Didn't know who he was until I searched the interweb. RIP, another drag racing legend gone. http://www.moparwiki.com/index.php?title=Arlen_Vanke https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/mus/2013/12/-Akron--Arlen-Vanke/3732991.html http://www.mmshof.org/inductees/arlen-vanke/
RIP Arlen , one of my division 3 heros. a true super stock & pro stock pioneer. car craft had a picture a few years ago (on my wall) of Arlen`s duster on the ramps of his hauler, using the gas station for lighting. looks like he`s under there working on the clutch or ? we were down to the Gators , there was Arlen working on his car by himself . I stood there watching for a few minutes & he screwed a hose into #1 then hands it to me and says "tell me when that comes up" its up its up.I know he did it just to make my day & I told him it did 30 some years latter. RIP SS.
The first time I seen thank he was a driveway 42 and 1963 it was an awesome experience that was in his earlier years shortly after he moved on to the big time. We were fortunate enough to see him last year on Father's Day at the Akron fulton airport for the dedication of Otie Smith art arfons and arlen Vanke,I got his autograph there still have it on my shirt but you can barely make it out he was not in good health then. Thank you Otie smith and Arlen vanke, art, and Walt Arfons for putting Akron Ohio on the map for dragracing Sent from my iPad using H.A.M.B.
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