October 17, 2010 by JP - 9 Comments

RELIVE DRAG RACING’S TOP RIVALRY 11/10 ~ THE SNAKE VS. THE MONGOOSE

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One of the greatest rivalries in all of Drag Racing history has to be the classic Wildlife Racing matchup– Don “Snake” Prudhomme vs. Tom “Mongoose” McEwen. Any red-blooded boy born of that era remembers their famous Funny Cars decked-out in bright Hot Wheels badges screaming down the 1/4 mile in a furious blur that lasted all of 5 sweet seconds. The two faced-off in match races that raged over a period of about 3 years. Don Prudhomme, being the stronger competitor, usually came out on top. Their epic West Coast battles, fueled by huge sponsorship deals (Mattel, Coca-Cola, Plymouth, and Goodyear) were a major draw, and their loyal fans never tired of seeing them go head to head.

The Petersen Automotive Museum is celebrating the opening of their new exhibit, NHRA: Sixty Years of Thunder by paying tribute to – Don “The Snake” Prudhomme – during their annual Tribute Night on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010. Honored guests include– Roland Leong, Tommy Ivo, Carroll Shelby, Ed Pink and many others. Special guest Dave McClelland, the Voice of the NHRA and longtime friend of Don Prudhomme, will be the Master of Ceremonies. Their will be a film featuring The Snake’s epic history, and several other drag racing icons will share their stories of the legend. A live auction of amazing racing memorabilia will follow with proceeds going to the Petersen’s educational programs.

If you’re a Drag Racing fan of any age– this is an epic event not to be missed.

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Racing rivals- the Snake and the Mongoose at Dallas International Motor Speedway (1969-1973). Continue reading →

October 16, 2010 by JP - 18 Comments

JAMES “HUNT THE SHUNT” | THE 1970’s HIGH-FLYIN’ LOTHARIO RUSH OF FORMULA 1

May 11, 1975– James Hunt, driver for Hesketh-Ford (and Suzy Miller, who was his wife for a short time), at the Monaco Grand Prix. –Image by © Schlegelmilch/Corbis. Love the patch– “Sex is a high performance thing.” While many athletes abstain from sex before competing, Hunt was physically insatiable– often having, eh-hem, relations just minutes before hopping behind the wheel to race.

The tales of James Hunt are the stuff of legends– on and off the track. “Hunt the Shunt” was widely known for his wild indulgence in sex, drugs, booze, women– which redlined in Tokyo the two weeks leading up to his famous battle with Niki Lauda for the 1976 Formula One championship. Hunt’s favorite hedonistic haunt in those days was the Tokyo Hilton, where he and buddy Barry Sheene (world motorcycle champion that year), settled in to party. Like clockwork, every morning British Airways stewardesses were delivered to the hotel’s door for a 24-hour stopover. Hunt would charm them as they checked in, and invited them up to his suite for a party — they always said yes. Allegedly, James Hunt went on quite a run during this two week binge (33 BA stewardesses). But, as Stirling Moss, who used to carouse with Hunt in Monte Carlo before he was married, said: “If you looked like James Hunt, what would you have done?” via

1975, Nurburg, Germany– Hesketh-Ford Formula One racecar driver James Hunt flies during the European Grand Prix. –Image by © Schlegelmilch/Corbis. Many of Hunt’s early races ended in disaster. Once his Formula Ford crashed and sank in the middle of a lake. He would have drowned– had he been able to afford seat belts. His skills improved, but he never conquered his fears. In the garage before a race, it often caused him to vomit– and on the grid he’d shake so violently that his car vibrated. This potent cocktail of adrenaline and testosterone made him a fierce competitor on the track. via

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August 12, 2010 by JP - 17 Comments

“WE’LL DROP A HEMI IN THE REAR– AND RUN LIKE HELL.” | HEMI UNDER GLASS

Promo ad sketching out George Hurst’s concept that gave birth to the epic– ‘Hemi Under Glass” via

That’s the way the whole thing got started. A Barracuda with a nasty 426 Hemi stuffed where the back seat used to be. A Barracuda, the likes of which had ever been seen before– with Hurst-designed hi-performance chassis, suspension, driveline components– and naturally a 4-speed stick. This beastly Barracuda was christened “Hemi Under Glass”— a black & gold bomb that appeared at main events across the country. It would rock awestruck crowds back on their heels, as the Barracuda’s front wheels pitched high into the air and screamed down the strip with its nose pointing to the sky.

This was the hard part– fitting the 426 Hemi through the Barracuda’s front door for the first time. With the aid of a cherry-picker, Hurst personnel jockey the mill prior to making primary measurements that result in the Hemi’s final location. — Hot Rod, circa 1965, via

The “Hemi Under Glass” was a Hurst Shifters’ promotional project (designed by George Hurst & Ray Brock) that performed at drag strips and auto exhibitions across the country throughout the mid ’60s and ’70s. Hurst hired-on professional driver Bob Riggle to race the Hemi-powered, mid-engine ‘Cuda in front of testosterone-laden crowds who loved the spectacle of seeing these over-the-top wheel-standers scream down the strip at well over 100 mph down the track. Over the years 9 different “Hemi Under Glass” autos have been built, all based on the Plymouth Barracuda. Riggle himself drove the epic Mopar wheelster up until 1975 when he hung up his racing gloves after a serious accident, and moved back home to Arizona.

