I just heard an announcement by Mike Dunn while broadcasting the races from Denver. Paul Candies passed away last evening. This is sad news for the drag racing community and really very sad for our area as well. Paul Candies was a true gentleman racer of class and style. I did have the pleasure of knowing Mr. Candies casually for a few years at the early part of his racing career. His team mate Leonard Hughes was a terrific driver and they were formidable indeed. When I worked in the offshore oil fields in the Gulf of Mexico I always got a kick out of seeing the teams discarded racing slicks used as bumpers on the Candies service vessels that plied the rigs in the gulf. Guys that were not familiar with racing wondered where the hell such tires were used? R.I.P. Mr. Paul.
Very sad news indeed...we California guys knew and respected him as a guy who coule come out and beat all comers, never met him personally but knew his reputation....(knew he was in the tugboat etc business but never hear the story of the tires!)
The name/team put TF Funny Cars into the general public mindset in the '70's. Very pretty cars as well.
The early days saw Paul Candies teamed up with my neighbor and service station operator Q Ball Wales in a top fuel effort that was bound for big times. Unfortunately Q Ball lost his life in this dragster here in Louisiana. (I use the Q Ball nickname because I forgot his first name.) The first time I saw the Candies & Hughes team was an A/FX Plymouth called "Moon Shot" This was during the mid sixties. I am not sure if it was in tribute to Americas quest for the Moon or the cars propensity to pull the wheels during launches.
I remember the Candies and Hughes cars well. Never knew the man, but his racing history speaks for itself! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4xQr0W2LAs http://candiesandhughes.com/Site/Home.html
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