Boy does this bring back memories of my youth & early heroes. I'm sure it was just an oversight but Ronnie Sox was not mentioned. Also. although he wasn't as famous as the guys shown in this tribute I think that "Astoria Chas"(Charlie Snyder) should be mentioned. He owned the fastest 427 record holding Vette in the country and died serving his country in Viet Nam
I was not prepared to see the photos of Elmer Trett. His wife and I talked after his motorcycle racing accident. She said he had a heart attack during the run and saw his body lift off the bike at the end of the track.
This is an awesome video, heart breaking but awesome! Thanks! I'm gonna have a good cry now!
@ElectraGSX it does bring tears 2 my eyes 2.met mr. elmer when i was 11 yrs old.he and my father raced together in the 70's.my fathers name is joe thronson who rode a yellow double harley.damn we getting old.
WOW, I about fell over seeing the shot of Don Nicholson's Eliminator II. My Uncle ran a super stock Dodge in the Wichita area in the mid sixties, called the Incinerator II. I had to go back and take a second look just to make sure. Nice shots of Willy. He actually had his eyes open for the picture... Lots of memories. A great post. Good job. Yes, tears in my eyes too.
@jrsn2cars John, there are three things I have always wanted to experience, one being a ride in a front engined alcohol rail, a trip in a short wheel base altered and a sidewinder launch. Someday, it will happen. Thanks again for this post. It has to be one of the best I have seen. John.
very nicely done and iam sure they are some of your personal favorites. lets not forget Ronnie Sox, Dickie Harrell, Dandy Dick Landy, Dave Strickler, Sneaky Pete Robinson,The Strip Blazer Malcolm Durham, K.S.Pittman, Stones Woods And Cook and so many more. Lets hope they are all in heaven at the big dragrace in the sky. RIP
Man, just the other day, after watching a Big Daddy vid, I started thinking about Beebe & Mullitgan and here you are! Thanks for the nod out. A lot of great guys have come and gone. Lot of great memories.
wild willie borsch according to Super stock and drag illustrated had Narcolepsy and couldnt stay awake on the starting line many times. They had to hit the back of the car to wake him up and hed mash the trottle.
Sorry everyone ~ Joe's car made a hard right turn, towards the spectator side, and into the light standard. It was surrealistic to watch it happen directly in front of me ~ I couldn't believe what I was watching because the circumstances were so strange. The old saying about those days was appropriate, "we did it for love."
........ I was sitting directly in front of the accident. Joe drove straight into one of the track light standards and crumbled. A few hours later it was announced that Joe "The Jet" Jackson had died. I've never forgetten that day though it has now been 44 years ago. R.I.P. Joe Jackson
I had a similar experience at the '69 US Nationals when low qualifier John "Zookeeper" Mulligan exploded a clutch right in front of us and rolled over the guardrail in a ball of fire. He was severely burned and died a few weeks later. 1969 was a bad year for the fuel dragsters at Indy. It seemed like every other car exploded either a clutch or a supercharger. It was getting too dangerous and the slingshots had to go.
February 5, 1966 might have been the worst day I ever had as a 50 year fan of drag racing. It was @ Lions, late in the afternoon, and 22 year old driver Joe "The Jet" Jackson was out visiting from the east coast with his girlfriend. He struck an agreement with someone who had a not-so-strong top fuel car for Joe to try and qualify for the 8 car program that night. About 400 feet out, and in the tower lane @ Lions (left lane), Joe's car suddenly, and without warning, made a left turn.........
Love the pix of "Wild" Willie. Those of us fortunate enough to see him race will remember, most, his one-handed driving style. How that guy could hold on to a 90 inch wheelbase rocket like that, with his one hand on the wheel, is something I never figured out. Being a lifelong Chevy guy I remember so memorable races that Willie had against some of the big block Rat Motor Chevy powered fuel altereds of the 60's ~ in particular, Sush Matsubara driving the Mondello-Matsubara AA/FA. So much fun!
I was lucky enough to capture Willie on one of his wild rides at the US Nationals with my little wind-up Kodak 8mm movie camera. I've read that the reason that drove one handed was that by holding on to the side of the car's body with his left hand he felt more stable in the car and it gave him better leverage on the steering wheel. He was definitely one of a kind!
