Dyno Don Nicholson passes on

I type this with a lump in my throat as I just read on one of the Super Stock web sites that Dyno Don has passed away. He has always been one of my heros and I'm very sad to say that he is one of the few famous old drag racers that I never got the chance to meet. Who can ever forget his '62 409 Bel Air, his '64 Comet, his flip-top Comet. The list is almost endless to his early drag racing efforts. Rodder's Journal even did a recent write-up about his street rodding days in the fifties. A true legend now gone.

 

...

 

Aw hell no.......... I met him at Pomona in '94, he took time out to talk to 'that guy with the funny accent' as he put it.... What a great guy.

RIP Don.

 

That sucks.

 

Damn. RIP Dyno Don.

I've been fixing to paint some "Dyno Don" style crossed flags on the doors of my '63 Impala Z-11 look alike. Time to get on the stick and do it.

 

...

 

Definately one of the greats, I guess everyone has to go sometime, still a real downer though.

 

That sucks

 

Very bad news. I always enjoyed his exhibition runs at super chevy and the US Nats against Arnie the farmer.

 

Resquiat In Pacium. One of the true pioneers.

 

RIP big guy

 

Alzheimer’s Disease is a hard way to go, and now he can rest in peace.
My daughter works with folks who suffer from it and it breaks your heart to see what the people who have it go through.
I got to meet him in 1965 at a Merc dealer here who used to bring in the Merc sponsored cars and also in 1968 at US 30 Dragway.
Both times he took time to talk to some young kid, he was a class act!

 

Godspeed Mr. Nicholson

 

RIP! With every year that passes, it's unfortunate that more and more of the "fathers" of hot-rodding, customs, etc already have, and will be passing-on. I wish I was around during those times. When my Dad was growing-up and pumping gas at the local Sunoco, he had all sorts of stories of pumpin high octane leaded fuel into Race Hemis, solid lifter Vettes, etc. He even pumped gas in Bill Jenkins Tow rig on his way to a match race in the mid-60's. I wish I could have been there! The closest I get now is the Barrett-Jackson on tv.

 

Damn...another great one, gone. He will be missed by the Ford fans...

 

More info on DYNO Don

1-24-2006) - A legendary figure in drag racing passed away this morning. Dyno Don” Nicholson was an engine builder and driver whose talent and skills have seldom been surpassed.

He began his career on the circle tracks and dry lake beds in the 1940s before moving on to quarter-mile competition. A pioneer in what have now become some of the most popular classes in the sport, including Funny Car and Pro Stock, Nicholson was a major player throughout the 1960s and ‘70s.

Nicholson still holds the record for final-round appearances in the most NHRA eliminator categories, scoring wins or runner-up finishes in Funny Car, Pro Stock, Super, Comp, Stock, and Street.

 

Big bummer, for sure. R.I.P. my man. One of many I got to see and meet as a kid.

 

-----------sad----------

 

It is unfortunate that those who we consider "Heroes" have to leave us.

Take all the good memories, take all of the history, and pass it on...

That way Dyno Don, like so many others, will always be remembered.

 

Rip.

 

I met him one time at a Super chevy show..
Had him sign a pic for me too...
Super nice guy.

He'll be sadly missed.
R.I.P. "Dyno Don"


Tony

 

One of the Greats, always nice when I saw him in person. RIP and Godspeed.

 

RIP Dyno Don
Also my hero, my father who passed away wednesday. He tought me a lot about cars and engines. Plus tought me the tool making trade. He lived a good life and passed away at 81. Sorry to steal the post.
RIP to both............
Dave Colliau

 

You'll sadly missed O' Mighty One, R.I.P

 

Very sad RIP
Is it just me or have we been loosing a lot of great heros the last few months?

At least we can be grateful for the new Ask an Expert section, so we have a chance to connect with the pioneers while we still can.

 

Godspeed Mr. Nicholson.

 

WTF...

1st one of the New Year...We continue to loose these legends one by one!

 

Got to see him race several times in the 60's. RIP

 

A true legend; Met him when I was a kid;I remember my dad being excited as a little kid himself. RIP