Don Garlits
 

curious what others are thinking how fast will he run at indy is he going to be a threat to win class will he care about getting horsepower.:cool:

Re: Don Garlits
 

How is he going to race a stocker without doors???????

Re: Don Garlits
 

There have been threads that he had it at his museum a couple weeks ago doing burnouts in the parking lot. They said he was having trouble keeping it off the rev limiter between gear changes.

Re: Don Garlits
 

a friend of mine lives 1/4 mile from large father he says the car has been out at least twice but they are being very quite about ANY details.

Re: Don Garlits
 

Re: Don Garlits
 

>>>"having trouble keeping it off the rev limiter between gear changes."

Well, it sez "A/SA" on the window, so is this a Pro Trans issue???????????

I've never heard one of their transmissions "run-up" between the gears....

Re: Don Garlits
 

He's got a TCI in it..

Re: Don Garlits
 

Tricky Tipster in this week's National Dragster lists him as a 40-1 shot to win the U.S. Nationals.

Re: Don Garlits
 

Thanks, Irv...

I doubt that it's "running up" between the gears.....

Re: Don Garlits
 

Read this thread at the link below: " It might raise your hears a lil bit"

http://www.yellowbullet.com/forum/sh...ght=Challenger

Re: Don Garlits
 

I have to agree. He's a legend....but youth will chew him up at Indy.:D WJ

Re: Don Garlits
 

I would expect that his car will be pretty fast.If he gets a bunch of HEADS UP Races meeting several A/SA along the way,and a few redlights due to the fear of having to run "Big Daddy",I'm not sure I would bet against him!
One of the new Mustangs won Pomona,so Don Garlits winning Indy in a new Dodge isn't that far fetched.

Re: Don Garlits
 

From YellowBullit.com on testing Challenger #3 from MR2 Performance:

Re: Drag Pack Challenger 003
Sooo, showed up at the chassis dyno yesterday at 7 am, done at nine with some good numbers in hand, not one problem which was nice. Had IRP rented for the day so we head over there at 10, get everything unloaded, get Randy acclimated to the car.... he just saw it for the first time at 7. Start out with the high chip low, and the shift light at 6800 just to get a check out run. First pass 10.34 1.38 60foot........on the high chip for 5 hun at the 1-2 and for 2.5 tenths at the big end !!! Next pass, nails the shift points, raised the high chip a hun, just sneaking up on it, 1.34 60 foot
6.38 in the eighth, 10.15 at only 121!!!!!!!!! On the high chip for a tenth and a half. That's 1.15 under on the second pass at 2980 feet DA on the chip forever. This thing is a rocketship. Period. Third pass 1.321 60 foot!!!!!!! Fourth pass the tuner picks up nine on the backhalf from the 10.15 run and it's still on the chip at the big end. Owners ended up calling it good as we had some great data already. Great day, never touched a knob, way low on tire pressure as we were "sneaking up on it" . This car will go mid to high 1.20 60 foot and 9.90 something easy. Needless to say it was a smashing success. Off to get it and the other superstockers ready for indy. See you there. Mike Roth
On a side note, MPR did the cage and hung the dana under it, no use in reinventing the wheel. We blew it apart and finished it, tuned it, and figured out a ton of the BS that is involved with these train wrecks.
__________________

Re: Don Garlits
 

Not to stir anything up here, but I wonder where "Big Daddy" will get to pit?

Brad

Re: Don Garlits
 

Is anyone building a 5.7 Hemi or 5.9 Magnum?
The 6.1 Hemi versions are the only ones I've heard anything about so far.

Re: Don Garlits
 

I would setup soft on the tree against him. Why give a race away at the start against someone who more than likely can't drive the top end to well. I don't see him playing pump and dump too well. This is purely a marketing gimmick to sell what's left of these on the lots and hasn't he already had a detached retina affecting his vision. I also don't get this comment "few redlights due to the fear of having to run "Big Daddy", which may apply to the old timers, but I think the younger races would agree with my first two statements.

Just my opinions

Re: Don Garlits
 

I can't see Big lifting. He's a real drag racer. Pedal down all the way.

Re: Don Garlits
 

And just think, they did this at the A/SA weight. This car is gonna fly when they find what it likes.

