Joaquin Arnett's original Dragster

October 6th, 2010

I am posting this specific information on Dad's dragster. It is the one that is currently in the San Diego Auto Museum with Diversity of Car Culture exhibit.

http://www.sdautomuseum.org/

This information below was published in 1954... see below.

Joaquin Arnett / Bean Bandit

Owned and built by Joaquin Arnett of San Diego, CA this neat little dragster has held top speed records at most of the Southern California drag strips at one time or another. Built strictly for drag strip competition, the car has an 84-inch wheelbase, very low frontal area, weighs only 1325 pounds ready to run. The 275 cu. in. Merc engine with bore and stroke of 3 5/16 and four inches is equipped with Edelbrock heads and three-carburetor manifold, Harman and Collins cam and magneto. The block is ported and relieved, uses 1 5/8-inch intake valves and stock exhaust valves. Fuel mixture is usually 50 percent alcohol, 50 percent nitromethane. Frame is aircraft strut tubing with a fabricated steel crossmember at the front. Front end assembly is ’37 Ford. Rear end is also ’37 Ford enclosing a locked differential and 3.78 gears.

Hot Rod 1954 Annual p40 & 41 (1)

Jackie...

September 27, 2010

I posted this on facebook the other day...

My father passed in his sleep at around 7:30am on 9/24/2010. It was a peaceful passing quiet in a comfy bed at Country Hills skilled nursing.

He taught me great things and was generous with his love toward me. I have missed him for 4 years when he became I'll with Alzheimer's. He was a mechanical genius & that is not just me bragging.

Many in the field of drag racing and metal crafts have told me this over the years. He was a great car-builder and built with my brothers 5 customs land speed racers. He holds racing records and took home many trophies.

He is in the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing in Florida along with my Uncle, Emery Cook. We will miss him deeply. It is sad those talents are gone. However, I find comfort in that he passed his skills on to his family and many others. I am grateful to the young Bean Bandits for keeping the legacy going. His original dragsters will be in the San Diego Auto Museum from October 1st through January 2011.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

There will be an exhibit at the San Diego Automotive Museum beginning October 1^st thru January 2010. It will include my dad's orginal dragster he built long ago. This event has given me the motivation to jot down the stuff about this car.

I want to thank; Kenn Colclasure, Marisela Duron & Carlos Debaca from the museum. They have helped rekindle my desire to continue on this blog. This is a chapter for me to complete. Wish me luck. So I will start here. Check out the car I believe that is Derby driving.....

Here I am in August 2010, where did the time go??

Well I have found some information on dad's original little dragster and will creating a new folder for this blog.

Hey Ya, see that I am making folders for information now. Thanks for your advice. :))

So this will be the section where I am pulling the information together.

To Begin: It was quite a surprise for me to see my dad’s dragster doing a run down the drag strip in Barona. Julio obviously got it running. I admit I had mixed feeling about it. It is a bittersweet thing for Mom and I. My father is not doing well just now, so it brought up some feelings of sadness. The fact that he could not reap the joy of seeing the car run. He would have loved this. He love working on the cars and racing so much. I really wished he could have seen this.

Thus, I have taken the liberty of embedding the video on my blog. I can watch it and share with my family and friends. Hence, a big Thank You to the person who shot the footage. I got it off of You Tube, and I also found it posted on this web site. The site also features many great photos of the "6^thAnnual King of Clubs Rockabilly event" held on July 12, 2010.

http://www.streetlegaltv.com/event-coverage/6th-annual-king-of-clubs-rockabilly-road-trip/

March 27,2010
Just found out that Rosie Ramirez has passed.. It is hard watching all the old bandits and their friends leaving. This must be the worst part of aging, seeing all your friends and family leave your life.. Watching my parents, now my mother, watching her friends pass, is hard enough.. We try to remember the great times we had in our lives and hold those memories close to our heart. This writing has taken on a different tone..
My dad has 2 sisters, he has always loved and held close to his heart. Even in his current state, when mom and I recently visited him, he asked where are my sister. So in his mind he still has the memories of the past and he is struggling to communic
We had a family picnic this weekend. The "Arnett tribal unit" got together at Eucalyptus Park in La Mesa. We decided to get together more often at my Aunt Hilda's funeral service. Aunt Boogie, (Norlund)

. Hilda Arnett Hernandez, dad's sister passes this was her obituary in the SD Union-Tribune

