Drag racing has lost one of the best there ever was. Next time you fire up your small block chevy, look up and think of George!!! Dve
What a great Man and great family. George is also being inducted in the NHRA Hall of fame this weekend at the CHRR. I have been a customer of George and his Sons, for years. 5 NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster World Championships with son Rick Santos as driver. Multi time National & Divisional event Winners with "The Worlds fastest SBC" TAD. RIP George.
Thoughts and prayers with the family . Was at Eagle Motorplex in the early 90's and watched Rick Santos's tiny dragster missile up the strip , his Dad surely had a way with a small block Chev it sounded like a mad bee. Rob.
Amen DaveyJonez, RIP George what a true legend and all around great guy and family. I had already heard of Georges passing and had passed along my sincerest condolences to the family. Whenever they raced at the motorplex in Ennis they would hang out at my shop and leave the operation with me if they had to get back to their shop between races. The family would treat me like family when I visited them at their shop in San Leandro. George and I would talk at least once a week when I was still racing and he was always so helpful when giving me tuneup, clutch and tire info. I can see George standing at the golden crankgrinder up there. I will always remember the "Portugese Hilton" pulling into my driveway. RIP my friend, you will be missed. 408
Yea. BIG Bummer. And I think he was on tap to get honored in Bakersfield at the reunion this weekend. RIP.
In the early 2000's when I was crewing on #711 TAD, if the Santos team showed up everyone knew that we all were racing for 2nd place. I never knew George Santos but I sure know who he was. Sad news for sure.
We all know of the famous S&S Automotive TAD ... and the Machine Shop in San Leandro, CA: ... but what you may not know is that George had been involved in drag racing since the '50s. In 1958, George teamed up with Hank Vincent and campaigned the "TOP BANANA" Dragster:
S&S Automotive? I'm not super knowledgable in the drag racing scene, but I was told those guys were some of the best area machinists to do up the 392 hemi for my project. I haven't been ready to take that on quite yet. Hopefully with his passing, the business is still in good hands. Would hate to hear the shop close up too. RIP Mr. Santos.
Rick honored his father in the "HONOREE Parade" (riding shotgun in Andy Brizio's Deuce hiboy): image by @Novadude55
George and family are the best - Built all my motors when I was racing RIP Rick and the family sorry for you loss
George & Ricky did the machine work on my first 327 that I built when I was just a kid way back in the early 80's. R.I.P Mr.Santos
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