Ashley force

[Robert Swartz]

Originally Posted by voltdr

I remember bracket racing back in the 70s at Orange County International Racway. John Force would show up at the track just to make test runs, and see if he could get it down the track. He would be the only Funny Car there just trying to figure it out. As far as Ashley's lights. Not sure if I would be in a big hurry to go if it was getting ready to blowup and catch on fire.

Those were "the days", when the local Pro cars would show up at the track. Just like everyone else. I remember in the 70's myself, at IRP (now ORP), you'd have Bob Glidden, Steve Schmidt, Charlie Reed and C J Rayburn show up with their Pro Stockers. I can't recall his name at the moment, a guy from Shelbyville, Indiana, his father owned a car dealership, would show up with their BB/FC. I'm sure there were numerous others, just all my head can conjure up, early in the morning.

Even the podunk little track here, Brown County Dragway, an occasional Pro Stocker would show up. If I recall, Edgewater used to run an occasional Pro show, when they'd get some of the local Pro cars, mixed in were the occasional touring Pros, on their way to or from a National event. You sure don't see that anymore.

As far as beating on someone running a Pro car. Nah, not me. A T/F or F/C, a rolling fireball, deathtrap, uh, uh. She has bigger cahones than I, regardless of her skill level. I don't today nor ever have had a desire to sit in one of those things.

On a similar note. I once thought (as a youth), I wanted to race in the Indianapolis 500. When I was about 12-13 years old, I got to sit in (probably a replica of) the car that Jimmy Clark won the 1965 race. This was 1967-68, can't remember. Anyway, even as a kid, it was difficult for me to get buckled in that car and position myself, pretty much dashed those dreams.