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It marked the beginning of my drag race picture-taking career. I believe it was the last weekend in April, though not sure. That would have made it April 26 and 27. It came at a time when you parked on the fence at 1000 feet, drank beer by the case then tossed it onto the grass between the low wire mesh fence (the one which often doubled as a means of support) and the armco guardrail...that was back nearly 10 feet from the grass that grew right up to the track. It was 1975, the gas wars were on and the day of the big independent drag race was nearing an end. It was about the last cool race at this facility where everyone got blasted, but didn't get too rowdy. It was truly a time that will never be repeated. It was drag racing with no ropes in the pits, nobody checking the trunk when you drove in, and Kent quarter mile was one of the quickest places on Earth. I drove a Cortina GT back then, but we always took dad's big blue F150 to the digs at Doner's place. All the big guns were here Garlits, Prudhomme, Beck and... Shirley...who didn't qualify! Right On! I have never really had this claim confirmed officially, but it is reported to have been the scene for the first side-by-side five in history. It came early in the season, two weeks after the Gators, a National Event that saw horrible final rounds. Dale Funk won T/F with a 7.60 and Prudhomme took the flopper crown at 6.52/172.24 over a broken Tom Prock. Here they came, the touring pros at a time when they all could actually get off the national event trail. The best part of this was knowing they would all be back...all back and more. In just five months for the biggest race in the history of the Northwest was coming. The first annual FallNationals....later...I promise. LP
Other Finals:Pro Stock (W) Larry Huff, Irvine, Ca. 1975 Dodge 8.94/152.28 (RU) Gene McKinney, Seattle, Wa. 1969 Camaro (broke) Pro Comp (W) Jerry Hill, Tumwater, Wa AA/BAD 7.47/198.67 (RU) Tom Christensen, Bremerton, Wa. AA/BAD 8.07/162.74 Modified (W) Ron Henderson, Vancouver, Wa. 1968 Camaro, 10.38/133.53 (RU) Don Ruckman, Renton, Wa. Volkswagen 12.79/104.65 Super Stock (W) Dave Wren, Lynwood, Wa. 1973 Barracuda 10.61/112.94 (RU) Ralph Van Paepeghem, Boise, Id. 11.64/112.92 Stock (W) Larry Thatch, Spokane, Wa. 1972 Olds, 12.03/111.38 (RU) Larry Peterson, Eugene, Ore., 1966 Chev wagon, 14.38/91.18 Photos:Funny Car Final...just before Pickett launched the body Drag News clipping of first side-by-side five Zeigler flip Jeb Allen driving away from Gary Beck Verheul in Pacemaker pit Terry Capp & pushtruck |
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