Raoul “Sonny” Balcaen, III

Pioneer driver in top fuel drag racing. Developed first full bodied dragster using a magnesium skin and GMC nitro powered engine. Worked with mentor Ed Donovan. Later worked with Pete Clark, Rex May’s Indy mechanic. Then for Jim Hall at Shelby Sports Cars in the ’50s. Jim’s first crew chief. Team member of Lance Reventlow’s Scarab, Sports Racing Cars and All American Formula 1 cars. Developed parts for Shelby American Cobra and GT 350 projects. Founded IECO for development of performance components for passenger cars. Consultant to Petersen Automotive Museum during it’s founding with Bob Petersen. In his later life picked up an old passion for motorcycles. Still need a good charge of adrenaline.