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Author Topic: Darrell Vittone Interview  (Read 25773 times)
deano
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« on: June 16, 2012, 17:05:07 pm »

Next month, I am traveling up to Oregon to see Darrell Vittone and do the long over-due interview..

What questions would you like to ask Darrell Vittone?

Dean/Hot VWs
« Last Edit: June 16, 2012, 17:11:38 pm by deano » Logged

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Lids
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« Reply #1 on: June 16, 2012, 17:23:23 pm »

Where did he hide IP?

What period of his career did he enjoy most? EMPI, raceshop or techtronics?

What was his favourite car that he raced in?
« Last Edit: June 16, 2012, 17:30:30 pm by Lids » Logged

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Fastbrit
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« Reply #2 on: June 16, 2012, 18:22:54 pm »

Can you tell us the timeline of the Fiat 850?

Oh, and when you come to EBI with Ron, do you want sugar in your coffee?
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bugnut68
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« Reply #3 on: June 16, 2012, 19:46:20 pm »

I'd be interested in hearing about how he transitioned from air to water-cooled performance.
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richie
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« Reply #4 on: June 16, 2012, 20:07:13 pm »

Wheres the hard top for the fiat? can we borrow it? how many inch pinchers actually were there? 4 or 5? or even more?

cheers richie
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« Reply #5 on: June 16, 2012, 21:30:30 pm »

waouuww , what a question dean   Cheesy ,  a lot of questions for Darrel

as keith said the timeline of the 850 and also the one of the Economotors 67

where ended IP II after the sale of FDY ,

Has you  regretted not driving any more inch pincherII after the sale of Empi

Which one of the  2 inch pincher  he preferred to drive Huh
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bugnut68
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« Reply #6 on: June 16, 2012, 22:25:59 pm »

Thoughts on the current incarnation of the EMPI name?  Ok, ok, I walked in knowing that probably wouldn't fly... Grin  All in jest, of course.
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.
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« Reply #7 on: June 17, 2012, 14:33:13 pm »

What his thoughts were when Empi was sold to Filter Dynamics.
Was he in on the decision or was it all Joe ?

What was the atmosphere like when VW was threatening to take away their franchise for selling GTV's and Empi parts in their showroom whilst VWOA was making their own GTV (Formula Vee) using Empi parts and ideas !
« Last Edit: June 17, 2012, 17:31:04 pm by Richard Roth » Logged
Fritter
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« Reply #8 on: June 17, 2012, 15:33:53 pm »

Describe the relationship with Dean Lowry and the transition after he left to form DDS.
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« Reply #9 on: June 17, 2012, 21:02:38 pm »

Describe the relationship with Dean Lowry and the transition after he left to form DDS.

yeah, how was it stepping into Dean's shoes and having to make sure EMPI remained on top?
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« Reply #10 on: June 18, 2012, 01:01:58 am »

 How is he doing ? {health etc.} fine I hope. And does he ever think about another dragcar ?  I know of two 850s in my area of Oregon, one was a VW powered dragcar, well kinda,with mag. spindle mounts on the front, the other is in a junkyard and is the covered headlight model , with the glass & trim rings still intact. both need lots a work.  Fleming and the Schleys need the competition........   Wink
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Chris W
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« Reply #11 on: June 18, 2012, 03:33:32 am »

Looking forward to the interview, any other plans while your up here in Oregon?
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deano
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« Reply #12 on: June 18, 2012, 16:26:17 pm »

Looking forward to the interview, any other plans while your up here in Oregon?

Brian Hyerstay's overhead cam engine on the dyno....
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« Reply #13 on: June 18, 2012, 17:16:58 pm »

How did the good name of EMPI end up with the bad name of EMPI today Cool
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Fastbrit
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« Reply #14 on: June 18, 2012, 18:51:13 pm »

How did the good name of EMPI end up with the bad name of EMPI today Cool
How did VW drivers end up driving Vegas?  Grin Grin Grin
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Dominick Luppino
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« Reply #15 on: June 18, 2012, 18:54:28 pm »

How did the good name of EMPI end up with the bad name of EMPI today Cool
How did VW drivers end up driving Vegas?  Grin Grin Grin


 Grin
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Troy Palmer
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« Reply #16 on: June 18, 2012, 19:01:55 pm »

Dean,

I would like to know if Darrell/Joe wished they didn't cash out to Filter Dynamics and what they may have done differently?  Did they sell maining becasue of the pressure from VOA or was the EMPI run over?

