Local Mechanic Races with ‘Good Ole American Muscle’

Local mechanic Keith Moore works on a malfunctioning carburetor before a drag race. Moore, like a growing number of area race fans, fixes up old cars to take to the drag strip.

By: Scott Cook
Keith Moore yearns for the days of yesteryear, when automobiles were more than the clones we see every day zipping down the highway, impersonal and, well, wimpy.
“This is good ole American muscle,” Moore said while draining fuel from the flooded carburetor of his beefed-up 1979 Chevrolet Monza in preparation for a drag race later in the day.
Moore, 41, owner and manager of Moore’s Alignment & Service Center on U.S. 1 north of Titusville, is only one of a growing legion of drag racing fans in north Brevard and across the country who are modifying older cars to take to the local speedway in hopes of winning a trophy and a little prize money.
And Moore’s Monza is, indeed, a muscle car.
As he fires up the engine, the throaty bellow from the exhaust makes you wince and cover your ears. The parking lot vibrates beneath you.
He smiles like a proud father.
So far, Moore’s Monza, replete with a 505 cubic-inch mill, has been clocked in the one-eighth mile at 5.7 seconds doing 124 miles per hour. His best in the one-quarter mile is equally impressive - 9.09 seconds at 150 miles per hour.
Why does a man like Moore spend all his spare time and money chasing a dream that only the likes of Ward Burton or Ricky Rudd are likely to realize?
“I pretty much do it for the enjoyment,” he said. “You don’t make much money from it. It’s just a hobby.”
His choice of a “hobby” is one of the fastest-growing ones in the country.
According to a National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) web site, the NHRA is only in its fifth decade of existence but has over 80,000 members, 140 member tracks, more than 35, 000 licensed competitors and more than 5,000 member-track events.
So where does the term ‘drag’ racing come from?
No one really knows or agrees with certainty.
Some say the term comes from a simple “Drag your car out of the garage and race me!”
Others point to a ‘geographical’ explanation, where a ‘drag’ is a city’s main street, often the only street wide enough to hold such an event.
A ‘mechanical’ theory is often cited. To ‘drag’ the gears means to hold the transmission gear longer than normal.
However the sport’s name came to fruition, Moore came to the drag racing scene in a roundabout way.
He started out by racing boats but, due to the scarcity of races, he saw boat racing as a dying sport. So he gave up the water for asphalt, and he doesn’t see himself going back.
His enthusiasm has others converting and following him to the speedway.
Rick Loudermilk is a close friend of Moore’s. Together they spend their Saturday mornings fine-tuning their cars.
Loudermilk, 37, is excited about the recent showing of his 1971 Chevrolet Nova sporting a snarling 350 cubic-inch engine.
He was clocked in the one-eighth mile at 7.41 seconds doing 95 miles per hour and 11.7 seconds in the one-quarter mile at 115 miles per hour.
But he is quick to give credit where credit is due.
“If it wasn’t for Keith, I wouldn’t be able to do this,” Loudermilk said. “And I’ve got a good wife. She supports me in what I’m doing.”
Both Moore and Loudermilk are busy pursuing other racing venues besides Orlando. They have already raced in places like Lakeland, Bradenton, St. Petersburg and West Palm Beach. They have even ventured outside the state to race in Georgia, and they plan on returning to them all.
Though Moore has been racing for seven years now, he has never had a mishap, except for an old lady running her moped into his car during a pit stop.
“Sure, we lose a few people each year,” he said. “But it’s a safe sport. The main emphasis is on safety.”
Moore thinks the future of drag racing is ensured by the sheer abundance of older, cheaper cars available for such a project.
“You are going to see more and more cars being resurrected,” he said. “Right now you see more older cars being fixed up because new cars are just too expensive for many folks.”
This is evident right up the river in Ormond Beach, where resident Tim Suddard has put together a publication titled “Grassroots Motorsports.” The magazine is hailed nationally by do-it-yourselfers as being the top in its class.
Moore screws the air filter down on the carburetor, gets in the car and fires it up again. He smiles as the thunder sends birds scattering from nearby trees.
Yep. You just can’t replace Good Ole American Muscle.

