Jim Herbert’s Performance World Alumni or quasi-pseudo alumni
1. Jim Herbert-Northern California Drag racing Legend/speed shop owner/ Founding father of the Nostalgia movement-R.I.P
2. Monty-Secretary Bookkeeper-R.I.P
3. Gordon Bishop (Father of Legendary Machinist Bill Bishop) –sometimes driver R.I.P
4. Legendary Machinist Bill Bishop, unsure last I heard in So Cal doing Performance Boat motors-may not still be with us.**
5. Bernie Marine-Part Manager 75-76 (F/Gas 69 Camaro Z/28), last know whereabouts, Colorado, may not be with use.**
6. Mark Clayton-Warehouse/Shipping manager/Top Fuel Operations-you know I’m here
7. Terry Thomas, Parts Manager 1977-1978 nickname "Big-T", "T", Fair Oaks, California, wife I believe Barabara, last sighting at a barber shop late 1990’s, may not be with us.**
8. John Steele, Performance World Parts Sales-nickname "Stoney", retired manager ERSON Cams late 1990’s, Carson City, Nevada, last know whereabouts Carson City, Nevada, hanging out with ex-Isky cam grinder goes by the name T-Willy, may not be with us.**
9. Michael Birum, I was helping him, he was helping me on my front engine dragster, and I believe he is still around and about three years ago got married and dropped off the scene for a number of reasons.
10. Gary Ormsby-R.I.P (Former NHRA Top Fuel Champion-drag racing legend)
11. Chris Raynor-Legendary Tuner/builder, (Jim Herbert’s long time racing partner, Kansas “John” Wiebe, Donovan Engineering, Larry Minor/Gary Beck, Gary Ormsby, Bill Barney, John Costanza, etc, etc.-R.I.P
12. Gary Grisel-worked a year or so after school, and after Marine Corp. Boot Camp, Gary is still around and active in the community, and may still work at Performance Chevrolet with Rapadis from Murphy’s WWII FED deal. His father Vern, nickname “V.P.” P stands for Percell worked as a lead mechanic at Bob Frink Chevrolet when Gary Ormsby was lead salesmen over their prior to him becoming a Toyota dealer. Mother Elsa worked for Dave Smith at Sacramento Raceway as a secretary and in event promotions for many years, they are very nice folks. Gary’s son Casey drives Nostalgia A/Fuel Car owned by the family and tuned by legendary tuner Jerry Darrien, they recently won the Las Vegas Nostalgia Series event.
13. Brian Crockett, Performance World’s circle burner expert-nickname "Fly'n Brian", or "B.C." also veteran sprint car driver, went on to become outside salesman for Fred Bailey’s Bailey Brothers Performance Center in American Canyon, California, Brian Retired about ten years ago and moved to the Medford, Oregon area. This is where his son Rogers World of Oultlaws car owner resides. His son Roger came to Tognotti’s to have a cup of coffee and work for us a while, and is a very successful Sprint Car Driver, and can be followed on the World of Outlaws and 360 Sprint car circuit, check out these web links (their is a allot of stuff on roger if you google it):
YouTube - Roger Crocket 360 Track Record
Roger Crockett World of Outlaws row 1 A-Main, Car #11
YouTube - 9-1-08 World Of Outlaw A-Main Grays Harbor Raceway
Roger Crockett's Pictures - MySpace Photos
YouTube - Roger Crockett qualifying @ Skagit Speedway 360 Nationals 7/31/09
14. Val-Herbert girlfriend number 1-from what Chris told me she is still around. I have to be honest this was one smok’n hot look’n red head.
15. Connie-Herbert girlfriend number 2- from what Chris told me she is still around. I have to be honest this was one smok’n hot look’n lady and a super sweet personality to boot.
16. Sue-Gary Ormsby’s life long partner, from what Chris told me she is still around. I have to be honest one heck of a good look’n gal and always pleasant when I was around her.
17. George J. Makris (Super Gas), nickname” Jaybird, or Jay” worked weekends to pay off his bill sometimes, former operator of Jays Automotive, and O.K. Radiator. I believe he is still around, last known whereabouts hanging out at M&S Machine with Fred Van Ornem (Super Street) . Last known whereabouts was he was sharing warehouse space with Super Everything (Gas, Comp, Top Sportsman, Top Dragster, etc.) driver William, Bill” Boxold.
**May not be with us is based on chronological age at time of employment at Jim Herbert’s Performance World.