God's Speed Chuck Daigh

This evening it was hard to for me to break the sad news to Frank Ruppert about Chuck Daigh's passing since they had been best of friends for a lifetime. I listened as Frank reminisced about countless adventures Chuck and he shared. Frank recalled times when Chuck had worked for Clay Smith and when Chuck had driven Frank's service truck when Frank took part in sponsoring Clay Smith in a 1948 Mercury in the 1952 La Carrera Panamericana. (photo below) Frank described what was truly a gentleman and quietly said the world has lost a fine man.



Chuck Daigh was born in Long Beach, California. He built hot rods prior to WW II and ran at the Dry Lakes.

He served as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne during WWII and saw action in France, Belgium and Germany, including fighting in the Battle of the Bulge. On his return he went to work for Bill Stroppe and Clay Smith preparing the Bob Estes entered Lincoln Capris for the Carrera Panamericana Mexican road race. He was the co-driver on three occasions, in 1952 and 1953 with Walt Faulkner, finishing 8th in 1953 and with Chuck Stevenson in 1954 when they failed to finish.

Chuck Daigh also drove Stock Cars in NASCAR as well as many other venues of racing. On the 29th of May 1960 he debuted in F1 and participated in another five Grands Prix at the wheel of a Scarab and a Cooper. What you will not see is the little known fact that he was the chief engineer that designed and built the Scarabs that became so famous. It was Daigh that drove the Scarab to victory in the 1958 Riverside International Grand Prix beating a field of international factory teams including famous race car driver Phil Hill and the Ferrari Team. Carroll Shelby drove the Scarab sports car built by Daigh to victory at the Continental Divide raceway in Castle Rock Colorado setting a new course record. He was also a successful sportscar driver in America, winning the 1959 Sebring endurance classic and also tried to qualify twice for the Indianapolis 500.

Like my good friend Carson Scheller said, "There goes another one .. crossin the final finish line of life... checkers wavin... crowd cheerin... hot tires, engine steamin and a satisfaction of a life well lived... RIP Chuck Gaigh."

Chuck Daigh died in the hospital in Newport Beach, California after a brief battle with heart and respiratory problems at 86 years of age.

Some awesome living history... Frank Ruppert

Over the weekend I was very fortunate to get to spend a lot of time with a simply incredible car guy. His name is Frank Ruppert. While many of you La Carrera fans may not be familiar with his name, more than likely you have seen or read about some of his cars or drivers that he and his brother Frank C. Ruppert had part in sponsoring during some of the most historical La Carrera Panamericana races of the early 50's. Unfortunately Frank C. Ruppert (who is Frank's brother with the same name) is no longer with us but it would have been our pleasure to have listened to any input that he could have shared with us since he had so much to do with Ruppert Motors involvement and success's as well. Thanks to Frank C. Ruppert's daughters I was able to learn he was equally as amazing. One of them told me that Frank C. Ruppert did own many yachts throughout his lifetime and was considered one of the most accomplished yachtsmen and navigators on the West Coast. It seems both these gentlemen lived glorious lives.

I had the awesome fortune not only of getting to meet Frank in person so we could interview him for our soon to be released HD DVD about our La Carrera experience but Frank and his son and his son's wife treated us to brunch at his private yacht club. It goes without saying this was a first cabin experience and one we will not soon forget. Don't even get me started about visiting some of the car collections that Frank is involved with or his yacht.




Considering Frank Ruppert is without a doubt one of the most unforgettable characters I have ever had the distinct pleasure of meeting it's difficult for me to understand why everyone hasn't heard of him. Working with his brother Frank helped operated a Los Angeles Lincoln Mercury dealership and several other automobile business as well back in the 50's which took part in sponsoring some of the most famous names that have ever been known in the automotive racing hall of fame. Besides those sponsored, he was best friends with so many other racing greats on a first name basis. Not only did the cars and drivers that Frank was involved with win several of the early La Carrera's but in fact set records doing it many of which still stand to this day. There are too many to name but some of the most famous names in racing drove on that Lincoln team including Clay Smith, Johnny Mantz, Troy Ruttman, Bill Stroppe, and the list goes on and on. All of these drivers raced in other venues as well such as Indy and Nascar. One of Frank Ruppert's relationships was with the youngest driver to ever win the Indy 500. Not only did Frank travel with the teams back in those first history making races but he was instrumental in helping teams develop methods that have carried over into many other venues of automotive racing today.



