I would bet that is Rich Rogers in the blown Olds Gas Dragster. He was sponsored by Doug's Racing Stables, Puyallup, Wa. He also built and ran the Puyallup Drag Strip. Mike Grimm's Pontiac Safari wagon alongside, was the push car for the "Northwind" in 1963.
Hello, In my 1959-60 movie filming days, I was getting tired of sitting behind the chain link fence on the spectator side of the track. Right in front of us were the professional photographers from all of the big name publications, including Drag News. So, it was a little disheartening to see those guys out there and me being stuck behind the fence without a telephoto lens. Mr. Childers, Dilday Ambulance Services So, in my explorations of the dragstrip, it was deemed necessary to get as close to the racers as possible with the short point and shoot lens. I found the perfect spot that no one was around, except for Mr. Childers, the white Pontiac ambulance attendant and driver. We became friends as I was someone to talk to and enjoy the racing that was just a step away. (Note: I went to high school with a couple of the Dilday Brothers in Long Beach) I got some good shots of my brother and his Impala and a couple of Tommy Ivo, The Sidewinder and even the little Sidewinder of Stu’s Transmissions from Bixby Knolls. (Check out the You Tube Channel, J NAKI for additional Lion’s Dragstrip Tower side film action) So, it came as no surprise that Ed Garlits was supposed to be in attendance with his version of Don’s Speed Shop from Florida. He actually looked like his brother Don. Two brothers in their khaki pants and blue nylon jackets talking with Mr. Childers. Our dad took this photo during the race days and we were on an intermission between races. The closeness to the action was wonderful, but extremely loud, as they went by my “secret” photo shoot location. It was as if they were headed directly at you taking the films or photos. Ed Garlits at Lion's Dragstrip Note 2: Look at the view from the driver's position, those 671 Hemi motors don't always provide the clearest vision in front of the race car. Jnaki At first, when I had the 16mm color movies digitized and then got them in somewhat of a time and place fashion, I thought I had filmed Don Garlits. But, it was his brother who made the West Coast Tour with the red Hemi motor dragster. Don had already come West in March of 1959 and did some damage to the West Coast racers. Don Garlits came back again in December of 1959 and did more damage. But, brother Ed has his moments on the West Coast at Lion’s Dragstrip. Ed Garlits debut at Lion's Dragstrip 1960
What there is to see of it, it looks like "their" flag..! That's what they used, or maybe even still do. Similar to our old south (US) Union Jack flag. You know, the one that folks hate to see nowadays..! Mike
The Jalopy Journal
