Anybody remember the summer of 67 Minnesota Dragway. I was with the Broman Brothers from Willmar. They ran a 55 Chevy C modified Production. After we ran I went to the bleachers to watch the rail cars run. A new rail from California was there owned or ran by a guy called Doc Holiday. The bleachers were very close to the strip and the runs were felt as much as heard. I was about mid track and on the first run for the new rail the engine blew right in front of us. The blower came apart and half of the head and the parts were falling into the bleachers around us thats up close and personal. I do not remember anyone getting hurt but I will never forget that drag race. Ive been addicted to hotrods every since<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o> <o></o>
yes i do remember that day, i used to run a 62 chev belair 2 dr sedan with a 409-4spd. it was roman red, i ran in a stock cl***, but cant remember which one, in 68 i ran a new mustang in a modified cl***, think it was d, during time trials i was in the right lane and i believe a 65 ford with a 427-b modified next to me, when he missed 2nd and his flywheel blew, a piece went through my grille, radiator another took a guys leg out in the front row of the pits. those were some grate times out there.
We ran this at Minnesota Dragways 'til early in the '66 season. Parked it still holding the A/D E.T. record (9.37). Brought it out for the grand opening event at Donneybrooke (B.I.R.) in '68 then it sat 'til '95 when they opened an outlaw strip north of here. Most fun we ever had with it was when a bunch of us oldtimers called ourselves the "****s 'r' Us Racing Team" and brought it out of retirement just to screw around. Note : I have a golf ball sized chunk of the M.D. starting line asphalt here on my desk.
A sports car club I use to belong to ran Auto-Xs at Minnesota Drag strip for a few years after it was closed to drag racing. One of our members was the president of the club that owned the drag strip. I ended up with the hand stamp from the drag strip. Lot of found memories out there. I also have a shoe box of black and white photos from about 58 to 64, when as a kid I would ride my bike 10 miles or so each way to watch the races, I should put them in a album. jim h
My uncle, Denny Bateman, used to race there. He supposedly held a track record for awhile with one of the cars he was a driver for. He used to drive a buddy's 55 Chev for him as well. I'll try to get the story from him the next time I see him.
Another car I remember was a corvette 62 I think It was painted candyapple mostly gold with other colors. The name VENDETTA painted on the side. Think it ran in a g***er catagory. I remember them working on it more than runing it but it shure was perty .
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