Frank's son and wife brought the winning trophy which was awarded to Troy Ruttman and Clay Smith in 1951 by the Mexican Government which is a one of a kind trophy that requires at least two men to carry around. This is one trophy that you will most certainly not see someone hold above their head on the pedestal. To stand in the presence of this spectacular award is an honor all by it's self. Frank Ruppert has a mind like a steel trap and a wit that is it's equal and when he talks about the days of those great men and their machines you are a captive audience. Our interview with Frank is nothing short of magnificent and there simply isn't enough time in a weekend to enjoy listening to him reminisce about what are possibly the greatest moments that ever took place with respect to La Carrera Panamericana especially when you consider he was there in person.





This is just one of many old car magazine adds using one of winning Lincolns that was sponsored by Ruppert Motors.


Frank's participation in helping us document and express the true passion felt by anyone having "personal" involvement with La Carrera Panamericana simply cannot be told any better. I cannot wait to spend more time with a man who is indeed the true essence of La Carrera Panamericana. To meet and know Frank is to love him. Just wait until you hear him on our DVD.

Stay alert.... A Big surprise is coming regarding the HD DVD.

Today I had the great pleasure of having a couple wonderful phone conversations with none other than Ben Iskenderian, the brother of the famous Ed Iskenderian. Back in the early 70's when I drove dragsters and hung out at Gotellies Speed Shop, with ole Man Gotelli better known as "Terrible Ted" I was blessed to be able to call Ed any time I needed advice and great advice Ed had plenty of. Today was the first time I had ever talked with Ben but he is just as fine a gentleman as his brother Ed. Before we hung up both Ben and his wife invited me to come visit them the next time I was in Southern California not to mention we would head down to the Isky Cam factory for a personal tour with Both Ben and Ed. That is an invitation I will look forward to and one I will not pass up on.

Funny that I would be talking to one of the most famous cam grinders of the racing world from Southern California since on this very weekend our production company and I will be traveling to Southern California to meet one of the most amazing me who has ever had anything to do with regards to La Carrera Panamericana. His name is Frank Ruppert, of Ruppert Motors who in fact sponsored some of the Lincoln and Mercury teams that won so many races during the first years of La Carrera Panamericana. One of those teams included Clay Smith. Borrowing a quote from Hemmings.... If you've been around a long time you likely remember the woodpecker decal, the one with the snarl on its face and a cigar hanging out to the left. That redheaded bird is a trademark and a characterization of Clay Smith, who was known as Mr. Horsepower and whom none other than Smokey Yunick called "the world's smartest mechanic." Another compliment paid to Smith by his peers was the title "America's Genius Mechanic." So adept at fixing cars was Smith, he could tell how an engine was running by pressing his loins against the body of a car, according to another hot rod pioneer, Ed Almquist.

Interesting footnote; All three of these racing giants (Smith, Isky & Gotelli) were very seldom seen without holding or chewing on one of their signature cigars.


Frank Ruppert has invited our production company to spend the day aboard his yacht while sharing his wonderful involvement in La Carrera Panamericana. Having spoken on the phone numerous times with Frank I am amazed how many famous drivers, owners and other famous racing rascals he and his brother (Also Frank Ruppert) knew on a first name basis.

If that isn't enough excitment to make me crazy then let me tell you about a phone call I had this week inviting me to visit with Herschel McGriff. Talk about feeling like a kid in a candy store! Hershel McGriff has won NASCAR races in the last six decades and won the Mexican Road Race in 1950.

When I said our upcoming HD DVD was nothing short of the greatest La Carrera Panamericana video ever made bar none I wasn't kidding so stay tuned.