Topic: Sorcerer and Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe to be restored

[sorcerer]

Wouldn't it be nice to see someone like Big Jay producing those pipes once again!  hint hint

Perhaps with your blessing RCjr and some of the proceeds going towards your efforts! Jay is a great sponsor for old and new racing. Sorry Jay but you are the man these days and I always seem to pester you to bring back your stuff 

There is no doubt that Jay has had an incredible impact in the motorcycle performance industry.

I have built or had commissioned the building of at least a half dozen race bikes over the past 20 yrs and  I think every one of them used his cylinder studs, valve springs, cam chains, wrist pins etc...

[Big Jay]

Thanks... But I don't do pipes. 

[Sam Green Racing]

Like you don't do undercut gears. 

Sam.

[Tom]

Hi Russ Jr, and a big welcome, I made my first of many trips to the USA in late 1975 and one of the first stops was RC Eng, I was really surprised at how open and welcoming your dad and Terry Vance and Byron Hines were, with as much as they had going on at the shop they always had time to show me around and spend some time talking about how to do things the right way. I was fortunate to see your dad in action on a number of occasions it was always a very anticipated Blast... I will have a look thru some slides and post a few old pics. and when you see your dad next say G'day Mate from Me. Best Regards Tom Courtney

[Dark Prince]

Hi all, greetings from the UK.

I grew up in the early 80's listening to Dads stories of Drag Racing at Santa Pod.  Back in the early 70's him and his mate ran a Triumph (i think..) powered drag bike.  We used to go camping alot and in the games room of one site was a huge poster on the wall of Russ Collins  on Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe.  I was transfixed......to this day i can still see the pic as clear as day.  Not long after this dad took me to Santa Pod for the first time.  All i can remember is one of the big T/F bikes of the time (Brian Johnson??) and  Sammy Miller in Vanishing Point (something else i'll never forget...!!).  But that poster in the games room stuck in my mind for years. When i first got the internet i did a search on the web and found that there was 2 bikes, Sorcerer and Battlestar (does this still exist?!). 

Reading a classic bike mag today i commented to dad about a pic of Tom Christensons bike, Hogslayer.  "yeah nice bike that, oh by the way, Atchinson, Topeka and Santa Fe is being restored!".

WOW......Hope it all works out Sorcerer, you've made 2 blokes from the uK very happy.

DP

[sorcerer]

I had heard  throughout the years that the UK had some serious drag racing activity....judging by the number of responses from "over there" I have to seriously consider touring Europe with our restorations. My Dad toured Europe in 77 or 78 ....have a picture of him in Paris at the Arc de Triomphe sitting on the Sorcerer. I think he was sponsored by Air France for the trip.

I worked in London and Galway, Ireland in 1990 as a Quality Consultant...awesome hospitality and I love the history.

The BattleStar was radically experimental and did not work out as hoped...very controversial and I'm not sure what became of it but I will be checking into this as I seem to have a good start on a collection.


Sorcerer Picture of the day...cleaned up Intake and Blower....notice the injector lines....those aren't the only fuel delivery on the Sorcerer ....definitely well fed as there are several additional injectors at the actual throttle body which sits under this arrangement.






Looks like it should be bolted onto that Chevelle in the background eh?

[FuZZie]

Looks like it should be bolted onto that Chevelle in the background eh?

Ooo.... That sounds like treason!   

[Sam Green Racing]

Hi all, greetings from the UK.

I grew up in the early 80's listening to Dads stories of Drag Racing at Santa Pod.  Back in the early 70's him and his mate ran a Triumph (i think..) powered drag bike.  We used to go camping alot and in the games room of one site was a huge poster on the wall of Russ Collins  on Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe.  I was transfixed......to this day i can still see the pic as clear as day.  Not long after this dad took me to Santa Pod for the first time.  All i can remember is one of the big T/F bikes of the time (Brian Johnson??) and  Sammy Miller in Vanishing Point (something else i'll never forget...!!).  But that poster in the games room stuck in my mind for years. When i first got the internet i did a search on the web and found that there was 2 bikes, Sorcerer and Battlestar (does this still exist?!). 

