The return of the ATLANTA $10,000 (Drags) - October 13th, 2012

For anyone interested in the history of the first Atlanta $10,000 drag race, here's a very interesting article taken from georgiadragracing.com . it's a bit long for a post, but well worth reading!


A History of the Atlanta $10,000 Drag Race: The 1964 event.

by Marvin T. Smith

The Atlanta $10,000 Drag Race was one of the largest open Top Fuel shows in the Eastern United States. It was contested from 1964 to 1972 at Atlanta Speed Shop Dragway, an NHRA sanctioned strip located near Covington, Georgia. This race documents an important time in drag racing history: the golden age. While the race was primarily for top fuel dragsters, it also showcased other categories. The story of this race also documents the rise of the Funny Car in the sixties. From super stocks to altered wheelbase machines to the flip-top cars, the Atlanta Speed Shop race had them all. The race also transcended the slingshot to rear engine fueler revolution, and saw the demise of Top Gas. This history is based on newspaper accounts (both racing papers and the Atlanta papers) and information collected in interviews. The author is working on a history of all the races, and welcomes recollections, comments, and photos for this research. When finished, the complete history of the Atlanta $10,000 race will be a chapter in a forthcoming book by Marvin Smith and David Dilbeck, Atlanta Drag Racing: The Golden Years.

The first race was held in 1964. A little historical perspective is in order. Atlanta Speed Shop Dragway became an NHRA sanctioned track in March, 1964, as new management revised the former Newton County Dragway (also NHRA sanctioned). The track was one of the few NHRA tracks in the state of Georgia. NHRA had outlawed fuelers at its tracks in the late 50s, but beginning in 1963 it allowed fuel dragsters to run at the Winternationals. It was not until Labor Day weekend in 1964 that fuelers ran at the Indy Nationals. The first Atlanta $10,000 was held in October of 1964, and that is about as early as NHRA would encourage large fueler meets at its tracks.

The first race was promoted by Julius Hughes and Pete Robinson.

Since Robinson was active in promoting the race, he did not enter. I assume that through his connections, a good field of fuelers was assembled to qualify for sixteen spots. The field included Paul Sutherland, Jimmy Nix in Bob Sullivan's car, Vance Hunt, Capitol Speed Shop, Joe Shubeck, the Guzler, Blue Angel, and Fred Forkner. The eventual winner was Paul Sutherland, driving the Race Car Engineering Charger from California. Sutherland downed Nix in the final as both cars broke, but Sutherland had earlier run the best times of the meet, a 7.71 et and 191.88 mph to definitely earn the win and $2,500. Low qualifier was Hunt and Ellis at 7.92. Vance Hunt remembers receiving a set of M&H slicks for his number one qualifying spot.

During the race, the then relatively new Christmas tree starting lights failed, and the races were flagged off by Pete Robinson.

Top Gas was also contested at the first annual Atlanta $10,000. There was a quality field made up of such stars as John Reed, Hirata-Hobbs, Dick Vest, Bill Mullins, Hoyt Grimes, and Clayton Harris. Bill Mullins eventually beat Dick Vest in the finals for $1,000.

The Atlanta meet would also showcase doorslammers throughout its history. In 1964, there was a 32-car Super Stock/FX field dominated by Dyno Don Nicholson in his Comet. Nicholson ran as quick as 11.11 to win the $2,500 (Drag News says $2000) up for Super Stock. The stockers ran for second place and the $1,000 was taken by the Lewis, Smoker, Lewis team from Virginia. Robert Nance took the $500 third place money. It is interesting that much more money was available to the Super Stock cars than to the Fuel Dragsters even though this was mainly a dragster race, showing the eastern bias toward doorslammers. Charlie Kruse from Metarie, Louisiana won Middle Eliminator in an injected Chevy-powered roadster, beating the Powers and Riley blown Chrysler T roadster, and W. R. Saunders from Kentucky took Little Eliminator in his A/G machine. Drag News said that this was "by far the biggest and richest race ever held in the Southland." This race received excellent coverage in the Atlanta newspapers, something of a rarity in an area dominated by stick and ball sports. The success of the first race prompted the race to become an annual event. If you wanted to see Top Fuel dragsters in the Southeast, the Atlanta $10,000 was the race to attend until the NHRA started the Gatornationals in 1970.



In 1964, a young A. B. Shuman, author of "Cool Cars, Square Roll Bars" and one time editor of Hot Rod Magazine, attended the race. He was in the Navy at the time and stationed in Charleston, S.C., but he ventured west to Atlanta to see the action. Through his generosity, we have snapshots of the event. Mr. Shuman also provided the captions for his photos. We greatly appreciate Mr. Shuman's contribution to preserving the history of Georgia drag racing.




