- American
Drag Racing - Top fuelers, funny cars, super stocks, pro
stocks, and fuel-altereds are all included in this look back
at the evolution of drag racing from the 1950s to today. Modern
color photography of these landmark cars is accompanied
by imagery from the NHRA archives and the stories of the legends
who built and drove the cars on drag strips across the nation.
- Top
Fuel Dragsters - A fascinating look at the history and
development of the top fuel dragster, from its beginning as
a crude, stripped-down hot rod to today's sophisticated machines
that deliver thousands of horsepower. The chapters will be
the birth and golden age of top fuel, the rear engine era,
anatomy of a modern top fueler, and racing a modern top fueler.
- Slingshot
Dragsters of the 1960s - In
the early 60s, front-engine dragsters, or slingshots, featured
tubular built chassis powered by a variety of power plants,
consisting of small-block Chevrolets, Chrysler Hemi's, Ford,
Pontiac, Cadillac, Oldsmobile, and Lincoln motors either fueled
on Nitro Methane or pump gas. Wheelbases varied from 110 inches
in 1962 to over 200 inches in 1969. During the early sixties,
racing legend "Big Daddy" Don Garlits ran a series
of "Swamp Rat" dragsters which not only dominated
the quarter-mile, but many of his creations were made by using
experimental aerodynamic parts to give better traction and
faster speeds. During a fuel ban from the late 50s to the
early 60s, many chassis builders utilized a two-engine power
plant to gain more power that was lost due to running pump
gas instead of fuel. One of the most popular twin-engine dragsters
was the "Fright Train", powered by twin small-block
Chevrolets. The dragster was driven by 16-year-old Bob Muraviez
who used the alias name of Floyd Lippencott, Jr. to fool his
parents who did not approve of his racing. Near the end of
the 60s, the Chrysler Hemi came to dominate Top-fuel racing,
as it produced tremendous torque and horsepower. These dragsters
were the quickest accelerating vehicles in motorsports. Elapsed
times in the quarter-mile were ranging from the 8-second bracket
in the early 60s to the low 7's late in the decade with speeds
over 200 mph.In 1970 at the AHRA Nationals at Lion's Drag
strip (Long Beach, CA), Don Garlits experienced a violent
clutch explosion that cut his dragster in two and severed
a portion of Don's right foot. After being sidelined for several
months, Don returned to racing with an innovative rear-engine,
top-fuel dragster, which would eventually spell demise for
the front-engine dragsters. Relive the 60s era of the front-engine
dragster, nicknamed the slingshot for it's aerodynamic design
in crisp high quality color and black and white photos.
Enjoy memorable moments from some of the famed drivers that
are highlighted throughout this book.
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