Reading a classic bike mag today i commented to dad about a pic of Tom Christensons bike, Hogslayer.  "yeah nice bike that, oh by the way, Atchinson, Topeka and Santa Fe is being restored!".

WOW......Hope it all works out Sorcerer, you've made 2 blokes from the uK very happy.

DP

We can use more stories from the UK, tell us about your dad and youself, welcome to the forum.

Sam.

[MRieck]

Hi all, greetings from the UK.

I grew up in the early 80's listening to Dads stories of Drag Racing at Santa Pod.  Back in the early 70's him and his mate ran a Triumph (i think..) powered drag bike.  We used to go camping alot and in the games room of one site was a huge poster on the wall of Russ Collins  on Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe.  I was transfixed......to this day i can still see the pic as clear as day.  Not long after this dad took me to Santa Pod for the first time.  All i can remember is one of the big T/F bikes of the time (Brian Johnson??) and  Sammy Miller in Vanishing Point (something else i'll never forget...!!).  But that poster in the games room stuck in my mind for years. When i first got the internet i did a search on the web and found that there was 2 bikes, Sorcerer and Battlestar (does this still exist?!). 

Reading a classic bike mag today i commented to dad about a pic of Tom Christensons bike, Hogslayer.  "yeah nice bike that, oh by the way, Atchinson, Topeka and Santa Fe is being restored!".

WOW......Hope it all works out Sorcerer, you've made 2 blokes from the uK very happy.

DP

We can use more stories from the UK, tell us about your dad and youself, welcome to the forum.

Sam.

You've been to the UK Sam?

[Sam Green Racing]

Happy Christmas Murphy, I'm off to spend the rest of the day with Jon and So, they were asking about you the other day, they send their regards as does Ben.

Sam.

[MRieck]

Happy Christmas Murphy, I'm off to spend the rest of the day with Jon and So, they were asking about you the other day, they send their regards as does Ben.

Sam.

Merry Christmas Sam. Please tell them I said hello...... they are often in my thoughts.

[Gearheadgreg]

Sorcerer Picture of the day...cleaned up Intake and Blower....notice the injector lines....those aren't the only fuel delivery on the Sorcerer ....definitely well fed as there are several additional injectors at the actual throttle body which sits under this arrangement.                                      Should have known he ran one of Merts Lungs....RIP Mert. 371 GMC Thanks for the pic's Jr and Merry Xmas

[Dark Prince]

Thanks for the welcome Sam,

My first ever drag race meet was when i was 3 months old so i'm told, being fed stewed apricots on the banking at Santa Pod!.  I went to the 'Pod when i about 7 or 8 i think.  From memory, we knew one of the officials and i can remember sitting in a Pepsi can shaped camper van, complete with furry floor.  Bear in mind this was 30 years ago so things may be a bit hazy, but walking round the pits i remember there being alot of Dutch competitors.  I may even have seen Henk Vink.  To be honest the whole noise, smell and sheer power of what i was seeing overwhelmed me a bit!.   When i get back from my hols in Jan, i'll dig out dads old photos and post some up.  Whats the best way to post photos here?.  Do i have to host the pics else where or can i post direct from the laptop?.

Sorcerer, the drag racing scene in the UK was pretty big back in the day, and to be fair it still has a fair sized following now.  There's only 2 Drag strips, Santa Pod and Shakespere Raceway (AKA Avon Park).  There's regular meetings at Santa Pod, inc some bike championships.  I'm sure Europe (and the UK ) would love to see the restorations!. 

Seasons greetings to you all and i'll post the pics up next week.

DP

[Big Jay]

There's only 2 Drag strips, Santa Pod and Shakespere Raceway (AKA Avon Park). 

DP

And I am honored to say I have been to both of them.

