The History of the Nhra World Finals

The History of the Nhra World Finals PDF Author: Nhra Publications
Publisher: CreateSpace
ISBN: 9781502514080
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 72

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Book Description
In 2014, the National Hot Rod Association celebrates the 50th World Finals, the traditional season-ending drag race on the NHRA tour. Since 1965, the World Finals has determined NHRA's season champions, often under dramatic circumstances. In this spectacular book produced by the editors of National Dragster magazine, you'll relive every moment. Whether your World Finals memories include Shirley Muldowney's tremendous triumph in 1980 or "The Run" by Tony Schumacher more than 25 years later, if you're a drag racing fan, this book is for you.

The History of the Nhra World Finals

The History of the Nhra World Finals PDF Author: Nhra Publications
Publisher: CreateSpace
ISBN: 9781502514080
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 72

Get Book Here

Book Description
In 2014, the National Hot Rod Association celebrates the 50th World Finals, the traditional season-ending drag race on the NHRA tour. Since 1965, the World Finals has determined NHRA's season champions, often under dramatic circumstances. In this spectacular book produced by the editors of National Dragster magazine, you'll relive every moment. Whether your World Finals memories include Shirley Muldowney's tremendous triumph in 1980 or "The Run" by Tony Schumacher more than 25 years later, if you're a drag racing fan, this book is for you.

Don "The Snake" Prudhomme: My Life Beyond the 1320

Don Author: Elana Scherr
Publisher: CarTech Inc
ISBN: 1613255187
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 194

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Book Description
Don "The Snake" Prudhomme reveals for the first time ever his incredible life and career on and off of the drag strip.

Imagine spending a year with Don "The Snake" Prudhomme, having coffee together and talking about his life, his racing, his friends, and his family. He’d tell you about how he rose from being a high school drop-out who was painting cars to a respected Top Fuel dragster driver and successful businessman. You’d hear how he toured the country with Tommy Ivo and "The Hawaiian" Roland Leong, racing all the legends from "Big Daddy" Don Garlits to "The Golden Greek" [Chris] Karamesines. He'd say how he met Tom McEwen and recall how they became the Snake and the Mongoose, leading to a career in Funny Cars that netted him four championships in a row. He'd talk about the thrill of first wins and owning his own teams but also the struggles of bad seasons, crashes and fires, broken parts, and broken contracts. Along the way, he’d speak about the people in his life, such as engine-builder Keith Black and NHRA president Wally Parks, and those who were killed in the wild and unpredictable sport of nitro racing. It wouldn’t be only racing, though. Prudhomme would share lessons he learned about business and life from such varied sources as a neighbor in Granada Hills to Ford GT40 driver Dan Gurney. He also would talk about the importance of family: how his wife, Lynn, and daughter, Donna, changed his world and how finding out about his African-American roots opened his eyes to a culture and inheritance he’d always wanted. This is the experience you’ll get in Don "The Snake" Prudhomme: My Life Beyond the 1320.


The History of AMC Motorsports

The History of AMC Motorsports PDF Author: Bob McClurg
Publisher: CarTech Inc
ISBN: 1613251777
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 206

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Book Description
When thinking of a manufacturer's racing involvement, AMC is not a manufacturer that immediately comes to mind. Yet even from the very beginning of American motorsports, the companies that became AMC had some serious involvement in motorsport. From the early Nash and Hudson models all the way through the muscle car era, AMC had direct involvement in racing. The success of Nash and Hudson in early NASCAR racing, AMC Javelins in Trans-Am racing, and AMC's involvement with Mark Donahue and Roger Penske in both their Trans-Am and 1970s NASCAR teams prove that AMC was "in it to win it." The History of AMC Motorsports from veteran racing journalist Bob McClurg covers it all, from a Nash–American Motors corporate history, the first years of NASCAR, the 1960s efforts that included Trans-Am and drag racing Super Stock programs, to the Craig Breedlove land speed record efforts when 106 world records were shattered and covered by Hot Rod magazine. And let's not forget the 1970s Trans-Am championships with Donahue and Penske, and finally the NASCAR success with Bobby Allison in the always-curious looking Matador, which is also covered here. Never before has a single volume chronicled the events that encompass AMC racing history. Whether a hardcore racing history fan or a casual enthusiast of the AMC street offerings, The History of AMC Motorsports provides a unique showcase vital to every enthusiast's library.

