The Golden Years of Drag Racing 1955-1971
 

Link to a great slide show of what it was like. Rich Christensen of Pinks has nothing on the flagmen back in the day. http://www.vaautoracing.org/Gallery2.html

Randy Wells

Wells Bros
D/S 5034

Re: The Golden Years of Drag Racing 1955-1971
 

I love it! Thanks for posting the link.
-Don

Re: The Golden Years of Drag Racing 1955-1971
 

I think that was REDMAN in his youth also check out the admission NHRA not EDDY

Re: The Golden Years of Drag Racing 1955-1971
 

In spite of my best efforts, I can't for the life of me, figure out what this means: "NHRA not EDDY"

Help me out....

Re: The Golden Years of Drag Racing 1955-1971
 

Awesome! I would have loved to have been around racing then. My Dad raced a flathead 1940 Ford coupe in the late 50's and some time after I was born (1960) he gave in to Moms request and quit racing. I did not get involved till around 1981 when my Brother bought an old superstock wagon and I have been a fan ever since. I do enjoy the old school, unusual, and "odd ball" drag cars. I have saw the changes in drag cars from from the 80's to present and must admit, I always take a look at and admire any drag car that looks like it has remained unchanged from the "good ol days". Don Jackson

Re: The Golden Years of Drag Racing 1955-1971
 

he is taking a shot at nhra ,then denying to be himself . is that right eddy alessi jr ? lol

Re: The Golden Years of Drag Racing 1955-1971
 

Thanks, Billy... now, it's clear as mud... LOL!

Re: The Golden Years of Drag Racing 1955-1971
 

You are right Billy . but wrong EDDY . EDDY from the north.....EDDY

Re: The Golden Years of Drag Racing 1955-1971
 

ah, the brick man!

Re: The Golden Years of Drag Racing 1955-1971
 

the brick man with A y BRYCK ,EDDY

Re: The Golden Years of Drag Racing 1955-1971
 

Billy how come your not racing today??

Re: The Golden Years of Drag Racing 1955-1971
 

Nice, especially the two of Petty. Very brief drag racing time for him. Is that the same barracuda that broke an axle and an unfortunate accident happened involving a spectator? :(

Re: The Golden Years of Drag Racing 1955-1971
 

This is a article I found when I googled the Accident.

Richard Petty and Petty Enterprises went drag racing. In a Barracuda that they called "Outlawed," Petty attracted large crowds wherever his raced. Unfortunately, on 28 February 1965, the same day that a 100-miler was being run at the Asheville-Weaverville Speedway in Weaverville, North Carolina, Petty and "Outlawed" were at Southeastern Dragway in . During a match race with Arnie Beswick, the Barracuda experienced transmission problems off the line. As Petty tried to find second gear, the car started to get loose. When Petty finally got it into second gear the car suddenly broke loose, turned towards the spectator area, and hit the embankment. The Petty Blue Barracuda vaulted the embankment, being launched almost straight up, which carried the car over the fence that was supposed to protect the spectators, and into the crowd. Seven people were injured when the Barracuda slammed into the people who had come to watch the match races. One of these suffered severe head injuries, but there was an eighth victim, Wayne Dye - an eight-year old from Austell, Georgia. He died of his injuries before he reached the hospital. Petty suffered light injuries in the violent crash, but the shock of the young boy's death stayed with him for years.

...43/JR was out on the drag strips by November of 1964. Although it could probably have been raced in some existing class, “exhibition” was where the money and the most exposure was. The car was booked at various tracks well into the 1965 season. On February 28, 1965, 43/JR was scheduled for a best of three match race with Arnie Beswick at Southeastern Dragway in Dallas, Georgia. Dallas is northwest of Atlanta about 300 miles from Randleman. During one of the runs against Beswick a front suspension part broke sending the uncontrollable Barracuda off the strip and into the crowd of spectators. Several people were injured and one 8 year old boy named Wayne Dye was killed. Richard was okay but he and the family were devastated. JR was hauled home to the Petty junk yard in the woods behind the shops never to run again.

...The name "Outlawed" came from when Nascar outlawed the 426 Hemi from competition. Richard said "If you can't beat them then Outlaw them".

...This article also said that his front suspension broke and sent his car sailing to the stands http://www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/05…


Randy Wells

Re: The Golden Years of Drag Racing 1955-1971
 

I've seen a lot of pictures of that car classified as a B Altered.

Re: The Golden Years of Drag Racing 1955-1971
 

If you want a taste of what it was like this is the race to go to. I had a great time there.

http://www.hambdrags.com/