AHRA Phoenix 1971 - Bee Line

Footage from the AHRA race at Bee Line (Phoenix) in 1971

Below commentary copied from Dragzine.com

Slingshot Top Fuel dragsters, Funny Cars, Pro Stockers, Modified Production, Super Stockers, a young and curvy Linda Vaughn; it's all there. But perhaps the most interesting element captured and one that drag racing historians will pick up on right away is the presence of "Big Daddy" Don Garlits' Swamp Rat XIV. Although not the first rear engine dragster by any means, it undoubtedly ushered in the rear engine movement that led to the Top Fuel cars of today, and it's the footage of Garlits debuting and winning in the car at Pomona in 1971 that will forever live in infamy. But, as the AHRA Winternationals at Beeline took place in late January -- prior to the NHRA Winternationals -- what you're witnessing is the actual debut of the Swamp Rat XIV at Beeline.

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[TheMsautobodyman]

great videos tag . a friend of mine used to race out here in his anglia

[binnyman]

@WickedTornado That would be Art Scholl, the grandfather of modern aerial manuevers; the film "Top Gun" is dedicated to his memory, as he had just passed away. He pioneered much of the extreme flying that the best pilots in the world learn to survive in combat. Great footage of 1971---fond memories of attending the AHRA event in West Palm Beach right after this race :-) Peace

[WickedTornado]

Back again after a 2 day layoff from here. Now if I remember right, that trick-performing airplane was owned / flown by some guy named Art...and he called that plane the "Flying Chipmunk"?? I'm relying on 40plus yr. memories now. Man, that guy could fly, fellas. And I didn't know that Beeline was Garlit's rear eng. rail debut. That's pretty cool. I also remember it took forever to get out of there when the racing was done...and it was frickkin' dusty as heck. Boy, I miss it too. joel in tucson

[WickedTornado]

@1rahd I remember Kucera's Falcon. I think I'd see him run it at the old Tucson Dragway...am I right? Yeah...he won a LOT with it as I remember. What were the times on that thing....16's or thereabouts? Do you remember that top fuel racer that got killed there at the top end? His name was Paul Pritchett. I think it was this race. I was at the start / pitside. I remember when the rail flipped and endo'd, EVERYBODY in the stands just knew he was dead. The entire crowd went silent in an instant.

[WickedTornado]

I can't believe I found this vid. I was there! Yup, juniors in high school...3 of us made it up from Tucson to Beeline. A lot of years ago, for sure. As is life, one of them is dead, and the other one contacted me from Wash D.C. where he lives, and we hadn't talked for decades. Great to hear from my old buddy! Anybody reading this that has old buds that you haven't talked to in ages...I heartily recommend calling them. Yes, just do it! We had such a ball at that race. Great time for me in life.

[1rahd]

@cb3961 You are very welcome. Harry did have a 57 Chevy Wagon. Very fun person to hang with and also did some winning with his car. I have a photo of his hot rod from an old Arizona Racing News dated March 22,1973. He had just won Stock Eliminator at the AHRA Fremont Northern Nationals in California. Ran a 13.05 at a 89.91 mph for the win. My brother found a stack of old ARN magazines at a swap meet and and they are cool tro look at.

[SPIKEX68]

I wasn't born until the next year; but I have a bunch of photos from this weekend from my father's albums. Very cool!

[AirbrushzoneLLC]

I bet I was there that day at age 6. Cool vid thanks for sharing. I remember all the STP jackets you got if you competed.

[AirbrushzoneLLC]

I bet I was there that day at age 6. Cool vid thanks for sharing.

[cb3961]

@1rahd Great story !!! Thanks for sharing !!!...didn't Harry Larson have a '57 Chevy 2 door wagon, ran formula stock with it. ???