About Us

Our Story

Oliver “Mr. Skip” Holbert, owner of the “Masterpiece” 1967 Camaro, is originally from Daytona Beach, Florida. He grew up attending the NASCAR races on the old Beach-Road Course on the beach in Daytona Beach. That was in the late 40’s and until the new super speedway was built in the mid 50’s. Mr. Skip entered the U.S. Navy in June 1956 and served 24 years before retiring as a Master Chief Electricians Mate (SS) Submarine Service. During the time working with some great sailors up in Idaho, I was intriduced to “Drag Racing”. My first thought was, “What enjoyment can you get from watching two cars racing in a straight line? Wow! After one trip too the drag strip, I was hooked! That was 1963. One year later I was a part of a pit crew for a shipmate who owned a Ford Fairlane 500, with a 289 High Performance V8 Engine. We never won more than a round or two bur we had lots of fun. By 1965, I had a wife and five kids. Drag Racing, even back then, was very expensive. It would be 1968, in Pocatello,Idaho at Pocatello Dragway, before I hit the drag strip on my own. I purchased a 4 Dr. 1961 Studebaker Lark with a V8 engine, 3-speed, for a 2nd car, mainly to go fishing, which I loved to do up in Idaho. One weekend, as I was headed to a new fishing stream, I passed a drag strip with cars lined up to get in. I got in line! The lady at the gate asked if I wanted to race or just look. After a short conversation, I raced in NHRA P/S Class. There was one other car, that I beat for the class trophy. I went on to lose in Stock Eliminator. A great start to my racing career! (TO BE CONTINUED 12/8/2024).