Re: Don Garlits
 

In my opinion, I think the Dodge Challenger Drag Pak, the Mustang Cobra-Jet drag pkg, and the Body-in-White '010 Camaro (when racers put together a few of them) are the best thing that's happened to Stock and Super Stock racing in a long time. (along w/the LS/powered '98-'04 F/bodies and GTO's.) It'll be fun to see these things battling it out w/each other and the older models that, unfortunately, the newer generations of race fans have problems relating to.... Just maybe, "IF".... these 3 new cars are real close competition-wise, we'll see alot more people in the stands cheering when Stock and Super Stock classes come up to the line....providing they call some of the classes in "prime time" instead of 8-8:30 a.m. call-ups you're now getting....just my .02 cents worth...;) WJ

Re: Don Garlits
 

What's the big deal.Who cares where he parks.How about when someone parks early and blocks 10 spots on Weds.that don't get taken till late Thurs/Fri?Especially when thy're spots on a paved area and
someone who gets there later Weds has to park ongrass/sand.Been there.
As far as Garlits,just brush the old man aside and you just may get a big surprise.He's as crafty and
driven as anyone else.

Re: Don Garlits
 

I, for one, would care where he pits. I think it would be incredible to pit next to him. Maybe some people don't. I bet he gets to park where ever he wants even if he's blocking ten spots.

That was my only point.

Brad

Re: Don Garlits
 

I would guess he has trouble pulling the handle fast enough.

Re: Don Garlits
 

I 'm sure if he got a primo spot there will be some who will bitch and say who the hell does he think he is and he should be parked near the
portosan compound.The guy is in his 70s and a legend.He's entitled to park any where he pleases within reason.I hope people let him concentrate
on racing during the weekend.I'd like to see him go rounds.Going 5 or 6 rounds at one race would be foreign to him I think.
You made it sound like his parking privileges would be a problem.

Re: Don Garlits
 

Jeff, that info you posted is very interesting. These cars seem very fast, may be many surprises at Indy.I am guessing, will they run AA & take a chance or A and bag it.

Re: Don Garlits
 

Unlike some in our sport who are only legends in their own mind (not you Chip) Big Daddy Don Garlits is a true legend of our sport. He brought Drag Racing from the back roads to the television. He will be a great ambassador for sportsman racing. I would give him my parking spot any day! Jim

Re: Don Garlits
 

Known this man for many years and raced against him. Pitting next to Big will be an experience. Might be a little crowded, but an experience. He will drive the car to the limit. If you are beside him on the starting line don't sell him short. He is a crafty racer. Who ever said he could be an asset to sportman racing hit it on the head. Fans will not be leaving their seats and miss seeing this Dodge go down the track. His fan following will be apparent once he is parked and unloaded. My guess is if you pit beside him or run against him you will probably get some TV time and he will be on the TV from Indy.

Re: Don Garlits
 

With all the sportsman stackers out there that exist, I think I would give Let "Big" park wherever he wants.I think he earned that. If they were smart, NHRA would put him in Nitro Alley and get some exposure for Stockers. Could spark some renewed interest from the fans.

Re: Don Garlits
 

I didn't mean for it to sound that way and I apologize if I did. I completely agree with you. It would be nice to see him go rounds. And imagine to coverage stockers would get if he made it to the final!

Brad

Re: Don Garlits
 

Yes, if they were smart, the classes the CJ Mustangs and new Challengers are running would get some prime-time elimination runs, to spark some interest in the newest US performance cars and maybe gain some interest for Stock and Super Stock overall....and pleeeasssee do away w/the big-delay-start classes....they are def. the most boring things to watch....opinion only. WJ

Re: Don Garlits
 

W J you have a PM

Re: Don Garlits
 

As far as parking goes let Don park wherever he wants with the condition that Fletcher gets choice of left or right side of Garlits.

Re: Don Garlits
 

I'll second this!!

... and At the very least he should be able to park wherever HE WANTS TO!!

Re: Don Garlits
 

At the press conference today held in Moline,IL for the 56th Annual World Series of Drag Racing, Don Garlits announced he would be making exhibition runs in his stocker while also serving as the Grand Marshall for the event. It sounds like a great way to get some seat time in before Indy, The Heartland Stock/SS Association has a race at the World Series on Sunday - maybe he will jump in and race against us?

