The Southern California Chapter of the Society of Automotive Historians announced the winner of the 2009 James Valentine Memorial Award is “LandSpeed” Louise Ann Noeth, Goodguys Goodtimes Gazette columnist and author of Bonneville Salt Flats. The award for periodicals is granted for Excellence in Automotive Historical Research was presented for her October 2008 column “The Science of Speed”

“The thing which impressed me about the article,” explained Chapter Director Bob Ewing, “was the importance of the physical records. Lots of people have anecdotes to relate about who did what and when, but to have actual physical evidence of the event years after it was over is something else again. A real human touch to the whole story.

The Valentine Memorial Award is named for the late J.H. Valentine, at one time the recognized authority of automobiles built in Los Angeles. Always a strong supporter of the Southern California Chapter SAH, Valentine devoted his life to accurately compiling nearly insignificant data on early automobiles one by one. With no chance of personal wealth, he ensured that future historians would have a large quantity of priceless material. The Valentine Award honors authors whose automotive historical research is linked to people and events in California, but does not preclude significant historical milestones anywhere in the world.

“Walt Sheehan is virtually unknown in land speed racing circles, yet he was directly responsible for all five of Craig Breedlove’s World Land Speed Records” said author Noeth of the winning column, “I am forever grateful to the Goodguys Gazette for providing monthly space the past seven years enabling me to tell wonderful stories of the worlds fastest cars, trucks and motorcycles. The Society of Automotive Historians Southern California Chapter humbles me with the honor.”

Noeth was first honored by her fellow SAH SoCal members when she was awarded the Valentine for her book: Bonneville Salt Flats in 2002. Known to her readers as “Landspeed Louise,” she became the first recipient of the award to be honored for both a book and an article in a periodical. “What’s an FIA World Land Speed Record Worth?“, which appeared in the Goodguys Goodtimes Gazette in October 2004, recounts her efforts to spur the FIA, which is nominally responsible for land speed record keeping as well as other aspects of motor sports, to officially recognize the efforts of competitors before they passed away. She again took periodicals top honors in 2006 with the September 2005 FUEL FOR THOUGHT column “Speedy Thoughts From Wally Parks”

To download a PDF of the winning article:

http://www.landspeedproductions.biz/media/FFT_Oct08.pdf

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Speedy Regards from Landspeed Louise!

or the WIENERMOBILE meets Mr. F18

Most likely, the first musical instrument children of the 50′s and 60′s learned to play was a red and yellow Oscar Mayer Weiner whistle. This poor cousin of the woodwinds was a simple plastic-molded tubular flute that played only three notes, was considerably lighter than an accordion and nowhere near as complicated as a saxophone. Although the Wiener whistle never rated a “first chair” in any orchestra, it was nonetheless many a youngster’s cherished possession.

Weiner whistles were passed out by Little Oscar, the world’s smallest chef, precious gifts that emerged from third generation bubble-nosed Weinermobiles designed by the late Brooks Stevens of “Excalibur” neo classic car fame. The first Wienermobile hit the streets in 1936 and today the tube fleet stands at 12, including two in Japan and Spain.

Every American kid, on any block across the nation, knew the words to the advertising jingle: “Oh, I wish I were an Oscar Mayer Wiener, that is what I truly want to be-E-e, ‘cuz if I were an Oscar Mayer Wiener, then everyone would be in love with me!”

After seeing the latest Wienermobile in a few TV ads I thought, “Why settle for just a whistle? Why not get my hands on the whole weenie?” The Madison, Wisconsin based sausage company now has a fleet of 27-foot-long, 10-foot high wienie-on-wheels — the seventh generation Wienermobile.

Sniffing out the top dog in charge, Russ Whitacre at Oscar Mayer, I mustered a good portion of enthusiasm and pitched him about conducting a Wienermobile test drive. Frankly, I never thought he’d bite, but after a few minutes he conceded my idea “cut the mustard” and agreed to a two-day Wienermobile test.

The rolling frankfurter features a 27-inch television, VCR, 6 relish-colored captain’s chair seats, a computerized “condiment control panel” condiment-splattered carpeting, hot dog-shaped instrument panel and glove box, front and rear-mounted “watchdog” cameras to help whip the big dog into parking spots without bruising any skin, cellular hot dog hot line, gull wing door, sun roof and storage closet.

