Description
West Coast Junior Fuel, Vol. I, A Class History, 1964-1972is an account of the C.J. “Pappy” Hart-created, injected-fuel dragster class, that allowed affordable rails below 310 cubic inches of displacement with no minimum weight restrictions to compete head-to-head. This story is largely informed by the research of published materials from the era and interviews conducted over the span of nine years. Interviewees included drivers, builders, tuners, crew, friends and family members of the class participants. Track officials and journalists added their informed perspectives. These individuals included Harry Hibler, Larry Sutton, Tim “Weed” Kraushaar, Don Prieto, Dave Wallace Jr., Jim Cooper, Steve Reyes, Russell Griffith and Henry Walther.
Featured in this volume:
- Previously unpublished racing action and behind the scenes photographs from the cameras of; Steve Reyes, Don Prieto, Russell Griffith, Dan Kaplan, John Ewald, Alan Earman, Tom West, Jim Cooper, Dave Wallace Sr., Manny Maldonado, Frank Fedak and a multitude of others.
- Original works of art created specifically for this book by outstanding automotive art innovator Steve McCool.
- An engaging year-by-year narrative account of the pre-class origins-through-demise of the Junior Fuel bracket in the coastal states of California, Oregon and Washington.
- The racing exploits of iconic West Coast squads such as; Catton & Tidwell, Adams & Enriquez, John Mitchell, Stinger, The Bright Boys, Allison, Crow & McCarrell, The Bier Bros., Drag-Lite Chassis, Lincoln & Jones, Wasp, The Aborigine, Travis & Sons, Kenz Muffler, Fedak & Crow, Special K, Martinez & Uyehara, Clancy & Carpenter, Cross-Mann-King, Dwight Hughes, Downey & Palumbo, Ige & Sassa, Wilbur, Massie & Striegel, Frank Britt, Weiss & Verhuel, Rance McDaniel, Jack Childers, Cerny’s Auto, J&M Auto Center, Landon & Rego, Holly & Dietz, Gene Gilmore, Hopkins and Ryall, Red Gobel, Brasel & Bristow, Kalivoda & Hamlin, Underdog, Gustin & Kramer, Birky & Neal, Pinho & Pellor, Henry Walther, California Wolverine, Skip Watson, Bob Williams, Zyg Murr and well over 100 more.
- An answer to the question, “Why did the Junior Fuel class disappear?”
- An evidence-based appendix that traces the class records for elapsed time and top speed from 1960 through 1971, for dragsters that meet C. J. Hart’s specifications for a “Junior Fuel Dragster.”
