RIP Jim...very inspirational fellow. I have a reproduction Dragmaster sign that Jim and Dode signed for me.
Posted by Brian Lohnes - Bangshift.com For the third time in less than two weeks we are sad to report the passing of another legend in the world of drag racing. Jim Nelson, one of the pioneering chassis men in the sport, a member of the NHRA Drag Safari, and someone integral to the evolution of drag racing has died. Jim Nelson and Dode Martin formed the legendary Dragmaster Chassis company in 1959 and made an immediate impact with their infamous “Two Thing” dragster. This was during the NHRA’s “nitro ban” period and the twin front mounted blower equipped small block Chevy engines, along with their ground breaking new chassis design got the men immediate accolades and notice. The machine turned 171mph at the 1960 NHRA Nationals, which was the top speed of the meet. Their Dragmaster “Dart” quickly became the chassis of choice for guys running the popular twin engine machines of the early 1960s, but the twin engine revolution would end nearly as quickly as it started and that end came from lightweight dragster based around Dragmaster chassis. While Martin and Nelson were the first to break Art Arfons quarter mile speed record, going over 174mph at the Winternationals in 1961, the writing was starting to show up on the wall for the twins. At the NHRA Nationals in 1961 lots of guys still showed up with twin engine rigs, Eddie Hill had a twin with four rear tires even, but a funny thing happened. A guy from Atlanta named Pete Robinson showed up with a flyweight single engine Dragmaster chassis and whipped everyone’s ass. Dode and Martin took notice and in 1962 they had their own lightweight chassis and single engine dragster ready for the Winternationals, which they won. The men continued to develop their chassis business through the 1960s moving from their “Dart” model into the Mark I, II, III, IV, etc.Their work was purchased by racers all over the country. Even here in New England, Dragmaster chassis were the hot ticket in the 1960s. They were also commissioned by Chrysler to build what are arguably the first funny cars, the Dodge Chargers in 1964. These machines were campaigned by the likes of Jimmy Nix and Jim Johnson as full time employees of Chrysler. Dragmaster was also the constructor of the famous “Flying Barn Door” Dodge pickup drag truck of Dick Boynton which won the NHRA Winternationals B/FX class in 1963. One of Dragmaster’s finest moment’s came in 1960 when Mickey Thompson used one of their chassis for the basis of the Assault I car that set a multitude of FIA acceleration records in both 1960 and 1961 with aerodynamic bodies. Lots of people think that this Jim Nelson and the also famous Jim “Jazzy” Nelson are the same man. They are not. Jazzy died several years ago. This Jim Nelson was an active member of the early NHRA Safety Safari and had a lifelong relationship with Wally Parks and other giants whose shoulders the sport of drag racing is built on. We’re dorks for this old history but it is really tough to see how quickly the people who created this sport we all love so much are passing into the great beyond. We’re sure that Jim and Wally shook hands and then Nelson picked up the torch, some rod, and started building himself one hell of a bad ass twin engine gas dragster.
A note I got today from Robert Genat about Jim's service. There will be a memorial service for Jim Nelson on Monday, May 14th at 1pm. The location is Eternal Hills Memorial Park in Oceanside, CA. The address is 1999 El Camino Real, Oceanside 92054. Their website is*eternalhillsmemorial.com. Following that service, there will be a get together at one of Jim's favorite watering holes in Carlsbad: Hennessey's Tavern on Roosevelt. In my conversation with Jim's son Dirk tonight, he sees this as an event to celebrate Jim's full life. Not a time to be sad for the loss, but a time to revel in the moments we shared with Jim and Jim's adventures. Drag racer, lakes racer, engine builder, dragster builder, marathon runner, poker player, NHRA Safety Safari member, Lego Land employee and a dozen other things. But foremosta guy who was easy going, loved life and his friends.
Now I don't think the funeral home should be bombarded. But it would sure be cool if a few local hot rod guys buzzed that bar! Sure wish I could make it. Jim was so special. Forget the race history, he was a sweetheart of a guy. I'll miss him. Jim Nelson will always live on with us Oilers he was so happy to pass the torch too. Thanks for everything Jim.
R.I.P. Jim I was out in Carlsbad about 8 yrs ago visiting a friend and made a trip to their shop, it was on a Sunday and closed, but it was neat just to see the shop.
