Event Coverage PURPLE PEOPLE EATER makes full pass @ Antique Nationals ~ Fontana!

Most of you know that the P.P.E. belongs to my brother Marky and that recently he made a calm exhibition p*** at Traditional Rod & Kulture's "Dragfest" in Bakersfield last month. Well, that one p*** gave Marky a shot of adrenaline as running the car again has been on his mind constantly since that weekend. Running steel fuel lines, rear disc brakes,solid steel floor, heavy duty body mounts, battery hold down, fire extinguisher,drive shaft loop, and many more mod's have been done recently in preparation for another possible chance at a trip down the 1320.

Today all the Shifters gathered at the 2009 Antique Nationals held at California Speedway in Fontana, Ca. ,set up camp, BBQ's, canopies, chairs, of course some music, then took a portion of the clubs cars to tech for full inspections. Squeak brought out his historic Bonneville/Drag 32 Ford sedan and p***ed tech, Billy brought his T Roadster with a hot flatty and p***ed tech, then Marky brought his car and a longer but more thorough inspection was done - the verdict - p***ed!

After communicating with track officials and folks inside the tower a decision was made to allow him a solo exhibition run but the suggestion was made to see if an "Easy run" could be made. Marky agreed as he was just happy to be able to run the car again. We towed the P.P.E. up to the staging lanes and track officials waved us up front. After the car was unhooked from its tow rope the car was started and pulled up and p*** the water box. I motioned him and a mild burn out was done. We brought him up to the lights, he pre staged,staged then calmly took off down the track getting on it a couple of times here and there for good measure. For his first run Marky ran a mid 13 second quarter at just over 100 miles an hour.
We picked the car up , brought it back to the pits and let it cool off for a while. Oil was changed and a new set of plugs were installed during the cool off/waiting period. About a couple of hours later it was time to run it again, this time Marky gave me the look - something only a brother knows. When we got to the lanes it seem to move quickly. By the time we got up front track officials asked if Marky wanted to compete in the bracket series or do a solo exhibition run again. The decision was made to run it solo and we towed the car in front of the tower, disconnected the tow rope and fired the car up again.
I brought Marky up to the water box again and this time a pretty healthy burn out was made. Hudson Joe and I backed him up,got him straightened out, then directed him up to the tree. The car was then staged and i knew Marky was still not using his new 4000 stall converter and its Mojave racing powerglide trans to its potential. The R's were brought up only slightly. The lights came down and Marky took off good then really gave it hell! That blown Pontiac was screaming . I must admit, i thought there would of been some sideway's fishtailing but the car actually went straight as an arrow. Around 1000 ft. Marky slowly eased off the pedal and finished pretty smoothly. The car went 11.60 at just under 100 miles per hour. For his third p*** down the quarter in the Purple People Eater it was just fine with everyone - most importantly Marky. From what we all saw today, I bet if he was to really give the car hell and come off the gates stalling the car at 3000 and have his foot in it all the way the car would easily see low 10's.

The day went by so quick and we all had a ball. It was great hanging out with our buddies Jimmy White, Fabian Valdez, Tom & Diana Branch,The Emperors, Rob & Sherry, Bad Bob, and many more.

Just some of the other times i saw today.
Squeak Bell ran a best of 12.92
Rob & Sherry ran a 12.99 with their ultra clean candy pearl green T Phaeton powered by a blown dual quad 392 Hemi.
Billy ran low 16's in his T roadster.
Tom branch was in the 13's.
Diana Branch ran low 15's.

Next stop - King of Clubs drag race at Barona Drag Strip - put on by the Lifters of San Diego. 1/8th mile strip and the Barona Indian casino nearby - looking forward to it. Thats in the end of July.

Hot Rods to Hell - Axle

 

P.p.e.

 

Squeak

 

Billy

 

Hey guys, If anyone filmed the second run of the P.P.E. please post it on here. Thanks

 

Glad to hear that you guys made a couple successful p***es...just keep taking it easy and learn the car. Keep it fun!

 

Too cool!

 

Must have been a real thrill!
Any moving pictures?

 

Uh......that "easy p***" is about my all out p***.

Glad you guys got to have some fun!

 

Awsome.

 

very cool! I was at a local car show this weekend and I was talking to a group of people about how you guys are wanting to run the PPE. It is great to hear it is happening!

 

Cool! I think that helps put to rest a few people wondering what this car could really do. Must have been quite a ride!

 

Axle,
Thats an excellent result for such a controversial car. I remember the feature in R&C where it was obvious that the car was a work in progress non race ready deal despite the flak it copped. Glad that you guys stuck with it and got a good p*** or two out of it.
Looking forward to following its progress.
Greg

 

drag it out to Ohio next g***er reunion.... "Free Beer"

 

I've seen a few shots of the p.p.e. on the web always had a soft spot for it. That car is sweet man. Has to be a kick in the pants to drive.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnUMffadHJw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frhdGR5lA0M&feature=related
And my favorite at about :50 in
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXH9Vt6dRwU&feature=related

I want it!

 

Thats one wild looking motor....awsome..

 

Too cool!

 

Wicked.

 

Thats real cool! I love that car.

 

Hey *** eater! Who took the pictures of the car!!!!!

 

Very very cool. I really enjoy seeing these cars at the drags. Beat on 'em!!!

 

OK, I am kind of dumb and this may have been asked a bunch of times before, but why is the motor sticking up so high? Seems like it could have easily been a lot lower and given a way better center of gravity. Not knocking it at all, just asking for my own education. And it is also fine if it is that way just because you wanted it that way. Nothing wrong with that either. Just curious.

 

It's been a long road for ya'll to get this far. Congratulations to everybody involved.


P.S., It's been like a decade trying to make a full p*** and none of you goofballs brought a video camera?

 

I'll believe it when I see it!


hahaha, thats cool that the PPE is where it belongs, on the track.

 

man would love to see a video of these cars running down the track!!

 

It was quite a sight watching the PPE going down the track today! I took some video of it... I will get it uploaded asap.

 

Congrats Marky! That car is bad *** no matter what its intended purpose is! A video would be nice...

Spike

 

Here is something to eye hump!

 

We need video!!

 

In the staging lanes...