John "Tarzan" Austin - RIP

[Notch1320]

Just heard he passed away yesterday, he was a good dude...

 

[Gone Dead Train]

All my favorites have either retired or passed on, another one gone.

AA/FD John "Tarzan" Austin in the seat 1974 Winternationals

John worked for "TV Tommy" before getting a ride in 1974
in Greg Schiegert's "Hot Tuna" nitro digger

My "Hot Tuna" t-shirt

 

[TopFuel@Lions]

That dude was some character, he seemed so big in that mid-engine fueler R.I.P.

TopFuel@Lions

 

[4onthefl4]

That dude was some character, he seemed so big in that mid-engine fueler R.I.P.

TopFuel@Lions

He looks like he's wearing it, not driving it.

 

[Jim]

That dude was some character, he seemed so big in that mid-engine fueler R.I.P.

TopFuel@Lions

Was he that big or was that car smaller than others?

Jim

 

[Gone Dead Train]

Was he that big or was that car smaller than others?

Jim

The car was your standard size fuel dragster in 1974. John was a tall guy, that's why the cage
is higher then other AA/FD of the day. For example the late Leland Kolb was a big man 6' 5"
he looked cramped in his AA/FD and the car was built for him, the cage was high too.
Other drivers like Kelly Brown and Bill Tidwell drove for Leland and the cage looked really high

Leland in the seat warms up his AA/FD

Leland in the seat of his AA/FD

Kelly Brown in the seat of Leland Kolb's AA/FD Kelly was alot shorter, the cage looks high

 

[Butch]

I remember the 1st time I saw him and Hot Tuna. It was at the Pop Rod meet, the year Big DNQ.

 

[sutton]

John was a BIG man with a BIGGER heart ❤.
RIP John I will miss our talks.
Larry Sutton---Lions Starter