I remember this like it was yesterday. One of the most amazing things I have ever seen in drag racing. I was never at Englishtown but I met both Garlits and the announcer Steve Evans at National Trail Race way back in the eighties. Lot of good times at the drags. Hard to believe the speed record then was about 270 mph and now its 345.
"Big Daddy" Don Garlits back flips his dragster
- Thread starter Danjet500
- Start date
Son and I were at the Houston strip when Eddie Hill broke 5 seconds at the Ennis strip
Eddie Hill broke the 5-second barrier on April 9, 1988. He achieved this historic milestone with a run of 4.990 seconds at the Texas Motorplex, becoming the first person to record a sub-5 second elapsed time in drag racing
Eddie Hill broke the 5-second barrier on April 9, 1988. He achieved this historic milestone with a run of 4.990 seconds at the Texas Motorplex, becoming the first person to record a sub-5 second elapsed time in drag racing
Killer Bee
Advanced Level Novice
I loved super shops!
I bought my 67 gto from an ad in the national dragster rag sitting on the counter of the store that was on pch and orange while my buddy was grabbing stuff for his split bumper camaro. the good ol' days!
I bought my 67 gto from an ad in the national dragster rag sitting on the counter of the store that was on pch and orange while my buddy was grabbing stuff for his split bumper camaro. the good ol' days!
As much fun as it is to watch a drag race, it's nothing compared to sitting in the driver's seat.
Sadly, all of the local strips are gone. The dirt track is now a park and ride commuter parking lot.
Sadly, all of the local strips are gone. The dirt track is now a park and ride commuter parking lot.
And these days, kids wear similar protective head gear to ride their bicycles....... :-(((
It's no wonder the sport is slowly disappearing..
J.
It's not the same since the "quarter mile" became 1000 feet. :rolleyes:
Still quite impressive performances, though.
Still quite impressive performances, though.
Busterswoodshop
Hunter
Back in the 70's and early 80,s the winter nationals were held at the Tucson Drag Strip.
I never missed it.
They closed it down after the owner was caught using the strip for a runway to smuggle drugs.
Now we have a new drag strip at a different location , but no more winter nationals.
I never missed it.
They closed it down after the owner was caught using the strip for a runway to smuggle drugs.
Now we have a new drag strip at a different location , but no more winter nationals.
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wheelgun1958
Hunter
I recall the Texas international motor speedway in Lewisville. Location of the Texas international pop festival. It's now just another chunk of suburbia.
Gwitness
Single-Sixer
I was telling my wife once "you can't really imagine the visceral experience of a top fuel dragster, unless you witness it in person" She really didn't get it, till we went to a NHRA National a couple years ago...her response was "oh my".........
xTopGun
Buckeye
Drags are nice, but my son is into monster trucks, this is one that he helps build the engine(s) for . . . .
^^^Is that an AI generated pic? There is something wrong with the back tires.
My husband a long time fan of Hill and the Nuclear Banana. Hill was fun, win...great, lose well I still had fun, a good old boy having a fun time.
I’ve seen one pass by a Top Fuel dragster. I was at a motorcycle race at Beech Bend probably 35 years ago and it made a test run during intermission. It was a new car and this was their first test run. The announcer said if it had been an official run, it would’ve set a track record. I was sitting on the starting line, elbows on my knees, fingers in my ears, feeling the noise in my chest. He staged, the tree flashed yellow then green, and he just wasn’t there anymore. Turned my head and he was crossing the finish line. It was unbelievable, I’ll never forget it.
Okay, without saying what it was, how many know what Big Daddy came up with, and why, that revolutionized drag racing? No cheating with google.
Englishtown was a couple hour ride from L.I. And in the early late 70’s early 80’s we were there often enough including 3 or 4 Summer Nats. Great times going camping down the turnpike partying and watching the drags ( when it had a different meaning from today’s) with buddies who are nearly all gone now. We saw all the best of the best guys and gal there was at the time. Fond memories.
I got to take my wife there the last year it was open. Even got her to go to one of the pits when they lit off a Funny Car. A lung full of nitro and she had earned her stripes.
I got to take my wife there the last year it was open. Even got her to go to one of the pits when they lit off a Funny Car. A lung full of nitro and she had earned her stripes.
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Gwitness
Single-Sixer
rear engine cars...eta, he got part of one of his feet blown off by an exploding engine.
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Further hint. Big Daddy won the 1971 Winter Nationals at Pomona driving it. It was the first Winter Nationals I had missed in 7 or 8 years. I was a little busy with Uncle Sam at the time.
Hertervillian
Saluki
I’ve never met a person who was not moved by a pair of nitro cars. Daughter was quite taken in the pits, thinking it was very impressive, I didn’t think it was appropriate to tell her that was just a sip. The fire hose is coming baby!
A friend of ours races front engine flathead dragsters. He stopped to see and talk with Big Daddy while on a trip around the East and South.
Here is a little info about the man Big Daddy.
