[Jim Hand]

Fellow Pontiac folks:
Time marches on - the time has come for me to hang up my helmet, and put the old wagon out to pasture! Not because of the wagon - it is still running super, even with that stock cast crank I stroked and installed in 1999, and have been running on 91-92 octane gas at an honest 10.14 static compression! But my advancing age and stroke damage makes it very difficult to maintain the quality and performance I have had since I built the car in 1986. And to make it really difficult, out local KCIR drag strip was forced to close this past season.

But don't feel sorry for me! I have had a great run for over 60 years with my Pontiacs (and various other makes of cars). We have won national events, won all-Pontiac events in both drag racing and shows, won dozens of trophies/purses for local bracket racing and shows, had opportunities to present technical seminars at various national and regional Pontiac events as well as numerous local Pontiac events. One of the neatest for me was setting at a round table discussion with Pete McCarthy, Jim Wangers, Arnie Beswick, and Tom Wilhite. Another was the GTO Nats in Wichita in 1998 when Mac McKellar took time from his busy schedule to attend out exhaust system presentation. And as a result of our participation in tech writing, racing, and information exchange for so many years, I was asked by CarTech Publishing in 2002 to write a book on the Pontiac V8 engine. It was released in late June, 2004 under the title of "How to build Max Performance Pontiac V-s". The book is still available from some of the Pontiac vendors and shops, Borders book stores, and Amazon. It is still a fine book and well worth the 20 or so dollars it will cost. Sure, I will make a bit over a dollar for each book sold, but more importantly, it will be a great help for many of the younger folks getting into our hobby.

I realize that many of you younger members don't know much about me and my '71 LeMans wagon, and haven't had the opportunity to argue or criticize what I have done with it! So to bring you up to speed, I request all read or reread the fine summary of our life with cars prepared by Bob Wicker about two years ago titled "The Hands of Pontiac" at http://www.pontiacsonline.com/Jim%20Hand.htm

Bob's presentation is still pretty much up to date, except that CarTech has reported our book has sold over 25,000 copies as of Jan, 2012. Thanks to all of you who have bought it, and to BOP and all the other Pontiac shops/businesses that helped make it a success by selling it. And to the group of guys who generously provided their expertise to help me prepare the book, THANK YOU.

I am going to close this out with two items: The first is a photo of me "styling" with my first Pontiac in 1952 at the age of 19, a 1941 Streamliner 6 two door.

The second is a sheet of four time slips ran during our last serious trip to the track in 2010. The wagon weighed 4050# with driver, home ported 6X-4 iron heads, full out-the-rear exhaust, 91 octane pump gas, 3.55 gear, one of the first Continental "tight 10" converters that flash stalls at 3200 even with my heavy car and copious torque, (bought and run since 1996), Wolverine grind standard hydraulic cam of 234/244 duration, .338/.340 lobe lift, and on a 112 lobe separation. We also were running the newer Rhoads VMax adjustable lifters at .015" clearance, and Harland Sharp 1.65 rockers. And I had reset the trans governor to shift at the astronomical (for me) RPM of 5700-5750! The front tires were 225X75RX15 and the rears MT DOT street radials 28" X 11" tread. This series of runs confirms and illustrates my stated goal of a consistent, competitive, and easy to drive on the street and strip car at a reasonable cost.

And while I may respond to posts on this topic, I will not discuss any technical details - I will let the time tickets talk for me!

Thanks to all for the help and support, and confidence in our testing and writing. I will continue to monitor the boards and may even attend a few events in the area, but no more racing or technical posting.

What a great ride for the past 60 years!

Sincerely, Jim Hand

[indymanjoe]

NOOOOOOO JK you'll be back at the track,driving im sure.hope to meet ya someday...best of luck!

[bryansMtngto]

Sad to see one of my Pontiac Heros hanging up his helmet. Good luck with life. Hope you'll still stay involved with the sport.

[grandville455]

Jim, Sorry to hear you are hanging it up, you have Been a inspiration to me big time! without you and your car I would've never continued on with such a big car! ,but U showed me it could be done! Best of whatever comes your way in life Jim!!!!!!!!

[Blackcat]

I havent seen and talked to you in many years. I still hope that you come to events!

[Half-Inch Stud]

I can only react responding in quips right now:
Got your book but I've only gone SLOWER.
Relaxing is over-rated.
Cast iron head Pontiac performance in a big heavy cars is someone's else watch now.
Gonna hand the keys to one of the sons?
Enjoy the finer things. Regards. HIS

[b-man]

Thank you for sharing all of your tiring and thorough performance research with your fellow Pontiac enthusiasts over the years.

Take care of yourself Jim.

Bart

[Gulliver]

Mr. Hand,
Your Pontiac engine book has proved invaluable for me, and is a must have for all of us -thanks for sharing your expertise!

Thank you for your many gracious contributions, to all of us in the hobby.

[Johnny406]

Jim,

We salute and applaud you.

[4dblnkldude]

WOW! I wish you all the best!

[Mark C.]

Thanks for all the tech help. And especially your book.

Looking at the slips, your car is consistant to say the least.

[Ben M.]

Thanks for sharing all of your insight and knowledge over the years and keeping some of the younger generation like me interested.

[NBF823]

Thanks for everything Jim.

[Cobrabill]

Jim, i heard you're going to give a seminar on how to write a Pontiac performance book in Grand Terrace,Ca.

[Scarebird]

Jim, you certainly have been a benefit to the Pontiac community.

Good luck.

[77 TRASHCAN]

A fellow Pontiac-a-holic friend of mine, mentioned a couple of your magazine articles, way back...we discussed them, were thankful a Pontiac enthusiast had done the work....

I mentioned to him that this "Jim Hand" guy, was sharp, did good work, and he must be a young guy, that still has the "energy" mode in high gear...He laughed, told me, Jim, that you were retired, and a dedicated Pontiac enthusiast...

Jim, I'm thankful for you, everything about you. You've always been great to talk to. Myself and a couple of fellow enthusiats have probably wore you down a couple of times talking about Pontiacs. at Dallas, Ark City or Wichita......LOL

I prescribe to your high velocity iron head port ideas, I am still gathering stuff to carry on w/ Jim Hand style 400 or 455, but my car will be a black 77 T/A...
Jeff

[Jim Hand]

Bill,
A good way to get started in the book writing business is to attend a National high performance convention, go to the CarTech booth, and hassle and swear at the young lady in attendance! And be stupid enough to make sure one of the other CarTech folks overhear you!!!!!!

Jim Hand

[jmt455]

Jim,
I wish you all the best!
Thank you for your contributions to the Pontiac world and your willingness to share your knowledge so widely.
You're a class act, sir!
JoeT

[Cobrabill]

Originally Posted by Jim Hand

Bill,
A good way to get started in the book writing business is to attend a National high performance convention, go to the CarTech booth, and hassle and swear at the young lady in attendance! And be stupid enough to make sure one of the other CarTech folks overhear you!!!!!!

Jim Hand

That figures....

[anewtoi]

Jim, your contributions to the hobby to some, business to others is immesureable. im somewhat of a newby to the hobby but have read alot about you/by you and want to add my sincere thank you's and well wishes. take care!!