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chris3racing 04-27-2009 09:14 AM

New Record in Drag Racing History
 
Saturday night drag racing history was made at about 8:30 pm when four (4) American horsepower drag cars came out of the burnout box at the same time at Z-Max in Charlotte. The stands, both sides were at capacity, standing room section had long since been at capacity and the four cars pulled up to stage, turning on one set of bulbs at a time and as it all started years ago a flag starter (arm drop) started a four car race down the quarter mile. The roar of the crowd as those cars went down the track was something to see and hear. For those who are interested go to www.moparts.com., racing section and there are some videos from youtube.

I believe the second group of four has a station wagon in that group and a camaro when this group left the starting line the wagon and the camaro are wheels up and I mean wheels up.

This wagon had lifted the wheels in his earlier race and carried them way down track and as the old saying goes, "the crowd went wild".

Lynn A McCarty 04-27-2009 09:31 AM

Re: New Record in Drag Racing History
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by chris3racing (Post 117449)
Saturday night drag racing history was made at about 8:30 pm when four (4) American horsepower drag cars came out of the burnout box at the same time at Z-Max in Charlotte. The stands, both sides were at capacity, standing room section had long since been at capacity and the four cars pulled up to stage, turning on one set of bulbs at a time and as it all started years ago a flag starter (arm drop) started a four car race down the quarter mile. The roar of the crowd as those cars went down the track was something to see and hear. For those who are interested go to www.moparts.com., racing section and there are some videos from youtube.

I believe the second group of four has a station wagon in that group and a camaro when this group left the starting line the wagon and the camaro are wheels up and I mean wheels up.

This wagon had lifted the wheels in his earlier race and carried them way down track and as the old saying goes, "the crowd went wild".

Stockers and Super Stockers are an untapped and unsold valuable resource. If it is never sold, no one will buy it. Sell it to the public and they will come.

KingReptile 04-27-2009 09:34 AM

Re: New Record in Drag Racing History
 
Word is that they had 32,000 spectators!!

bill dedman 04-27-2009 09:37 AM

Re: New Record in Drag Racing History
 
Lynn,
What you say is so true.... and it's a shame that a circus-act like Pinks has to be the one doing it, with NHRA and IHRA sitting quiely in the wings with ther blindfolds on and their hands folded quietly in their collective laps.

Where are the $700,000.00-a-year visionaries that collect a kings ransom for running things when this is going on under their noses? You'd think that that money would buy some imagination or innovative thinking at some time....

chris3racing 04-27-2009 10:21 AM

Re: New Record in Drag Racing History
 
It was like the old days of super stock drag racing. The stands were jammed both days. Z-Max announced that seating and standing was sold out over 50,000 on Satuday and I think there was close to that many on Friday, but there was a lot of specators in the pits. One of the ticket gates is right near the staging lanes and each time we ran during the day there was always a line of people coming through the entrance.

You went in to tech, they put a class letter on your window and you went racing. It was a 500 car event. Television camera crews and spectators. The spectators were able to walk up to the cars, between runs talk to the racers, take pictures of the cars. In the pits on Friday night there were motorhomes, tents, everyone cooking out and the ones that did sleep some were on the ground with sleeping bags and sleeping in the tow trailer. This was the most fun I personally have had in a long time. There are racers who are following this as a curcuit. As I had mention before we were back in the pit area during part of the racing and the sound of the roar of the spectator there and as a racer you knew there was no John Force or Warren Johnson out there going down the track.

Now the sad part about this, since a lot of racers have a problem with Pink All Out, we entered this race for two days, we drove from Raleigh to Charlotte. pulling a 55 foot trailer. Family and friend made the crew, 6 crew passes, paid for tickets for two other family members for Saturday. Food, snacks, drinks, fuel, diesel and racing the whole week-end of family fun and racing was less than $600.