R.I.P. Jim, will miss seeing him around Carlsbad and Fallbrook, always had time to stop and talk for a few minutes about the old drag master days, the road trip across country in the back of the el camino comes to mind. Another great has past, hope he's up there making a new "innovation in action" video
Memories !! When a friend passes we are left with Memories. In this case great memories of a time in our lives when we found friends in the darndest places. We found our friend Jim Nelson at Masters Auto in Oceanside. Jim and some guy from Fallbrook named Dode Martin were the two guys who started this great adventure that lasted many years. Actually Dode was a quiet guy who always came up with great ideas that helped make Dragmaster the great outfit it is. Visiting with Dode in the famous Garage on the main drag in Fallbrook was an amazing time. Dode remembers the actor from the Movie: "The Steel Helmut" visiting and ending up on the dirt floor making like he was driving! You really had to be there for that story! Jim and Dode were the perfect partners. They were lucky to find each other. Great times remembered, loading up their rail and all that stuff into that Green Chizzler that pulled us all over this great country. I was fortunate to have made a few trips with Jim, Dode and Tommy Nelson to places we have only seen on Maps. From the old bumpy airstrip at Holtville to The Nationals in Detroit! From Inyokern, CA. to Deer Valley, AZ. to Oklahoma City by way of a 50 mile detour because Jim , Dode and Tommy had to go to this out of the way Texas Cafe. Not for the food ! But because of a certain Pinball machine. Really!! Jim said that was The Bitchines Pinball machine in the world. The Parker Guys Jamie and Phil from Midland Texas took us to lunch at The Cattlemans in Dallas! WOW! They went to Detroit and then home in a Twin Beech. That's an airplane for you car guys! Great people ! But that's the way to travel! Six in a motel Room in Detroit! Mike Hamblin and I on the floor. Just happy to be with these guys! Jim was always the first to get up except when NHRA hired some movie makers to make a movie about them. My movie carreer lasted about 2 minutes but that trip is recorded somewhere. Jim was the Leader walking ahead with a big smile swinging his arms and waving at everyone. Kinda Corny, but, hey! WE were in the movies !! I was the guy who was eating all the time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqCm7YO2GOI Thanks for the URL !! Lots of stories but not enough room here. Great days and some bad days like the day Jim didn't stop at the end of his run at Santa Ana. Crashed the car but Jim was ok! We remember visiting Jim recuperating at the park with his son Dirk. He was sore but still flashed that grin and said he was feeling Bitchin. Jim said Bitchin a lot! Imagination prevailed with the advent of The TWOTHING and The Dart!! I remember Dode driving TwoThing on a small strip in Indiana buried in a cornfield. Yes! The corn was higher than an elphants eye! About 7 feet tall. Great days on the roads to the next Strip. From the miles and miles of Texas flatlands on the way to Caddo Mills, Texas where they wanted to "Put One On Us" to the winding roads through the Ozarks at dusk riding in the Green Chizzler on a road that wound through the trees, Tommy Nelson was driving. We had a great conversation about life and the girl in his life who always cried when he left. That was Cathy! A jewel ! Of course we were driving and Jim and Dode were snoring peacefully in the back. Thanks to Lefty who couldn't make a couple of trips and I got to go along! What a priviledge to be a small part of the Dragmaster story! There are many more people whose names escape my memory after all these years! For a young 24 year old it was an honor for me to travel with them on those memorable trips. I remember and thank Mike Bamber who rode with me with as we towed The Dragliner all the way to Detroit. Even sleeping on the floor was OK just to be part of the story. Not enough time and space to relate all the great times we had but as I type more come flooding in!! Maybe later as I travel to Carlsbad on Monday to honor our friend, Jim Nelson! Jim Nelson ! A truly Bitchin Guy! He will always be remembered. Dick Nicolosi
That Car Life cover of the Dart with the laundry out was what got me started on this whole thing. RIP Jim...
Pioneers come and pioneers go. It's the going part that brings us up short with the memories of the good times and the realization that the race is over for the current one being remembered. It's sad but life goes on and I suspect most would not have us pine for their departure but rather pick up the torch and carry on developing new ideas and setting new records. I only saw Jim one time at the Nationals and never spoke with him but like many others was impressed to find out first hand the legend could live up to the hype. May he rest in peace among the many others who have proceeded him out of this crazy automotive quest for a slower E./T. and higher speed. He is in good company. Frank
Thank you fab32, you put into words, so eloquently, what we should remember about our car heros. "I suspect most would not have us pine for their departure but rather pick up the torch and carry on developing new ideas and setting new records." That's a beautiful thought. ...