The Wienermobile design underwent tests in the wind tunnel at California Institute of Technology in Pasadena and could, theoretically-speaking; haul buns at speed in excess of 90 miles-per-hour. The best around Ventura County to safely try such a hair-brained stunt was Point Mugu Naval Air Station. The base has nice long, wide runways and plenty of crash equipment if were to scramble the test and if not, then why not have top dog meet top gun afterwards?

Built on a General Motors truck chassis, the new 21st century Wienermobile weighs approximately 100,000 hot dogs and is powered by a V8. The plan was to squeeze out 100 mile-per-hour speed run on Mugu’s 927 active runway in between F-18 takeoff and landings. Escorted to the active runway by the base crash truck, we were only able achieve a disappointing 80 mph. In the dog’s defense, it had to buck a 20-knot semi-cross wind and negotiate a pair of four-inch thick safety cables laid across the runway.

On the return run, the Weiner was told to wait because of C130 traffic on the runway. Once clear, I drop the transmission into first gear and smash the throttle into the firewall. In what seems to be eternity, the big dog’s “at rest” inertia is overcome and we are hurtling along like cold mustard out of a clogged orifice.

I’m told later that several jets were put into holding patterns until the noble Wienermobile finished making its “high-speed” run. Odds are that was the only time those jet jockeys had to line up behind a giant hot dog to land. But can you imagine the visual from the control tower? How about the air traffic controller who cleared us onto the runway? Later, I am told that Weinermobile stories persisted for days afterwards.

Next stop was a Rolls-Royce and Bentley dealership to see how much they might give us in trade. Leaving the dog parked smack dab in front of the Flying Lady statues we bounced into the showroom. The manager ignored us, but we passed out wiener whistles to everyone else in sight. A Chevrolet dealer down the road was more accommodating, saying he’d have to check his records to see what he paid for the last Wienermobile trade-in.

Rolling down one of the many mountain grades of the Santa Monica Mountains, I pulled off the highway when I thought the brakes smelled a tad bit too toasty. The binders checked out fine, but before we could get moving again a Sheriff’s deputy rolled up, joined by a second cruiser a few moments later. We were “released from custody” upon surrendering of several wiener whistles. Hmm, maybe these musical sausages might have a new value the next time I get pulled over?

Technical specifications aside, when you finish driving the Wienermobile any length of time on public roads, your face begins to hurt. You smile at everyone, your jaw aches from all the mirth. If you are a singing ham, like I was, then the public address system will be your tool of choice whilst prowling the roadways. Pulling up to a traffic signal, I would grab the mike and begin having a one-way conversation, or singing one of advert jingles to the car next to me. If they ignored me, I would doggedly follow them until they acknowledged our meaty presence.

You might expect a test drive relate the experience of the vehicle’s performance, handling characteristics and comfort level. With the Wienermobile, the highlight was the look of pure, unchecked joy that spread across the faces of children’s faces, even those trapped in grown-up bodies.

According to my designated “hotdoggers,” Monica Lopez and Moe Drane, I was the first automotive journalist to a test drive of the Wienermobile. Gee Whiz, they even made me an Honorary Hotdogger and gave a signed proclamation to that effect. Code-named, “Yummy,” the eight-foot wide fiberglass dog in a bun isn’t that hard to handle. If you can keep the top of the wienie out of the trees and not scratch the buns below, the rest is just a matter of keeping the top-heavy red-hot in an upright position.

With an estimated 60 percent of the Wienermobile’s 5-ton weight above the “mid-bun” line, executing tight turns is risky. This is one machine that should be driven with caution. The brakes work well, but are noticeably mushy in stopping the big dog. The ride height puts you at eye level with tractor-trailer drivers, but I would venture a guess that driving the Wienermobile in a crosswind might put one’s neck muscles on red-hot alert.

My only regret was not having the time to visit the local vegetarian restaurants . . . dog gone it.

Louise Ann Noeth founded LandSpeed Productions in 1984 after years of freelancing where she had developed storytelling skill sets that included:

• Creative Writing
• Photography
• Stock Library
• Fine Art
• Graphic Design
• Public Relations

Ms. Noeth’s award-winning writing and photographic works have been published around the world in several languages. From Sports Illustrated to The Late Show with David Letterman and onto the international arena, her client list is diverse, thought-provoking and for the most part — fun. Dubbed, “LandSpeed Louise” (LSL) by the late Gray Baskerville, HOT ROD Magazine’s irreverently brilliant automotive journalist, she concentrates on land speed racing, mesmerized by amateurs, common folks who do extraordinary feats by designing, building and driving the fastest cars, trucks and motorcycles on earth.

