Its time for the Wednesday Classic Drag Racing Handout Of The Day! Today, I bring you Don Big Daddy Garlits, and his 2003 Swamp Rat 34 Top Fuel Dragster, sponsored by Summit Racing Equipment. Don Garlits is a legend in the world of drag racing. Heck... hes a legend in the world of motorsports as a whole. People who nothing about drag racing know the name Don Garlits. Don was the first drag racer to officially surpass the 170, 180, 200, 240, 250, and 270 miles per hour marks in the quarter mile; he was also the first to top 200 in the 1/8 mile. He has 35 NHRA national event wins, and 3 NHRA Top Fuel World Championship titles to his credit. He is a pioneer, bringing many innovations to the sport, making drag racing quicker, faster, and most importantly, safer. He didnt invent the rear engined dragster, but he was the one who perfected it. He did so, working on a design from his hospital bed following a transmission / clutch explosion in a front engined car that severed part of his foot. Who knows how many lives that alone saved? He started the Don Garlits Museum Of Drag Racing in Ocala, Florida, and even ran for Congress at one time. And if that isnt enough, he is still innovating. His current project (pun intended) is his electric dragster. In May of 2014, at age 82, he set a speed record of 184 mph. Don Garlits is one of those people whose longevity should be based on what they can contribute to mankind. He would live forever.
Posted on: Thu, 08 Jan 2015 01:03:39 +0000
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