I wonder, then, if that Speedvision interview you saw WAS referencing some
demonstration run made prior to the U.S. Nationals? And then his appearance
in that event being the truth that it was not his last run.
Garlits originally wanted to get one of his own "Swamp Rat" cars into the
race, but was unable to get it up to speed. So sometime early August IIRC he
arranged a deal with another car owner (I forget who -- could probably look
it up on the NHRA website) and got his car into the show.
He's not the oldest dog making a showing this year. Chris Karamesines ("The
Golden Greek") is in his early 70s and got into a few races this year. As a
certified Old Fartz, these guys become my heroes. :-)
--Rocky
----- Original Message -----
From: "Joe Curry" <spitlist@gte.net>
To: "Rocky Entriken" <rocky@tri.net>
Cc: "P Richardson" <paul-richardson@cyberware.co.uk>; <fot@autox.team.net>
Sent: Sunday, October 14, 2001 11:13 AM
Subject: Re: Don Garlits
> That was from Garlits' own mouth in a SpeedVision interview. Perhaps he
was playing down the poor showing!
>
> But he did say that it was not his last run!
>
> Joe (C)
>
> Rocky Entriken wrote:
> >
> > It was a bit more than a demonstration run. It happens that, as big a
star
> > as Garlits is, his era predated the 300 mph speeds of today. He wanted
to
> > add that to his resume.
> >
> > This year is the 50th anniversary of NHRA and their biggest event is the
> > U.S. Nationals on the Labor Day weekend. Garlits arranged a ride for
that
> > event, qualified 15th (out of 21) at 303.37 mph with a 4.720-second run.
> > FWIW, another star of Garlits' era, Shirley Muldowney, also entered that
> > event, qualified 12th at 319.98 mph (4.647 seconds).
> >
> > Both lost in the first round -- Garlits to Mike Dunn (who reached the
finals
> > before losing), Muldowney to Darrell Russell (Joe Amato's hot new find).
> >
> > No demonstration or exhibition -- they came to race and made the show.
> > Nobody gave them a free pass.
|