I lived at SoCal dragstrips from '63 until '69 (got drafted) and I watched Wild Willy, many many times, mostly at Lions, Irwindale and OCIR. I seem to remember that they only ran the 354" Chrysler block ('55-'56) but if that's true ~ they sure didn't need any more! I was a Chevy guy and pulled for cars like Mondello & Matsubara (big block Chevy) with Sush Matsubara at the wheel. They'd give Willie and the other Chrysler altereds a run for their money but hemi heads & nitro was tuff to beat.
In an interview he said he had no idea that he drove with one hand until a crew member told him, besides that the guy is narcoleptic!! he would snooze in the staging lanes and then race that thing. dude is awesome...
@belair55zz56 yeah willy was a big dude he did that basicly to steady himself in the car pluss for some of us its easyer to counter steer with one hand
I lived at SoCal dragstrips from '63 until '69 (got drafted) and I watched Wild Willy, many many times, mostly at Lions, Irwindale and OCIR. I seem to remember that they only ran the 354" Chrysler block ('55-'56) but if that's true ~ they sure didn't need any more! I was a Chevy guy and pulled for cars like Mondello & Matsubara (big block Chevy) with Sush Matsubara at the wheel. They'd give Willie and the other Chrysler altereds a run for their money but hemi heads & nitro was tuff to beat.
MrRonnieG 2 months ago
I read that he held onto the car like that because the seat had been positioned for someone taller, thus he had to brace himself.
NoSleepTilDetox 4 months ago
In an interview he said he had no idea that he drove with one hand until a crew member told him, besides that the guy is narcoleptic!! he would snooze in the staging lanes and then race that thing. dude is awesome...
khh1964 5 months ago
i read he did it once then a fake arm was attached........lol
baldandold 5 months ago
legendary, used to watch them as a kid at San Gabriel drag strip
manixman111 10 months ago
I Believe Wild Willy used to drive with one hand on the door. Unbelievable.
belair55zz56 1 year ago
@belair55zz56 yeah willy was a big dude he did that basicly to steady himself in the car pluss for some of us its easyer to counter steer with one hand
citydriver 5 months ago