History Drag cars in motion.......picture thread.

I often wonder what would have happended if Irwindale hadnt opened and the noise issue was successfully dealt with or never surfaced

 

Early in 1968 (at Lions),there was a driver of this car by the name of B.R.Baron.This was the last I read of the car,but can't say for certain that this is the driver who lost his life in the car. Dennis Doubleday


Originally Posted by Toymaker
WCD I believe Sheldon's driver was fatally injured in "Snoopy" and forgive me for not knowing his name. Story has it that Sheldon drowned off the coast of CA and they never found his body as I remember it.

 

Everytime I drive by the tacky subdivision that is there now, I always think of Les Richey...always will

 

And yet another whose flame burnt out too early. In the same spirit as John Mulligan, Leonard Harris, Dickie Harrell, Pete Robinson..and the list goes on

 

"The Black Beauty" driven by John Winderski. Probably one of the most georgous dragsters ever built.
Both John and the car were lost in an accident at Ramona Drag Strip down towards San Diego....tragic

 

The MAN, Don Garlits at LIONS Drag Strip, 1963
Swamp Rat V, ran 190 MPH, but was beat by Gary Gabelich in the final...

 

Stelling and Hampshire (near side) got beat by "Storm'in Norman" with a 186 MPH, 8.16 pass at Pomona...1963
S&H was (and its offspring) are another example(s) of the most beautiful fuelers ever built.

 

I think you posted this pic originally. I grew up in Fontana, The time they ran these four at one time was a "Urban Legend" to us.

 

Holy shit!!!!.....four jetcars at once.

 

No urban legend...I was there.
Actually there were five! I say that because the "Untouchable Twice" had TWO J-47 Westinghouse jet engines...

 

Just a quick refresher on the jets that day...









The color shots I took that day. I was busy with my 8mm movie camera during the actual race, so no photos of that.
Great fun.....LOUD, too!

 

In Bill Martin's 400jr. SBC, if I remember correct. A race I'm sure Big would like a do over on!

 

Another shot of the tower...... Saw it looking this way many times, makes me kinda sad.

 

Were these full on after burner activated passes? What an insurance bond agents nightmare

 

FOUR JET CARS???!?!? Oh the poor starter!!!!

 

The starter wore a fuel driver's flame suit and the windows broke in the tower...
Soooooo glad I as there thoughout the golden years...

 

The Urban Legend in Fontana that I mentioned was that on the first run the started wore regular clothes that got seriously singed Always sounded like BS but it was repeated at least 1000 times. What year was that anyway??

 

My recollection of the last waning years of Fontana is one where most of the shows were small booked affairs and that it wasnt sanctioned by anyone. Ben Christ was running the venue from back east. I know as late as 1970, they ran at least few injected gas funnycar shows and fuel altered match races. While the crowds seemed ample, the sportsman car turn was a struggle to make it economically viable

 

thornhill drag strip....1962 my father in law in the white coupe....unknown on the other... got a couple others to scan....from 2 seperate people...cool stuff to come... brandon

 

1965...I know I didn't have a driver's license yet, so that's my best guess. I got my license in '66...

 

We need more Jungle Pams in the world.
Nothing like a woman that knows how to handle a stick.

 

The first shot was taken in 1973. Here is another taken 17 years later at the Keystone Nationals and another 34 years later. Enough of a change that you may not recognize her now. I think she looked damn good in 1990, probably better than she did in the 70's. Look at old Joe Jacono and Greggy hangin' around like dogs in heat.


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Hollish bros vs Rodney Singer 1959 Nationals. A friend of mine is in the process of restoring the Hollish Bantam.

 

Cyr and Hopper