A fancy moniker for what she does is “photojournalist”, but she prefers “storyteller.”

“I want people to be comfortable, become enthused when they venture into my stories and come away with something useful for the time spent,” explains Noeth.

Unlike most journalists, writers, photographers, artists, and publicists who focus on only one, or perhaps two disciplines, LSL noticed that she could get editors to give her more assignments if she could provide words and pictures — photographed or drawn.

“The hard part was convincing them that I could deliver quality in both areas, because my skills came from ‘on-the-job training’,” she adds, “I’ve never had any formal, academic training, just an overwhelming abundance of enthusiastic curiosity and I’ve discovered that, occasionally, I can whup a hot shot PhD in this news game.”

After several years of touring North America as a professional auto racer campaigning a 250 MPH jet dragster, she became a member of the Fourth Estate when she was hired by Petersen Publishing Company in 1979. As the first female editor-in-chief of any of the firm’s automotive publications, she produced:

HOT ROD Industry News
SEMA Show HOT ROD Hotline

and was a member of the development team for:

HOT ROD Nationals
CAR CRAFT Nationals

Eschewing the corporate life, LSL has been freelancing the past 25 years producing:

• investigative
• technical
• feature
• historical

assignments for a wide array of:

• magazines
• newspapers
• book publishers
• racing teams
• entertainers
• corporate clients

Her column, Fuel For Thought, appears monthly in the GoodGuys Gazette provides readers with an insiders view of land speed racing that has captured numerous peer-reviewed accolades.  She is authoress of the critically acclaimed, award-winning “Bonneville Salt Flats: The Fastest Place On Earth” currently in its seventh printing.

Noeth is a judge is several areas for the Society of Professional Journalists, International Automotive Media Awards and a variety of  hobbyist photography groups including the prestigious St. Louis Camera Club, the second oldest in the nation.

As one of few women auto writers/racers in America, her moniker “Landspeed Louise” is well-deserved and hard-earned. She has served on several auto industry technical committees developing self-regulating guidelines in tires, suspension, emission controls and contributed to regulatory discussions with the Secretary of Energy in Washington, D.C. that resulted in a shift in national policy. Comfortable and competent behind the wheel of any car, or truck, she is also an accomplished motorcyclist, licensed pilot and blue water sailor.

AWARDS

Ms. Noeth has nine times been honored with Moto Awards at the International Automotive Media Awards for her:

• Investigative Reporting
• Feature Writing
• New Car Reviews
• Public Relations Campaigns
• Editorial Photography

Her book, Bonneville Salt Flats was the 2002 winner of the Society of Automotive Historians Southern California Chapter James Valentine Award, presented in recognition for accuracy in historical research.

The All American Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association (AARWBA) in 2010 selected Ms. Noeth’s work for two first place finishes:

• Magazine Column Writing
• Magazine Technical Writing

Both honors were awarded for her long-running, monthly Fuel For Thought column in the Goodguys Gazette.  “Attitude, Gratitude, and Talking Race Cars” which ran in December 2010 earned the Magazine Column Writing top slot in the nation. For the Magazine Technical category win it was the January 2010 column, “Brain-Bucket Beef,” that judges gave the nod.

She has served on the Board of Directors with the Motor Press Guild, the largest automotive group of it kind and has served as an Officer of the International Motor Press Association. Using her camera as an “electronic paint brush,” Ms. Noeth’s photography assignments have taken her around the world. The adventures have been compiled into a substantial stock library that offers licensing opportunities of images. LSL frequently donates her time to schools, non-profit and civic organizations as a public speaker and photography judge.

LandSpeed Productions was a sponsor of  the 2010 WALK, RUN, ROLL For People of All Abilities in St. Louis, MO. The fundraiser to support people with various levels of disabilities. Grand Marshall NFL star Adam Goldberg helped make the 7th Annual Walk Run ‘n Roll was a HUGE success with more than 1,000 people walked, ran or rolled to make a difference by raising in excess of $130,000!