Quansant hut story Jim told me (3 of): "Red", Jim, Dode and Tom's brilliant welder, liked to imbibe. Leaving a drag strip one Sunday night, they couldn't find him. Driving back to Carlsbad, suddenly the truck slowed violently and swerved almost into a crash!! Ol' Red was in the DragMaster digger, on the trailer passed out. He woke up, yelling and waving (to piss), and when Jim didn't stop (cuz he couldn't hear Red!), Red pulled the chute!!! He lived in a trailer, BBQ'd in it. One night, he passed out on the bed in the trailer. His leg fell into the BBQ. When he woke up, his leg was burnt up, and they had to apputate it. The D/M team would leave Carlsbad on Friday to race, stop at the drugstore and buy benzodine inhalers, break them up and swish them in their coffee, and RACE TIL SUNDAY NIGHT!!! I loved Jim and Tom's stories! Dode didn't open up much. My Heroes forever.
Wow, this is sad news. Thank you for the cool stories, especially to Dick Nicolosi, much appreciated Sir. I just received yesterday the link to the fantastic video mentioned. I had seen it before, it feels odd to have received it again at this time. The Dragmasters and The Ramchargers are my heroes and I was lucky to meet Dode Martin back at his home shop in Fallbrook in 2007. Super nice guy, his wife was very kind as well. I tried to find some info about the first Dick Boynton truck which I am building a replica of. Unfortunately Dode didn't have any recollection of these trucks and Jim was having some back problems at the time so I didn't want to bother him. Now the chance to meet the other legend is gone forever. On the same trip I also visited the NHRA Museum and was lucky to see the Dragmaster Dart as well as other Dragmaster dragsters. Fast forward to 2011 and I had the privilege to take care of the Dragmaster Dart at the MoPar Nationals and the Indy Nationals. Memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you Jim Nelson for all the great achivements and the inspiration you gave others in the history of the sport. RIP.
I spent a little time sitting in my Dragmaster tonight, wishing I could have met Jim. Been losing a lot of hero's this year.
Wish I could touch the frame rails of one those original cars right now. Lot of people leaving lately.
Dick, were you at the Funeral? It really was GREAT to see everyone there!!! And THANK YOU for that clip! Great movie/memories!!!!
Pic of Tom Nelson and Dode Martin in the parking lot after Jim's service. They look great, don't they?
That's Dode's wife between the two of 'em, Muggins. Yeah, they do look pretty darn good! They are both VERY active guys!
I stopped going to Funerals a few years ago. My memories are of a tall, friendly, excited guy walking through the pits at Lions or Holtville or where ever he was, waving his arms with that long legged gait saying hello to everybody there. A man who was happy in his own skin and a friend to all. Having a Bad Day? Call JIM or stop by! Dode and Jim were the perfect pair! Dode never spoke much but then he didn't have to. He said it in a few words. But then if Jim was talking..........Tom Nelson, Jims younger Brother, IS the best! There for whatever project they came up with. Always ready, never complained and of course the owner of the now famous Nelson Smile. I did come to the Memorial for Jim. That day was a great day and more than a bit emotional for many of us! That emotion is real honesty. It was on display by many, that afternoon. I wanted to say something at the memorial but after Dirk and his Brother spoke along with a few others it was difficult standing up. I was about to but then Dode spoke and I was done! Great to see Dode, Tom, Cathy, John Earl, Dirk and his brother AND Dick Bochetti !! Its always been a mystery to me how two guys of Italian decent could end up with the First name "DICK !!" Jim would just shake his head ! My real first name is DOMENICO but how come we don't know Bochetti's first name?........ There was about a hundred others that did not look anything like the guys I knew in the late 50's,and early 60's .... If you saw me at the Memorial and I didn't remember you please drop a note to me here. My wife and I are looking forward to dinner with Tom, Cathy, Dode and his wife. Dick Nicolosi
I was in Carlsbad a few weeks ago and passed by the Dragmaster shop. The buildings are empty and a For Sale sign is posted. Sad to see......
Been awhile on the site, I was lucky to talk to Jim in Jan 2010 when I started to restore the original 1960 HELLZAPOPPIN twin hoop Dragmaster. Origanally owned by Ron Abbott from Albany NY. Dode gave me his number to get some specs to bring the chassis back to the way it was first built. Still in touch with Dode, as you all say the two of them are SPECIAL people, have the time to talk to you. I put a picture of my chassis from a show this past May, 2012. R.I.P Jim & thank you.
Hello friends and fans of the Nelson gang. I'm sorry to report that Jim's wife Martha passed a couple weeks ago. I spoke with my pal Robert Genat whom informed me of her passing. Looking back at this thread I got all welled up thinking bout Jim and what he meant and means to me. I only hope their family is well during this time, and Martha and Jim are back together again! All your stories and kind words about Jim are just amazing. Thanks for those... He sure was special. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
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