Nitromater
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'51 Mercury "Lead Sled" funny Car
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The Swegian
Nitro Member
How cool was that car! Complete with the whitewall tires.
dave
Nitro Member
I believe that car was eventually wrecked. It was cool though.
Dave
Nitro Member
It was a beautiful car and it was wrecked a few times. Sadly, in one of the crashes it went over the guardrail at Union Grove and killed a photographer. Rocca was OK after the crash. I was working on a T/F crew that weekend and I happened to be the first one to him after the car came to a rest. A very nasty accident. Before anybody asks, yes there is video and I hope it never shows up on the internet. Trust me, you don't want to see it.
Dave
Dave
MM
Nitro Member
what year was that Dave like '97?
Just Paul
Nitro Member
The video was on one of those "caught on camera" TV shows a few times.
That Iron Horse car made a couple of exhibition passes at Pomona around 95-96, ran a 7.10@195 which was pretty standard for Pro mod then. Then in '03 at E-town the last time I saw that car run, Paul Athey was driving it and it hit the sand traps hard causing some heavy damage.
I sadly recall the accident at Union Grove. We were up next when it happened and it was a pretty bad accident with bad results. The photographer got destroyed hardcore. The event ended up to be called off after. I do not know the true cause of the accident 100%, but the car flew over the left barrier and hit the photographer head on. I remember a lot of people not even knowing the guy got hit until people ran to hel Rocca out.
People/photgraphers hanging on the guard rails and starting line is still a issue at GLD in my opinion and something should be done.
I recall (if my memory is accurate)the wheel's center section completely separated from the rim and still on the axle. Did that cause, the accident? I have no clue, but it looked like a normal accident until people arrived on the scene and realized what happened.
I already knew racing had it's dangers and I accepted them, but having something like that happen right in front of you is a def. wake up call.
I even recall talking to Rocca briefly before it happened and then out of no where, BAM. After the accident, I believe they took his blood work and all that stuff and the rest is history. It was a cool car, but that was def. a sad sight to see first hand.
This is all speculation, but wasn't it like the photographers first time filming and his GF was present. I was told second hand, the guy ran up to the guard rail after the car took off and then it was a case of bad timing....
People/photgraphers hanging on the guard rails and starting line is still a issue at GLD in my opinion and something should be done.
I recall (if my memory is accurate)the wheel's center section completely separated from the rim and still on the axle. Did that cause, the accident? I have no clue, but it looked like a normal accident until people arrived on the scene and realized what happened.
I already knew racing had it's dangers and I accepted them, but having something like that happen right in front of you is a def. wake up call.
I even recall talking to Rocca briefly before it happened and then out of no where, BAM. After the accident, I believe they took his blood work and all that stuff and the rest is history. It was a cool car, but that was def. a sad sight to see first hand.
This is all speculation, but wasn't it like the photographers first time filming and his GF was present. I was told second hand, the guy ran up to the guard rail after the car took off and then it was a case of bad timing....
Jet
Nitro Member
