body...swimming in a small pond in 1981.I'm being dead serious , that car is pretty crude compared to some of the stuff of the same era that I have seen ..
#56
Posted 29 January 2013 - 03:39 PM
That photo had to be after '81 Flash, I think you were right the first time. If you ever run across the yellow 1Jr. car from 1981 in that vast collection of yours, how about sending me a copy.I found a pic I took at Lernerville, I think, in 1982. This may be a shot of the Late Model. I think I have a shot of the Corvette, will have to dig a little deeper. After doing a little more checking, this photo was taken in 1980.
#57
Posted 30 January 2013 - 12:06 AM
That photo had to be after '81 Flash, I think you were right the first time. If you ever run across the yellow 1Jr. car from 1981 in that vast collection of yours, how about sending me a copy.
I will look when I get a chance.
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