Lottery And Schools: How much money and where

By: Scott Cook
Fall-student enrollment in Brevard County has grown proportionally with the economy and other geopolitical factors.
In 1955, 8,529 students were enrolled in Brevard. Now there are 70,460 students. Most other Florida counties have experienced the same kind of increase,and the trend is growing.
To offset the rising costs of education in Brevard and the other 66 Florida counties, the Florida Lottery may go a long way in helping.
So where does the lottery money go, and who decides how it is spent?
The Florida State Legislature does.
State law requires the lottery to pay at least 50 cents of every lottery dollar collected into the prize pool, and at least 38 cents into the state’s “Educational Enhancement Trust Fund.”
Retailers who sell and redeem tickets get 5.5 cents, 2.1 cents goes to the companies providing scratch-off and online tickets and 4.4 cents goes toward lottery advertising and maintaining the lottery’s operating costs.
Before a school district can receive any lottery funds, the district must set policies and procedures consistent with the definitions of those state laws.
Each school district then sends a report to the Florida Department of Education on how they plan on spending their chunk of alloted money.
A number of these projects draw off lottery money.

The “Classrooms First Program” gives funds to school districts for “new construction, remodeling, major repair or maintenance of educational facilities.”
The 28 community colleges and 10 state universities also receive lottery funds for education.
The “Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program,” which receives 100 percent of its funds from the lottery, awards three different types of scholarships to high school seniors.
An appropriated amount of lottery funds is put into the “Educational Enhancement Trust Fund,” which is run by the Department of Education in the Office of Student Financial Assistance.

So what’s the bottom line? According to the Florida Lottery Commission web site, the lottery has given $900 million statewide from 1997 - 2002 for public school construction.
In the 2001 - 2002 school year, Brevard County schools received a total of $14,620,266. And since the 1987-1988 school year, Brevard schools have had almost $250 million put in its coffers.
So the next time you fill out that lottery slip or take a penny to a scratch-off, think of the how the kids benefit.

'Spring For Spots' redfish tournament prize boat

Tyler Mosely (above) of Clermont won the "Spring For Spots" redfish fishing tournament, CC division, held Saturday, April 26 and sponsored by Mosquito Lagoon Outfitters of Titusville. Mosely checked in with 13 spots, winning him a boat, motor and trailer worth $24,000. Other winners were Robert Oliphant, Sr. of Melbourne in the senior division with 6 spots; Sal Rubianes of Titusville in the junior division with 7 spots; and Robbi Cleveland of Palm Bay in the ladies division with 8 spots. The tourney had 870 entrants.

‘Click It or Ticket’ Safety Belt campaign begins

By: Scott Cook
The statewide law-enforcement mobilization designed to motivate Florida motorists to buckle up over the Memorial Day holiday period began Monday, May 19 through the holiday.
For two weeks, law-enforcement officers from city, state and county agencies will conduct special enforcement events to find the 25 percent of Florida’s motorists who still refuse to buckle up.
The fee for safety-belt and child-restraint citations differs by county, but the law does not:
Adults age 18 and over must buckle up while driving or riding in the front seat; children age 3 and under must ride in a child-restraint device; children ages 4 -5 must ride in a child-restraint device or safety belt and children 6 - 17 must wear a safety belt.
This is the third year that Florida’s law-enforcement agencies have conducted ‘Click It or Ticket.’
For more info on special enforcement efforts in your area, contact your local law-eforcement agency, or go online at www.buckleupflorida.com.

Fred Krupski

Old van goes to Shriners, but not willingly

For the four years that I owned my old 1991 Dodge Caravan I never had a problem with the ignition - or starting it. Except on those rare occasions when I left the lights on after a rain shower and had to place a slow charge on the battery.

Celebrating the donation of the Dodge Van to the Shriners, Joe Dan Tucker and Fred Krupski drink a toast before discovering van wouldn't cooperate.

