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ABOUT THE ARTIST
James Ibusuki
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 1-3 Indianapolis: THE U.S. NATIONALS IS THE COMING OUT PARTY FOR NHRA'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY LITHOGRAPH. Artist James Ibusuki traveled to Indy for the 47th annual U.S. Nationals to help the NHRA Motorsports Museum debut the official NHRA golden anniversary limited-edition. The first date on the itinerary was Dragfest 2001, the annual drag racing memorabilia show held at the fabled Adam's Mark Hotel. The lithograph was enthusiastically received with many collectors placing orders for this very unique work of art. In addition to Ibusuki's appearance, notable attendees included "Jungle Pam" Hardy, Terry Hedrick—"Seaton's Super Shaker"; Larry Reyes—"Hawaiian," "Super Cuda," Bruce Larson, Tom McEwen, Linda Vaughn, and Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins.
The Saturday evening show was followed by 2 days of exhibition at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Ibusuki's newest lithograph was located in the high traffic area of the 50th anniversary Reunion Center. The vintage race car displays of "Big Daddy" Don Garlits and "Ohio George" Montgomery helped to draw large groups of race fans to the area. Sales were brisk as many collectors placed orders in between the fantastic history making rounds of racing. By the time Indy week had ended, over 20% of the lithographs had been sold! "Dyno Don" Nicholson, Ray Godman—"Bo Weevil", and Richard Tharp—"Blue Max" were among the greats that visited the reunion tent. To learn more about the NHRA lithograph, please contact the NHRA Motorsports Museum at (909) 622-2133.
8/24/01-Glendora, CA: NHRA'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY LITHOGRAPH UNVEILED. In the Aug. 24th issue of National Dragster, it was announced that artist James Ibusuki has just completed the official 50th anniversary limited-edition. The ambitious undertaking is Ibusuki's artistic interpretation of NHRA's golden anniversary. The painting begins with a portrait of Wally Parks in 1951 and concludes with John Force in 2000. The 17 images include depictions of Don Garlits, Don Prudhomme, Shirley Muldowney, Tom McEwen, Bob Glidden, Joe Amato, Kenny Bernstein, and Warren Johnson—plus many other key historical moments in NHRA history. In addition, several pieces of memorabilia are shown including the first membership card and the premiere issue of National Dragster. The limited-edition of 500 lithographs is being published by the NHRA Motorsports Museum and all sales will support the museum's efforts to preserve the rich heritage of drag racing. For more information, contact the NHRA Motorsports Museum at (909) 622-2133.
9/28/00-Bakersfield, CA: RONNIE SOX TO ATTEND CALIF. HOT ROD REUNION IX. Legendary Mopar racer Ronnie Sox will make his first-ever Bakersfield appearance at this year's CHRR (Oct. 5-8). The pioneer Pro Stock and Super Stock driver, well-known as one of the best ever to power-shift a 4-speed, will be the special guest of artist James Ibusuki. Ibusuki will officially unveil his latest painting, "Best of the Doors," a tribute to Sox & Martin and Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins, at the popular event. Attendees will be able to meet Sox during the Friday night gathering at the Double Tree Hotel, or Saturday at the James Ibusuki display within the Reunion Art Gallery near the Famoso Raceway tower. Ronnie has never been to Bakersfield and is very excited to attend the Reunion to renew acquaintances with fellow veteran racers and fans. Late arrivals please note, Ronnie will not be at the track on Sunday. For further info, email James at jibusuki@dragracingart.com or call (818) 362-9899.
9/25/00-Sylmar, CA: JAMES IBUSUKI'S NEWEST LITHOGRAPH IS IN PRODUCTION. James has just put the final brush strokes on his latest painting, "Best of the Doors." It is now off to the printers for the meticulous, time consuming task of creating accurate museum-quality lithographs of the original painting. This exciting painting is a depiction of Sox & Martin's '69 Hemi-Cuda facing off against Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins' '68 Camaro at York US 30 Dragway in 1969. Their fabled heads up, outlaw Super Stock match races greatly influenced the creation of NHRA Pro Stock Eliminator in 1970. After production, Bill Jenkins and Ronnie Sox will be called upon to autograph the edition of 850 lithographs. Expected availability date is late October 2000.