“Hemi Under Glass” was largely forgotten about until Bob Riggle decided to resurrect the drag strip icon in 1992, at the urging of “Miss Golden Shifter” herself– Linda Vaughn, and began building a replica of the ’68 model. Bob once again toured the country’s drag strips and auto exhibitions– drawing new fans, and tickling the old-time reminiscers as he and “Hemi Under Glass” sped down the strip full-tilt, still bringing everyone to their feet just like old times.

“Hemi Under Glass” was originally designed in 1965 by George Hurst & Ray Brock to be a competitive racer. They soon encountered a problem– the mid-engine placement of the extremely powerful 426 Hemi caused the front end to jerk up into the air quickly at acceleration, which became a huge hit with spectators, so they embraced it and made it arguably the most iconic 1/4 mile wheel-stander of all time.

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July 30, 2010 by JP - 27 Comments

STEVE McQUEEN | LE MANS & BEYOND GRATUITOUS 1970s RACING GOODNESS

Steve McQueen at the legendary 1970 12 Hours of Sebring Race where McQueen (partnered with co-driver Peter Revson) raced with a broken left foot in a cast against racing great, Mario Andretti. McQueen is sporting his iconic ’67 Rolex Submariner that went for $234,000 at auction in 2009. BTW – Anyone else feeling the “Brian Johnson AC/DC ” vibe here with the black leather 8-panel cap?

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Steve McQueen’s 1971 epic, Le Mans, is the racecar film that is widely hailed as the gold standard for which all such films are measured– now, and certainly well into the future. It was filmed largely live at the actual 1970 24 Hours of Le Mans, without the benefit of computer generated imagery and modern day trickery that we rely on today. It feels raw because it is raw. McQueen had originally planned to enter the #26 Porsche 917K with co-driver Jackie Stewart. Fate had other ideas– their entry car was rejected, and McQueen was unable to get insurance for the race. As such, Jo Siffert and Brian Redman were now given driving duties. While it was never a commercial success, it is long on guts, and is a sensory feast when it comes to the sounds and sights of what racing is all about. Looking back at this incredible era, it’s hard not to be struck between the eyes by the strong graphic elements of the cars, logos, racing gear, and attitude on display at every turn.

In preparation for the filming of the movie “Le Mans”, Steve McQueen went to the 1969 race to scout filming spots around the Le Mans course. When they returned in 1970 with all their camera equipment they knew all the best camera locations for the footage they would need for the movie “Le Mans.” I wonder who has all that film footage that they took in 1969? –Nigel Smuckatelli

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1970 — Steve McQueen at Sebring hanging out with Carroll Shelby.

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1970 — Steve McQueen at Sebring

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July 28, 2010 by JP - 14 Comments

JACKIE STEWART | THE FLYING SCOT’S OLD SCHOOL FORMULA ONE STYLE

1971, Montjuich, Spain — Chris Amon, driving for Matra, and Jackie Stewart, driving for Tyrrell-Ford, celebrate their 3rd and 1st place finishes at the 1971 Spanish Grand Prix. — Image by © Schlegelmilch/ Corbis

From the desk of Contributing Editor, Eli M. Getson–

When I am having a rough one at work, I sit back in my chair, sigh deeply, close my eyes and pretend I am in swinging London in the Sixties, driving on the Formula One circuit, beautiful women and a magnum of Dom waiting for me in the winner’s circle, and I am always driving the Tyrrell 03 Cosworth Elf Car like my idol Sir John Young Stewart, otherwise known as Jackie.

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1971, Zeltweg, Austria — Jo Siffert in the BRM (No. 14), pole position, took the lead at the start of the 1971 Austrian Grand Prix. Beside him Jackie Stewart in the Tyrrell Ford-Cosworth. Behind them Francois Cevert in the 2nd Tyrrell and Clay Regazzoni in the Ferrari. — Image by © Schlegelmilch/Corbis

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December 5, 2009 by JP - 21 Comments

THE WALL OF DEATH DAREDEVILS | LIONS & RIDERS & FAIRS — OH MY!

Circa 1929, Wall of Death, Revere Beach, MA

With the quickly improving build quality, speed, and more oil-tight engines, motorcycle racing was able to move from dirt tracks onto the motordromes of the 1910s– large wooden board tracks used for streamlined competition with banked turns of 70-80 degrees. Riders soon learned a neat trick– that with a little speed, centripetal force made it possible for them to stick their bike sideways in turns on a completely vertical wall.

Motordrome racer on an Excelsior motorcycle, circa 1914

Motorcycle companies here and abroad (Indian and BSA, to name a couple) found that the public loved the thrill of peering down just a few feet away from the gunning biker beneath them, and thus it quickly became a highly promoted spectacle as manufacturers used it as a vehicle to advertise their brands, and daredevil riders upped the ante at breakneck speed to make a name for themselves and solidify their reputations on the infamous Wall of Death.

