|
|
|
Click on any image to get the bigger picture |
|
|
|
Where better to begin than with my favourites,
the altereds. Tee Rat and Shutdown provided many classic encounters during the
early '70s, like here at Silverstone. |
|
| ____________________________________________________________________________ |
|
|
|
Competition Altered was once the most prolific class in drag racing, and the Fiat Topolino was just one of many bodies to cloak the amazing variety of machines. Sadly tastes and times have changed and sights, such as those right, are now a rarer enjoyment. Amongst the cars in the pits in 1974 were Phil Carlyle’s Fiat, Tim Spencer’s '2 Ton Carmen', Bob Diechen’s Daimler powered T and Pete Corley’s 'Moon City Charger' Mini. On the right in 1997 is Dennis Wratten versus 'Diablo' of France’s Gerard Demont. |
|
| ____________________________________________________________________________ |
|
|
|
The hairstyle might’ve turned grey, but John Wright remains as dedicated to drag racing as he was 30 years ago. Back in 1973 he built and ran Vendetta, a blown and injected Jag powered altered. With a career that has included working at Avon Park Raceway, publishing 'Fire Up' magazine and racing Top Fuel in the USA, today he is one of Europe’s top crew chiefs, currently owning and tuning Darryl Bradford’s Wildside Inc Top Fueller. |
|
| ____________________________________________________________________________ |
|
|
|
If there is only one name you could choose from all the British bike riders of the 1970s and '80s, it would have to be John Hobbs. With a career that spanned 15 years, Hobbs was the torch bearer for all British hopes and aspirations. Sadly he never did make the much promised USA trip to take on the Americans, but another British hero who did, and became the only British World Champion we’ve ever had, was of course the Imperial Wizard himself - Brian Johnson. |
|
| ____________________________________________________________________________ |
|
|
|
With the '50s bus and open face helmet, this
photo of Alan Sharp's V12 dragster looks older than it really is (1974). Alan
was introduced to drag racing by that other Jaguar exponent, and fellow resident
of Peckham, the late George Davey. |
|
| ____________________________________________________________________________ |
|
|
|
Unfortunately Dick Sharp's 30th anniversary in drag racing was not one to celebrate, when Dorset Horn was demolished in a top end roll at the 2003 Allstar Nationals. Dick escaped with a broken wrist and two black eyes but the the popular A35 altered is no more. Partner Bunt Wilcox promises that the team will be back, and Dick’s son Daniel (right) still plans to campaign his own car in 2004. |
|
| ____________________________________________________________________________ |
|
|
|
Many things have improved over the last three decades – my photography for one, I hope. But certain views of Santa Pod remain little changed. Fans have been enjoying the vantage point of 'The Barn' since 1969, nitro fumes, burnt rubber, jet smoke and all. Amongst the blur on the left is Paula Murphy versus Don Schumacher in 1973, on the right, night qualifying at the Euro Finals 2002. |
|
| ____________________________________________________________________________ |
|
|
|
Barry Sheavills is another 30 year veteran. Inheriting the name Stagecoach from this Jag powered altered that began life in 1966, little could anyone have imagined back then that Stagecoach VII (right) would propel Barry into the 4 second zone, and Stagecoach VIII would break the 300 mph barrier. Hopefully this hugely popular driver will be back out in 2004 with Stagecoach IX. |
|
| ____________________________________________________________________________ |
|
|
|
John Whitmore (on far left) was a sensation that even impressed the US drag world. Using his engineering skills to turn the tiny BMC 4 pot into a nitro burning, supercharged and injected 8 second runner, John’s biggest problem was finding opposition for his amazing Drag’N’Fly. |
|
| ____________________________________________________________________________ |
|
|
|
The Chevy-powered Vauxhall Firenza 'Invader', seen here getting a lead on Susan Coles, was the immaculate altered, once of Colin Mullen, but here driven by John Morton. Today Al Golding runs an equally smart Firenza 'Grounds For Divorce' pawing his way through the Pro ET eliminations and cutting super-sharp reaction times. Although not a big success for Vauxhall, one enthused fan was recently overheard telling Al, “My dad used to have a Firenza – but it never went THAT FAST!” Pulling a side by side wheelie is Ray Barrow in his ’72 Chevrolet Vega. |
|
|
All material on this site is copyright and should not be reproduced without permission |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Navigate through the |
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
