For 1970, there were some rule changes, which did away with many of the bogus combos some '55-'57 Chevy models were running. This also affected some older Pontiac models. The '61 & earlier Pontiacs could no longer run the over-the-counter parts, that didn't come in factory built cars.
The book mentions a '70 400 Powered Firebird Formula, named "Viking". Said it had a Chevy 12-bolt rear, with a Pontiac part number. I can vouch for this. I used the 12-bolt out of one of these '70 Formula 400's, in the '71 Bird bracket car we raced for several years. I think this was a 1-year only rear end, in the Birds. They switched over to the GM 8.5" rear, in the '71 Birds.
That Viking name tripped something in my memory. So I looked back thru some of my pics, & found one of a '70 Judge, named Viking. Appears to be built by the same guy. It was sponsored by the Schoon Pontiac dealership, in MN.
The book also shows a pic of a '66 GTO, which it says was making another 12-sec pass. The author said that GTO's drag strip popularity did not equal their street popularity. IMO, that could probably be said of all the popular mass produced Musclecars. The % of those used on the street, probably far outnumbered the % of 'em that were made into competitive Stock or SS cars.
There have obviously been lots of '70 model Pontiacs raced, thru the years. Don't know how many were raced during the 1970 season. Lower budget, independent racers, sometimes had to wait 'til they could find a good price on a used Goat or Bird. Didn't take long, back then. A 100,000 mile GTO was just a worn out used car, that had probably been abused, that hardly anybody wanted.
Obviously, there are a few rare models that were made with drag racing in mind. The Ford Thunderbolts come to mind. And I'm sure you guys can think of a few others. Mopar really built some bad cars, beginning with the 413 & 426 Wedge cars, then the 426 Hemi cars, & 440 6-pack cars. Then there were the high power solid lifter BBC models.
But, there were LOTS of GTO's being raced, all over the country, especially at the local tracks. Guessing there were lots of '66 Tri-Power GTO's that did very good at local tracks. Then, beginning in '67, with the 400 engine, the TH400 trans, & the Q-jet carb, the Goats & Birds became competitive, in some of the auto-trans classes.
Then, came the round port RAII engines for '68. Then RAIII & RAIV in '69 & '70. There was also a high CR 455 GTO engine in '70. Then in '71, came the 455HO engines. Those 455HO engines have won LOTS of races thru the years, & are still winning.
But, I suppose for many non-Pontiac guys, it's real easy to just dismiss Pontiacs, from class racing, especially since no Pontiac V8 has been built since '81, and the Pontiac brand disappeared after 2009.
But hey, there are still competitive Pontiacs out there. Hope they all do good, this year.