The History of NHRA Pro Stock, 1970-2019

The History of NHRA Pro Stock, 1970-2019 PDF Author: Nhra Publications
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 106

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Book Description
No collection of a true student of the sport will be complete without The History of NHRA Pro Stock. From the achievements of pioneers such as Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins and the famed Sox & Martin through season after season of utter domination by Bob Glidden to today's six-second, 210-mph factory hot rods, The History of NHRA Pro Stock guides readers through the years of milestones, groundbreaking technology, and career turning points in this fascinating segment of NHRA competition. This newly revised and expanded edition covers the greatest moments in the 50 years of Pro Stock competition.

Roland Leong "The Hawaiian"

Roland Leong Author: Lou Hart
Publisher: CarTech Inc
ISBN: 1613257783
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 177

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Book Description
From racing the family Oldsmobile in 1960 to winning the Winternationals in 1964, read about the meteoric rise of drag racing’s greatest owner and tuner in the first-ever book about "The Hawaiian" Roland Leong. As the son of a Harvard graduate, it could have been difficult for Roland Leong to live up to his family’s expectations. However, that wasn’t the case. “The Hawaiian” knew at a young age that drag racing was his career path. His supportive mother, Teddy, saw potential in Roland and bought him a new 1962 Corvette for "educational" purposes, such as wrenching and tuning. From there, it didn’t take long for the world to discover Oahu’s best-kept secret in drag racing. In 1964, less than two years after reaching the mainland, Roland was in victory lane at the Winternationals in Top Gas Eliminator. The following year, with Don Prudhomme behind the wheel, “The Hawaiian” immortalized his place in drag racing forever with wins in NHRA’s Top Fuel Eliminator at Pomona (Winternationals) and Indy (US Nationals). Leong became the first ever to capture those iconic crowns in a single season. For good measure, Roland repeated the achievement in 1966 with Mike Snively, showing the world that a Harvard education isn’t required to achieve greatness. "The Hawaiian" Roland Leong: Drag Racing’s Iconic Owner & Tuner is a tale of family, friends, and forging a path that no other Chinese-Hawaiian before him had carved. Re-live his biggest wins and lasting friendships in this first-ever publication on drag racing's first builder and tuner superstar, Roland Leong!

John Force

John Force PDF Author: Erik Arneson
Publisher:
ISBN: 161673096X
Category : Drag racers
Languages : en
Pages : 178

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Book Description


Hubert Platt

Hubert Platt PDF Author: Allen Platt
Publisher: CarTech Inc
ISBN: 1613253974
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 193

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Book Description
Webster's Dictionary lists the term showman as "a notably spectacular, dramatic, or effective performer." In the art of drag racing, Hubert Platt checked all boxes. Known as the "Georgia Shaker," Platt cut his motoring teeth on the long straightaways and twisty back roads of South Carolina while bootlegging moonshine. After a run-in with the law in 1958, Platt transferred his driving skills from illegal activity to sanctioned drag racing and began one of the most dominant runs in drag racing history until his retirement in 1977. After stints in 1957, 1938, and 1962 Chevrolets, Platt's next ride was a Z11 Impala, which carried his first "Georgia Shaker" moniker. Once Chevrolet pulled out of sanctioned racing, Platt found a new home with Ford for 1964 and remained there until he hung up his helmet. Some of the cars he campaigned became icons in their own right. His factory-backed and personal machines included a 1963 Z11 Impala, 1964 Thunderbolt, 1965 Falcon, 1966 Mustang Funny Car, 1967 Fairlane 427, 1968-1/2 Cobra Jet, 1969 CJ Mustang, 1970 427 SOHC Mustang, and 1970 Boss 429 Maverick. A 1986 NHRA Hall of Fame member, Platt's lasting legacy on the sport can’t be denied. Whether he was launching his Falcon with the door open, conducting a Ford Drag Team seminar, or posting low E.T. at the 1967 US Nationals in his Fairlane, Platt's imprint on drag racing was all-encompassing. His son and biggest fan, Allen Platt, shares his dad's iconic career in, Hubert Platt: Fast Fords of the "Georgia Shaker"!