X-TECH MAN 04-27-2009 10:33 AM

Re: New Record in Drag Racing History
 
Its promoted the way stock and S/S SHOULD be. TV, media, PLUS its HEADS UP and no XYZ BWD (backwards wheel drive) slow cars involved. THATS what draws spectators.

mtkawboy 04-27-2009 10:56 AM

Re: New Record in Drag Racing History
 
A first in organized racing maybe but Ive seen old pictures of 4 cars racing at once on old abandoned WW2 airfields in the 50's

Ed Fernandez 04-27-2009 11:04 AM

Re: New Record in Drag Racing History
 
Not the first time.National Speedway on Long Island ran 4 cars accross on more than one occasion.
SSers,funnys and I think jets one time.I think other tracks did it also.
Just a little ancient history.
Ed F.

Superfan1 04-27-2009 11:30 AM

Re: New Record in Drag Racing History
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Fernandez (Post 117478)
Not the first time.National Speedway on Long Island ran 4 cars accross on more than one occasion.
SSers,funnys and I think jets one time.I think other tracks did it also.
Just a little ancient history.
Ed F.

You are correct Ed, I was at, now long defunct, Connecticut Dragway in 1965 for a 4 car best 3 ot of 5 A/FX match race between the Tasca Ford, Ronnie Sox, Bill Flynn, and Malcolm Durham. They ran them 4 at a time and it was simply great; by the way Tasca Ford beat Ronnie Sox for the overall win.
Bill Seabrooks - superfan1
Bridgeport, Ct.

Ed Fernandez 04-27-2009 11:38 AM

Re: New Record in Drag Racing History
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Superfan1 (Post 117480)
You are correct Ed, I was at, now long defunct, Connecticut Dragway in 1965 for a 4 car best 3 ot of 5 A/FX match race between the Tasca Ford, Ronnie Sox, Bill Flynn, and Malcolm Durham. They ran them 4 at a time and it was simply great; by the way Tasca Ford beat Ronnie Sox for the overall win.
Bill Seabrooks - superfan1
Bridgeport, Ct.

Google "National Speedway" and you'll find a ton of pics.There's a slew of pics.The 4 across has a R/W/B AMX,early (70-72) Mopar,and 2 GMs.There's also a 3 across.

Ed

troublemaker427 04-27-2009 12:11 PM

Re: New Record in Drag Racing History
 
York US 30 ran 4 wide for years also.

chris3racing 04-27-2009 12:12 PM

Re: New Record in Drag Racing History
 
I have to correct my post. The fact that it was the first recorded and televised four (4) car race was what made it important.

Mark Callanan 04-27-2009 12:47 PM

Re: New Record in Drag Racing History
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by bill dedman (Post 117456)
Lynn,
What you say is so true.... and it's a shame that a circus-act like Pinks has to be the one doing it, with NHRA and IHRA sitting quiely in the wings with ther blindfolds on and their hands folded quietly in their collective laps.

Where are the $700,000.00-a-year visionaries that collect a kings ransom for running things when this is going on under their noses? You'd think that that money would buy some imagination or innovative thinking at some time....



well said Bill very well said
And the sad thing is I doubt it will ever change.....

Ihra and Nhra control the future of stock and ss not the people in stock and ss and as long as that is so the near past will be the future...

X-TECH MAN 04-27-2009 02:28 PM

Re: New Record in Drag Racing History
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by mtkawboy (Post 117476)
A first in organized racing maybe but Ive seen old pictures of 4 cars racing at once on old abandoned WW2 airfields in the 50's

It was done at MIR (Budds Creek) and york U.S. 30 back in the stone age.

James Perrone 04-27-2009 03:12 PM

Re: New Record in Drag Racing History
 
As a youngser I have seen 4 car race at NATIONAL SPEEDWAY In SUFFOLK COUNTY NY..
They were getting so many cars they ran them 4 at a time to get the racing done..
I believe back then you had to win class to race for the money..
By the way my dad was a tech guy there in the 70's

boss68 04-27-2009 03:26 PM

Re: New Record in Drag Racing History
 
back in the 70;s and early 80's dragway42 ran four lanes all the time at the same time.

boss68 04-27-2009 03:32 PM

Re: New Record in Drag Racing History
 
back in the 70's dragway ran four cars at a time every weekend and into the early 80;s]