So it was a surprise when Joe Dan Tucker and Ted Beck, both Shriners, came to pick it up and it was as dead as a door nail. To add insult to injury, the day before I gave it a bath, cleaned the interior and replaced the rear seats, readying it for its new home.
They finally had to call Herb Daniel's to tow it to his shop for examination.
Personally, I have a theory about why it wouldn't turn over. It didn't want to leave me and suffer the indignity of being painted with garish colors and clown figures where it will be used by the guys in parades and special trips to visit kids who plan to simply clown around, blow up balloons and perform other high jinks to entertain the youngsters.
Now that my primary mode of transportation is my 50 cc Venice Scooter, which just turned 285 miles,and which I'm enjoying more each day, I discovered a couple of things. Since I bought the thing a metamorphosis took place. I feel younger and more alive. Something akin to being a daredevil. While not in the class of Evil Kneivel, we owners are a rogue lot. Since I look resplendent wearing my Mickey Mouse rainwear and American Flag dew rag , I'm considering going up to Daytona Beach next year during Bike Week and consorting with the big guys and their Hogs.
However, before I race up there I plan on paying a sign maker to letter the side with the inscription "HELL'S GEEZER'S" so that no one takes me for a wimp.

My friend Claudine takes me to task for French column

Claudine Mogg, owner of Golf 1 Realty sent me the following note in response to my comments about the French and their position on the Iraq War:
"Dear Fred,
Just a suggestion. Can you in the future say something nice about the French? We do have great wine, etc.
"Also, a Fiat is an Italian car."
Well, I realized my boo boo as soon as I saw it in print. Too late to correct.
Claudine is of course correct. I don't know what prompted me to say Fiat when in fact it was a Peugot that gave me a problem. The Fiat, which I also had the misfortune to own was another dog. But before I pass on, I want to remind Claudine that Al Neuharth, of Florida Today wasn't nearly as kind as I was. I wrote my column with humor rather than a tone of hostility.
Neuharth wrote a history lesson, noting that France laid down its arms just 44 days after Hitler's invasion in 1940. We and our Allies freed them four years later and the cost included 30,426 U.S. WW11 troops buried under small white crosses on French soil. He had much more to say that was scathing.
I guess I'm just confused about where one's allegiance lie, to whom, and why since I assumed we are all Americans first.

Ready to adopt a lush?

Funny item in The Union Jack, America's only national British newspaper.
A new internet site has come up with a novel idea to raise money for the traditional country ale houses. People can now 'adopt' a drinker.
A website designer says he hopes the novelty of sponsoring a boozer will help promote Gloucestershire's traditional pubs and inns.
The guy who runs the site said the Adopt-a-Local scheme was inspired by similar projects used in zoos, (now that in itself is interesting).
He wrote that he hopes this will appeal to people who care for country pubs, especially Americans who really like the quaint, traditional pubs.
Beginning about a month ago people were able to sponsor a regular drinker for 20 pounds a year, which is split between charities supporting rural pubs and the drinker. In return, sponsors will receive a certificate, a signed photo of their adoptee, a beer mat and a newsletter giving updates on how their drinker is faring.

It also occurred to me that if you're stopped by the cops on a suspicion of drunk driving (with a $800 initial fine) and mistakingly show your drinking certificate instead of a drivers license you would wish to God you never signed up.

On armadillos and beavers....