Quarter-Mile Corvettes 1953-1975

Quarter-Mile Corvettes 1953-1975 PDF Author: Steve Holmes
Publisher: CarTech Inc
ISBN: 1613258046
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 192

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Book Description
Re-live Corvette’s early years at the drag strip! Famously known as “America’s sports car,” the Chevrolet Corvette came to market in 1953. That same year, the newly established National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) hosted its first event. The Corvette was never intended for quarter-mile drag racing, and it appeared to be completely at odds with the sport. Early equipment included an underpowered Blue Flame 6-cylinder motor and automatic transmission. But somehow, the two have become forever entwined. The Corvette brought an element of class and style to drag racing. On the showroom and on the street, it has always been unique. It is truly American. Likewise, the uniqueness that sets it apart from everything else also meant that it had no natural competition on the drag strip. However, that fact didn’t dampen enthusiasm. Indeed, the NHRA and other governing bodies introduced Sports Car divisions in the late 1950s, catering to both stock and modified vehicles. Naturally, these classes were packed with Corvettes. Racing historian Steve Holmes breaks new ground by unearthing the complete early history of the Corvette in drag racing. Quarter-Mile Corvettes focuses on the period from 1955 to 1975, which spans the first 20 years of Corvette V-8 production. Fittingly, this was also the era considered by many to be the greatest in drag racing’s history, and Corvettes encapsulated the vibrancy of the period in a way that will never be repeated. Certainly, Chevrolet never intended for the Corvette to become a quarter-mile terror, but today, its nameplate has become one of the longest running in all of drag racing.

Dyno Don

Dyno Don PDF Author: Doug Boyce
Publisher: CarTech Inc
ISBN: 1613254059
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 177

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Book Description
Many fans of drag racing consider the most interesting era to be from the 1950s through the 1970s, the years when the sport really took off. During that period, so much changed from a speed and technology standpoint that people often refer to this time as the golden age of drag racing. Drivers often became associated with a particular manufacturer, such as Chevy, Ford, or Chrysler through sponsorship, factory team rides, or sometimes simply their own preference. The more successful drivers became household names in the drag racing community. Chevy had Grumpy Jenkins, Pontiac had Arnie "the Farmer" Beswick, Mopar had Sox & Martin and Dandy Dick Landy, and Ford's most successful driver of the era was the legendary "Dyno Don" Nicholson. Nicholson's first wins on a national level were actually in the early 1960s in Chevrolet products. He became extremely successful on the match-race circuit. Then, in 1964, he switched over to Mercury with the new Comet after General Motors enacted a factory ban on racing activities. He won 90 percent of his match races that year. He stuck with Ford and Mercury products and won throughout the 1960s and 1970s, even after Ford also pulled the plug on factory team sponsorship. He made it to the final rounds in nearly 50 national events during that period, in addition to winning championships, awards, and match races along the way. If you are a fan of a certain era of racing, a Ford fan, or certainly a "Dyno Don" fan, this book will be a welcome addition to your library.

Drag Racing in the 1960s

Drag Racing in the 1960s PDF Author: Doug Boyce
Publisher: CarTech Inc
ISBN: 1613255829
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 176

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Book Description
The 1960s were a fascinating decade on the race scene. Relive the memories today through this wonderful new book. Drag racing has a long and storied history. Many have said that the first drag race happened shortly after the second car was made. While that may or may not be true, racing prior to World War II was mostly centered around dry-lake activities and top-speed runs. After the war, drag racing became organized with the formation of the NHRA, and during the 1950s, many tracks were built across America to accommodate the racers. Technology in the 1950s centered on the manufacturers updating old flathead designs into newer overhead-valve designs, and the horsepower race really started to heat up. In many forms of racing, the 1960s brought technological evolution. The decade began with big engines in even bigger stock chassis and ended with purpose-built race-only chassis, fiberglass bodies, fuel injection, nitro methane, and blowers. Quarter-mile times that were in the 13-second range in the beginning of the decade were in the 7-second range by the end. New classes were formed, dedicated cars were built for them, and many racers themselves became recognized names in the sports landscape. In Drag Racing in the 60s: The Evolution in Race Car Technology, veteran author Doug Boyce takes you on a ride through the entire decade from a technological point of view rather than a results-based one. Covered are all the classes, including Super Stocks, Altered Wheelbase cars (which led to Funny Cars), Top Fuelers, Gassers, and more.