BlueOval Ralph 04-27-2009 03:50 PM

Re: New Record in Drag Racing History
 
August 1959 Detroit Drag Way home of 59 & 60 Nationals 4 at atime with a overhead traffic to start them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by boss68 (Post 117528)
back in the 70's dragway ran four cars at a time every weekend and into the early 80;s]


Larry Munk 04-27-2009 03:54 PM

Re: New Record in Drag Racing History
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by X-TECH MAN (Post 117468)
Its promoted the way stock and S/S SHOULD be. TV, media, PLUS its HEADS UP and no XYZ BWD (backwards wheel drive) slow cars involved. THATS what draws spectators.

Terry,
Don't know how much PINKS you have actually watched but the episode where the POS BACKWARDS WHEEL DRIVE Car went deep into eliminations got plenty of attention. It's in the promotion. The beer drinking masses that I've seen at Pinks could care less if they were racing motorized skateboards after the first half hour. It is a fun event no mater how you watch it and very well promoted. Some may even observe that ?HRA contigencies have dropped while Pinks ain't doing to bad with what they give away. And some good TV coverage for a bunch of lowly bracket types too. Maybe you would be happy if we had 3 heads up classes "Red Camao, White Mustang and Blue Challanger." WAY COOL just line them spectators and tv crews up.

art leong 04-27-2009 03:55 PM

Re: New Record in Drag Racing History
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by X-TECH MAN (Post 117468)
Its promoted the way stock and S/S SHOULD be. TV, media, PLUS its HEADS UP and no XYZ BWD (backwards wheel drive) slow cars involved. THATS what draws spectators.

Terry there you go again. Did we forget to take our meds today???????
At Atlanta I was pitted next to one of your favorites a 1st gen Camaro with a big block (i think).
There were a lot of spectators walking around in the morning. They stopped to look at my car, take pictures, and ask questions at a rate of 2 to 1 compared to the Camaro.
Nostalgia racing has never drawn a crowd. And will never no matter how much you stamp your feet.

PS there were a few backwards wheel drive cars there going in the 10's in bracket mode.
Please check before you post.

bill dedman 04-27-2009 03:55 PM

Re: New Record in Drag Racing History
 
Maybe NHRA could start running the over-populated .90 "Super" classes 4 at a time so they wouldn't use up so much time, especially in the time trials. They could cut the amount of time necessary for that activity to half what it is, now, and give the Stockers and Super Stockers an extra shot at the 'tree.

Only half kidding...

Bill

X-TECH MAN 04-27-2009 05:33 PM

Re: New Record in Drag Racing History
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by bill dedman (Post 117538)
Maybe NHRA could start running the over-populated .90 "Super" classes 4 at a time so they wouldn't use up so much time, especially in the time trials. They could cut the amount of time necessary for that activity to half what it is, now, and give the Stockers and Super Stockers an extra shot at the 'tree.

Only half kidding...

Bill

Bill....They could run Top Fool and ha hah cars 4 at a time.....4 from the starting line and 4 from the finish line at the same time and see who gets to the 1/8 th mile first, (hopefuly its a tie) and Im NOT kidding.

Toyotakid 04-27-2009 05:38 PM

Re: New Record in Drag Racing History
 
It kinda makes me sad that there is so much hostility toward the newer technology. (FWD cars). I have been able to come run with you guys this year and have been having a great time. I grew up a muscle car fan and was Mopar all the way but I got an opportunty to drive for Toyota 5 years ago and I have not regretted it. The technology and design behind a 158 c.i. normally aspirated front wheel drive car running 9.60's @ over 140 is pretty darn cool. The thought and innovation of these cars is like the old days of the hot rod cars back in the "golden days". I also have noticed that the average age of the stock and super stock racer is getting up there and if NHRA does not embrace the new generation and the cars they are hot rodding right now there will be no more grass roots in 5-7 years ... Hell, it took me over a year just to get NHRA to let me run with you guys, don't get me sarted on my initial index compared to everyone else ... :)