Reader Art sent this item to me knowing I would enjoy the relationship of the topic with my lost battle with armadillo's .
The story appeared in The Express Times a week before I penned my column about the critters that drove us from our former home.
Dateline Knowlton Twp., it reported that the township leaders are seeking a peaceful solution to their losing battle with the local beaver population.
For 10 years the beaver dams have flooded township property, roads and even blocked up the underwater pipes leading to area fire hydrants and culverts. The mayor and his staff said at first they decided to try everything they could to try to beat them. Other employees did all they could to figure out a solution to these Ivy League college educated but all their efforts proved futile.
"They're smarter than any of our professionals," was the conclusion drawn.
Then things got a little personal. A few months ago a lone beaver set out from the local river, trudged onto a cross road and right into the Department of Public Works. The brazen beaver even left a small deposit near the tree out front before making its escape.
Some of the efforts made included a man-made dam to protect culvert pipes, earthen berms to prevent road flooding - and the removal of sections of dams.
Nothing, nothing, worked.
So we figured we couldn't win, said the mayor. No one has been able to outsmart the beavers.
So last August the township committee approved a resolution naming the beaver the official animal of the township. A stuffed toy beaver is now perched on a wall in the municipal building and the town has designated June 21 as 'Beaver Day’.
But get this! The 'Beaver' resolution also calls on the Township Deputy Mayor to dress up in the likeness of the beaver on that day.
However, and understandably, the deputy mayor has expressed "strong reservations" about the costume. But he has to because it's in the resolution.
On top of this the mayor said he plans to clip the newspaper story (beavers can read?) and post it down by the river at beaver eye level, saying it's better to learn from them than to try to outsmart one.
On the other hand, it's probably less embarrassing and more comfortable than wearing a coat of armor, as I would be forced to do dressed as an armadillo.

Business Bulletin Bob Socks

By BOB SOCKS

Port Canaveral News

March 2003 was a record-breaking month for the port in terms of passengers and cargo. For the first time, over 400,000 revenue passengers embarked/debarked the cruise terminals in one month.
To date, in the first six month of fiscal year 2003, the total revenue cruise-passenger count is 2,017,147 with a total accompanying revenue of $13 million. Cargo was also up in March - with both tonnage and revenue up 29 percent and 17 percent respectively - over a like six-month period in fiscal year 2002.
Travel agents are being primed for the newest addition to Port Canaveral with the nearly 3,000-passenger Carnival Cruise Lines “Carnival Glory.”
The 110,000-ton boat has slipped in a five-day Mexico cruise to Costa Maya and Cozumel July 14 - 19 before the big July 19 send-off that will begin a rotating, seven-day eastern and western Caribbean cruise schedule.
Agents received the latest brochure on Carnival Glory recently amid concerns from Carnival CEO Mickey Arison that long-term cruise bookings are a thing of the past.
Arison said that “bookings 30 days before sail are the largest they’ve ever been.”

Real Estate Transactions

A commercial property at 605 S. Palm Ave. (downtown Titusville) sold for $373,000.
A condominium at 51 Broad St. (Bay Pointe Condos) sold for $250,000 (Unit #9).

The following homes were sold:

3980 Pinetop Blvd. (Evergreen subdivision) for $650,000. (This is one of the most expensive homes ever sold in the Titusville area.)
924 Grande Haven (Great Outdoors) for $360,000.
1523 Mallard Ct. (LeBaron’s Plat) for $275,000 (Rambling Acres).
3882 Eagles Place (Rambling Acres West) for $266,428.
6839 Windover Way (Windover Farms) for $262,428.
3060 Fawn Lake Blvd. (Fawn Lake) for $255,000.
5911 Hummingbird Ct. (Laurel Run at Meadowridge) for $254,857.
5645 Barna Ave. (South Barna) for $220,000.
2582 Christopher Dr. (Sanctuary II) for $218,428.
3425 Fox Lake Rd. (Fox Lake area) for $210,000.
5735 Windover Way (Windover Farms) for $192,000.
5515 Canvasback Dr. (Fawn Lake) for $190,000.
4865 Tiger Way (Turpentine Rd. area) for $185,000.
5545 Meadow Oaks Dr. (The Oaktrails at Meadowridge) for $177,000.
4550 Showdow St. (Canaveral Groves) for $171,428.
3596 Muirfield Dr. (La Cita) for $163,000.
2225 Columbia Blvd. (East Hills) for $160,000.
5201 Banana Ave. (Canaveral Groves) for $155,000.
5850 Hummingbird Ct. (Laurel Run at Meadowridge) for $150,428.

Hello, Playalinda!

Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown & Russell got a surprise in its annual travel survey: 17 percent of 2,500 respondents would consider resorts that offer a “nude recreation or clothing-optional beach experience,” outscoring interest in golf (16 percent) and tennis (7 percent, down from 10 percent last year).