You're right, I wish that I had a chance to see and photograph Eric Medlen but unfortunately I never did. In this video I am using photos and movies that I took myself with the exception of the the portraits used for the names and the Scott Geofrion pit hand out. The list of drivers that we have lost is sadly too long to fit into a short video. Thanks for watching and mentioning Eric Medlen. Miss him.
Front-engined cars were always trouble waiting to happen. Clutch explosions were particularly catastrophic which is how John Mulligan died. Those that chose to climb into a car from that era were brave and yet a little crazy too. I loved the sport more than I can tell you but we lost a bunch of great drivers who were great guys. Here's to all of you who helped make the sport what it is today. R.I.P., one and all........
I lived at Lions Drag Strip (as well as Irwindale, OCIR and Pomona) from 1964 until I was drafted in 1969. I spoke with the "Zoo Keeper" many times over that period of time while he was driving the Adams-Wayre-Mulligan car and, of course, eventually the Fighting Irish car. I saw Pete Robinson killed @ the 71 Winternationals and Mike Sorokin @ OCIR at the end of '67. The racing was so special back then, and most did it for little more than the love of the sport, but it was dangerous.
OUTSTANDING JOB! Loved the VIDEO of Wild Willy driving the Winged Express. Quick question though. The pics of Elmer Trett crashing, are those Indy 96? When he died?
The crash photos were taken by my friend in the '80s at the US Nationals and are just one of many spills during Elmer's career and not his fatal crash.
very very tastefull and respectable upload!!!! for those i keep see'in "LOL" at alot of the drag mishap vids.... give a lil more thought to what your really laughing at.
The crash photos were taken by my friend in the '80s at the US Nationals and are just one of many spills during Elmer's career and not his fatal crash.
wow great song . jackson brown . the best :-)
wan2bvader 2 months ago
that was a very nice clip thanks for showing it.
jake12fushigi321 4 months ago
This was awesome I live in Canada and saw Jungle Jim run many times
Jackcr33 4 months ago
Boy does this bring back memories of my youth & early heroes. I'm sure it was just an oversight but Ronnie Sox was not mentioned. Also. although he wasn't as famous as the guys shown in this tribute I think that "Astoria Chas"(Charlie Snyder) should be mentioned. He owned the fastest 427 record holding Vette in the country and died serving his country in Viet Nam
REDSLANT 8 months ago
Very nice tribute!!!!
MonteHoopla 8 months ago
I was not prepared to see the photos of Elmer Trett. His wife and I talked after his motorcycle racing accident. She said he had a heart attack during the run and saw his body lift off the bike at the end of the track.
This is an awesome video, heart breaking but awesome! Thanks! I'm gonna have a good cry now!
ElectraGSX 9 months ago
@ElectraGSX Thanks for the nice comment and story! I appreciate it!
John
jrsn2cars 9 months ago
@ElectraGSX it does bring tears 2 my eyes 2.met mr. elmer when i was 11 yrs old.he and my father raced together in the 70's.my fathers name is joe thronson who rode a yellow double harley.damn we getting old.
kzron 2 months ago
WOW, I about fell over seeing the shot of Don Nicholson's Eliminator II. My Uncle ran a super stock Dodge in the Wichita area in the mid sixties, called the Incinerator II. I had to go back and take a second look just to make sure. Nice shots of Willy. He actually had his eyes open for the picture... Lots of memories. A great post. Good job. Yes, tears in my eyes too.
NcalBiker 9 months ago
@NcalBiker Sure appreciate you taking time to watch and comment! Thanks!
John
jrsn2cars 9 months ago
@jrsn2cars John, there are three things I have always wanted to experience, one being a ride in a front engined alcohol rail, a trip in a short wheel base altered and a sidewinder launch. Someday, it will happen. Thanks again for this post. It has to be one of the best I have seen. John.
NcalBiker 9 months ago
were blain t he world champ
freetoroam33 9 months ago
Blaine Johnson?
trh360 9 months ago
you brought tears to my eyes i had forgotten just how many racing heros that we had lost thank you for reminding me
tuffycanner 10 months ago
What a fitting song from jackson Browne Great Job
magicbrainman 10 months ago
@magicbrainman Thanks! I just saw Jackson Browne in concert last week. He's as good or better now as he has ever been! Thanks for watching!
