Met a Drag Racing Legend
 

Sometimes it pays to be in the right place at the right time. Last Friday while running my golf shop in Palm Desert, CA it was just like any other day with customers coming and going until a new bad *** looking Black Mustang came rolling in to my parking lot and out of it comes this good looking slightly older guy with black hair about 6'2. Nothing unusual so far until we start talking about his golf game. The subject of his grip came about and he said he couldn't close his hand very tightly around the club. He went on to explain that he had been injured years ago in a racing accident. Naturally I asked him what kind of racing he did and when he said he was a drag racer I'm now quite obviously intrigued. He said he was a factory sponsored Ford racer back in the 60's and suffered his hand injury in a fire related incident in the early days of Funny Car which ended his career in January of 1970.

A few sentences later he told me who he was and it was none other than Gas Ronda! He said "you've heard of me"? I said hell yes I've not only heard of you I used to watch you race back at Detroit Dragway in the days of your Galaxie. The next day he came back to pick up a few clubs that I built for him and brought me some autographed photos of two of his Funny Cars, one from the Cover of the Aug 69 issue of Car Craft, but the one I will cherish forever is the one of his 64 Thunderbolt. At this point the stories between us are rolling hot and heavy and it goes without saying it was a lot of fun.

When he asked me what he owed me for the clubs I said Gas, you owe me nothing...and that without guys like you paving the way for the rest of us.. we may not have had the same sport to enjoy.

Here is a photo of me and the 84 year old Drag Racing Legend "Gas Ronda".

Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend
 

Great story Mike....something you'll never forget !!!!!

Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend
 

Great story, Mike. I think most of us 'old guys' remember him from his tours back east. That was a great gesture, as well. When Lynn and I get out your way, maybe we can play a couple of rounds......however since you are a pro, I'll be expecting a few shots on each side!

Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend
 

Cool!

Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend
 

Great post, thanks for bringing back the memories! I remember Gas Ronda driving one of the 1964 Thunderbolts that year at Arlington, Washington when I first began drag racing. Believe it was orange, gold leaf lettered and was sponsored by a West Covina Ford dealer (Russ Davis?)....I was 18, and couldn't believe how that guy could powershift that 427 dual quad four speed! It sounded like an automatic going down the track every pass. Bill Ireland also had a Thunderbolt out of Portland, Oregon that was impressive in the day. There were other "name" cars also that toured the northwest , but my memories have faded a bit. I think a few of these legendary name racers squared off against each other match race style at that time and were very cool to watch for a kid just starting out....Gas Ronda was one name I'll never forget!

Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend
 

Mike Keener is another legendary name among Stockers; his "Checkmate" cars have few equals in Stock Eliminator...

Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend
 

Bill

Don't forget the Modified Era.
Those day were special.

Hammer

Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend
 

WOW Mike.....Thats cool. I wish I could have been hanging around when he walked in. I would have recognized him right away. You and Paul are quite the Hero's also form the modified days. Watched and read all I could about you guys before Top Stock ever existed. I have been lucky to meet and get to know a few of my heros from the early days. Some sadly are no longer with us. Id have to say one of my highs of being a tech guy for over 22 years was meeting you and Paul and helped with you to make Top Stock become a reality when it did. Have a very Merry Christmas.

Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend
 

How cool!!

Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend
 

Mike, great story and your price was right. I'm sure the gifts from Gas was more to you than your time on the clubs. If you like the behind the scenes drag racing history, go to this site: www.dragracersreunion.ning.com there you can listen to the real stories from the real stars themselves. The live radio shows air on M-W-F at 7pm. all of the shows are archived, so you can go back and listen to Gas Ronda,Tasca,Leal,Garlits,Prodoume,Sox&Martin,Jenki ns,Beswick and many others tell the real stories....how it all happened....you won't believe the history lesson that awaits you my friend.