Titusville Business License Report - April 2003

Total business licenses issued numbered 40. Breakdown is as follows:

Home-based business - 25
Apartment complex - 2
Skin-care specialist - 1
Optometrist specialist - 1
Solicitor for profit - 1
Family game room - 1
Machine shop - 1
Electronic shopping and mail-order house - 1
Wholesale sales - 1
Urologist - 1
Building contractor - 2
Carnival - 1
Car wash - 1
Business office - 1

Strictly My Opinion

Now that spring is here, the feeling of renewal is in the air. So maybe now is the time for Titusville to begin discussing renewal of our two malls. Something has to be done to bring these malls into the 21st century. They are the joke of the community. They are both almost 40 years old, have outlived their intentions, will not attract new business because the competition in the region has overtaken the possibility that they will succeed.
Miracle City Mall was given back to the original landowner. The keys were literally sent in the mail, and the Canadian owners said goodbye to Titusville. This was after a meeting with the city council - just this past fall - where promises were made, but nothing was accomplished.
Searstown Mall just sits. It is a mall going nowhere fast. With the shuttle in turmoil - and the possibility of layoffs looming due to an extended shuttle-rehabilitation - it will be very difficult to interest retailers into moving into either of our two malls.
Here’s the competition: Waterford Lakes, just 30 minutes west on Highway 50 with a wealth of activities, a 20-screen theater, lots of restaurants, stores and activity. The new Cocoa Mall, just 20 minutes south on I-95, to begin construction late this year. Another mega-theater complex, lots of shopping, etc. Viera Commons, construction has started, more theaters, food, shopping, etc. Merritt Square Mall, another new theater, expansion of the mall, close to the beach, lots of activity.
What to do? I recommend the city, along with the mayor, council, development people, SEDC, pay a visit to the Winter Park Village, formerly known as the Winter Park Mall. This mall was once thriving, just like ours did 30 years ago. But no more. The mall was torn down and a village created, a small town in the middle of Winter Park that is so busy you can’t find a place to park. There are stores, movies, restaurants, lofts and apartments. It is a complete village, and it is expanding. Let’s get some vision, partner up with developers and builders, use some imagination and do something with both malls. One of them could become a technical school, college campus, learning center, etc. The other could be a village, new town, or whatever. We need some leadership. With a potential 2,400 new housing units on the planning schedule, Titusville will have over 50,000 people by the end of the decade.
We can support a new concept in shopping and housing. What we need is vision, leadership, someone to take the bulls by the horns and start doing something. What do the citizens say? Let the council hear your thoughts.

Quote of the Week: “Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.”
- Albert Einstein, physicist, 1879-1955

The Buzz around town is ...

