Roadster at Goleta, at the first organized drag race we know about, 1949. The Santa Barbara Acceleration Association organized the races on an access road by the Goleta airport. Don Montgomery Collection. Here is the bridge that marked the finish line today. I found it a couple of years ago when visiting Santa Barbara, and got this image off Google Earth. Dave Deichman's '34 at Colton, Ardun powered. The Pasadena-based PasaGreen Body Shop sponsored Dave's sedan, which ran around 119. Don Montgomery photo. Fred Larsen normally raced this rear engine roadster at the lakes and salt, but here it is at Colton. Fred bought the car from Ak Miller and replace the Olds with a Chrysler. He later rolled it at Bonneville, and was fortunate to survive the crash, which destroyed the roadster. At a few drag meets, the Southern California Timing Association members competed against the Russetta Timing Association members, and here Fred is representing the RTA. Jack Moss with his "Rambl'n Ram" Dodge powered dragster at the first NHRA Nationals at Great Bend KS, 1955. Jack served in the Pacific during World War II, and survived captivity by the Japanese. He also raced a twin Chevy, based out of his home in Amarillo, Texas. NHRA Photo. Joe Koper's roadster at Pomona, around 1955. Joe ran a fuel Chrysler in this car, breaking 140, which was very good for the time. Sadly he later died at Lions in a dragster. Norm Grudem photo. The Goodyear and Serpa "Pacific Auto Body" coupe with a 296" flathead. The team bought the car from Harry Duncan. Norm Grudem photo.
Don Tuttle's B/FD. Don built this chassis, and went on to found California Chassis Engineering, great guy, sadly passed away.
Right Marty, That's Rod Singer in his aluminium framed dragster with Karol Miller's big blown Lincoln engine.
Two Texas cars - Willis Ragsdale in Raunchy and the Miles/Mattison Jimmie Green Special dragster. The roadster is pulling the front wheels and the dragster is braking the rear tires loose.
This could be the roller starters at Long Beach. Back then, after starting the drivers had to stop the rollers with his old fashioned drum brakes. Then they'd lock the drums in place and either push or drive the car off the rollers. Billy "The Kid" Scott did that with the common drum brakes back then, rolled to the line and made his run. The parachute didn't open and the brakes faded and he hit the sand trap at speed. It had rained the day before and crusted the sand and it wasn't smooth and launched the car. He broke some back bone parts. I don't know if they modified the procedures after that, but I'm sure some readers on this site do.
Dode Martin of Dragmaster fame, at Paradise Mesa Pomona pits, Pat Gahanal's newsletter photo. The pump house was always a potential problem when running at Pomona. Stafford & Shores Chevy 6 powered roadster. Jerry Quesnel roadster, once built by Jazzy Nelson.
GREG SHARP PHOTO Hello, Yes, nice trailer for cars and parts... But not before a custom seating area on tires, oil cans, and coolers with the famous hot dogs/chili dogs at the Lion's Dragstrip Pits. It was pick a spot, set up for the whole day and into the late night every weekend for us young teenagers. From 1957 to summer 1960...almost every weekend for our drag racing adventures. As we sat and ate our lunches/dinners on those custom tire seats or box seats, others did the same. Our usual neighbor, Bill Moxley and his high end Cad, plus his supply of tires, also ate the same food and drinks. Ha! It is an early part of drag racing that always gets overlooked. But, the food sure was tasty and hit the spot every weekend. Jnaki We grew up acquiring a taste for hot dogs of all kinds at home and at the dragstrip. It was a teenage staple for most and became famous for its taste. We could have driven home a mile or so away for a nice dinner cooked by our mom, but those hot dogs/chili dogs and cokes made it a no leave situation.
The Jalopy Journal