X-TECH MAN 04-27-2009 05:48 PM

Re: New Record in Drag Racing History
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Munk (Post 117536)
Terry,
Don't know how much PINKS you have actually watched but the episode where the POS BACKWARDS WHEEL DRIVE Car went deep into eliminations got plenty of attention. It's in the promotion. The beer drinking masses that I've seen at Pinks could care less if they were racing motorized skateboards after the first half hour. It is a fun event no mater how you watch it and very well promoted. Some may even observe that ?HRA contigencies have dropped while Pinks ain't doing to bad with what they give away. And some good TV coverage for a bunch of lowly bracket types too. Maybe you would be happy if we had 3 heads up classes "Red Camao, White Mustang and Blue Challanger." WAY COOL just line them spectators and tv crews up.

Dosent matter what I think....Im just voicing MY opinion (freedom of speech) All out PINKIE just SUCKS ! I wouldnt waste the elec. to watch it. It reminds me of a bunch of strokes out at 2 AM STREET RACING. Maybe soon one of those guys will get sideways and run over that clown on the starting line . I wonder who is dumb enough to insure that act; Art....glad to hear you straightend out that "RATS NEST" of wiring you had in the passenger side of your piece and how about that excess rubber fuel line that was coiled up in your trunk. Real nice work there. The tech people also thank you. If PINKS is what you guys like by all means go for it. Its just not me and a lot of others also only they dont have the nuts to say anything about it. I still like slow stockers just not FWD.

George Wright 04-27-2009 06:34 PM

Re: New Record in Drag Racing History
 
I raced UHRA D Optional class, four cars wide at Detroit Dragway in 1973.

Mike Voth 04-27-2009 06:37 PM

Re: New Record in Drag Racing History
 
Embrassing new technology is one thing...letting jap rice burners play in the American playground is another. American cars helped build this nation, and sure, the technology is great, but try to find 10 HP in a 327 that has be around for 50 years. That's technology!!!! Good luck convincing the "all motor" SS/AH cars that your "all motor" car belongs!

Just my 2 cents, maybe 3.

PS, just to be clear...I mean all foreign cars!

Mike Carr 04-27-2009 07:24 PM

Re: New Record in Drag Racing History
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by X-TECH MAN (Post 117558)
I still like slow stockers just not FWD.


Never mind...

Ed Fernandez 04-27-2009 07:30 PM

Re: New Record in Drag Racing History
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by George Wright (Post 117568)
I raced UHRA D Optional class, four cars wide at Detroit Dragway in 1973.

Wouldn't surprise me since Gil Cohen and Ed Eaton owned NY National and Detroit Dragway.ED was a bit eccentric.There were guys that swore he had a button on the tree activation box he could throw to red light you if he felt like.

X-TECH MAN 04-27-2009 07:46 PM

Re: New Record in Drag Racing History
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Fernandez (Post 117587)
Wouldn't surprise me since Gil Cohen and Ed Eaton owned NY National and Detroit Dragway.ED was a bit eccentric.There were guys that swore he had a button on the tree activation box he could throw to red light you if he felt like.

Aquasco speed way in southern Md had a "RED LIGHT" button in the early 60's. If you were not a regular and got to the final,,,,,,,,,,,,,,tough luck.

X-TECH MAN 04-27-2009 08:08 PM

Re: New Record in Drag Racing History
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Carr (Post 117586)
Never mind...

Mike....My opinions has no reflection on you or anyone as a racer, I just dont care for the FWD cars just as you (and many others) do not like the Crate motored cars. I respect the racers who run them (most anyway) and for them to have a class and be racing in various classes and elimanators but be realalistic...They are not a spectator draw. They are just not what I personally (as in me) care to own,drive or race. Its still a free USA (I think) to voice opinions. Some like meat and potatoes, some like shusi. I hate raw fish.