With roots that can be traced back to New York’s own Coney Island, the Wall of Death attraction morphed into a motordrome on crack. Motorcycles, carts and yep, even lions— simultaneously racing and criss-crossing in a raucous blur of fumes, fury, and fur inside the equivalent of an over-sized wooden barrel. The sport had a strong run from the 1930s- 1960s (with Indian Scouts being the over-riding bike of choice), but there are still hardcore enthusiasts to be found all over keeping it alive today.

Dick Monte with two handsome-as-hell Wall of Death riders, circa 1945. The rider on the left is Elias Harris, and on the right is Tornado Smith. Photo from the late Carrie Tindale collection.

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October 27, 2009 by JP - 7 Comments

AUTO EROTICA | RED HOT SEX ON WHEELS

1964 Porsche 904 Carrera GTS

The Porsche 904 was produced from 1964 to 1965 as a successor to 718, and marked the beginning of a series of sportscars that culminated in the mighty Porsche 917. Porsche originally developed the 904 GTS for competition in the FIA-GT class at international racing events. The street-legal version debuted in 1964 in order to comply with GT-class homologation regulations, which require that a minimum number of production models be sold in the market. Both versions featured the sleek, fiberglass body (a first for Porsche at that time) joined to the stiff, steel chassis for extra rigidity. The 904’s mid-engine design was inherited from the mighty Porsche 718, or RSK, Porsche’s dominant race car.

Race-prepped, four-cylinder Porsche 904s weighed in at approximately 1,443 pounds (655 kg), and could easily achieve 0-60 in under six seconds, and a top speed of 160 MPH.

1979 Aston Martin DBS V-8

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July 11, 2009 by JP - 27 Comments

THE ’66 DODGE CHARGER | MY FIRST TRUE LOVE/WHEELS

1966 Dodge Charger– 426 Street Hemi engine option available that produced well over 425 bhp.

I bought my ’66 Dodge Charger off a guy up the road for $750 when I was 18. She’d sat there a good long time, but this was Arizona– dry as a bone, so no body rot. Came home hitched to a tow truck– and I know my mom wasn’t too excited about the new lawn ornament. The old 383 V-8 needed a rebuild, and body was a little dinged– but she was unmolested and all original. So what if it didn’t run yet– she was mine. If only I had held on to her– but I ran outta time, money and energy. More than that– I had a girlfriend with plans to move us down to Tucson to attend the U of A. Never should’ve let her go– the Charger that is. It still pains me, but what’s done is done… Guys, listen to your gut and hold on to a good thing. Like your dream car.

The 1966 Dodge Charger– the fastback that’s full-sized and fully loaded.

The 1966 Dodge Charger was introduced on New Years Day– a late but lethal answer to the Mustang and Baracuda fastback frenzy. Based on the Coronet, the Charger came packed with serious muscle that few street cars could compete with. The ’66 Charger debuted one of the most legendary and talked-about engines ever– the 426 Street Hemi. The Hemi engine had been available in prior years, but the 426 Street option was designed for exactly that– performance on the street. Rated at 425 bhp, some say it actually produced closer to 500 bhp. That dog will hunt, son.

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July 3, 2009 by JP - 19 Comments

“LITTLE BASTARD” | THE SILVER SPYDER THAT DROVE JAMES DEAN TO HIS GRAVE

James Deans "Little Bastard" Silver Porsche Spyder

James Deans “Little Bastard” Silver Porsche 550 Spyder. This shot was taken just hours before Jimmy’s tragic death.

James Dean’s love for speed, racing and “living on the edge” are all well documented in many books, documentaries and bios– so I won’t belabor the point here. Check out the video after the jump for a “James Dean legend” primer. What is fascinating is the tremendous staying power, cult status and curse stories that surround not just James Dean, but also the 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder that he tragically lost his life in. The Porsche 550 Spyder is now forever linked with James Dean– it’s nearly impossible to recount one icon without the other.

ames Dean and his 1955 Silver Porsche Spyder-- "Little Bastard"

James Dean and his 1955 Silver Porsche 550 Spyder– “Little Bastard”

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June 6, 2009 by JP - 15 Comments

FLAT-OUT ON THE SALT FLATS | THE 1954 BONNEVILLE HOT ROD SPEED MEET

Many racing legends and innovations have been born on the 160 square mile barren patch known as the Bonneville Salt Flats. The 1950s in particular saw a revolution in the hot-rodding scene that became more aware of the importance of aerodynamics, weight and drag. There were many that still fiercely held on to pure, brute horsepower over anything else– but many moved forward and a new dawn of streamlined dragster designs utilizing plastic and fiberglass bodies were born that changed the face of American racing forever.

The pics are truly amazing. Great speed machines, as well as that classic 1950’s style– good grooming topped with denim, khakis, white tees, coveralls and awesome old-school racing graphics. There’s also some great video w/insightful commentary at the end– if you can survive the xylophone noodling in the background… Definitely born too late, I was. Photos by J R Eyerman.

Commonly called a “Lakester”– these open-wheeled, tank bodied dragsters were first raced on dry lake beds before the SCTA scene made the move to the Bonneville Salt Flats. This one’s sportin’ a rear-mounted engine.