History of the NHRA / Drag Racing book? (1 Viewer)

[none]

My son and I will be attending the CHHR this week, then visiting the NHRA Museum and going to the Vegas race. Somewhere along the way I'd like to get him a book that covers the history of the NHRA -- from the early, formative days right through to the past few years. Seems like a suitable souvenir.

Does such a book exist, and if so, what's the name?

Thanks,
-Jeff

 

[Mike]

Jeff, can't help you on the book but see you this weekend

 

[Raconteur]

By far, the best book on the subject is High Performance: The Culture and Technology of Drag Racing, 1950-2000 by Dr. Robert C. Post ~ very accurate, very detailed.

A must-have for all drag racing fans, but caution it does chronicle drag racing prior to John Force.

Congratulations on bringing your son to the California Hot Rod Reunion, good choice! An don't believe everything you hear there...

 

[Surfer Ed]

By far, the best book on the subject is High Performance: The Culture and Technology of Drag Racing, 1950-2000 by Dr. Robert C. Post ~ very accurate, very detailed.

A must-have for all drag racing fans, but caution it does chronicle drag racing prior to John Force.

Congratulations on bringing your son to the California Hot Rod Reunion, good choice! An don't believe everything you hear there...

I totally agree, Dr. Post's book is by far the best thing ever written on Drag Racing.

The NHRA did however commission a book on NHRA Drag Racing titled "The Fast Lane" in 2001. It is more of a photo book and a 'sanitized' history of NHRA drag racing with only a small passing mention of a guy named Garlits.

 

[legendman]

A must-have for all drag racing fans, but caution it does chronicle drag racing prior to John Force.
[/IMG]

LOL

I just ordered one, it was only $5 on amazon

 

[Raconteur]

LOL

I just ordered one, it was only $5 on amazon

Money well spent!

 

[none]

By far, the best book on the subject is High Performance: The Culture and Technology of Drag Racing, 1950-2000 by Dr. Robert C. Post ~ very accurate, very detailed.

A must-have for all drag racing fans, but caution it does chronicle drag racing prior to John Force.

Congratulations on bringing your son to the California Hot Rod Reunion, good choice! An don't believe everything you hear there...

Darr, Was a book ever done to continue the story forward? I have the original one and would like to bring it more current.
You are right in your statement that it is the best book ever done on drag racing. Thanx.

 

[Surfer Ed]

Darr, Was a book ever done to continue the story forward? I have the original one and would like to bring it more current.
You are right in your statement that it is the best book ever done on drag racing. Thanx.

Paul the book pictured is an updated paperback revised and published in 2001. I can tell because one of my photos taken at NED is the insert on the right of this cover. The original hardcover published in 1994 has a photo of Jim Head in that location.

 

[Surfer Ed]

 

[glofria]

Jeff,

Congratuations and welcome to the Southern California racing culture. Darr offers a good choice. One of the other iconic places to go to is Autobooks and Aerobooks in the heart of Burbank. Close to Warner Bros. Studios.

AutoBooks AeroBooks - Your automotive bookstore in Burbank since 1951

Come look us up, we're running a white '57 Chevy in A/GS.

 

[none]

Paul the book pictured is an updated paperback revised and published in 2001. I can tell because one of my photos taken at NED is the insert on the right of this cover. The original hardcover published in 1994 has a photo of Jim Head in that location.

Ed.
Your absolutely right, I went and dug out my copy of the original and the photo on the left side is also different, The original was a photo of Garlits. Also mine says 1950--1990. So it looks like it was updated from 1990 to 2000. Oh well I'll just wait another 20 or 30 years for the next update!

 

[glofria]

Jeff,

This oatta help your son live the history of drag racing.

Cacklefest bakersfield 2013BangShift.com

 

[PiPPi]

I totally agree, Dr. Post's book is by far the best thing ever written on Drag Racing.

One more "agree" from over Europe. That's gotta rate the top book on the sport. It's in the bookshelf behind me right now and I've gone through it a few times but TBH it's really not an easy read for people who are not very very much into drag racing.

As an aside, Dr. Post (professor?) had a tenure at my old university and has a 23 year career at the Smithsonian Institution among a whole load of other achievements. In 2013 he was inducted into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame.

Regards
PiPPi

 

[Raconteur]

Only issue or problem with the NHRA Fast Lane book is there was a lot more drag racing from other sanctioning bodies that was ignored in that book. UDRA, PDA, AHRA, IHRA, NASCAR as well as many, many independent dragstrips that didn't need NHRA sanctioning to thrive.

Even Joe would have enjoyed that time, before John Force.

Another interesting visual is Don Gillespie's three disc DVD set on Lion's - the Greatest Drag Strip. It is an amazing collection of videos and interviews and original footage from a truly instrumental drag strip in our history, starting in the Post War 1950's. Caution: Don't try to watch all three discs in one evening!

 

[Larry jr.]

Be sure to stop the Prolong / Mandella/ Shirley Muldowney Dragster / Winged Express pit, and say Hi, we will be cackling the Top Fuel car Saturday and Sunday, as well as running the Wing.

 

[glofria]

One more bit of advice is to bring some sort of fly repellant. I was there this past weekend and they were horrible. But at least the smell in the air wasn't bad.

 

[none]

Thanks, everyone, for the recommendations. The two books are inexpensive and readily-available so it we don't find 'em on the trip I'll order them. The DVD's look interesting as well. A visit to Autobooks looks dangerous but there's a chance we'll be nearby on the 29th and if so will stop by.

-Jeff

 

[glofria]

One more suggestion if I may. Stop for breakfast at Milt's Coffee Shop on the north side of town where many of the racers eat before heading to the track.

Milts Coffee Shop :: Home

 

[Mike]

Jeff, did you have a good time?

 

[none]

Jeff, did you have a good time?

We had a great time, Mike! Forty FC's was quite a bonus and Cacklefest has a whole new meaning (80 cars... Push started?!). Your work behind the mic was solid and it was nice to hear Whit again as well.

-Jeff