6/1/00-Sylmar, CA: JAMES IBUSUKI LITHOGRAPHS ARE NOW AVAILABLE ON LINE. For your convenience, you can now make a few clicks, input your info, and have your favorite drag racing lithographs at your door in days! As always, our e-commerce service is a secure site with all of the necessary encryption devices in place to protect your privacy.
5/22/00-Sylmar, CA: EMAIL AVAILABLE AT DRAGRACINGART.COM. Now you can email James Ibusuki from his website by clicking on the "Contact James" button at the bottom of this page or punching in jibusuki@dragracingart.com. Questions and comments are always welcome!
3/28/00-Sylmar, CA: NEW U.R.L. FOR JAMES IBUSUKI AUTOMOTIVE PORTRAITURE. For easier quarter-mile web surfing, James has a new URL: www.dragracingart.com. It's a lot easier to remember and you don’t have to spell his last name! If you're used to the old URL, www.jamesibusuki-autoart.com, don't worry, it still works. Both will get you here!
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2/4/00-Pomona, CA: NHRA MOTORSPORTS MUSEUM HOSTS "A SALUTE TO THE FUEL ALTEREDS." As an extra-added attraction to the 40th annual Winternationals, the NHRA Motorsports Museum held a Friday night gathering of the wild AA/FA's and their most famous drivers. Hundreds of spectators at the track visited the museum after qualifying concluded to enjoy the show. Artist James Ibusuki was on hand to promote his latest lithograph, "Between Heaven and Hell," which features Pure Heaven and Pure Hell dueling at Fremont Raceway. Veteran photographer Bob McClurg and author Don Montgomery also showcased their fuel altered-inspired works. Rich Guasco, Leon Fitzgerald and Dale Emery visited Ibusuki's display and autographed prints. Restored or replicated cars in attendance included Pure Hell, Pure Heaven, The Winged Express, The Rat Trap, Nanook, Burkholder Bros. Fiat, plus many others. A special treat for James was finally getting the chance to meet Sush Matsubara who drove Joe Mondello's Chevy-powered Fiats. Featured in Ibusuki's sold out lithograph, "Night of the Altereds," Sush hadn't attended any of the Calif. Hot Rod Reunions. He had such a great time that Sush said he'd be going to Bakersfield this year! Other great AA/FA racers on hand were Joe Mondello, Al "Mousie" Marcellus, Leroy Chadderton, Glen Way, Randy Bradford, Dennis Geisler, and Roger Garten. With this many cars and stars present, plus the autograph opportunity of a lifetime, this evening was a fuel altered fan's dream come true!
4/16/99-Pomona, CA: NHRA MOTORSPORTS MUSEUM HOSTS THE GASSER GREATS REUNION. What started out as an opportunity for "Ohio George" Montgomery to meet old friend and rival Doug "Cookie" Cook to sign James Ibusuki's lithographs, suddenly became a full-blown reunion of the A/GS legends! Upon hearing about the autograph session, NHRA Vice President Steve Gibbs, invited James to conduct the meeting at the museum. Given the green light, Ibusuki and good friend Leonard Harringer contacted "Big John" Mazmanian, KS Pittman, Robert "Bones" Balogh, Leonard Woods Jr., Junior Thompson, Skip Hess, Jerry Mallicoat, and Hugh Tucker. Amazingly, everyone was able to attend the last minute gathering. Several of the legends hadn't seen each other in over 20 years! Great 'war stories' were exchanged, mementos autographed, and the 'A/GS class reunion' photo was taken on the steps of the museum. The private party continued at the Cask 'N Cleaver Restaurant in nearby San Dimas. Also in attendance were NHRA museum curator Greg Sharp, Mike Cook (Doug's son and current SCTA President), and LaVaun Pittman. With the passing of Doug Cook four months later, several of the attendees have stated that the reunion was truly a once-in-a-lifetime event.
