"Big Daddy" Don Garlits breaks 270 mph barrier; 1986 Gatornationals

Don Garlits' record breaking run of 272 mph to earn him the distinction of being the 1st to break 270 mph in NHRA Drag Racing, while defeating former NFL Quarterback Dan Pastorini in the semis of Top Fuel at the 1986 Gatornationals, and without a doubt, this was THE race of the day.

Kids, this is why they will forever call him "BIG DADDY"

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• 1986
• NHRA
• Drag
• Racing

[snaproll94e]

Thanks for the video, great memories of a race I was fortunate to be at. What you didn't see and those of us at the top end did get to see was the front end was skipping down the track. The wheels would touch and then be 2-3 inches in the air for 20-30 feet before they touched down again. It was the most hair raising thing I'd ever seen. It was also a sign of his pending blow-over. The front down force was being exceeded by the rear wing. Big was a true innovator.

[racingformusic]

@snaproll94e No question about it. The only think I wish on Today's Dragsters, whether it's Top Fuel, Alcohol Dragsters, Comp Eliminator, Super Comp, Top Dragster, etc. Is that they'd bring back the canopy over the drivers cockpit. That would be ultra cool on Today' s dragsters.

[thevmanvj]

"Big " was struggling with those V-belts all weekend. In fact, in the Final Round against Dick LaHaie, SR-XXX threw the belts again, tore up the nose-cone, and allegedly a piece of Kevlar from the nose-cone flew into the injector scoop on LaHaie's car and sneezed the blower. The V-belts were replaced with miniature aircraft tires (ultra-lite type).He stayed with those little wheels with SR-30, 31, and 32 (as well as the enclosed canopy) There's only 3 words for Drag Racing...Donald Glenn Garlits

[racingformusic]

@thevmanvj Amen to that. He will always be the King of Drag Racing.

[Polybun]

get a capture card asshole.

[racingformusic]

@Polybun this was before I got my DVD ripper, and knew how to use it, then, I was just experimenting on putting videos up.

[chrijens]

Hell Yeah Big Daddy Rulez!

[jfrockon]

From the first time I saw Garlits run in 1967... he has been my hero.

[KingCuda440]

I remember watching that race with my dad. That brought back a lot of good memories. Thanks for posting.

[yugrbugr]

Big Daddy?? How about Big Innovator. Man that guy was always years ahead of everyone.

[dozer3955]

R.I.P Herb. No doubt he was a great help to Big through-out his career.

[redracer1985]

@TwoEyeCyclops Bernstien ran the 300 in the lane Pastorini was in.

[TwoEyeCyclops]

Same lane Kenny went over 300 in I think.....

[JCSVINDUSTRIES]

hemi



[thevmanvj]

@racingformusic "Big" was a man that "did it all'',playing so many roles in the operation. There was "Don, the Chassis Builder","The Engine Builder","The Tuner", and 'The Driver". The man is a genius, and Drag Racing's greatest innovator. From the early days, with "The Chester Fire" in 1959, thru the 60's, the adversity of the horrible accident @ Lion's on 3-8-70 in SR-13,blowing off half of his right foot, and the triumph of SR-14,his 1st rear-engine car. He was, and is the best...BAR NONE.