HERNANDEZ, HILDA Hilda Hernandez was born on August 5, 1929 and passed away on Saturday, January 9, 2010. Hilda was
the daughter of Joaquin and Esperanza Arnett. She was born and raised in San Diego with her older brother, Joaquin and
younger sister, Norlund (Boogie). Hilda married Dan Hernandez in 1945 and together they raised three children, Robert, Dave
and Yolanda (Ronnie). Hilda's greatest love was for her family, but especially the children. The care and raising of her children,
grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her pride and joy. She was a wonderful mother, sister and friend. Hilda will be sadly
missed by her family and all those who knew and loved her. A Memorial Mass will be held for Hilda at 10 a.m. on Tuesday,
February 9th, at St. John of the Cross Catholic Church, 8086 Broadway, Lemon Grove. A reception to follow in the church hall
after the Mass. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made in honor of Hilda to Sharp Hospice, PO Box 1750,
La Mesa, CA 91944, or call Sharp Hospice at (619) 667-1900.

2010 Wow...review of the year 09

Wow, it is hard to believe that is has been a year and i have not done any writing.. All my goals for this writing have been put aside... it has been a difficult year for myself and my mom.

Dad has always been so healthy and fit.. He took good care of himself, ate well, watched his weight, and was very active... It was hard for me to acknowledge that he was becoming afflicted with that horrid disease of Alzheimer's when be was hospitalized for that... Around May 09 he was hospitalized for pneumonia. The saga of that is still wearing on my soul and spirit. It is a bittersweet ordeal.. And I will deviate a bit to the past to shed some understanding on my thoughts...

Dad was so healthy and a health nut of sorts. He started riding bikes when he was my age.. [60+] mom also go going on the bikes.. He became associated with the American Youth Hostel association. He started a little bike group, they would meet every Sunday am in front of the County Administration Building on Pacific Highway. The group grew, mom took over the beginners group and dad went ahead with the macho and fast group.. They would ride at the beginning to La Jolla and back. They would ride by my house in OB and yell my name.. I was in the beginning of my Rheumatiod Arthritis and was hardly able to walk let alone ride a bike..He then began to do long distance riding, riding to Oceanside, CA.. Baja CA and more.

He build a trailor that held more than twenty bikes... so he could take his group to other places of the county that the beginners could not get to.. This lead to his involvement in the Tecate to Ensenada bike race. He organized this along with my mother for about 10 years.. Many fond memories of this period.. I have been trying to find some of the folks that can add to this blog. I was hoping they could share their own stories related to my father. The search continues...

He used to ride to TJ each Wednesday to go to the pandareia, and bring back goodies.

He would also bring me remedies to cure my arthritis, and wanted to help me...

I of course was not to receptive of these cures..

I have so many photos of these activities with so many fun filled memories.. My fathers' sister [Boogie, Noralund ] my brother, husband, and many of my cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends were involved in this riding bikes stuff... It was such a healthy thing to do... Dad even got Carlos Ramirez and his wife, Rosie riding... I will make a list and post later..

It was this zeal and enthuasiam for life, activities, people and fun that made dad the creative and productive person he is.. I speak of him in the past because of this writing and my memories. He is still with us and very much alive and this is the "bittersweet" I spoke of earlier.. I am not a writer so forgive my ramblings..

Despite all the things that happened to him last year he is still kicking and very strong.. He looks good, handsome, especially when he smiles, his skin is pink and healthy, he has a twinkle in his eye when you talk with him.. The only thing is .. He is in his own world now.. When I listen to him he is talking about building something, he moves his hands about as if he is twisting a tool and making pounding like motions.. He talks about the truck, and moving the car, he is trying to move things and wants to go somewhere. We cannot figure out where he wants to go.. He is willing to go with us where ever we go but then loses interest and is on to another subject..

This page is to Thank those who have encouraged me to continue with my attempts to document in one place the information on my father, Joaquin Arnett Jr. And the achievements of The Bean Bandits of San Diego.

First is my very first contact with Richard Parks. I sent him an email asking for where I might find a magazine. He not only gave me the information but he contacted me personally and gave me wonderful tibits of information and other resources that have since given me the confidence to leap ahead and do the writing.

Since he has contacted me I have had several very informative conversations and his I have collected numerous articles on the Bean Bandits featuring my father.

Thanks to Bill Freeman who had methodically scanned these and gave me a flash drive with all the wonderful articles. I could not possibly have remembered all of them.

