Road Kings roll out chariots for charity

During the opening ceremonies, from left, Gino Gaudio, Don Baldaseroni (BHS 1967) and Mayor Gary Bric (BHS 1970) kick off The Road Kings 20th annual Picnic and Car Show.

By David Laurell
Published: Burbank Leader, June 16, 2009

Burbank, like every other American city, is an ever-changing place. Some changes are great — like the revitalization of Downtown Burbank, while some we mourn — like the loss of those great chile rellenos at El Chiquito and the late night jazz and nightcaps at Chadney’s.

One other thing that has stood the test of time in our city is the camaraderie and charitable contributions of the Road Kings of Burbank.

Established in 1952 as a racing club, the Road Kings membership has included some of drag racing’s most famous such as Don Prudhomme, Tommy Ivo, Ken Safford, George Sakora, Owen Engle, Denny Cross, Nick Sfetsku, Joel Embick, Ed Drugmond, Bill Loven, Don “The Beachcoomer” Johnson and Frank Ney.

As they have done for the past two decades, the Road Kings of Burbank rolled into Johnny Carson Park for their 20th annual Picnic and Car Show on Sunday.

Staged as a fundraiser to benefit the local high school auto shop programs and numerous Burbank-based charitable organizations, the past decade alone has seen the Road Kings raise and contribute much more than $300,000.

Sunday’s event was officially kicked off with Gino Gaudio’s rendition of the national anthem and welcoming comments by longtime Road Kings member Don Baldaseroni and Burbank Mayor Gary Bric. Among the rodders and racers in attendance were Don Siglar, Richard Radd, Chuck Hanson, Rick Kalisz, Chuck Stein, Lou Bartoletti and Jim Gascoigne, along with two of the club’s charter members, Jim Miles and Kenny Safford.

Among the most notable of those on hand was Burbank resident Bob Muravez, who behind the wheel of the twin-engine “Freight Train” dragster was a legendary racer of the 1960s and ’70s.

Muravez, better known to race fans as Floyd Lippencott Jr., the alias he raced under after his father ordered him to give up the dangerous sport, piloted the “Freight Train” that had been designed and built by John Peters.

Revered as the top duel-engine gas dragster of the 1960s, it is considered to be one of the most famous Chevrolet dragsters of all time and to this day still holds track records at some venues.

Muravez, the longtime owner of Ralph’s Maytag Shop on Victory Boulevard, was joined at Sunday’s event by his wife, Sharon Muravez.

Others who enjoyed the day that included the music of Joe Finkle and the 7-10 Splits were Ginny Hanson, Pat Astamendi, Marcia Mueller, Diane Sfetku, Tony Wade, Brooke, Carley and Louise Bisordi, Ray Tocchio, Brooke Dickerman, Kathryn Davis, Bob Overstreet, Dean and Lynn Shelby, Michael Roberson, and Joe Sprosty, who was accompanied by his 3-month-old opossum, Stacey. Also on hand was Scott Scozzola of DeBell Golf Club with his wife, Heather, and the couple’s children, Isabella and Jake.

Among the numerous local organizations that have benefited from the Road King’s generosity over the years are Burbank Priority in Education, the Burbank Police and Fire Museum, the Burbank Police Mounted Unit, the Parks, Recreation and Community Service Department’s Summer Youth Program, the Burbank Historical Society, the Burbank Aviation Museum, the Boys & Girls Club of Burbank, the Joslyn Adult Center, Terra Del Sol and the Dog Tags for Soldiers Kids Project.