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Tim Beebe, Crew Chief
Tim got his first taste of racing as
small child when his father, Merrill, took he and his brothers
to the race track; however, Tim didn't become a full-time race
car mechanic/crew chief/owner until he was in his early twenties.
Tim campaigned a highly successful Top Fuel Dragster with his
brothers and Lee Sixt, the highly successful "Beebe Brothers
and Sixt" in the mid sixties. Tim went professional when
he and John Mulligan created the now legendary "Beebe and
Mulligan" AA/FD in 1967 and they joined early pioneers who
were touring the United States.
The "Beebe and Mulligan" Top Fuel Dragster reached
the height of fame when they beat Don Prudhomme in the Top Fuel
Final at the 1969 NHRA Winternationals. Later that year, Tim
and Johnny ran two-tenths of a second quicker than the rest of
the field when they clocked an incredible 6:43 in the famous
"green car" at the NHRA Nationals in Indy. Sadly, Johnny
lost his life in a fiery crash during the first round of eliminations.
Tim won the 1969 and 1970 Car Craft Magazine Top Fuel Dragster
Crew Chief of the Year awards.
The following year Tim and brother Dave built the "Beebe
Brothers" AA/FC and spent the entire season racing locally
in Southern California. They set a new NHRA Elapsed Time record
in 1970 at the last points race at Orange County International
Raceway, thereby securing a much coveted invitation to the 1970
World Finals.
In 1971 Tim built the "Fighting Irish" Funny Car, hired
Dick Rosberg to pilot it and once again became a touring professional.
In 1973 Tim teamed up with Jim Murphy to run a rear engine Top
Fuel dragster until 1974 when he moved to Porterville, California,
and opened his own transmission shop, B & B Transmission.
He was retired from racing until rejoining Murphy and the WW
2 Racing crew in 2001.
Ron Rapadas
Ron's
racing goes all the back to the 1960s as he was involved in Top
Fuel racing during the earliest fazes. Ron's various fuel dragsters
had many of the top drivers as their pilots, Larry Leventon,
Bill Alexander, and the late Gary Ormsby are some of the better
known. Ron retired from racing in the late 60s to raise a family
and continue as parts manager for a local new car dealership.
Ron's return to racing came in 1988 when the WW two race team
was formed. Ron continues in the parts business and one of his
responsibilities are the assembly of all new engines and is one
of the best in the business. Without Ron staying on with the
team and wanting to continue racing I would not have bought the
operation from Cheri after Jim Herbert passed away last year.
Ron is my right hand at the races when it comes to making decisions
how we want to run the car and is a wealth of information as
well as a good friend.
David Thornhill
David
joined the team in late 1996. He has been actively racing since
an early age as he assisted his father with the operation of
a pro gas car since the 1980s. David is an accomplished chassis
builder and fabricator having worked at Alston Chassisworks along
with many other fabrication outlets including Thornhill Engineering,
his current establishment. David's welding and fabrication skills
have made him invaluable to the WW2 team, as well as the assistance
he gives to the maintenance program and being responsible for
the cylinder heads and the bottom end.
Ricky Nordess
Ricky,
the son of Jim Nordess has been an active member of the crew
for 6 seasons... and he's only 10. Among other things he "keeps
the team in line", helps Jim with mixing the nitro, packing
the chutes and anything else that needs to be done. Murphy swears
that Ricky "knows more about drag racing than any 10 year
old on the planet". He also says, without hesitation, that
"...we wouldn't be where we are without him. High praise
for a youngster from a seasoned drag racing veteran! Ricky just
completed his third season in the jr. dragster. He's running
alcohol this year, finished third in points this year (2005)
and is headed to Denver in July. He is also the youngest member
of the "Porterville Gang" (where five of the crew live).
Jim Nordess
Jim has also been with WW2 Racing for
six years. He was responsible for the four sponsorship with OSH
and helps with PR and marketing, but has turned into an all around
team player. Along the line Jim picked up the job of "Head
Chef" - and his BBQ Tri-Tips are killer! He also jumps in
to help where ever he's needed. Another member of the "Porterville
Gang".
Jeff Baranek
Jeff is in his third year with the WW2
team and has the crucial job of the all important clutch. This
is Jeff's second "tour of duty" with Murphy as he worked
on the Holy Smokes Funny Car in the 80's. Baranek's real job
is a diesel mechanic at a Ford dealership.
Ray Littlefair
Ray is another 2nd year crew member who's
responsibility it is to keep the trailer stocked and organized.
He's always at the shop when needed and is a strong team player.
At the races he helps David Thornhill with the bottom end of
the engine. His real job is somewhat less exciting... the Facilities
Manager for a private school in Santa Rosa, CA.
Michael Beebe
Brian Stethen
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