GRUZEN RACING'S

HISTORY OF THE "MALICIOUS MOUSE"
Blown Alcohol Altered

This is the fourth car coming from what is now being referred to as the "House of Mouse". Formulated from a combination of past cars built and run by Gruzen Racing, this new creation came about as a result of the retirement of the original "Mighty Mouse" (NE-1) Nostalgia Blown Alcohol Modified Roadster, and the "Merciless Mouse" AA Fuel Altered which was also placed in "Limbo" status, due to the lack of venues to run a fuel altered in.

The original roadster was built out of mild steel, and was subsequently tagged with a sportsman 7.50 certification. The chassis for the new "Malicious Mouse" is in fact, the frame and drive train from the AA Fuel Altered, with the Alky motor from the "Mighty Mouse" and a totally different T-body. This car is currently certed for advanced ET (6.00), but will compete in a number of 7.50 and advanced et outings.

About Us ! !

Gruzen Racing unknowingly originated  in 1955, with the marriage of Joel and Darl (Dee)...Then,

High School sweethearts, Joel began racing as a teenager, as most did, on Southern California

streets, and at the old Santa Ana Dragstrip.

Entering the Air Force in late 1955, Joel continued his attempts at racing on a very limited scale,

while traveling extensively to meet his military commitments. In early 1959, while stationed at

March AFB, Riverside California, he joined the "Statorods" car club, and eventually became

involved with their Modified Roadster. During this time, he also started announcing at the old

Colton Dragstrip and Riverside Speedway, and was involved with several assorted Dragsters and

Roadsters, which never quite made the "also ran" categories..

After returning from an overseas tour in 1961, he started announcing at Vaca Valley Dragstrip in

Vacaville California, and continued there until another overseas departure in late 1963. During this

time, he was involved with Chuck Tanko's Sacramento based, Century Speed Shop Twin

Hemi powered Fuel Dragster; Greg Maher (Maher/Gruzen) "C" Fuel Dragster; Bryce Mocabee's

C/Gas Olds powered Willys and American Van Lines Olds B/Gas Coupe. All this time, Dee was

the backbone and mainstay for their three children, Dave, Karen and Zeena, and for the familys

very limited race operation.

Departing for overseas in late 1963, also signaled the end of their racing, as military

commitments, and traveling kept them from participating in the Drag Racing sport.

In the early 70's, Dave somehow developed a "need for speed" by doing nutsy things on bikes and

skateboards, before becoming involved in Bare Foot Drag Skiing on the water, competing in such

classics as the Endo's International Speed Ski and Barefoot competitions in Long Beach

California. Dave traveled around California and Nevada or wherever he could muster a "fast pull"

behind anyones speedboat, hydro or flatbottom. His name became synonamous with speed on

the water, as he became recognized as one of the premier Barefoot Waterskiers, attaining

speeds in excess of 120mph.  During a competition in mid 1978, a fall at 115mph terminated his

competition for future water skiing events..

Slow Down??? Not a chance...Obtaining an early VW, Dave started going to local strips where he

thought a 15 second pass was "pretty cool"...Then he started the procedure to "lighten" the car

and add a little horsepower...How quick could he get a 4-speed VW to go?? How about upper 9's

He was in seventh heaven. This continued thru the 80's and into 1992.

October 1993....."Hey Pop, why don't we go to the Reunion in Bakersfield next week"........Well,

first of all, you dont know anyone that mom and I went to high school with....Second, why would

Long Beach Poly High School have a reunion in Bakersfield????....A brief explanation took place

and I wasnt that enthusiastic....After a week of brow-beating by Dave, we loaded up my old '23T

Touring street rod on the trailer, and took off for the "Patch"...Two days later, a partnership was

formed and the start of a "repli-car" of the old New House Special was under way. This eventually

became the "Mighty Mouse" Modified Roadster..

Dee's response to this action was "Here we go again"....

Updated 3/24/2004

If you would like your story Featured here E-mail me!