What are some of Darrell's favorite empi parts?

What does he think about Pro Gas/VX style cars (modern I and H gassers) running deep into the 10's?

What does he think about PM cars running 7's?

You should ask Brian Hyerstay his side of the story about the famous Bug-In 32 horn blowing during stagging.  Curious about his side of the story?
Troy
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deano
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« Reply #17 on: June 18, 2012, 19:06:36 pm »

Dean, You should ask Brian Hyerstay his side of the story about the famous Bug-In 32 horn blowing during stagging.  Curious about his side of the story?
Troy

The guy with the biggest... loudest horn, usually wins...
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bugnut68
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« Reply #18 on: June 18, 2012, 20:19:57 pm »

Dean,

I would like to know if Darrell/Joe wished they didn't cash out to Filter Dynamics and what they may have done differently?  Did they sell maining becasue of the pressure from VOA or was the EMPI run over?

What are some of Darrell's favorite empi parts?

What does he think about Pro Gas/VX style cars (modern I and H gassers) running deep into the 10's?

What does he think about PM cars running 7's?

You should ask Brian Hyerstay his side of the story about the famous Bug-In 32 horn blowing during stagging.  Curious about his side of the story?
Troy

I asked Brian about that once when I was hanging at his shop, visiting, as it was edited/not seen in the OSV DVD of the Bug-In.  He said something about his oiling system being a factor in that incident, though the precise details are foggy to me... been a couple of years.  He balanced my internals for my current 2017 build.
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deano
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« Reply #19 on: June 18, 2012, 20:52:19 pm »

Just keep in mind that this interview is more about Darrell Vittone, than Empi or Econo Motors. I want to write about how he saw things and how they effected him. (Part of this will cover "being the son of the owner...) So much has been written about Empi.... That's not what I want to explore this time around.
« Last Edit: June 18, 2012, 22:27:21 pm by deano » Logged

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Russell
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« Reply #20 on: June 18, 2012, 22:31:27 pm »

Deano Im working on a list.... hope i get it to you in time, thx
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Best Regards

Russell
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« Reply #21 on: June 18, 2012, 23:00:44 pm »

Ask him 'what kind of beer he likes?' and 'when is he coming to Texas?'
I know a couple good BBQ places ...
TxT
« Last Edit: June 18, 2012, 23:50:37 pm by TexasTom » Logged

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kingsburgphil
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« Reply #22 on: June 18, 2012, 23:25:31 pm »

Perhaps he'd like to share some stories about his fellow VW racers who have passed on.
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Dominick Luppino
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« Reply #23 on: June 19, 2012, 01:43:13 am »

Just keep in mind that this interview is more about Darrell Vittone, than Empi or Econo Motors. I want to write about how he saw things and how they effected him. (Part of this will cover "being the son of the owner...) So much has been written about Empi.... That's not what I want to explore this time around.


Oh darn!
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.
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« Reply #24 on: June 19, 2012, 02:09:49 am »

Ask him to tell some Jim Bentley stories.
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70slooker
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hello


« Reply #25 on: June 19, 2012, 03:11:34 am »

whats his best most thought about memory during the old days

i wouldnt mind hearing about his thoughts on some of the new times cars are making as well

now that the racing info would be slightly dated, what was his most proven engine mod to make power
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Neil Davies
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« Reply #26 on: June 19, 2012, 11:49:40 am »

I've got a couple of questions for Darrell.
1 - I'd like to know what he thinks about the VW "scene" in general - did he expect it to last as long as it has done?
2 - I'd also like to know about the cars he would build now, with time and money being no object - race VW, street VW, watercooled VW and other.
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« Reply #27 on: June 19, 2012, 13:32:52 pm »

Just keep in mind that this interview is more about Darrell Vittone, than Empi or Econo Motors. I want to write about how he saw things and how they effected him. (Part of this will cover "being the son of the owner...) So much has been written about Empi.... That's not what I want to explore this time around.

Thank you, Dean.
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« Reply #28 on: June 19, 2012, 16:53:13 pm »

did he regret to dont have keep a big stock of brm  Roll Eyes
where is inch pincher 2
please ship me an issue of the interview deano I will refound you by paypal !!!!
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dragvw2180
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« Reply #29 on: June 19, 2012, 16:54:59 pm »

1 - I'd like to know what he thinks about the VW "scene" in general - did he expect it to last as long as it has done?
X2  

     If he had the opportunity to do it all over what would he change ?
Mike McCarthy
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