Thanks for the tribute. So many familiar names. I too grew up on the drag strips on So. Cal in the 60's & 70's. I remember these iconic racers of our sport very well. They will not be forgotten.
I lived at SoCal dragstrips (Lions, Irwindale, OCIR, Fontana & Pomona) from 1964 until I was drafted in 1969 and witnessed crashes that took the lives of Joe Jackson (1966 @ Lions), Mike Sirokin (1967 @ OCIR), Pete Robinson (1971 @ Pomona) and Harrell Amyx (1966 @ Lions). Although these fatal accidents involved a variety of circumstances I don't think anyone would argue that front-engine cars were always trouble waiting to happen. Clutch explosions were particularly catastrophic.
Hey Tim, great tribute. I know you couldn't name everyone, but it's my hope that a dear friend of mine be remembered as well.
Jerry Simpson lost his life in a freak accident at Byron Dragway, in Byron Illinois in 1987, when his Chevy Powered Rear-Engine Dragster struck a deer that wandered onto the race track approaching the finish line.
Last I knew any definite (which was the beginning of 2010), Joaquin Arnett was very much alive, although struggling with Alzheimer's. One thing is certain, he did not die in a racing accident.
Thank you very much for the kind words. Originally I had the Dire Straits song "Brothers In Arms" set to this video, but alas the copyright police came in and removed the sound. I felt this music best fit.
I witnessed Walter Henry's crash at Atco in '89, Al DaPozzo's crash at Beech Bend in '93, Blaine Johnson's crash at the '96 US Nationals and Elmer Trett's crash a day later. Even though I didn't see it, Shelly Howard's crash had to be the most unbeliveable thing I've ever heard of happening at a race track. I wish I hadn't seen any of these though. R.I.P. all!
I saw the name Anders hasselstrom at the end of the video a swedish funnycar driver who lost he's life in 1988 at Pitea dragway , thanks for remembering he's name.
I can also mention a swedish top fuel driver Kjell Nasberg who lost he's life during a run at Hudik raceway sweden I think it was in 79 or 80, I stod at the side of the track that day and saw him hit he's head to the rollcage bar where he lost conscious and the backwing collapsed and he went down into a swamp and drowned.
Very well done. Thanks for putting John Martin in there. When I was a kid his girlfriend lived accross the street from me and I got to know him.Saw him just before he went to the World Finals in Tulsa 1968 where he lost his life,first person I ever knew that died and I took it hard.A few years ago I drove a front engine dragster that had the Mr. Ed trailer that John and Frank Rupert used,that was a moment.I never forgot John and am glad to see that others felt the same.
thos dang bag pipes get me everytime. ted arnold, john mulligan just to name 2 some damn fine people have been lost. i got to meet both medlen and russell still cry about it to this day......
the video was a tribute to those who lost their lives on the Track. I don't believe these three died on the drag strip. If so, they will be added to a future video.
Thanks for the tribute. So many familiar names. I too grew up on the drag strips on So. Cal in the 60's & 70's. I remember these iconic racers of our sport very well. They will not be forgotten.
sradie 1 month ago
I lived at SoCal dragstrips (Lions, Irwindale, OCIR, Fontana & Pomona) from 1964 until I was drafted in 1969 and witnessed crashes that took the lives of Joe Jackson (1966 @ Lions), Mike Sirokin (1967 @ OCIR), Pete Robinson (1971 @ Pomona) and Harrell Amyx (1966 @ Lions). Although these fatal accidents involved a variety of circumstances I don't think anyone would argue that front-engine cars were always trouble waiting to happen. Clutch explosions were particularly catastrophic.
MrRonnieG 9 months ago
Hey Tim, great tribute. I know you couldn't name everyone, but it's my hope that a dear friend of mine be remembered as well.
Jerry Simpson lost his life in a freak accident at Byron Dragway, in Byron Illinois in 1987, when his Chevy Powered Rear-Engine Dragster struck a deer that wandered onto the race track approaching the finish line.
I post this comment in his memory.