The event is a collaborative partnership between 10 St Louis area agencies that serve people with cognitive and developmental disabilities. Rarely do agencies partner for a common cause, let alone when it comes to fundraising, but executives at The Center for Autism Education, The Center for Head Injury Services, Community Living, Emmaus Homes, Giant Steps, Life Skills, Pathways to Independence, The Pujols Family Foundation, Rainbow Village and TouchPoint Autism Services  believe 10 is better than one. Details: www.walkrunnroll.org/

Noeth’s art and photography has been exhibited at the:

• Chicago Art Institute
• Ventura County Museum of History and Art
• Ventura County Government Center
• Visions Gallery

Ms. Noeth’s biography appears in many “Who’s Who” books including:

• “America”
• “American Women”
• “Communications”
• “Of the West”
• “Among Young Professionals”
• “In the Millennium”
• “Emerging Leaders in America”

PUBLIC RELATIONS

I curtailed my publicity efforts back in 2005 opting to work with a very limited, select, number of clients. However, “life in publicity land” has been damn gratifying and I offer a look at some of fun from years gone by.

CLIENT LIST

TEAMVesco — Team publicist 1999 through 2003 for Don Vesco, the current World Land Speed Record holders with a 458 m.p.h., set on the Bonneville Salt Flats in October 2001.

General Motors — Various years. Conducted a variety a research studies on behalf the largest automaker in the United States that were the basis of a several motorsports programs.

McNish Classic Yacht Race — Publicist since 1990, one of my active public relations client, this race is living history afloat. One of four premiere classic yacht races held along the western seaboard, it has been held annually since 1977. The Southern California race is sailed in the waters outside the Channel Islands Harbor each August and attracts the some of the most historically significant schooners, sloops, cutters, ketches and yawls of the Pacific.

Jeana Yeager / Voyager — For many years I have photographed and provided publicity consults for this celebrated aviatrix who was one of two pilots who successfully flew around the world non-stop, non-refueled in 1986.  Her airplane, Voyager is on permanent display at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. Yeager is wonderful role model for girls, she is the living embodiment that enthusiasm, passion and dedication can result in earning a permanent place in history.

Project R.A.F.T. — A citizen diplomacy group that employed white-water river rafting as a model for world peace. The group organized a heavily-attended multi-national, multi-year competition in Siberia, Turkey, Nepal, United States and Costa Rica. The linked article by Bill McGinnis, who sat next to me on the 3-day long bus ride from Barnaul to the Chuya River in Altai Mountains, is a perfect explanation of why a couple hundred Americans went to the then Soviet Union as Citizen Diplomats. this event, above all others, made the biggest difference in how I live my life.

Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show & Congress of Rough Riders of the World — Publicist for this show in 1987/1988. More than 50 performers from three countries were assembled by famed cowboy Montie Montana Jr. to recreate the legendary Bill Cody’s extravaganza that toured the world at the turn of the last century. Booked into the Insara Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia for a month of more than 50 performances, the talented troupe brought the American wild west to far east.

Steve Fossett’s World Land Speed Record Racing Team — 2007  Team Publicist  and Sponsor Relations. Developed comprehensive media kit including all jet car construction and team photography. Secured sponsorships for team at various levels of commitment including a CRADA with the United States Air force Academy.

Spirit of America Racing Team — 1996 Team Administrator for the latest attempt by world speed record setter Craig Breedlove. Initial publicity for the project was generated by a comprehensive media kit and a race car introduction at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California. This campaign generated millions of dollars in print and electronic media for more than three years.

Flatfire Racing Team — Publicist and photographer 2002 & 2003. The World’s Fastest Flathead owned and driven by Ron Main, the streamliner is powered by a 1946 cast iron block that produces more than 700 horsepower and set a land speed record of more than 300MPH at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 2003.

BWS Racing Team — Publicist and photographer 1998 – 2000. This land speed racing team earned the 1998 SCTA points championship with Dreamliner, a custom-crafted streamliner built by Dave Brant and John Wright. During its first three years, it set a speed record on every attempt. Joined in 1997 by Randy Speranza, the trio is seeking plus 200mph record on the Bonneville Salts.

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Travel / Landmarks: France, Italy, Normandy, San Francisco

Nature: Butterflies, Flowers, Animals, Trees

Motorsports: Land Speed Racing

Sailing / Classic Yachts

Holidays / Victorian Homes: Christmas

Aviation / Women / Celebrities: Jeana Yeager, Voyager Co-Pilot

Automobiles: Classic, Contemporary, Crazy

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