John
jrsn2cars 10 months ago
Another great video..your choice of music is great..we have lost some great people. Thanks for all your video
jdgimpa 11 months ago
Dyno Don won more races than any one in his day RIP FORD GUY FOR EVER
97chux 11 months ago
Live like you'll die tomorrow-dream like you'll live forever. Enjoy life to its fullest!
MrGotsquashed 1 year ago
You forgot to mention Pete Robinson.
bubblejomay 1 year ago
Great video, would like to see Blaine Johnson mentioned as well.
primus2010 1 year ago
R.I.P ronnie sox and dick landy.i have there die cast cars stacked on top of my entertainment center, i make sure nobody forgets mister 4 speed.
98dakrt 1 year ago
Comment removed
G1Pops 1 year ago
Comment removed
G1Pops 1 year ago
It is good to see old friends again
G1Pops 1 year ago
very nicely done and iam sure they are some of your personal favorites. lets not forget Ronnie Sox, Dickie Harrell, Dandy Dick Landy, Dave Strickler, Sneaky Pete Robinson,The Strip Blazer Malcolm Durham, K.S.Pittman, Stones Woods And Cook and so many more. Lets hope they are all in heaven at the big dragrace in the sky. RIP
novagasser 1 year ago
Jackson Browne............? Drag Racing is the most powerfull motorsport..........."The"
toomuch2lose 1 year ago
Man, just the other day, after watching a Big Daddy vid, I started thinking about Beebe & Mullitgan and here you are! Thanks for the nod out. A lot of great guys have come and gone. Lot of great memories.
robkal56 1 year ago
wild willie borsch according to Super stock and drag illustrated had Narcolepsy and couldnt stay awake on the starting line many times. They had to hit the back of the car to wake him up and hed mash the trottle.
It was a steve collison or Ro mc gonegel story.
turbo69bird 1 year ago
Sorry everyone ~ Joe's car made a hard right turn, towards the spectator side, and into the light standard. It was surrealistic to watch it happen directly in front of me ~ I couldn't believe what I was watching because the circumstances were so strange. The old saying about those days was appropriate, "we did it for love."
MrRonnieG 1 year ago
........ I was sitting directly in front of the accident. Joe drove straight into one of the track light standards and crumbled. A few hours later it was announced that Joe "The Jet" Jackson had died. I've never forgetten that day though it has now been 44 years ago. R.I.P. Joe Jackson
MrRonnieG 1 year ago
I had a similar experience at the '69 US Nationals when low qualifier John "Zookeeper" Mulligan exploded a clutch right in front of us and rolled over the guardrail in a ball of fire. He was severely burned and died a few weeks later. 1969 was a bad year for the fuel dragsters at Indy. It seemed like every other car exploded either a clutch or a supercharger. It was getting too dangerous and the slingshots had to go.
jrsn2cars 1 year ago
February 5, 1966 might have been the worst day I ever had as a 50 year fan of drag racing. It was @ Lions, late in the afternoon, and 22 year old driver Joe "The Jet" Jackson was out visiting from the east coast with his girlfriend. He struck an agreement with someone who had a not-so-strong top fuel car for Joe to try and qualify for the 8 car program that night. About 400 feet out, and in the tower lane @ Lions (left lane), Joe's car suddenly, and without warning, made a left turn.........
MrRonnieG 1 year ago
Love the pix of "Wild" Willie. Those of us fortunate enough to see him race will remember, most, his one-handed driving style. How that guy could hold on to a 90 inch wheelbase rocket like that, with his one hand on the wheel, is something I never figured out. Being a lifelong Chevy guy I remember so memorable races that Willie had against some of the big block Rat Motor Chevy powered fuel altereds of the 60's ~ in particular, Sush Matsubara driving the Mondello-Matsubara AA/FA. So much fun!
MrRonnieG 1 year ago
I was lucky enough to capture Willie on one of his wild rides at the US Nationals with my little wind-up Kodak 8mm movie camera. I've read that the reason that drove one handed was that by holding on to the side of the car's body with his left hand he felt more stable in the car and it gave him better leverage on the steering wheel. He was definitely one of a kind!
jrsn2cars 1 year ago
There's room for Eric Medlen, but thank you.
reerob69 1 year ago
You're right, I wish that I had a chance to see and photograph Eric Medlen but unfortunately I never did. In this video I am using photos and movies that I took myself with the exception of the the portraits used for the names and the Scott Geofrion pit hand out. The list of drivers that we have lost is sadly too long to fit into a short video. Thanks for watching and mentioning Eric Medlen. Miss him.