9/26/98-Columbus, OH: NHRA PRESENTS THE INAUGURAL MIDWEST HOT ROD REUNION. Artist James Ibusuki attended the first-ever Midwest Hot Rod Reunion held at National Trail Raceway. "Ohio George" Montgomery, the event's grand marshal, brought out his restored powder blue '33 Willys for display and took one last parade lap down the track (George also motored down the strip at IRP at the US Nationals a few weeks earlier). Ibusuki's paintings were on display near George's Willys and both had plenty of reunion visitors stopping by to shop and bench race. James had a great time as he got to meet many of his Midwest and Eastern art collectors in person that he'd only known through phone conversation. Other legendary cars in attendance included the Greer-Black-Prudhomme and Connie Kalitta fuelers, Stone-Woods-Cook A/GS Willys, Bruce Larson's USA-1 Camaro, Arnie Beswick's Pontiac, Phil Bonner's Ford, plus many others. Other notables present included Bill Jenkins, Linda Vaughn, Hubert Platt, Gordon Collett, and Eddie Schartman. Quite a memorable event!
9/5/98-Indianapolis, IN: "SHOWDOWN AT INDY," JAMES IBUSUKI'S LATEST RELEASE DEBUTS AT THE DRAGFEST COLLECTIBLES SHOW. Artist James Ibusuki unveiled his newest piece at the drag racing collectibles show held every year at the Adam's Mark Hotel during US Nationals week. The painting depicts perennial Indy winner "Ohio George" Montgomery's '33 Willys gasser battling the Stone-Woods-Cook '41 "Black Widow" coupe at the '64 Nationals. The print's release coincided with the debut of George's beautifully restored A/GS coupe at IRP during Labor Day weekend. With brisk sales at his display, Ibusuki's tribute to the Gasser Wars was enthusiastically received by many race fans at the show.
"JUNGLE PAM" Hardy made a rare public appearance at Dragfest '97, the annual collectibles show held during U.S. Nationals weekend. Pam, who recently signed artist James Ibusuki's lithographs that depict her and "Jungle Jim" Liberman, signed autographs and greeted race fans as special guest of Ibusuki and the Motorsports Gallery of Lloyd Schweigert. Several old racing pals stopped by to meet Pam once again including Ron Colson (Chi-Town Hustler), Mr. Norm, Kenny Safford, Tom McEwen, Eddie Schartman and Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins. Out at the track, Pam got a chance to relive her past when she helped Whit Bazemore back up after his burnouts. Wow! Look for a report on Dragfest and Indy in an up- coming issue of Drag Racing Monthly.
For more information, contact James Ibusuki
(818) 362-9899.
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ABOUT THE ARTIST
James Ibusuki
Born and raised in Southern California, James Ibusuki is a life-long drag racing and hot rod enthusiast. A graduate of Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, James has over a decade of experience illustrating work for the advertising, entertainment and publishing industries. Outside automotive art circles, his most visible work was done for the 1986 Warner release "Little Shop of Horrors." Other clients include The Walt Disney Co., MCA Universal, USAir, Beech Aircraft and Bank of America. His work has been published in Automobile Magazine, TV Guide, Popular Science,
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and Crown Books. Mr. Ibusuki's paintings have been selected to appear in Automotive Art vol.1,2,3 and "Hot Air," an international showcase of airbrush art.
James Ibusuki has earned an Award of Excellence from the Communication Arts 1990 Annual. He has been awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze medals from the Society of Illustrators, Los Angeles, in addition to numerous certificates of merit. His automotive paintings have been exhibited at "The Car, The Art" in Los Angeles, the Newport Beach Concourse D Elegance, and the Beverly Hills Car Show. The artist is a member of the Society of Illustrators, Los Angeles and the National Hot Rod Association.
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