1974-91-03Richard Shute in 1973. "I've had many personas during this crazy career," said Auto Imagery President and longtime drag racing photographer Shute. "However, my favorite came after C.J. Pappy Hart asked me in the early 70s if I would be interested in being track photographer for OCIR. Of course I said yes, and my life changed Ð right down to my name. I was shooting and supplying publications weekly with images, and I didn't like how 'photo by Richard Shute' sounded when spoken. It just sounded weird to me, so I changed my name to Rick. 'Photo by Rick Shute,' okay, that worked. I stopped shooting for publications and started Auto Imagery in March of '79, and then I went back to Richard. When I walk through the pits and my OCIR family is there, though, they still call me Rick. It always brings me back to a really great period of time in my career."

Richard Shute in 1973. I've had many personas during this crazy career, said Auto Imagery President and longtime drag racing photographer Shute. However, my favorite came after C.J. Pappy Hart asked me in the early 70s if I would be interested in being track photographer for OCIR. Of course I said yes, and my life changed  right down to my name. I was shooting and supplying publications weekly with images, and I didn't like how 'photo by Richard Shute' sounded when spoken. It just sounded weird to me, so I changed my name to Rick. 'Photo by Rick Shute,' okay, that worked. I stopped shooting for publications and started Auto Imagery in March of '79, and then I went back to Richard. When I walk through the pits and my OCIR family is there, though, they still call me Rick. It always brings me back to a really great period of time in my career.

1973-79-03Kelly DeLuca, left, and Mary Langdon were two of the gals making ensuring dial-ins were recorded correctly and the OCIR clocks kept running.

Kelly DeLuca, left, and Mary Langdon were two of the gals making ensuring dial-ins were recorded correctly and the OCIR clocks kept running.
 

1975-47-71OCIR's C.J. Pappy Hart changes the bulbs in the Christmas Tree with the help of his son Jerry. The discerning eye may recognize Bob 'Cookie' Cook in the foreground.

OCIR's C.J. Pappy Hart changes the bulbs in the Christmas Tree with the help of his son Jerry. The discerning eye may recognize Bob 'Cookie' Cook in the foreground.
 

1976-16-07aOn any given weekend, regulars would watch the action from in front of the iconic OCIR tower. From left: Bill Middaugh of M&H Tire; Gary and Audie Christensen, who had a Hilborn Injected '58 Corvette they ran in Bracket 1; bracket racer T.C. Harrell; Gary Christensen's brother, Gene; and Riley Chappelle, another Bracket 1 competitor with his '66 Corvette.

On any given weekend, regulars would watch the action from in front of the iconic OCIR tower. From left: Bill Middaugh of M&H Tire; Gary and Audie Christensen, who had a Hilborn Injected '58 Corvette they ran in Bracket 1; bracket racer T.C. Harrell; Gary Christensen's brother, Gene; and Riley Chappelle, another Bracket 1 competitor with his '66 Corvette.
 

1976-01-19Drag racing veteran Alan Miller has done it all. Driven an AA/FA? Check. Run a race? Check. Worked the starting line, been the starter, announced the race, managed the facility, managed the track? Go ahead and check all those boxes, too.

Drag racing veteran Alan Miller has done it all. Driven an AA/FA? Check. Run a race? Check. Worked the starting line, been the starter, announced the race, managed the facility, managed the track? Go ahead and check all those boxes, too.

1973-82-02Bonnie and Clyde Miller (left), along with Gayle and Earl Sorenson,Glen Gailey, and the Sorenson's daughter, exemplify the family atmosphere at OCIR. .

Bonnie and Clyde Miller (left), along with Gayle and Earl Sorenson, Glen Gailey, and the Sorenson's daughter Katie, exemplify the family atmosphere at OCIR. .
 

1973-23-05Orange County International Raceway (OCIR) starter Stan Swickey double checks a lane prior to the next racers making a pass.

Orange County International Raceway (OCIR) starter Stan Swickey double checks a lane prior to the next racers making a pass.
 

1974-46-23Vicki and Sigi Mickschi met at Belmont High School in Los Angeles and were married in December of 1963, the same year their Plymouth Belvedere rolled off the assembly line. The couple raced the car they called "Taurus" beginning in '67 at OCIR.

Vicki and Sigi Mickschi met at Belmont High School in Los Angeles and were married in December of 1963, the same year their Plymouth Belvedere rolled off the assembly line. The couple raced the car they called 'Taurus' beginning in '67 at OCIR. They and their marriage are still going strong.

1974-1-13Miss Drag Scoop Cathy Murphy was more than a trophy girl; she was an outstanding goodwill ambassador for OCIR back in the day.

Miss Drag Scoop Cathy Murphy was more than a trophy girl; she was an outstanding goodwill ambassador for OCIR back in the day.
 

1975-14-10 - CopyOCIR regulars Ronnie and Randy Marcum with their cousin, David.

OCIR regulars Ronnie and Randy Marcum with their cousin, David.

1976-34-05OCIR regulars remember Jessica Hoffmeier as a bright, cheerful, and fun person on any given day at the racetrack.

OCIR regulars remember Jessica Hoffmeier as a bright, cheerful, and fun person on any given day at the racetrack.
 

1976-01-05Here's a classic shot of Mike and Karen English in their Atomic wagon. Some folks know that this is the same Mike English who went on to become an NHRA announcer - and Karen, well, she just went on.

Here's a classic shot of Mike and Karen English in their Atomic wagon. Some folks know that this is the same Mike English who went on to become an NHRA announcer - and Karen, well, she just went on.

1977-40-15AGordon Pye, Gordon worked staging and tech. and Judy DeLuca, Judy was a track mom of sorts at OCIR, but her role extended well beyond that. Judy ran the timing deck of the tower, and everyone knew that 'What Judy says, goes.'

Gordon Pye, Gordon worked staging and tech. and Judy DeLuca, Judy was a track mom of sorts at OCIR, but her role extended well beyond that. Judy ran the timing deck of the tower, and everyone knew that 'What Judy says, goes.'
 

1973-90-09A young fan gets a guest pass right into the cockpit of the Hawkeye Funny Car thanks to 'Hawkeye' Frank Harris, himself.

A young fan gets a guest pass right into the cockpit of the Hawkeye Funny Car thanks to 'Hawkeye'  Frank Harris, himself.

1975-61-01Fans perch on the wall above the AHRA logo on the wall at Orange County International Raceway.

Fans perch on the wall above the AHRA logo on the wall at Orange County International Raceway.
 

1976-55-04Bracket racers Mark and Ginny Brownlee raced a front-motored econo dragster.

Bracket racers Mark and Ginny Brownlee raced a front-motored econo dragster.

1976-05-29An unidentified couple display patriotism and the style of the time while keeping back behind OCIR security.

An unidentified couple display patriotism and the style of the time while keeping back behind OCIR security.