Mike Carr 04-27-2009 10:00 PM

Re: New Record in Drag Racing History
 
Terry, I understand all that. I would think, though, a person in your position should be a little more diplomatic, for lack of a better word. (Yeah, I know, as I have been very un-diplomatic at times and have had to apologize to more than one racer for comments I have made in the past). Offending various racers or groups of racers/classes/cars, etc, would not be smart business sense for an upcoming Class Nationals-type event. I have certain opinions of certain people, types of cars, etc, but I choose to remain neutral/silent, past present and future, so as not to offend anyone and lose potential racers for the S/SS races that I do. I never said I did not like Crate Motor cars. True, I'm not as crazy about them as I am traditional Stockers, but I race against them, same as any other Class car I would compete against at a National/Divisional/Open/Combo race. They still have most of the same Class rules they must adhere to, same as an A/SA, P/SA, truck/ FWD, SS/AM, SS/PCA-1, SS/AH, GT/MA, Pure Stock, Stock GT etc. As far as the crowd appeal, I'm sure we don't rank near as popular as faster Class cars. But I have heard more than one report after a run of fans, announcers, etc commenting on runs I've made, winning, in Billy's seventeen second Sunbird against 10 second Stockers. There is some appeal to slower cars. Tortoise and the Hare-type thing. Alan Reinhart has hyped it more than once at Indy. There are many different classes between NHRA and IHRA, so almost everyone has a chance to build/buy/race what they like personally. And spectators have the same choice in cheering for the same. I don't look down on any one, any car, any class, any sanctioning body that I race with and against. I just wish more had that same respect.

X-TECH MAN 04-28-2009 05:02 AM

Re: New Record in Drag Racing History
 
I dont look down on the FWD. I dont look down on any class car. I just dont care for them. Thats all there is to it. I dont look down on Top Fool either.....I just dont like fuel cars. They keep the track from rusting ! Its a matter of choice. Some of you just take offence when someone diagrees with your choice yet some bitch and complain about other aspects of drag racing and get riled up and expect for others not say anything. And by the way.....WHAT POSITION ? Im a "civilian" and really dont have the desire to be involved like I was in the past due to these very reasons. TO MUCH B.S.

J Kuchel 04-28-2009 05:17 AM

Re: New Record in Drag Racing History
 
I remember when I was a young boy watching my local hero Arnie Beswick racing his funny car 4 wide at our local track. It was so loud that you couldn't even imagine. This all took place at Byron dragway.

Bret Kepner 04-28-2009 06:10 AM

Re: New Record in Drag Racing History
 
I don't usually post negative opinions but, in this case, I'll make an exception.

With no offense to chris3 racing, (there's no crime in being young), the hype produced by the press releases from Pinks! surrounding Z-Max being the site of the first four-wide drag race is, at least, embarrasing and, at most, insulting.

In the sixty years of the sport, there have been hundreds, (those of you who know me realize this is not an exaggerated number but factual), yes...HUNDREDS...of dragstrips which ran four cars at once. Initially, wide taxiways and runways permitted it to be done but plenty of purpose-built strips raced in this format on a weekly basis. Many of those tracks were far narrower than current NHRA-spec sixty-feet-wide facilities. Dragway 42 was, indeed, the first to be built with two timing systems and four lanes in mind.

First to be televised? Not even within the last half-century. First with four-lane timers? Nope, although there were only a handful of tracks running four-wide which could give elapsed times and/or speeds for all four lanes. In most instances, only the first to arrive at the stripe in each lane got numbers and, if the opponent was closer then four car lengths, the speeds were goofy.

In fact, the only credit I can give the Pinks! event concerning a "first" in the sport is that, to my knowledge, the new CompULink system installed by Bob Brockmeyer included the first accurate "single win light" for a four-wide race since all four lanes are monitored. Other than that, it was nothing but a lesson in drag racing history.

I have no problem with the four-lane concept and readily admit Z-Max was worth the expense in construction. The press releases by the Pinks! organization, however, would have been hilarious if they weren't so indicative of blatant laziness by a research staff who, obviously, did nothing to verify their claims.




