Slingshot Shutdown
(Click the thumbnail above for the larger version)
Print #DR-28
Unframed Print
Framed Print
Here's the framed version.
CLICK HERE
to go the the FRAMMING DEPARTMENT.
|
By 1970, front engine dragsters were stressed to the limit. High speed crashes and explosions made great magazine photos, but several excellent drivers were lost. So when “Big Daddy” Don Garlits proved that a rear engine dragster would work and provide much more safety for the drivers, teams flocked to the new design.
Thirty-plus years later front engine fuelers are making something of a comeback in the form of “Cracklefest” shows. The cars look almost identical to the original rails with only a few new safety requirements. The cars are limited to 1/8-mile blasts, but smoky burnouts, dry-hops, and lots of flames are all a standard part of the show.
There’s NOTHING quite like the front view look of a blown Hemi-powered dragster coming STRAIGHT AT YOU!
CLICK HERE to check out a detail shot of the engine.
CLICK HERE to check out our FRAMING OPTION.
CLICK HERE to check out the Jackson Brothers' "Crackelfest" DVD!
|
John Peters' Freight Train
Print #DR-25
Unframed Print
Framed Print
|
The 1960s was an amazing time in drag racing. Racers were willing to try nearly anything to get an edge on the competition. We saw two, three, and four-engine dragsters, and side-winder dragsters. There were Allison Aircraft engine powered dragsters, turbine dragsters, jet, and rocket dragsters. One of the most successful multi-engine dragsters was John Peters’ “Freight Train” AA/Gas Supercharged car.
The success of Peters’ car was in its simplicity. The two 283 small-block Chevy engines were mated together and not over-built. Not stressing the engines provided Peters with a very reliable power source. Even if one engine lost compression on a cylinder, there were fifteen others pulling along. Peters actually won several titles on only 15 cylinders!
The car had several distinctive accomplishments during its career. While using twin Chevy engines, the Freight train was the first gas dragster to fun over 200 mph. At one point Peters tried twin Hemi engines, but found them to be more difficult to maintain. With the double Hemi setup, the Freight Train was the first gas dragster into the 6’s.
The Freight Train now lives at Don Garlits Drag Racing Museum in Florida.
|
Retrospect: Drag Racing History
John Peters' Freight Train
Print #DRH4
Unframed Print
Framed Print
|
This was originally published in "super Stock & Drag Illustrated" magazine in the late '80s.
|
John Peters' Freight Train
Print #DR5
Unframed Print
Framed Print
|
John Peters' "Freight Train" AA/Gas Dragster was a real crowd favorite. One might think that running a dragster with 2 engines would be double trouble. But not according to Peters. Both of the supercharged small-block Chevy engines were built such that neither engine was really stressed. There were many times when peters ran the car in a final with "only " 15 cylinders! One or two cylinders could go down and the car still performed well.
|
Clayton Harris #1
Print #DR9
Unframed Print
Framed Print
|
|
Clayton Harris #2
Print #DR10
Unframed Print
Framed Print
|
|
Eddie Hill's 1961 Pontiac Dragster
Print DR11
Unframed Print
Framed Print
|
Eddie Hill used his mechanical engineering skills to build this Pontiac-powered C/Class Dragster in 1961. Long before Eddie was first in the 4s, he was tearing up track all across the South.
|
Eddie Hill's Twin Dragon
Print DR23
Unframed Print
Framed Print
|
The multi-engine craze was in full swing in the early '60s. What was so unique about Hill's "Twin Dragon" was that Eddie actually designed and made his own aluminum castings that held this unique machine together.
|
