Ricky's Dragster Garage 51
"Iron Horse", owned by Sam Chastain, is over to Ricky's for a total fuel system conversion. Let's see if it made "Nitro Sammy" smile?
Ricky's Dragster Garage 38
More of the Ketchup Series of Ricky's Dragster Garages. So much video...so little time.
Now that the cackle events are done for the year, I can ATTEMPT bring you up to speed on Ricky's work.
Enjoy...
Ricky's Dragster Garage 36
O.k.
Now let's get back to business...
So it's late August. We got back from Fullers with the Magicar. And this is the time leading up to the 2012 Hot Rod Reunion. So let's fire up Climax for the first time and start getting ready for the CHRR.
Ricky's Dragster Garage 35
In this episode of Ricky's Dragster Garage, Ricky and I head for Fuller's shop in Santa Rosa and retrieve the Magicar after some much needed work on the car's front end and fuel tank. And now armed with more fuel capacity, Ricky proceeds to take the car up a notch to full song for a fueler. And Jeep works the old girl 'till the last drop of nitro leaves the tank.
Wow, is all I could say, after the venerable driver and young tuner work their magic with the Magicar.
Enjoy...
Bill Pitts
A Fan
48-Year Itch!
When the stars line up in front of me, I just have to record it.
I have no choice.
And this was one of those moments.
I don't know if this will ever happen again. I certainly hope it will--and in front of the grandstands at some selected NHRA events. For you see, you just don't see this happening at all-- when you look back at how unlikely it is that the car and the driver would still be around in 2012!
Take the driver, Don Prudhomme. How many times did he make full passes in a top fuel dragster or funny car? And for how many years?
In short, it's a miracle that he is in one piece, after all that--and he is! Thank goodness!
Then the car:
The Greer, Black, and Prudhomme dragster, built by Kent Fuller and raced from 1962 through 1964, with the original partners, it ran up an incredible record at southern California tracks of 81 wins and only 8 loses! (According to Phil Burgess) Then lengthened--bought and raced as the "Bonanza" for a while, eventually stripped of it's motor and left sitting for years. Restored by Steve Davis, bought by Bruce Meyer--How likely is it that it would be allowed to join up with "Snake" for this moment?
Pretty unlikely--except that it's owner Bruce Meyer, is a good friend of Don's, and after hearing about Rick MacDonald, they gave him the nod to bring the car to the track, and push start it to life. Now the driver could have been someone else....but it wasn't.
That's what makes this fire up so significant.
And like I said: All we can do is hope that this mind blowing moment will happen again at a track near you.
And if you hear they are coming, better "Make the Scene". For the chance may not come again.
Like an old legendary cowboy on a white horse in your local parade. And all you need to do is what you did when you were a kid: Sit on the curb and watch him go by.
Perfect. :)
Ricky's Dragster Garage 23
No it's not racing, BUT......
Owning and operating a cackle car has its risks.
As little as we do with them, the average person might think that a cackle car can be a "turn key" proposition. Well, after being on the cackle path since 1992, I can tell you that it isn't without some very harry moments. And you have to be on the lookout, ALL THE TIME, for potential failures.
How my drag racing heroes actual raced these things week in and week out, becomes more astounding as the years go by. And it also makes these cars even more of a curiosity to the average person on the street, which only adds to their appeal, and value.
Almost nothing on these cars has back up. When something fails it can instantly result in an accident. Take the two pieces shown here in this episode:
A rocker arm stand and a steering rod end. Two piece that were set to fully fail, but unfortunately didn't, prior to a performance.
Was it luck? Good fortune? The late great Pat Foster tapping us on the shoulder?
I dunno. All I know is--as Patty told us over and over again--
"Sit Low".
And if you want to touch base with Ricky, his shop phone number is (760) 747-5399.
That's all for now.
More to come.
Later...
Bill Pitts
Thunder on Main 2012
On September 26th, Wednesday evening, the "Cajon Classic Cruise" presents "Thunder on Main". This takes place starting around 5:00 p.m. and it's free to the public. And on this night 9 classic drag cars from the past will be started and pushed down Main from Magnolia. Drivelines will be disconnected for safety on the vintage dragsters. And a very special appearance by Randy Walls and his Nova funny car, as well as Steve Zimmerman and his nostalgia front motor, alcohol powered dragster.
Better get there early. And for the final round the vintage dragsters will be pushed down in pairs.
