Oakland, CA USHRA

[dave3ba]

Date: November 1st, 1987.

Track: Outdoors, a set of 4 cars, a 90 degree left turn and a set of 6 cars. Finish line is at the end of the cars.

Lineup: Jim Reis (AM/PM Boss), Todd Blaeser (Hawaiian Punch), Don Maples (Samson I), Fred Shafer (Bearfoot III), Jim Kramer (Bigfoot VI)

Results:

Round 1:
Ries 15.30

Finals:
Ries 13.78
Kramer 12.04

Notes: This was the last event before the World Finals in Houston, TX. Jim Kramer injured his shoulder during the event, which is why Rich Hooser drove Bigfoot IV at the World Finals show and Kramer joined the announce team.

[Tim T]

I knew Kramer injured his shoulder but I didn't know that's why he was announcing and Rich was driving at Houston.

BTW, the Bearfoot was Bearfoot #5 not #3. #3 was owned by Keith Todd and because Mr Bad. It never had the 88 body.

Tim

[dave3ba]

I know most consider the Bear Foot numbering to be different than I do. I guess it's just personal preference, but if we don't consider Bigfoot Ranger and Snake Bite as a Bigfoot truck, I don't think we should consider Lil' Bear Foot and Bear Foot Sport either. Just a matter of opinion though, and yes, most would consider it to be Bear Foot IV or V.

[Tim T]

I know what you're saying. Really the truck that Fred referred to as Bearfoot #5 was simply #4 rebuilt. Somehow he considered the rebuild as another truck. I have an article on Bearfoot #5 and I thought it was a new truck but it was simply the new 88 body and new axles.

I went to school with Keith Todd's nephew and he'd bring pictures in of them working on Bearfoot #3 which Keith owned. Fred was a more distant relative; I can't remember how Keith and Fred were related.

Great board!

Tim

[dave3ba]

Yeah, so I guess I really consider the Bear Foot family like this:
Bear Foot I - original truck that Jack Willman turned into Taurus
Bear Foot II - truck owned by Todd
Bear Foot III - truck that rolled in Anaheim, was rebuilt as the real tall truck.
Bear Foot IV - first racer truck
Bear Foot V - truck that ran in '91
Bear Foot VI - first red dodge truck, mid '92 debut.
and so on. I know there were several more, but they weren't real Bear Foot trucks to me.

Got any pics of the in-progress Bear Foot?

Thanks for the insight on the board!

[Tim T]

I never got possession of any of the pics. I wasn't the best of friends with Paul Todd (Keith's Nephew or cousin).

Really as I recall, the whole thing didn't last very long and don't hold me to it but I believe the Keith / Fred relationship went really sour. If I remember questioning him about it, I think Keith pretty much HAD to sell his bearfoot truck. I don't think the partnership went over well but like I said I don't remember the exact details.

Anyway, the main pics I saw were after it was completed and a couple of my classmates were taking pics with it at Keith's house.

Later,

Tim