The Golden Years of Drag Racing 1955-1971 - Page 2

sg1899 · 09-13-2009, 11:56 AM

Billy how come your not racing today??

SuperStockDodge · 09-13-2009, 08:47 PM

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?

Randy Wells · 09-13-2009, 09:19 PM

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

bill dedman · 09-13-2009, 10:18 PM

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

Troy Henderson · 09-14-2009, 08:40 AM

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/

09-13-2009, 11:56 AM	#11
sg1899 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 9 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: The Golden Years of Drag Racing 1955-1971 Billy how come your not racing today??

09-13-2009, 08:47 PM	#12
SuperStockDodge Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Stickville USA Posts: 261 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	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?

09-13-2009, 09:19 PM	#13
Randy Wells Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Warsaw, Mo Posts: 643 Likes: 558 Liked 989 Times in 302 Posts	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

09-13-2009, 10:18 PM	#14
bill dedman VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Conway, AR Posts: 1,739 Likes: 0 Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Re: The Golden Years of Drag Racing 1955-1971 I've seen a lot of pictures of that car classified as a B Altered. __________________ Bill

09-14-2009, 08:40 AM	#15
Troy Henderson Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Kansas City Posts: 397 Likes: 104 Liked 106 Times in 33 Posts	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/ __________________ Troy Henderson Henderson Race Shop LLC 816-520-5389 www.hendersonraceshop.com