Hot Rods R.I.P. Barb Hamilton

https://www.nhra.com/news/2020/pioneering-nhra-female-racer-barbara-hamilton-passes-away

Pioneering NHRA female racer Barbara Hamilton died April 23. She was 78.

Hamilton’s place in NHRA history was assured when she became the first woman licensed by NHRA to drive a supercharged vehicle in 1964. Hamilton often said she wasn’t interested in making history; she merely wanted to race her Willys coupe, which was powered by a blown 271-cid small-block Chevy.

After she obtained her license, Hamilton won the C/GS class at the following Spring Nationals and set a NASCAR national record when that group also sanctioned drag racing.

She and close friend Nancy Leonello raced all over Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, and Michigan as well as each year at the U.S. Nationals in Indy. The struggle was sometimes tough as she was among four women whose licenses were subsequently revoked by NHRA just prior to the 1967 Nationals. Several months of pressure from Hamilton and Paula Murphy helped persuade NHRA to reinstate the four existing licenses, and grant a fifth to Shirley Muldowney.

During the winter of 1967, Hamilton built a new, bigger 295-cid engine, replacing the 4-71 blower and Hilborn two-port injector with a 6-71 and four-port. That summer, the team headed for California and raced at the Lions and Irwindale strips they had heard so much about. In 1968, Hamilton reached the class final at the U.S. Nationals. She moved up to B/GS before her retirement in 1972 and marriage in 1973 to Dick Advey.

Hamilton has owned her Willys for more than four decades, and it has been beautifully restored and on display at the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing for many years. She was inducted into the International Drag racing Hall of Fame in 1992 and in 2014, was named the winner of the Pat Garlit's Memorial Award, which recognizes the female sportsman racer whose dedication, determination, and passion for the sport of drag racing embodies the spirit of Pat Garlits. She was a semi-regular guest at NHRA events and always thrilled to talk to today's fans.

Look for a detailed story on Hamilton's career Friday in the Dragster Insider column.

 

Talked with her a couple times at Indy. She was always so nice, even let an old gearhead sit in her car. Of course I banged my noggin on the roll cage. I asked her about her choice of color, and she said that her father worked at the Schwinn bicycle factory, and he "aquired" a couple gallons of paint for her.

 

My condolences to family and friends. What a dynamite, first class Gal. God speed.

 

You can just see it - in her feet - she knew it !

 

RIP Barb. A couple I have posted on the HAMB

Early days


The “First Lady” of Gasser racing remains Barbara Hamilton. Barb was the first woman licensed by NHRA to drive a supercharged race car in competition. Her bright-blue ’37 Willys remains like the last time it made a run at the Nationals.



Barb Hamilton found plenty of competition at home in Ohio, but often traveled to major events. Here she’s getting ready for the next round of Super Eliminator at the NHRA Springnationals, Bristol Tennessee. Blown AA/Altered is Ronnie Spiller in the Spiller & Boyd roadster, from Hialeah, Florida. (Jim Hill photo)

 

RESPECT to the go go gal.

 

. . . GOD SPEED BARB . . .

 

Rest in Peace Barb,
Mick

 

R I P

 

R.I.P. Barb

 

We have lost a very special person....Rest In Peace Barb

 

Meltdown Drags 2016...………..RIP Ms. Barb and God's Speed!

 

thats pretty cool that she and the car sorta had a second time around with the recent shows. she must have been very fond of it to keep it for one, and keep it in nice shape. often we see the photos of some old race car stripped of its valuable parts and shoved in the back yard . great story, RIP Barb

 

Over the years I attended many shows with Barb. She was a very personable lady and was always willing to talk racing. She was a pioneer for the sport of drag racing and represented it well. She will be missed. Condolences to the family. RIP Barb.