Interview with Don Prudhomme...questions needed!

I have an opportunity to head over to Snake Racing HQ for a interview with the man himself for an event we do every September in our city. I am now compiling a list of questions to ask Don and want to get some of the questions that you would ask Don in a interview. The interview will appear in the event program.

Thanks guys!

Craig

 

Sure I got one...has he ever seen Linda Vaughn naked? Sorry, first thing that popped into my head. Do I get points for being honest? Yeah, I thought not.

 

Ask him why he was such a prick and wouldn't talk to anyone at Maple Grove about 40 years ago.

 

Ask for an honest to goodness, heartfelt opinion on todays professional drag racing.

 

Not that it matters what I think. But I would love to know his opinion on using the word "nostalgia" (N/FC) for booking these classic funny cars into events. Is the "nostalgia" term a bad choice of words and should these classic funny cars just be referred to as nitro or alky funny cars?

 

the motivation for my question (previous post)

I gotta get out more

 

One of my Fav shots of the SNAKE

 

Ask him about ripping that flaming funny car apart with his hands and feet at the top end at Bandimere to save Don Gay Jr. from frying. I was down on the starting line with Steve Evans and we watched him jump out of his car and run into the smoke before the Safety Safari got stopped. He'd held his chute and tried to stay near the kid as the car was coasting down the track, then jumped out and ran to help when the fire bottle blew and the car stopped. He can be a prick, but he's got my vote!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UESs1E015Rc

 

Here are a couple

Ask him which local car/which event/what moment stands out as "the one" that made the decision for him as a kid?

If he had the chance to change one outcome/do one specific thing over in his career what would it be?

 

Ask the man :What was it like being a 'road warrior' for over 40 YEAR'S and have people expect you to be kind, thoughtful, cheerful, sunny, 'hey it's really great to see you' like some polished Hollywood actor. Then, said 'fan's' stab you in the back by calling you a prick, jerk, ect. Walk a mile in his shoes. He's one of THEE Top Fuel since what '61?

 

i would like to know how his relationship is with tommy ivo. tommy is the one who got the snake into racing. i talked to don at the reunion in bakersfield last year, and he was really proud of his hotwheels funny and hauler he is displaying across the country. looks like hes starting to relax and have alittle fun since retiring. thanks

 

Yes, he could be distant and remote, but he was focused like almost no other driver except maybe Garlits.

Maybe ask him about his relationship with Garlits...remember they had a real rivalry when he had his first RE/FD...Garlits called it the "yellow feather" and questioned its safety...story was that Prudhomme would call Garlits in the middle of the night just to bug him.(ask him if that was true?)..Garlits and Prudhomme had a bunch of match races, I remember especially the race at Half Moon Bay when Prudhomme had his "Torquemaster" special...they were two of the best drivers in the sport.

 

do you like snakes?? ok, seriously. i met snake a few times at indy during the us nationals, he was always very friendly and easy to talk with. i would like to know his opinion on the 1000 ft racing and if the fuel cars should be slowed down and how should they go about doing it?

 

Its gotta be tough, cause these guys have probably been asked every concievable question since the 60's. Thats what makes a good interviewer, dont ask the ususal same old questions. Like for example, "Who are you?" That might get you a #1 rating if you know what I mean.

Well since he has seen it all and lived it all when it comes to drag racing, I guess my question would be the following:

With the recent changes in NHRA racing due to some recent deaths at these events, does he think that changing the rules for cubic inches, the amount and % of nitro and fuel pump systems will really have an impact on safety? And would it put the NHRA into a Nascar situation where the cars are so homogonous that real "racing" isnt happening much anymore.
Does it become bracket racing? Since the quarter mile is out for Nitro class for safety reasons. I mean going fast has been the goal since day one, in all racing.

Second question

Any interest in running the salt flats?

 

Ask him about running the Ford SOHC 427's in his dragster.

 

Ask him if he knows what the meaning of life is.

 

Ask him which came first The snake or the Mongoose?

 

Ask him what his best win in his career was? Also ask him who he's biggest competition was! Not what the media hyped up (mongoose) but who really was his competition!

 

That be a good question......

 

I think Don and Tom only paired up once together during the Hot Wheels Funny Car outings ... '70-'72 ....... Lions maybe???

 

Did he ever bone cha cha?

 

Whats he going to do now that hes retired?

 

Ive heard rumors of a nostalgia funny car team for him?? I would see if there was any truth to that.

I also like the did he ever bone Cha Cha question too... Connie would have whooped him..

 

Ask him if he's ever heard of the HAMB, and come check us out.

 

Mr. Prudhomme, We all love the sounds of drag racing and smell of the nitro...

Oh, I'm sorry!

MR. PRUDHOMME, WE ALL LOVE THE SOUNDS OF DRAG RACING AND THE SMELL OF THE NITRO. HAS THE THE EXPOSURE TO THESE HAD ANY LONG TERM EFFECTS ON YOUR...

shit I forgot the rest of the question...

 

I think he would be behind...nevermind.

 

You have to ask him the true story of how he got his nickname. He'll start to smile before he answers.

 

Ask him about the race from back in the 60s when the opponents car in the other lane broke in two at the finish line and still beat him accross the line !!! >>>>.

 

I've talked to him a couple of times at different events.Not during eliminations or so called working hours,was always a "DICK".Ask him why he's so rude to fans?I wouldn't walk across the street to see him. Giz'