Check out our Dineout and Entertainment section for places to take mom for Mother’s Day.
* * *
Be sure and take the Antique, Gifts & Hobby Section and go shopping for mom. There’s a map where all the stores are located in Titusville.
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People who suffer from CFS, fibromyalgia, chronic sinusitis, colitus or have children who are dealing with PDD, ADHD, ADD or autism, come to a tasting of foods that are wheat- and gluten-free, as well as dairy-free, at Sunshine Health Food. The cost is $6 per person. The tasting will be on Wednesday, May 14 starting at 7 p.m. Register now by calling Liz at 961-1965.
* * *
Stop in at the new John Hubler’s Premium Pre-owned Vehicles at 4260 S. Washington Ave. (next to Porky’s) for their blowout sale. Be sure and use their $300-off coupon and save when you purchase a vehicle. See the ad for some of the cars available.
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Mike Halim is the new owner of Midtown Restaurant. He says to bring mom in on Mother’s Day for a complimentary glass of wine and a rose. They now have New Orleans-style cuisines. See the ad for coupons.
* * *
Riverdeck Lounge is newly renovated inside and outside and managed by Joe Williams and Kelley (Mackey) Johnson and assisted by her husband Kenny. Every Sunday there will be reggae music by M’phasis - direct from Ja-makin Me Crazy - on the deck and at the Tiki Bar by the river. Check out the ad for other bands throughout the week.
* * *
Carolann Poole, a licensed esthetician at Heads Up Hands Down Salon has recently moved to Hair Gallery at 1707 Knox McRae Dr. Call her for an appointment at 269-7018 or go by and see her at the new location and ask about the many Mother’s Day specials. Look for the ad in this edition.
* * *
Take in a Canaveral Pizza and Subs coupon to buy one genuine New York style pizza and get one FREE. It’s great pizza!
* * *
The Titusville YMCA Family Center has a summer day camp for your kids. It’s super summer sign-up on Saturday, May 10 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Check out their ad about the $50-off YMCA membership joiner’s fee.
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KC’s Rainbow Lunch now serves fish & shrimp meals that include french fries and hush puppies on Friday’s only.
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Boutique Plus on Hopkins Avenue has relocated to 2625 Barna Avenue in Plaza Royale. They have Mother’s Day dresses and hats in stock. See the ad for other info.
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Go to the new Growing Crazy the Gardener’s Nursery at 1510 Old Dixie Hwy. (corner of Old Dixie Hwy. and Dairy Road) and let Amy and Steve help you with all your landscaping needs. They specialize in Nelson roses, other flowers, trees, shrubbery, pottery, mulch, plus they will do the landscaping for you.
* * *
Fuzzy’s Tavern is celebrating their 2nd anniversary and having a customer-appreciation party on Saturday, May 17, featuring Chuck Bob Carnes Band.
* * *
Stop in and meet new owners Kathy and Jean of Just Bag It Boutique & Showroom located at 115 Broad St. in Baldwin Shopping Center. They have the largest seclection of fabric wine-and-spirit bags, a large selection of Red Hat gifts and jewelry, custom-made purses with feathers and other unusual gifts for every occasion. See the ad for their website.
* * *
Huge prescription-drug savings have become available at 3435 S. Hopkins Ave., Suite #2. Go by for a free quote on Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
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Ted and Bonnie Heath, formerly TAF Electric Inc., are back in the electrical business and they are now T & B Heath Electric Corp. If you’re summer-izing your electrical system, be sure and use their ad and save $10 off your service.
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Swing into spring with the NEW management team at the "NEW" Buck’s Lawnmower Shop. Come in and have all of your Stihl needs met right here in Titusville. They carry chain saws, trimmers, blowers, edgers, construction tools and accessories from Stihl,located at 3655 S. Hopkins Ave.
* * *
Orange Plumbing is offering $8 off any plumbing service. Their coupon must be redeemed at the time of service.
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Viking Sewing Gallery says to come spend a week with them and learn how to sew at their Kids Kan Sew Summer Kamp. The classes run June 2 - June 6 for ages 10 and up. See ad for more details.
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Do you need advice on your love relationship? Psychic Reading By Marlina will give you one free question and $5 off any reading. See her ad for the phone number and other info.
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DogGone Pet Salon is now open on Monday’s and is offering a $5-off special on a dog bath and nails or a free Advantage on full grooms if you make a Monday appointment. This is limited to the first 10 grooms. See ad and call.
* * *
Veronica’s Nail Nook & Tanning Studio is a proud provider of quality nails and tans. Veronica Lock is an EZ-Flow educator, and she can assist you in selecting a nail style that suits your hands. Veronica’s also provides quality tanning performance in tanning beds that are state-of-the-art air-conditioned, high-performance units. Each tanner receives individual tanning skin analysis and expert administration of tanning UV. At Veronica’s you can invest in a tan, tan once a week and keep your tan. A great investment - a quality tan.
* * *
Barbara Mars is leaving the Dusty Rose Antique Mall. She has a 50 % sale on a roomful of antiques, collectibles and interior decor, and everything marked MD must go. There’s only a couple of weeks left.
* * *
Treasures Now and Then at 4515 S. Hopkins Ave. is a new unique gift shop with new and old gift items and some reproductions.

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