Paul The Kid Sutherland (r.), assisted by "Dagget," had the most intriguing car there, the Charger, Woody Gilmore's "works" fueler. The engine was a 365-inch Hemi. They said they had to win TE because they were low on money. The car was the most impressive running in the eliminations and won the bucks despite blowing on the final and coasting thru the lights at 107 mph. Photo and caption by A. B. Shuman.





From Blue Angel push truck looking down Pete's two-lane blacktop. It seemed a helluva lot narrower standing on the line. After the run, a warmup pass (remember those?), Fisher reported car pulled to right in lights, so Andrews promised to take a little air out of the left front tire. Shiny marks on the injector scoop were evidence of a mishap the week before, when the unit blew off the 6-71 on a brisk run. The team had only recently changed to a Chrysler engine from a Chevy. Photo and caption by A. B. Shuman.





Returning from a victorious round in Top Gas eliminations, a fierce-looking Jerry Caudle ("World's Fastest Beatle") in shiny, silver fire suit rides back in Kenny Hirata's Schubeck-chassied racer. Hirata, I was told, along with Chris Karamesines, gave Andrews, Fisher, Fraley team a lot of help when they made their switch to a Chrysler. Photo and caption by A. B. Shuman.





Vance Hunt (l.) gave Del Fisher a briefing on the facts of life about being a pro drag racer (i.e., how to make money at it). Hunt's car, with Jerry Ellis driving, set low e.t. on Saturday, earning a pair of M&H slicks, but their 392 Chrysler blew up in eliminations, depositing its innards on the strip. Photo and caption by A. B. Shuman.





In the non-dragster ranks, the Hot Shop's orange Bantam A/Altered was impressive, shutting down the mighty Powers & Riley blown Chrysler T roadster with it injected 365-inch Chevy. Photo and caption by A. B. Shuman.





A little later it was all business for the Woody car and crew. I believe this meet was the first event where "zoomies" were revealed. The engine in the Gilmore car appeared to not have any front motor mounts, per se, fitting in with the "Flexi-Flyer" thinking. Photo and caption by A. B. Shuman.


This article by Marvin T. Smith (with research assistance by David Dilbeck) is an early draft from the forthcoming book Atlanta Drag Racing: The Golden Years.

As we interview more participants and research the history more deeply, more information has presented itself. The final book version will provide all of this information.

For example: The Atlanta Drag Strip Association produced the first Atlanta $10,000 race. The race was billed as "The Atlanta Drag Strip Association 1964 National Fuel & Gas Drag Race".

The Atlanta Drag Strip Association consisted of Atlanta Speed Shop Dragway's Julius Hughes and Frank Brumby, Cumming Dragway's Lamar Sexton and Pete Robinson, Houston Brothers Drag Strip's J.M. Houston and M.A. Houston, Southeastern International Dragway's Charles Hardy, and Yellow River Drag Strip's Shug Campbell. -- David Dilbeck

 

ATLANTA $10,000 GASSERS
We are having two Gas classes. One is the standard Index style race and the other is a Gasser SHOOTOUT for Period Correct cars only. You can run both classes if you are legal for both classes.
http://atlanta10000.com/race-classes/nostalgia-gas/

Gasser Album http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/album.php?u=193927

 

Found an Atlanta $10,000 Nostalgia SPECIAL for those of you who do not want to be in the Car Show Competition but want to show off your Hot Rod
You might like to be on Hot Rod Row $10.00 will get your car in the gates to park on Hot Rod Row

 

Julius Hughes Jr & ZOT III
ATLANTA $10,000 Drag Race & Car Show will be having a 50/50 drawing to benefit the Diabetes Foundation in honor of Julius Hughes Jr., the founder and originator of the Atlanta $10,000 drag races. Tickets can be purchased at the Car Show tent. The drawing will be held on the Starting Line of the dragstrip during the Car Show Awards at 8:00 PM. The cutoff time for buying tickets will be at 7:00 pm.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>

 

Please post pictures of you and/or your car if you are going to participate in any event at the Atlanta $10,000 Nostalga Drags & Car Show

 

The other car Tim can drive.

 

I can't wait to see that baby finished! Surely it will be ready for next year's event.

 

Really cool photo from the Atlanta $10,000 website:


Julius Hughes Jr. (in the cockpit) and Elaine "jetboatmama" Hughes Jape (with helmet) .......