I have some of the trophies dad won with the bean bandits

Joaquin Arnett

Hi, I'm Jackie, I am Joaquin and Viola Arnetts' daughter. My blog will archive memories, facts and photos about Joaquin Arnett and the San Diego Bean Bandits, one of California's first "multicultural" drag racing clubs. Many folks have promised Dad a book or movie about the Bandits. I want to acknowledge those folks that have recognized him. I will list then in another section of this writing. He has encouraged me many times to write his story, sadly he is now unable to enjoy this project. He has shared with me many things that are important to him. My brother, Jeff, dad's sister, cousins and friends will help me accomplish this. This is a work in progress, I will be attempting to post something each day. I have added a short biography on this link. Joaquin Arnetts' Biography

I will begin with the mind-bogglingly present. I say mind-boggling owing to one unfortunate fact. He now suffers from the debilitating disease of alzheimer. It has stolen a huge support and has rocked my world. This has been a wicked adjustment for my family and me. I have always seen my father to be a bigger than life figure. He is brilliant and I believe a mechanical genius. Of course I am biased, but it still is the truth!!.

3-3-09
I want to clarify, I am not an expert on racing, cars or the "how to" of making the cars. I have been on the sidelines of the racing community for years. My dad and brothers, Sonny and Jeffrey, were the ones doing this drag racing stuff. My intent here is to tell the story of my hero, Joaquin Arnett, a drag racing pioneer.

I watched a man driven with unending zeal. He was driven to design and build cars. Always working on cars and trying to make them go faster. Dad and his childhood friends worked together to accomplish the”go fast” goal. They called themselves the Bean Bandits.

I also want to commemorate my brother, Joaquin Arnett III, “Sonny”. He died on May 7th 1995 at El Mirage. He was going over 200 mph in the streamliner.. It was his dream to set a new world record. He wanted to go an average speed of 409 in a two way run over a seven-mile course at Bonneville. He was on his way and was very happy the day his life was taken from us. He was doing what he loved. According to those with him that day. He was was full of smiles and glee and having a grand time. It was a tragic day for my family and his friends.I want to thank all the people that helped us get through this horrific time. I have not been able to write about it until now. This is where my heart was stuck for the longest time.

3-7-09
I have so many memories and creative adventures in my life. It is difficult to start putting them into an organized pattern. They are intermingled with today and long ago. There are many thoughts and feelings. Evoking a wide gamut of emotions. They range from positive, proud, happy, funny, and some trigger resentment, fear and sadness. I would like to include stories of the members of the early bean bandits. We have lost many of them and of course this web log is my point of view. Yet, I would like to hear more about the other bandits. And others' stories of dad. Please feel free to contribute to this blog.

3-14-09
Our family really appreciate Fabians' safeguarding and preserving the cars. I am happy to say that Fabian restored the big streamliner. He painted it and placed additional names on the car it looks great. Many thanks to all of Young Bean Bandits, (I affectionately call them). They are keeping the spirit and enthusiasm the Bean Bandits going. This is a group of talented and dedicated individuals. My father knows this group and they helped dad with the cars many times. They visit dad at the center he is living and keep in touch with him. You can see some of these photos on these links; Fabians’ and The Young Bean Bandits

3-26-09

Dad was in close contact with his friends. Despite not having email, cell phones, internet or Skype. They would gather, work on the car and play together. Our families would visit and share great homemade Mexican food. Of course all of our food back them was homemade. They gathered together with little money and lots of zeal and enthusiasm. Dad made new friends in the racing world and worked together with them to build the sport of racing. This was in the day when Wally Parks was working to make drag racing safe and established the NHRA. The Bean Bandits worked closely with the NHRA and other pioneer racers to take racing off the streets and create the sport of drag racing. The biggest story for me is what it was like for the family of these great guys and how my mother and their families and friends supported the club with their involvement in their quest for speed. My uncle, Emery Cook, another drag racing pioneer was married to dads' sister, Noralund. Affectionally called "Aunt Boogie" Uncle Cook was a fierce competitor in the race for speed. My dad and him would compete and would even share some of their secrets about the engines. Dad really admired and respected him…………….

