Met a Drag Racing Legend

Grant Eldridge · 12-20-2010, 12:39 AM

Great post, thanks for bringing back the memories! I remember Gas Ronda driving one of the 1964 Thunderbolts that year at Arlington, Washington when I first began drag racing. Believe it was orange, gold leaf lettered and was sponsored by a West Covina Ford dealer (Russ Davis?)....I was 18, and couldn't believe how that guy could powershift that 427 dual quad four speed! It sounded like an automatic going down the track every pass. Bill Ireland also had a Thunderbolt out of Portland, Oregon that was impressive in the day. There were other "name" cars also that toured the northwest , but my memories have faded a bit. I think a few of these legendary name racers squared off against each other match race style at that time and were very cool to watch for a kid just starting out....Gas Ronda was one name I'll never forget!

12-20-2010, 12:39 AM	#5
Grant Eldridge Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 124 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Met a Drag Racing Legend Great post, thanks for bringing back the memories! I remember Gas Ronda driving one of the 1964 Thunderbolts that year at Arlington, Washington when I first began drag racing. Believe it was orange, gold leaf lettered and was sponsored by a West Covina Ford dealer (Russ Davis?)....I was 18, and couldn't believe how that guy could powershift that 427 dual quad four speed! It sounded like an automatic going down the track every pass. Bill Ireland also had a Thunderbolt out of Portland, Oregon that was impressive in the day. There were other "name" cars also that toured the northwest , but my memories have faded a bit. I think a few of these legendary name racers squared off against each other match race style at that time and were very cool to watch for a kid just starting out....Gas Ronda was one name I'll never forget!