Here is the press release from Cordova's website:

GARLITS TO PRESIDE OVER 56TH WORLD SERIES
The 56th World Series of Drag Racing will be a special affair as Big Daddy Don Garlits will preside over the festivities on Friday and Saturday, August 28 & 29.

Of course the name Big Daddy Don Garlits is synonymous with drag racing. Garlits has been dubbed the “King of Top Fuel Dragsters” and the patriarch of the class.

Garlits has won the prestigious US Nationals eight times. Other accomplishments include but are not limited to:

Car Craft Magazine Top Fuel Driver of the Year
1969, 1970, 72, 73, 75, 76, 77, 78 & 86.

Car Craft Magazine “Man of the Year” 1969, 71, 72 & 73

American Hot Rod Association “Fuel Driver of the Year” 1971, 72, 73 & 74

Voted #1 Drag Racer for the last 50 years – NHRA 2001

17 World Championship Titles, 8 US Nationals Titles, and 144 National event wins

Big Daddy will be on hand at the World Series with a Swamp Rat Dragster and his new NHRA Dodge Stock eliminator entry. He will be making exhibitions runs throughout the event with the Stock eliminator car.

The O’Reilly Auto Parts World Series of Drag Racing is the oldest continuous drag race in the World. Racing begins Friday morning, August 28 with sportsman competition and continues all weekend. The feature show is scheduled for 7 PM both Friday and Saturday (Aug 28 & 29). Tickets are available in advance (at a discounted rate) at O’Reilly Auto Parts locations or at the gate day of the show. Please note that the only discounted tickets are at the O’Reilly Auto Parts locations as there are no discount coupons available for this event.

Re: Don Garlits
 

I was just at the press conference for the Cordova World Series of Drag Racing and Don is Grand Marshall of the event. He cackled Swap Rat XII and said he was going to take a run at the event in his drag pak. Yesterday I watched Larry Griffith at the dyno run his drag pak. Both should be at the track but I don't think they will race. If they both make runs it will be very interesting. Don said he thinks his will run low tens 135 mph. They both say they are working bugs out. Can't tell the dyno numbers but it pulled some impressive numbers.
Where you there Joe? I would've liked to of met you. See you at the track!

Re: Don Garlits
 

Too answer just a few of your questions there Randy.....I think "big" should be able to go atleast some mid 20's here at Indy. I doubt the guys at Chrysler would let me race with a "pig". He is with out a doubt a great pro driver but how long as it been since he had to put a dial in on the car and bracket race. Now, for all the guys worried about where he's going to park. Billy and I are lucky #7 in line to get in at the track right now. We'll save him a spot and he can park right beside us. Heck, i'll even set up a table between the two cars and get him and Sal to sign autographs for the fans......(sittin in the rain with no tv, this is going to be a boring 3 days)

Re: Don Garlits
 

Hopefully,,,the powers at ESPN will get rid of the stupid "Sounds Of The Strip" segment and use it for some airtime on Big and his Challenger, and of course any other stockers. Afterall,,didn't they say there will be 6 hours of event coverage? Please don't make it all about John,Robert,Ashley and her stupid cat!
Danny Durham

Re: Don Garlits
 

i don't think he is going to be any threat to win the race. how ever i do think he will be one if not the fastest in a/sa and have good chance to win class that is unless he gets (snake bit) . i think that getting horsepower is the last thing he cares about this is most likely a one race deal to help sell some cars you might see the car a couple more times at the track then it's off to the museum just my 2 cents for what it's worth .

Re: Don Garlits
 

Randy would you please hurry up and get here..You know how hard it is to try and keep Hawk under control...I mean after all it is INDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Don Garlits
 

This brings up an interesting point......Will the NHRA show Don while racing in the stock class therefore exposing fans to stockers or will they just do an interview?

If other elder ex-pro drivers race in S, S/S will they increase their coverage to at least cover their runs? Then they would have to explain to the audience all about indexes, dial-ins, and head starts, etc.

This might turn interesting.

Re: Don Garlits
 

duane for a person to subject themselves to 12 days and nights of get me this;hand me ,where's the remote; i can't belive old man (jim conte) ate my ice cream,who ate my last chuckles,it's to cold in here it's to hot we need to go to store we are out of colby and ginger ale .you are a person who LOVES PAIN .but i will see you guys tues. plane leaves 6 am should be at the track by 10 i feel for you but i just can't reach you.