Remembering the Charleston 9

This week we are honored to be participating in the South Carolina State Firefighters' Association's Annual Conference in Myrtle Beach. We have a booth in the exhibit hall displaying the "Never Forget" Camaro as we honor the Charleston 9. It is heartwarming to speak to all who are concerned about the Charleston Fire Department and to hear them express their respect and gratitude for the sacrifices of our fallen heroes.

"Never Forget" Camaro T-Shirts Now Available!

Team Misfire Racing is now offering t-shirts of their "Never Forget" Camaro to support the completion of the "Raising Engine 11" project. Engine 11 is a 1961 Mack from the Charleston Fire Department that was retired in 1991 and sat in storage until last year when it was acquired by the Charleston Firefighter Support Team. It is being restored in honor of all members, past and present, of the Charleston Fire Department. It will be used by the Support Team in their community outreach programs as a tribute to the contributions our firefighters make to the community on a daily basis. Anyone interested in a t-shirt can contact Gerald Mishoe by e-mail at gerald@scfirefighters.org or by phone at (843) 609-8300.

"Never Forget" Camaro Makes First Shake Down Runs!

We went to Midway Dragstrip tonight and made several runs to check out our hot rod. It ran fairly well, with the best run being a 5.78. It definitely needs more gear and we will tend to that shortly. Bottom line is that car is running well and we are looking forward to making the improvements to make it faster. We were honored to have Mikey French's mom, Diane, join us tonight to watch the first runs of the car. She can be seen in the top left of the photograph in the grandstands wearing a dark blue shirt. Diane is a wonderful supporter of all that we do and we were happy to see her tonight. Thank you Diane!

"Never Forget" Camaro Wins Again--Twice!

The "Never Forget" Camaro took top honors today in the Trident Technical College's Spring Car Show in North Charleston. It won first place in the Drag Car division and also won the College's Advisory Board's Trophy. Gerald Mishoe is pictured above with Stacy Lundy, the creator of the flame and graphic paint work on the car, with the Advisory Board's Trophy.

MisFire Racing Wins "Best of Show"

MisFire Racing's "Never Forget" Camaro won "Best of Show" honors at the Southern Drag Racing Association's 25th Annual Car Show on March 21, 2009.

The "Never Forget" Camaro

MisFire Racing, in cooperation with the Charleston Firefighter Support Team, is displaying our car in memory of the Charleston 9, who gave their lives in the line of duty on June 18, 2007, in what will now be forever known as the Sofa Super Store Fire.  It is hoped that this project will serve to raise public awareness of the dangers of firefighting and to the sacrifices made by our firefighters in the performance of their duties. Please take time to view the graphics displayed on the car to include the mural on the back wing as it illustrates the Support Team's theme of “Memories of the Past, Visions for the Future”.

The car is a 1990 Chevrolet Camaro, originally built by Gateway Race Cars in Fenton, Missouri in 1990. It was campaigned on the National Hot Rod Association’s National Circuit as a Pro Stock car for several years before finding its’ way to south Florida where it was raced on the local circuits there.  It was powered by a 700 cubic inch engine in those days with a best quarter mile speed of 206 miles per hour.

In November, 2006, it was acquired by MisFire Racing and brought to South Carolina.  In April, 2007, it was heavily damaged in a crash at Lowcountry Dragstrip in Berkeley County, South Carolina.  It required nearly two years and much effort to restore it to a race ready condition.  The car is currently powered by a Doug Livingston 468 cubic inch big block Chevrolet engine and runs the eighth mile in about 5.50 seconds.

Many thanks to Chet Couch and crew, at Hipster Race Car Fabrication in Summerville, South Carolina, for their time and expertise in the body and paint work seen here.  Also our sincere appreciation goes to Stacy Lundy of Stacy’s Designs, of North Charleston, South Carolina for the hand-painted flames and other graphics, to include the mural and the twenty-three carat gold leaf C9 emblem, that add a very special touch to this lasting tribute.