John
jrsn2cars 1 year ago
Front-engined cars were always trouble waiting to happen. Clutch explosions were particularly catastrophic which is how John Mulligan died. Those that chose to climb into a car from that era were brave and yet a little crazy too. I loved the sport more than I can tell you but we lost a bunch of great drivers who were great guys. Here's to all of you who helped make the sport what it is today. R.I.P., one and all........
MrRonnieG 1 year ago
@MrRonnieG Top notch commentary! Thank you so much for watching!
John
jrsn2cars 1 year ago
I lived at Lions Drag Strip (as well as Irwindale, OCIR and Pomona) from 1964 until I was drafted in 1969. I spoke with the "Zoo Keeper" many times over that period of time while he was driving the Adams-Wayre-Mulligan car and, of course, eventually the Fighting Irish car. I saw Pete Robinson killed @ the 71 Winternationals and Mike Sorokin @ OCIR at the end of '67. The racing was so special back then, and most did it for little more than the love of the sport, but it was dangerous.
MrRonnieG 1 year ago
Well done!
attra91 2 years ago
OUTSTANDING JOB! Loved the VIDEO of Wild Willy driving the Winged Express. Quick question though. The pics of Elmer Trett crashing, are those Indy 96? When he died?
tim5636sc 2 years ago
The crash photos were taken by my friend in the '80s at the US Nationals and are just one of many spills during Elmer's career and not his fatal crash.
Thanks for watching!
jrsn2cars 2 years ago
very nice tribute
CCESPDPiper 2 years ago
i heard about all when i was sit in kindergaten..totally RESPECT for them..
grejet 2 years ago
true ledgends.
hotrodsicko 2 years ago
...great video dude...and with this song the pictures are really touching...and btw what's the name of the song ?
ironKIDynamite 2 years ago
The song is "All Good Things" from Jackson Browne's "I'm Alive" album from 1993. Thanks for the nice comment!
John
jrsn2cars 2 years ago
A wonderful Tribute to our follow racers.
The kings of the sport and the ones that showed us the way. R.I.P. Gentlemen and Thank you.
akracer1 2 years ago
I get CHILLS watching this,miss you all including Dick Landy, Ronnie Sox & BIG John Masmanian, thanks for posting.
rotativo13 2 years ago
Life may go on but it will never be the same. Thanks for the memories.
urparanoia 2 years ago
An absolute great tribute. I grew up going to York and Cecil..... miss the old school racing of driving it out the back door with everything you had!
ILoveLauriePartridge 2 years ago
bles ur soul as a nostalgia drag racing fan what a ftiing tribute to all the grates that have past ur truely awesome
sammoholman28 2 years ago
Great video, and nice pics of the man, Dyno Don. He is like Jesus to us Mercury boys.
bisquik3006 2 years ago 2
I rarely find a video done with taste and respect.
This video my friend, is of professional quality and editing.
Thank you for posting this one and the Bob Glidden tribute.
Dummerd 2 years ago
Thank you so much for the kind words, it means a lot.
John
jrsn2cars 2 years ago
wow heart wrenching lol rip to those who did what they love -gods speed
xobutthead55 2 years ago
very very tastefull and respectable upload!!!! for those i keep see'in "LOL" at alot of the drag mishap vids.... give a lil more thought to what your really laughing at.
herbiedrumr369 2 years ago
Thank you very much for your comment Herbie! Very well put! Thanks for taking the time to watch this.
John
jrsn2cars 2 years ago
Elmer Tretts crash at 3:00. Was that his death?
TraderNorton 2 years ago
The crash photos were taken by my friend in the '80s at the US Nationals and are just one of many spills during Elmer's career and not his fatal crash.
Thanks for watching!
jrsn2cars 2 years ago
Thanks but a lil tuff for me to watch..
Les
bigblockmustang 2 years ago
Q.E.P.D.
QUE EN PAZ DESCANSEN
guarimure 2 years ago
fantastic tribute,long live the winged express...aussie fan!
staffy58 2 years ago
awesome
dancerinflight 2 years ago