Wade Mahaffey

Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend
 

Yes, I remember the Checkmate Modified Eliminator cars,very well!

My bad for not mentioning that.... but, hey, I'm 72 as of today; cut me some slack, will ya????? LOL!!!

Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend
 

Have a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY Bill.

Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend
 

Happy Birthday sonny.

Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend
 

X-Tech man, Happy Birthday "young man",,,,,,,,Glad to hear your hanging in there ! ................John Lang

Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend
 

Wow, I barely have that much hair at 56. He looks great for his age.

Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend
 

Bill

Do you still remember when they invented fire, and the wheel??

Happy Birthday Bill

Hammer

Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend
 

Its Bills B-Day...... Mines not until September but thanks anyway.

Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend
 

wow keen what a great way to meet a drag racing legend...as you know I have my own legends the "Merc" Paul Mercure and Ronnie Mancini come in my pharmacy on regular basis...great story ...Luke SS 311

Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend
 

Great story Mike !

Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend
 

That must have been quite an experience; very cool. Thanks for sharing.

Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend
 

Went to the Winternationals way back in 1978, and I think we went to a nightclub near our motel that was owned by Gas. It was disco back then.

Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend
 

No, John,I was pretty old when that happened,and my short-term memory isn't what it used to be...

But, I remember when you could get disqualified in a Stocker at the starting line by having the wing nut on your air cleaner not sufficiently tight.... no kidding. Happened to a friend of mine at the '56 Nationals (Kansas City.)

Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend
 

Great story!! Gaspar is a true gentleman!!

Gas had a club called the "Gas House". I met him and Randy Ritchey at Bowling Green this past June. Both were great guys and a pleasure to talk to.

The SS/AFX racers in the '60-'66 era are my heros. I grew up buying old SS/DI magazines and reading them cover to cover. I'm 44 so I never saw them race in their hey day but its great to meet them now and hear the stories.

One of the best things to happen to me is that I've become close friends with Phil Bonner. We met while I was researching his racing career and just hit it off and became friends. His stories are great!!!:D

Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend
 

Does anyone remember the picture disc of Gas Ronda? My brother had one, think it came in a box of cereal. Played it on a record player if anyone remembers them! It was a quick interview with him followed by a recording of one of his runs. I'm guessing 1970 or so!

Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend
 

Yesterday was a sad day as the great legend Gas Ronda passed away in .CA.

It was my pleasure to have know him and he will be severely missed by everyone in our sport.

This great legend was a true drag racing hero!

Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend
 

I had that same record. Funny, because it was made of heavy paper, it wouldn't sit real well on the record player. I can't remember if it came in a box of cereal or a model kit. I think Gas Ronda was sponsored by Malco at the time, a company that made bulk chemicals including carburetor cleaner.

Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend
 

Great story, Mike, but you can ad Merc's and your name to that legends list. Your string of "CheckMate" cars are legendary and I have been lucky enough to have seen them all !!!

Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend
 

Yes, I thought it was interesting that a thread title was "Met a Drag Racing Legend", that was done by another LEGEND, Mike Keener! Certainly made it a must read!!!

Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend
 

X3 what they said!

Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend
 

I asked my Parents to go to the drags for my birthday about 1966-8 , we went to Connecticut Dragway , backed our car up to the fence for the day and saw a match race between Tasca Ford and Gas Ronda. RIP Gas , a true pioneer

Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend
 

My first wife and I use to go to the Gas House at least once a week.
I had first met Mr. Rhonda when I raced my new stingray against his new Cobra. We match raced at a private session at Pomona. I raced him often that year and never could beat him. I wish I had some pictures. I've tried to get some from Ford but nobody remembers that far back.

Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend
 

Legends indeed.
Mike A114

Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend
 

Sorry if it's a re-post, but I ran across this the other night. Nice interviews with Gas Ronda, and you'll never guess who won F/X!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrUMvtMdBdA

Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend
 

I still have one!