To Scott Kelley: Quit wasting your time arguing the point with these guys. Those of us who are NHRA National Record Holders with anything less than eight cylinders and Rear-Wheel-Drive will always be the bastard children of Stock and Super Stock racing and we've learned to accept it. You're too nice of a guy to get caught up in that argument. LOL!

chris3racing 04-28-2009 07:38 AM

Re: New Record in Drag Racing History
 
Okay. This has gone real bad. Bret thanks for coming in and clearing this up. I first off, owe you a big thank-you for the comment about being young. After members here began to remind me of photos that I had seen in years past, you remember when we had all those good magazines, and I do remember that some tracks ran four lanes. The thing about it being taped and televised I did not remember. Again thanks for helping out.

By the way I'm not stealing a thead, because I started it, in some recent meetings with some old racers I was reminded of some old tracks here in North Carolina i'm not sure you have on you list. I need to give Max as call about a couple that were down in his neck of the wood. Soon as I talk to him I will send you a note. See you in Henderson.

Bret Kepner 04-28-2009 07:46 AM

Re: New Record in Drag Racing History
 
Sounds great, Chris. I look forward to your PM.

Casey Miles 04-28-2009 08:20 AM

Re: New Record in Drag Racing History
 
I believe that "deep staging" was started at New York National Speedway by Sam Biondo or Phil Montief, because of the one amber light christmas tree. It was almost like a pro tree except with a spot involved. If I'm wrong, I sorry to whom did come up with deep staging.
Casey Miles
248H

Frito 04-28-2009 09:19 AM

Re: New Record in Drag Racing History
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Casey Miles (Post 117700)
I believe that "deep staging" was started at New York National Speedway by Sam Biondo or Phil Montief, because of the one amber light christmas tree. It was almost like a pro tree except with a spot involved. If I'm wrong, I sorry to whom did come up with deep staging.
Casey Miles
248H

In 1970 while running a pure stock 4 speed road runner at Riverside Dragstrip in Proctorville, Ohio, I would roll the front wheels just past the stage beam and then BACK in it deep stage or a backward shallow stage.:eek: After three weeks of this (and winning) I was told not to do this or be dq. Not for rolling past the stage beam for for delaying the show.:confused::D I am not saying I was the first just stating what and how I did it!!!!!! No pre stage light or reaction timers back then.

art leong 04-28-2009 09:38 AM

Re: New Record in Drag Racing History
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Toyotakid (Post 117557)
It kinda makes me sad that there is so much hostility toward the newer technology. (FWD cars). I have been able to come run with you guys this year and have been having a great time. I grew up a muscle car fan and was Mopar all the way but I got an opportunty to drive for Toyota 5 years ago and I have not regretted it. The technology and design behind a 158 c.i. normally aspirated front wheel drive car running 9.60's @ over 140 is pretty darn cool. The thought and innovation of these cars is like the old days of the hot rod cars back in the "golden days". I also have noticed that the average age of the stock and super stock racer is getting up there and if NHRA does not embrace the new generation and the cars they are hot rodding right now there will be no more grass roots in 5-7 years ... Hell, it took me over a year just to get NHRA to let me run with you guys, don't get me sarted on my initial index compared to everyone else ... :)

Scott welcome to nhra SS racing. I'm glad to see someone in the class (but I think the index is way to stiff). I'd like to see Ryan Warner in there also. As you can see there are some people on here that are not taking their meds. But most on here and at the track are okay.

art leong 04-28-2009 09:41 AM

Re: New Record in Drag Racing History
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by X-TECH MAN (Post 117659)
I dont look down on the FWD. I dont look down on any class car. I just dont care for them. Thats all there is to it. I dont look down on Top Fool either.....I just dont like fuel cars. They keep the track from rusting ! Its a matter of choice. Some of you just take offence when someone diagrees with your choice yet some bitch and complain about other aspects of drag racing and get riled up and expect for others not say anything. And by the way.....WHAT POSITION ? Im a "civilian" and really dont have the desire to be involved like I was in the past due to these very reasons. TO MUCH B.S.

Terry did you ever tech in or teardown a FWD car?
I wonder about this deep seated anger you have.


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