[ivanhoew]

now youv all gone and done it , reminded me of riding up to avon on my turbo 400/4,    sitting in the roller startup vehicle as a marshall starting up bo o'brochta's bike for the 1st 7 second run in uk ,day .....i think !!(may have been elma trett!!!),,,, now ill have to see if i can find all my pics .

regards
robert

oh ps.. rc jr ,absolutely loving this project ,really thrilling stuff THANK YOU .

[sorcerer]

Need Help.....please pass the word.

I am looking for any video or home movies of the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe running...especially a burn out. You would think I would have such an item....but I do not.

RCjr.

[HOSA]

bobsnyderdragphotos.smugmug.com/    hey russ try this website. has lots of pics of your dad.

[sorcerer]

Thanks,

Yes he does...incredible amount of pics on that site. That guy went to a lot of races!

I have gotten some good views of the Sorcerer, on that sit, throughout it's evolution...raised some questions and I've been on the phone with "the man" on why the changes. I certainly have some choices i can make and still be "original".

He had a series of pics that showed my Dad beating Terry Vance on a hole shot ..think it was the 81 Finals...certainly one of the last times a double beat the new single engine fuelers. We had the MPH to reel in just about anyone and a hole shot would seal the deal for sure.

[Tom]

Hi Russ Jr, and a big welcome, I made my first of many trips to the USA in late 1975 and one of the first stops was RC Eng, I was really surprised at how open and welcoming your dad and Terry Vance and Byron Hines were, with as much as they had going on at the shop they always had time to show me around and spend some time talking about how to do things the right way. I was fortunate to see your dad in action on a number of occasions it was always a very anticipated Blast... I will have a look thru some slides and post a few old pics. and when you see your dad next say G'day Mate from Me. Best Regards Tom Courtney

Well here are a few, And best wishes to all for 2012.......

leaving R C Eng Loading the renta nova with some Help from Jan Lotsa Boxes of Goodies for my Cobra 970 engine late 1975,


The A T & S doing a plug change on a 750 can be a pain in the... X 3.
The 1975 Winston World Finals Ontario Ca. voted by many as the best drag event ever...
http://www.nhra.net/50th/races/111302.html


If you can Look past Grandaddy Joe Smiths Shovel Double at the door on the support car.....


Terry Vance and the Vance and Hines Double Honda all the Old R C Stuff Ha Ha

[scottly]

Well here are a few, And best wishes to all for 2012.......

leaving R C Eng Loading the renta nova with some Help from Jan Lotsa Boxes of Goodies for my Cobra 970 engine late 1975,

Who's the babe??

[Tom]

That was My girl Jan, Her mum wouldnt pass my letters on as she didnt want her moving to Oz. Worst luck Bugger she was nice..

[sorcerer]

Cool pics....takes me back. I used to ride a bicycle after school almost everyday all the way from South Torrance High School to that building.  We did a lot of burnouts in the alley behind. That is where the RC business really took off.

If you anything about LA...you know a 98lb gringo on a new 10 speed was really taking his chances just getting there after the hour long ride down Figueroa along the Harbor Fwy and on to Main Street Gardena. I was happy to put that bike in my Dad's van every night for the ride home. Every night working on the triple after sweeping the floors of course. 

RCjr.

[Big Jay]

Somewhere in one of our old catalogs is a photo of my son at 14 years old, machining 836 pistons on an old Clausing lathe. Today he runs our entire manufacturing shop.

[sorcerer]

I got promoted from janitor to muffler wrapper and on to valve seating....I did not miss the muffler wrapping so much...by the time I joined the Navy we had two buildings and about 50 employees in late 75. The one building was all pipes. Of course they would move to a larger facility and the company doubled before the big split up in 81 or so.

My favorite part of that building was the "secret room" that's where my Dad and Byron hung out and some very high minded thinking took place...beautiful "car parts" were adapted to motorcycle drivelines....,very high flowing cylinder heads and radical cams came to life in that room. The T/G double and triple were born there. When discussions took place in that room even a 14 yr old could tell he was witnessing history.

RCjr

[754]

  Hope RCjr comes back soon.. my favorite thread.. I really enjoy this one..

 If there was a THREADOFTHEYEAR2011, IZ wood vote for this one.....