3-28-09

For the first 15 years of my life we spent most weekends at the drag races. We were mostly at Paradise Valley Drag strip in the beginning. Mom would pack the truck up with big pots of beans and rice and her homemade tortillas. She would open up the tailgate and serve the guys when they got hungry. Some of the other women would help with this. So we were set up for the day. The women in the club would wear blue jeans and white blouses. They were cotton shirt type blouses and they would tie up the fronts into bows making a midriff blouse. The guys wore blue jeans and white shirts. They all stood out and looked great. We were the only ones at the races with food of our own and all uniformly dressed. I just thought it was so cool. This was in the early stages of racing. Before there were pit passes and the rules for safe racing were in the early stage of development. No sponsors or fancy equipment.

I remember I could run around just about anywhere on the raceway. We were told by mom to stay off the track. The excitement of the starting line was just too much to resist. Many times I would gleefully run up to the start, just before dad’s car would take off. All the guys would be pushing the car and I would be right behind them trying to help. I would jump for joy as the car took off. But then I would be discovered and redirected out of the area by one of the guys. My cousin and the other kids would run out to the canyons then and play. The drag strip was not crowded back then. You could see people and all the cars easily on both sides of the track. The “trophy queens” as I called them hung out at the starting line or near it. This was another attraction of being at the line up. Occasionally mom would give me some money to buy something at the very small concession stand. My brother Sonny was too small to run around at this time so he stayed near the car with mom. She made sure I checked in every 30 minutes or so. My favorite times were when dad would let me ride in the truck. We would go and retrieve the roadster after a run. Tow or push it back for the next run. Dad was always in good spirits on these days.

I loved to watch them from the sidelines. Dad loved doing his magic on the engines and was very protective of the car. He acted as both a driver and crew chief with the club. Some of the first men in my life were my dad’s closest friends. Among them were, Carlos Ramirez, Andrew Ortega, Louie Nahara and Pat Duran. They were a part of my family. Carlos and Rosie lived nearby and we would spend time at their home. Dad always was the lead of this unique cluster of men. And the guys would refer to him as chief. This was the nickname they gave to him. However, Carlos’ nickname for dad was “Bubba”. As a young child it was obvious to me. The fun they were all having as they worked to make the car go faster. They always got the needed work done. I watched them blow engines, and tires. They would change the tires, replace parts and change the fuel mixtures. They would yell, and the quickly take out the engine, put it back together again. And the car would be ready for the next run again. This cycle would continue depending on the outcome of the race. I watched their excitement, kidding around and energy. As they worked together they would often bump into one another, laugh and exchange joyful grumblings and yes, colorful language. These are the men I knew, and they came to be known as the Bean Bandits.

They won races and had the passion to win more races. They painted the roadster a bright yellow. At first the bean bandit was an outline drawing on the car. Billy Galvin another of Dads' buddies painted an outline of the first Bean Bandit on the car. Dad loved that color and Bob McCoy painted a colorful Bean on the yellow roadster. They got beautiful yellow jackets and would wear them proudly. Mom even had one and I was upset because I did not have one. So I would wear dads that covered my entire body. The Bandits started to travel away from home to Ramona, Miramar, Santa Ana, and other southern California raceway. But the heart of their racing in the beginning was at Paradise Mesa. This is where several pioneers got their starts. This is where dad met fellow racers and lifetime friends

............................ja..~:)

I have included a commemorative page for my brother Sonny Arnett.

My Thanks to many and Dad's Stories

         First, I really would like to thank some people for helping me get this started. I have been contacting folks in order to get this thing going.  It is my goal put the many stories dad told in print.  I know lots of folks were a little taken by some of the things dad claimed and things he said.  I plan on validating and document many of them. Richard Park's has been so helpful in my endeavor to create this biography and to help me document my fathers’ accomplishments. 

         Richard was the first person who kindly wrote back when I emailed him asking a question. I was fumbling along with this project.  He has given me valuable advice and encouragement. And he has published my rambling on his the website. I have since found some valuable books and information.  He is the editor of the Land Speed Racing Newsletter which is documenting the history of drag racing and the pioneers.  He published a couple of our communications in his Newsletters 101, 102 and 103.  From his initial help,  I learned about a trip he with dad to Bonneville. He was present the day my brother Sonny died in the crash on that day on May 7^th 1995.  Reading his takes on the day has added perspective to my views.  He connected me to many other folks that have since helped me get going on this web log.  This thing has a life of its own now.      

Thank you Richard.

Please check out the following newsletters for the communications between Richard and I.

Land Speed Racing Newsletter 101

Land Speed Racing Newsletter 102

Land Speed Racing Newsletter 103

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