Clapshaw & Garlits First 300 Run - Phil Burgess Article

[Cliff]

The Clapshaw Effect: How Don Garlits finally made his first 300-mph pass

Thanks to a huge assist from fellow racer Gary Clapshaw, "Big Daddy" Don Garlits was able to race to his first 300-mph performance at the 2001 U.S. Nationals. In the wake of Clapshaw's passing Dec. 15, it's a story worth retelling.

www.nhra.com

 

[Nunz]

Great story!

 

[P-Dogg]

Thank you for sharing

 

[.]

I remember this story like it happened yesterday. I remember thinking how cool that was of Gary to offer his ride to Big. I also felt like I was watching history being made when Big and Shirley lined up with Buster starting them. Pretty cool.

I was at Indy a year later and watched Big drive SW34 to 4.76 @ 318mph on his last qualifying pass which put him in the show at #16..... only to be bumped right back out by Yuichi Oyama on the next pass behind him.

I was invited "behind the ropes" in Big's pit by TC Tom Lemmons and I was able to get a good look at SW34. I visited with TC for probably 45 minutes. His stories were great.... like when they showed up at Indy that year and the young girl at the NHRA trailer insisted that he show an ID to receive his credential.... He didn't have an ID... at all. Hadn't had one in years. Lol. Finally someone with the NHRA who had been around for a while vouched for him. Lolol. The way he told the story was hilarious.

2001-02 seems like 2 years ago to me. Where did the decades go?

 

[Cliff]

I think once you get past 20 years of age, life does a fast forward on you..... heh

 

[Dave]

Some video highlights of the weekend.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10212159987874936

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10212160012075541

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10212160230080991

 

[Cliff]

Dave, thanks for the videos. Great memories. Man I wish Garlits was still driving, but.....