There was an e-mail to Carl at MoKan that got this whole thing started. I found a draft in the depths of my e-mail... and thought I'd share it with you guys! Enjoy! Sam Hi Carl! My name is Sam... I had the primer gray Altered at the HAMB Drags two years ago. Well, some guys on the HAMB have been talking again... and they would really like to build some flathead powered diggers to race each other at the HAMB Drags. Cars like **** Craft's "BUG". So, we came up with some rules... and I have a picture of what several people are thinking about building... and we wanted to run it past you. Do you see a problem with us running something like this at the HAMB Drags? Anything you'd like to add safety wise? I'm thinking they *might* get up to 80, maybe 90mph... Maybe break 100. The engines will more than likely be stock... so I'm thinking they will be on the slow end of my estimate. So, when you get a chance. look at the pic... go over the rules we outlined and let us know where we stand. Take care, Sam Strube Here are our rules: 1. Stock frame rails or 1 1/2" x 3" .120 square tube rails. 2. Flathead in-line or v8 engines ONLY 3. Stock internals. The only modifications to motor allowed are Intake, carbs, heads, and headers. Magnetos ok, no "electronic" ignitions. 4. No automatic transmissions. 5. Stock width front and rear ends only, no narrowed rear ends allowed. 6. No "slingshot" ch***ies. Driver and engine must be positioned entirely between the front and rear axles. Engine and driver placement can vary. 7. Cars must be self starting. 8. Batteries must be mounted in a tray made out of angle iron and have 3/8" studs or bolts with a 1" x 1/8" (or larger) strap over the top. 9. Cars must have rims no wider than 5.5" and in the spirit of the event, bias ply tires or vintage slicks are required. No radials or modern "wrinkle wall" slicks allowed. Tire tread may be no wider than 6". 10. If a cooling system or water tank is used, car must have a radiator cap and an overflow (catch can) system. 11. Closed drive lines are encouraged... but not required. 12. If an open drive line is used, driveshaft must have an 1 1/2" x 1/4" "driveshaft loop" AND be totally covered/ sealed off from driver with a sheet aluminum or steel floor pan. 13. Cars must have floor boards and/or belly pans. If a belly pan is used, car must have a sufficient structure to prevent drivers legs from pulling a "Fred Flintstone" if the belly pan is torn off or if it falls off. 14. All cars must have a firewall. 15. All cars must have a cowl or body to prevent drivers legs from exiting the vehicle in the event of a crash. 16. All cars must encorporate some type of "roll bar" (we'll need to discuss this further) 17. All cars will be inspected for general soundness and safety. Things like sound steering, all lug nuts in place and safety belts required. 18. Fuel line(s) can have no single piece longer than 24", has to be fasted by hose clamps and may not be cracked. 19. Cars must be built in the spi*** of "The Bug" and other early "rail jobs". 20. Cars with keyed axles must be equipped with "safety hub" retainers.
I love it, thanks for posting it up. Other than the inclusion of ohv inliners it doesn't look like the HA/GR contingent has strayed very far from that first concept.
So that's the letter that has cost me all this money. I wouldn't have it anyother way, what do you guy's think?
Thanks for posting Sam...............Have you got a date for that email,so we can keep for historys sake........
And on the seventh day He when racin'. It is always a good thing to remember where it all started. A few guys with too much time on their hands and a little coin in their pockets, a couple of "brews" to get the thought processes going, and a desire to prove to everyone else that their idea was the best. But most of all a willingness to share the thing that you love with your friends and friends to be.
"The few, the proud, the true believers". Amazing how such a simple idea has developed the number of believers in the concept that it has. This isn't about drag racing how it is today, it's about building and racing cars of the past for the total enjoyment of it. Thank you Sam, for being part of the original visionary group that brought the cl*** to life.
The Jalopy Journal
