
So many people have fond memories of Big John and his cars. Please feel free to post some of your own in the comments below!
Comments
Comment from glenn miller
Time: March 9, 2009, 8:02 pm
I was thrilled to see you guys at the march meet 3-09…Without a doubt the red cuda’s were my favorite of all time..I would like to show you guys my scrapbook sometime….I spent a bunch at the races…so I could not affor more stuff,but I assure you I want more of what you got…great site…Do you have any shirts with the cuda’s yet? The willys were before my time…my first time was at Fremont 1970…I burned the image of the cuda coming to a stop after a burnout at dusk….Flames belching out whoomp whoomp whoomp!!!…I was just a kid but distinkly remeber telling myself “Don’t ever forget this”…I would have liker to chat some more, but I was with my wife,and did not want to keep her waiting.Also could you please tell me when you next appearance will be..I live in the S.F. bay area, and frequent Famoso and Sacramento…Thanx for your time
Comment from S. Delgadillo
Time: April 25, 2009, 6:12 pm
Fan since 65. Friend since 68. Had lunch with John several months before his passing. John’s stories about his racing career were great. The lunch meeting lasted a very short 3 hours. When we left the restaurant John graced my wife Marie and I with gifts of autographed “Big John Mazmanian” caps. He was a class act all the way.
We attended his funeral and several months later my wife and I helped with the a tribute to him hosted at the NHRA museum. There were many family members, racers and friends there. Included in the audience were his driver’s Bones Balogh, his nephew Rich Siroonian, Jr. Thompson and other great drivers like Jess Tryee and the great artist James Ibusuki. Many people spoke and everyone got a little choked up.
I knew John as a bigger that life individual that was always nice to me and my wife. The fact that he was a very candid person is what made it interesting to talk to him. He told it like it was and If you didn’t like it, to bad for you. We have such good memories of John his wife Alice, daughter Kathy, son Victor, nephew Rich and the rest of his family.
This past October we went to the Hot Rod Reunion and ran into Rich Siroonian and his wife. They invited us out for drinks and we spent a few hours visiting and talking about racing. It was a great time.
Although John is gone his memory and that of his flawless race cars along with the many great people that were associated with him will live on. I have much more to share, maybe later.
Great web site, thanks.
Comment from glenn miller
Time: August 3, 2009, 10:01 pm
never hear back from you…no response
Comment from Tom Reilly
Time: August 24, 2009, 1:23 pm
A great car, that ‘61 Vette. Inspired me to get a Vette and drag race it. RIP, Big John.
Comment from mary Dowell
Time: February 15, 2010, 2:59 pm
Hi I am a friend of Paula King, she was talking about John at the Quarter Final race in Pamona yesterday. I said ” you should look him up, then I said I will.” Paula and husband at the time were freinds of John’s. I have her contact info if John is interested in taking a trip down memory lane. Paula was so much fun I met her just yesterday and will never forget her and her great stories.
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