Is this the guy you're talking about (Big Willie Robinson)? I'm not from LA , but I sure do remember reading about him in all the car magazines. Looks like he was the founder of the National & International Brotherhood of Street Racers. Here is a link that might help you.

http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/G...otherhood.html

Type in Big Willie, Street racers on Google and you'll see some other interesting sites with articles about him and his wife.

Pat