Bean Bandits The Life and Times of Land Speed Racing p 3

The Bean Bandits Life and Times of Land Speed Racing

By Webmeister Moldy Marvin

I've been following the Bean Bandits for several years now and I had the opportunity to spend good part of this last racing season with Julio Hernandes and Brad White along with several other of their members.

The very first time I ever heard about the Bean Bandits was in stories that my pop used to tell me when I was a kid.

From 1949 ta 1953 my pop used ta run a 35 Chevy coupe with a straight 6 GMC; her mil was ported had a Wayne head and went like crazy. he'd run'er at El Mirage and eventually a drag strip r two. His best time was 118 mph in the flyin' mile at El Mirage. Nuthin' like their doing today but I guess it wasn't too bad. I remember him mentioning guys like Otto Crocker, Kong and others and clubs like the Sidewinders, and Gear Grinders but the name that always stuck in my brain was the Bean Bandits.

In the next few pages we'll find out a little history about the Bean Bandits where they been and where they are today.

We're gonna start it out with a little story that author Leah M. Kerr wrote several years ago titled:

" RECORDS ???, WE DON'T NEED NO STINKING RECORDS"

(Reprinted with permission of Drag Racing Monthly "December 1997 issue" and author)

Leah has also published a book about the outlaw culture of hot rodding titled "Driving Me Wild"; You'll find a segment in there too about the Bean Bandits. "Driving Me Wild" is published by Juno Books and can be found on line or in a book store near you. ISBN 096510429-X

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