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Latest Fred Smith Creation!
Bruce Biegler - August 31, 2009
 The propensity of Canada's "FJ" (Fred Smith) to pump out high quality race cars just continues.
One of the latest recipients from that "little shop by the river" in Cayuga is Buffalo New York's Bill Kraft, whose spectacular new SS/AH Hemi '68 Barracuda is already causing Mopar fans everywhere to salivate.
With the car Kraft, who owns a very successful industrial construction company, is ending a 15-year hiatus from racing to chase a dream. During mid summer '09, Bill took delivery of the finished Barracuda and began testing locally within the Can-Am Stock/Super Stock series. He plans to use the rest of this racing season to ramp up his racing effort and to also get back up to speed following the long layoff.
“I have been on the circuit helping out Wendall and Mark Howes (from New Brunswick) over the last two seasons and got some great experience from that," said Kraft. “I was very impressed by the Super Stock Hemi cars that Fred (Smith) built for them. I got the body shipped here from California and Fred did a beautiful job of putting together this all tube chassied car. Racing in this class (SS/AH) has always been a dream of mine – so now I’m stepping up to the plate.”
Kraft revealed that his potent 426 Hemi engine program is in fact a joint effort between some of the biggest and most reputed names in Hemi engine building.
 “Originally this motor was a Don McCallum piece that has been rebuilt by Ray Barton with some input from Charlie Westcott,” he revealed. “Everyone involved has been very helpful – they all want to do their part to make sure there is another new car for the (SS/AH) category.”
Kraft confirmed that his machine which features a stunning scheme reflects the painting talents of Scott Jahren and lettering skills of Dan Delaney (both too from Buffalo area).
“Stepping up to the very top level of the Super Stock class is a big change from what I was used to racing,” he added. But I do want to tread carefully; my goal is to race at future NHRA Mopar Hemi Challenge events.”
(Bruce Biegler Photos)
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