From Skot's Post
A month later, 24 states, and 6,000 miles and at least that many stories to smile about…
I had set up a little meeting with Don Garlits / Drag Racing King / at the Museum, to discuss the new GBP Dragster and… holy cow… it turns into a full 7 1/2 hr day with him, “one on one”, starting in his office, lunch, and shut down the place at 5:00
… what an amazing day… Don is 94, and is sharp as a tack… we talked about everything imaginable… what a gift of a day. I could have just turned around and came back home and been ok, it was that special of a day
…
But… I had this little plastic card that would buy gas, so now let’s head North…
Kitty Hawk, NC… where the Wright brothers started their flight experiments. Got to walk up sand dune where they did their 1901, 02 glider experiments and walk the the “World’s first airstrip and hangar” where they flew “the first controllable, powered aircraft”… this has been on my list for many years… some of y’all know, I kinda like this aeroplane stuff
Don in the middle
Friend's Dragster
He also built it
A couple other toys a 32 with a flathead and a Beech Staggerwing
I have been allowed the privilege to give an award at the GATR for now the last three years. All winners were great choices, but I have to say how proud I was to recognize someone this year who really is a legend in our world of hot rodding, drag racing, customs.
I picked Skot Ingram for the 2025 Spirit of the ROC award.
The GATR awards are more about the story of people and their vehicles as much as it is about just a cool, beautiful car. Skot's car really doesn't fall into that "show car" class, but here are some facts about his 1932 5-window Ford:
Bought in 1969 for $195.00.
Built and on the road soon after.
Painted the current orange color in 1979.
Currently running a Ford 427 racing motor but has had multiple engine and transmission combinations over the years.
Driven continuously for over 50 years.
It has accumulated over 300,000 miles on it.
Used for everything including a hunting car and has had two deer carcasses strapped to the hood and carried home.
A little about Skot:
One of the five founding members of the Lone Star Street Rod Association.
One of only a few people that can say that they DROVE to ALL of the first 50 National Street Rod Association national meets around the country.
A long-time dragster builder and driver. First one was a blown flathead rail job. back in the early '70s.
He has continuously built, restored and driven dragsters all his life and is building another one now.
The Spirit of the ROC award is about a person and/or vehicle that perfectly emulates and lives the life of this thing we call Hot Rodding.
Skot will be the first one to tell you his 1932 5-window Ford ain't "pretty", but he and his car have been and will continue to be "pretty" damn amazing!
Congratulations to Skot Ingram and his beautiful wife Debbie!
Here is a little info about the man Big Daddy.
From Skot's Post
A month later, 24 states, and 6,000 miles and at least that many stories to smile about…
I had set up a little meeting with Don Garlits / Drag Racing King / at the Museum, to discuss the new GBP Dragster and… holy cow… it turns into a full 7 1/2 hr day with him, “one on one”, starting in his office, lunch, and shut down the place at 5:00
But… I had this little plastic card that would buy gas, so now let’s head North…
Kitty Hawk, NC… where the Wright brothers started their flight experiments. Got to walk up sand dune where they did their 1901, 02 glider experiments and walk the the “World’s first airstrip and hangar” where they flew “the first controllable, powered aircraft”… this has been on my list for many years… some of y’all know, I kinda like this aeroplane stuff
Don in the middle
Friend's Dragster
He also built it
A couple other toys a 32 with a flathead and a Beech Staggerwing
Dan Shea
October 11, 2025 ·I have been allowed the privilege to give an award at the GATR for now the last three years. All winners were great choices, but I have to say how proud I was to recognize someone this year who really is a legend in our world of hot rodding, drag racing, customs.
I picked Skot Ingram for the 2025 Spirit of the ROC award.
The GATR awards are more about the story of people and their vehicles as much as it is about just a cool, beautiful car. Skot's car really doesn't fall into that "show car" class, but here are some facts about his 1932 5-window Ford:
Bought in 1969 for $195.00.
Built and on the road soon after.
Painted the current orange color in 1979.
Currently running a Ford 427 racing motor but has had multiple engine and transmission combinations over the years.
Driven continuously for over 50 years.
It has accumulated over 300,000 miles on it.
Used for everything including a hunting car and has had two deer carcasses strapped to the hood and carried home.
A little about Skot:
One of the five founding members of the Lone Star Street Rod Association.
One of only a few people that can say that they DROVE to ALL of the first 50 National Street Rod Association national meets around the country.
A long-time dragster builder and driver. First one was a blown flathead rail job. back in the early '70s.
He has continuously built, restored and driven dragsters all his life and is building another one now.
The Spirit of the ROC award is about a person and/or vehicle that perfectly emulates and lives the life of this thing we call Hot Rodding.
Skot will be the first one to tell you his 1932 5-window Ford ain't "pretty", but he and his car have been and will continue to be "pretty" damn amazing!
Congratulations to Skot Ingram and his beautiful wife Debbie!
Back in the 60s I watched Big Daddy get beat my a local guy at Lebenon Valley, NY. It was the first time the local had raced his new home built car. Garlitis was supposed to stick around and give racing tips after the race. He was so P.O. that after the race he just loaded the car on the trailer and left.
RugerForMe
Blackhawk
No more "Survival of the fittest" right along with "Everyone get a trophy" and it shows.
Those guys were the ones to watch.
Monster045
Bearcat
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2016
- Messages
- 12
I was privileged to be In the NHRA scene from 1975-1978 crewing on Ramchargers SS/DA Hemi Cuda. I was 19 and my very first race I attended was the 1975 US Nationals at Indy. That was a life changing experience. In the Detroit area I was exposed to Jack Roush, Carl Holbrook, the Shadowood brothers, got to meet Jimmy Addison (Silver Bullet)… attended Motech Technician training school and had Ron Mancini as my manual transmission teacher. Great memories
