First Car to the Strip

[Henrys Toy]

Originally Posted by Ken Kopecky

1968 I believe, Took my daily driver, Maroon, black vinyl top 66 Chevelle Malibu 283 3-speed on the floor to Island Dragway for my very first trip down the 1/4 mile. Nervous as heck, popped the clutch and did a one-legger all the way down. Things sure have changed!

Ken Kopecky

It was 1974, my second 1955 210 2dr 265 3 spd. with a Hurst floor shift, 4.10 gears. JC Penny A/FX Cheater slicks, 1969 Z-28 intake and carb(way too big) and Dougs headers. Went to National Speedway on Long Island and ran some 15.80's almost lost it on the first run , rear tire pressure was too low. I've been hooked ever since. I still have the engine in the garage, I lost in the class final to a Ford Fairlane 260 4 spd. 2 four barrels, Its been quite an adventure and now I drag my son along with me! He loves this stuff as well.

[theman440]

1964 Dodge 330 2-door, 383 4-speed. 14.0 et. 1987, at the defunct Riverside International Raceway.

[JGrossijr]

Car: 1972 SS Camaro 4spd with a transplanted 427
Year: 1980
Track: Orange County International Raceway.

Experience: The car ran 12.90's. When they called for eliminations most of the lanes were full but one was almost empty so I pulled into that one. I felt lucky to be racing a "slow" car for my first race. I was a first round gift to Jerry McClanahan.

Went back the next weekend and when they called for eliminations I pulled into the short lane again. There was that slow car, and this time I was going to teach him a lesson. You guessed it, I was a gift to Mr. McClanahan again.

I continued going to Orange County, but learned to stay away the short lanes.

[Mike Gray]

Like a number of you I made my first pass down a drag strip with a 390 Ford. I purchased a 1967 390 GT Mustang fastback on graduation day in 1974 and took it to Irwindale raceway on Wednesday grudge night. It was a little tired 70k mile 390 C6 with 3.00 gears. Ran 15.30 on first pass with some tire spin. Freshened motor and added headers and it went 14.70 still spinning. Pulled the 3.00 gears and installed 4.11 and it went 13.90 with lots of spinning. Didn’t know enough to switch to a locker or spool back then but as a 18yr old it was more fun driving around town and being able to smoke a tire most of the way down the block.

[shelbydragracer]

My first pass at Black Hills Dragway, in Belle Fourche,SD was in 1975 with my 71 Mach 1, 351 cleveland 4speed, 3.25 open rear. Went mid 15's at low 90s mph. Had to drive it out and then get on it, to keep it from spinning. It was all stock then. Second time I raced it I won $100 for winning slow et. That $100 has cost me many thousands since with this drag race addiction but wouldn't change a thing.

[Marty Knox]

Originally Posted by Marty Knox

1963 Biscayne station wagon with a 230 and 3 speed, Fall of 1969 at Englishtown. First time out I was runner-up in U/Stock - I couldn't shift the column shift very well. I put a Hurst floor shifter in and won class the next 4 Sundays. Times were in the 19's.

I still have the runner-up trophy and my first Class Winner trophy. After that I took the money, $10 for a class win.
I also still have the red metalflake helmet I wore.

[jmcarter]

Great thread, would love to hear about Bobby Warren’s and John Livingston’s first time at the track.

[Lee Valentine]

1962 Dover Dragstrip 1955 Chevy convertible K/S 265 3 sod been racing non stop ever since. Wouldn't do it any different if I had the chance.ugh