Coolest off track and historic drag racing photos ever

[stitcherbob]

there were some other "ballet stars" as well

 

[stitcherbob]

Dennis Geisler

 

[stitcherbob]

2005 Clay Millican

 

[none]

Off track...with a twist!!

 

[Speed1288]

2005 Clay Millican

View attachment 2995

I wonder how much the front of that car was damaged since it rode on the back like that the entire time

 

[my friends call me Zappy]

A pirouette, exatly right. I was there, but I thought it was dark when it happened....the pic looks like daytime??

 

[DrRocket]

iffen I remember right, Big's car was still running when it landed, wasn't it?

 

[stitcherbob]

yup...here it is in full Diamond P glory

 

[glofria]

Just found this list of the 1970 Winternationals entry list for Funny Car on "We Did It For Love" http://wediditforlove.com/sitemap-free.html

I believe the first column is the entry number.

 

[my friends call me Zappy]

iffen I remember right, Big's car was still running when it landed, wasn't it?

You remember right sir. Not only was it running, but Big himself years later in an interview said that getting bounced around so bad
he went wot. That hepled him stop, he was going backwards (pretty fast) but spinning/smoking the tires. You would not want to hit anything
backwards that hard.
Check the camera shot from the finish line. It clearly shows that Big did NOT go turtle, or even roll over. The starting line camera makes
it look like he rolled because the tire smoke hides the car.

Anyway.......the spinning tires helped stop him, then he drove toward the starting line. When he cleared the smoke, Big turned the car
toward the grass in his lane and clicked it off, stopped the car and stood up.
I'll never forget the ROAR from the bleachers, I thought they were gonna fall down.

 

[stitcherbob]

the video above shows it was overcast and said it was the last qualifying session.....E-Town has a curfew now, but not sure how late they could run back then...probably 5-6pm

 

[my friends call me Zappy]

Mr. Reese I must thank you again for these great shots. ( did you used to be a photog?)
I have always loved the front motor, slingshot, digger, rail job, what ever you want to call them. When I first saw one run, some 50 years ago, I was hooked, and still am. That vid is great, and the 52 minute interview that they offer after, is OUTSTANDING!!! I had never saw that one before.
I HIGHLY recomend it when ya have time. The 52 min flys by, lots of info, and from THE man himself, and wife PAT.

 

[stitcherbob]

I took photos at every race I went to, but only as a fan.
I just collect every old historical pic I can find that's out there....and buy old car magazines too to i.d. the drivers
(I am an auto restoration upholsterer by trade.... see this link to see the car we just finished- http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/index/C159 )

 

[qtermile14]

As just a side note that Stephens and Venables picture is Dickie Venables dad's car.

And the girl in the picture is Fran Rooks, one time girlfriend and "Dale Armstrong's #1 Fan"

 

[qtermile14]

And the last time I as at the NHRA Museum in Pomona, this was blown up to about 4 or 5 feet high on a wall.

 

[qtermile14]

Was this taken at Lion Country Safari in Orange County?

Yes it as

 

[Jimbo]

Some real legends in the world of drag racing photo's.

Without their photo's just think what it would have been like looking at the old magazines.

Thanks making drag racing what it is today. Jimbo

http://www.nostalgicracingdecals.com

 

[stitcherbob]

 

[parrotwhisperer]

The Clay Millican blowover was at Milan in the "Dukes of Hazzard" car. That is Bruce Litton in the other lane. I was crewing for Bruce at the time. If I remember right neither Clay nor the car was hurt very much. Clay kept running that car at later races that year. Bruce had recently had to take a chopper ride himself and when he got to Clay's car he told him "If you are not hurt do not let them put you in a chopper. It costs $5600 and IHRA does not pay a penny of the cost!" Remember it like yesterday.

 

[Speed1288]

You remember right sir. Not only was it running, but Big himself years later in an interview said that getting bounced around so bad
he went wot. That hepled him stop, he was going backwards (pretty fast) but spinning/smoking the tires. You would not want to hit anything
backwards that hard.
Check the camera shot from the finish line. It clearly shows that Big did NOT go turtle, or even roll over. The starting line camera makes
it look like he rolled because the tire smoke hides the car.

Anyway.......the spinning tires helped stop him, then he drove toward the starting line. When he cleared the smoke, Big turned the car
toward the grass in his lane and clicked it off, stopped the car and stood up.
I'll never forget the ROAR from the bleachers, I thought they were gonna fall down.

My dad was at the track the night before, when he set the record. Still talks about it like it was yesterday and he wishes he went the next day too