 

I want to set up in the swap meet. I sell 50s thru 70s car magazines. How much to set up?

 

Will there be any FED chassis for sale

Thanks!

 

I'll be there !! vehicle is still in question a few more things to work out in a short period of time.

 

Some of the cars are on the website www.atlanta10000.com Check under the different headings on the home page

 

YES please

 

ATLANTA $10,000 Nostalgia Drags and Car Show
Swap Meet Info​

The Swap Meet is on Saturday October 13th, 2012. It begins when the gate opens at 7:30 am. You can preregister using the form under Race Entries/10th Annual Race Registration. Print the form and mail it in with payment. You can also pay at the gate when you arrive. Preregistering will allow you to have your credentials and use the express entry lane to get in the track quicker.
The cost for a swap meet space is $20. Tickets are $20 per person. Each space is 25&#8242; by 25&#8242;. One seller per space. You get one car pass with each space rented. www.atlanta10000.com ​

 

thanks

 

PLEASE LOOK AT THE EVENT SCHEDULE ON THE ATLANTA $10,000 WEBSITE
http://atlanta10000.com/event-schedule/
The gates open Saturday at 7:30 a.m. <O
Tech Inspection is from 7:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
<OTime Trials& Qualifying start at 9:00 a.m. <O
Round One starts at 2:00 p.m.<O
If someone races or test & tune on Friday night; they do not have to go through Tech again on Sat.
<OAlso if you come in on Fri you can pay for Sat also and not have to wait in line on Sat<O

 

This just in from jetboatmama ................

PLEASE LOOK AT THE EVENT SCHEDULE
ON THE ATLANTA $10,000 WEBSITE

http://atlanta10000.com/event-schedule/

* The gates open Saturday at 7:30 a.m. *

* Tech Inspection is from 7:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. *

* Time Trials & Qualifying start at 9:00 a.m. *

* Round One starts at 2:00 p.m. *

-------- ALSO --------

If someone participates in test & tune on Friday night or just goes through Tech on Friday night, they do not have to go through Tech again on Saturday.

If you come in on Friday, you can pay for Saturday also and not have to wait in line on Saturday.

If you park overnight on Friday, you will have to pay for Saturday at that time.

-------------------------------------------

Atlanta $10,000 Host Hotel: Holiday Inn Express, Commerce, GA
Ph. 706/336-8666 (Ask for the Atlanta $10,000 rate)​

 

Eddie Vidrine Checked out the schedule on the website. Also clicked on the Geezer Alley.With my photo albums of the old Atlanta $ 10,000 AND the older Atlanta $ 2,000 races, maybe I should sign up. I qualify under crewmember, track worker, and NHRA Advisor
Elaine Hughes Jape I think you shoiuld sign up! Geezer Alley is not just for racers it is for all of us who were there in the day. I am bringing my scrapbooks for people to see.

 

You should stop by my place and pick up all those magazines.

 

ALL YOU YOUNG GEEZERS
SIGN UP FOR GEEZER ALLEY NOW!
GEEZER ALLEY is not just for racers it is for all of us who were there in the day. YOU or someone you know qualify if you were a crewmember, track worker, and NHRA Rep., photographer, announcer, fan, etc.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
I am bringing scrapbooks for people to see. It will be fun to share pictures and memories of back in the day.
Check out http://atlanta10000.com/event-schedule/geezers-alley/ on www.atlanta10000.com under Event Schedule

 

the place to be only 2 weeks away!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I have another quick question. How much for a ticket for my 9 year old son?

 

Have you all got anyone going to the Old Drag Racers Reunion in Panama City, FL this weekend? That might be a good place to have some flyers handed out. There is usually a good crowd.

 

Children 12 years and under are admitted free

 

I completely forgot about that event existed. That would probably be a good event to hand out flyers. I'll be at the Senoia Car Show this weekend. If you're going to the Panama City gig, and want to hand out some flyers, talk to jetboatmama. I see you're in Blairsville. You probably could pick some up at the Atlanta Speed Shop in Gainesville on your way down.

 

awesome

 

Sorry but I will be going down 515 and not through Gainsville, I got a copy of an e-mail from jetboatmama to Sol Stewart who organizes the reunion. I wish I had ran across the posts on this event earlier, I would have arranged to have some shipped/mailed to me.

I have told several folks in this area and plan to attend myself.

 

ZOT IV

 

Below, Zot V ... which I'm assuming will be appearing at the Atlanta $10,000 along with the debut of number VI (Is this the case, Elaine?).

Beautiful car with it's early 392 ........

 

Was that pic from SGMP a few years ago?