Thanks for posting.
thevmanvj 9 months ago 2
Rod Stukey...?
ThomasDeLello 1 year ago
Last I knew any definite (which was the beginning of 2010), Joaquin Arnett was very much alive, although struggling with Alzheimer's. One thing is certain, he did not die in a racing accident.
sjoldtimer 1 year ago
Best video on YouTube
credfield1983 2 years ago
Thank you very much for the kind words. Originally I had the Dire Straits song "Brothers In Arms" set to this video, but alas the copyright police came in and removed the sound. I felt this music best fit.
Timmah
tim5636sc 2 years ago
I witnessed Walter Henry's crash at Atco in '89, Al DaPozzo's crash at Beech Bend in '93, Blaine Johnson's crash at the '96 US Nationals and Elmer Trett's crash a day later. Even though I didn't see it, Shelly Howard's crash had to be the most unbeliveable thing I've ever heard of happening at a race track. I wish I hadn't seen any of these though. R.I.P. all!
QR3550 2 years ago
I think Mike Snively commited suicide if I'm not mistaken.
QR3550 2 years ago
Some of those were my friends and all fellow drag racers they are gone but never forgotten.
G1Pops 2 years ago
I saw the name Anders hasselstrom at the end of the video a swedish funnycar driver who lost he's life in 1988 at Pitea dragway , thanks for remembering he's name.
I can also mention a swedish top fuel driver Kjell Nasberg who lost he's life during a run at Hudik raceway sweden I think it was in 79 or 80, I stod at the side of the track that day and saw him hit he's head to the rollcage bar where he lost conscious and the backwing collapsed and he went down into a swamp and drowned.
matforsbon 2 years ago
This video was awsome.. very very good ! Let those guys rest in peace !!
SouthhillCustom 3 years ago
that really touched me........
freespirit43 3 years ago
Miles Sharpless used to drive for my fathers fed top fuel dragster in the early mid-60s...in those days, drivers swapped from car to car...
He lost his life after many years of work and friendship with my father.
My father was at the event and ran to the car full 1/4 mile to see Miles...
GodSpeed, we loved you Miles Sharpless.
- Joe Krupinski Racing "Twiggy II" FED Nostalgia Top Fuel 392 Cast Iron.
fullcirclerecordings 3 years ago
Very well done. Thanks for putting John Martin in there. When I was a kid his girlfriend lived accross the street from me and I got to know him.Saw him just before he went to the World Finals in Tulsa 1968 where he lost his life,first person I ever knew that died and I took it hard.A few years ago I drove a front engine dragster that had the Mr. Ed trailer that John and Frank Rupert used,that was a moment.I never forgot John and am glad to see that others felt the same.
Thank you
pyrotect 3 years ago
R.I.P Darrell Russell
fantafinn 3 years ago
Don Carlton died in a testing accident like Lee Shepherd. "Jungle" died in a street crash.
caprad 3 years ago
well done
godspeed,Scott Kalitta
nascarandamdrag 3 years ago
Damn, when did Jimmy Nix die?
ilovetogofast88 3 years ago
1994 at an exhibition race. Lost the wing and the car went over the wall and into the scoreboards. :(
HEMI6point1 3 years ago
Very well done.
RIP Scott Kalitta
thorkelson69 3 years ago
thos dang bag pipes get me everytime. ted arnold, john mulligan just to name 2 some damn fine people have been lost. i got to meet both medlen and russell still cry about it to this day......
nemodapimpfish 3 years ago
the video was a tribute to those who lost their lives on the Track. I don't believe these three died on the drag strip. If so, they will be added to a future video.
Thanks
Timmah
tim5636sc 3 years ago
wat track is that one in the vid??? nice, i like racing
kidhumor 3 years ago
The song is "BROTHERS IN ARMS" by Dire Straits....Thx for the comment!
tim5636sc 3 years ago
Right after Hoffman, before that Arrington. The song did it, I'm sittin' here all weepy. Thanks
powell888 3 years ago
Nicely done! May they all R.I.P.
wlmtopsportsman 4 years ago