DRAG RACING ACTION ONLINE

IMAGES NOSTALGIA EDITOR MASHIE MIHALKO AND KEN HALL

STORY MASHIE MIHAKO

 

For drag racing fans and racers in the Northeast, the fall USA 1- Dragfest outside Harrisburg PA is a must do. 1989 NHRA World Funny Car champ Bruce Larson throws open the doors on his on site drag racing museum and the fans come. Each year Larson features some of the best former and current racers to entertain the crowd with their stories of drag racing’s past.

Our Nostalgia editor Mashie Mihalko is good buddies with Larson and each year he visits the event. Here is Mashie’s first hand review of the fun.

The nostalgia drag racing fans came from throughout the Northeast USA to attend the annual Dragfest in Dauphin, PA.  A variety of vehicles surrounded the perimeter of Larson’s Stoney Creek Barn. There were hot rods, muscle cars, street rods, vintage race cars and others for all to enjoy and photograph.

The highlight of this gathering each year is the featured drag racing legend.  Buddy Martin of the famed Sox and Martin Racing Team was the keynote speaker and  available for autographs and photos. And Buddy had lots of stories.

Mike Dunn, a Top Fuel and Funny Car Champion was also at the autograph table and joined Martin on the microphone with his stories of life on the drag racing road.

A charity auction is an integral part of the Dragfest. Thousands of dollars have been contributed to St. Judes Children’s Hospital through the generosity  of the “car people“ bidding  on unique items related to racing.

In addition to Mashie attending the Fest, Drag Racing Action Online contributor and recent inductee to the Darwin Doll’s Eastern Museum of Motor Racing Legion of Honor Ken Hall had his classic Competition Eliminator Bantam on hand.

As Ken tells it, “Saturday, October 17 was one of those days you can’t dream up. First, I drove up and picked up a good friend of our family who raced not only with my father, but a few other forms or racing as well, Joe Shubert of the Midnight Express BB/FC fame.”

“We journeyed west and picked up another car buff, Eric Miller, and headed to our destination, Bruce Larson’s Dragfest. This year was outdone with not only Bruce and his collection of Drag Racing memorabilia, but legends Buddy Martin and Mike Dunn.”

When asked about the unique Bantam, Hall said,  “I purchased the car last November.It was built in 1967 by a gentleman named ed cray in New jersey. The car has always been at 292 Chevrolet. In line straight 6 period\n The car has set dormant for nearly 15 years. I bought the car and brought it back to life. It has a power glide 2 speed transmission, with a 1957 Oldsmobile rear. The car runs in the mid to low 11  zone at a 118 miles per hour, and is one of the true old school cars still out there, running runs on a mixture of aviation gas and ethanol free gas.”

“I was fortunate to get to speak in length to Buddy, who knew my dad’s racing partner KS Pittman, and had a few stories to tell of him. The Collection of race cars and street rods was amazing as usual. Ej Kawalski and his group were there, even got Liz Leggett to drive my Bantam altered back to my trailer, she never hesitated and even whacked the throttle a few times. Thanks to all the great car families who attended and Bruce Larson for the memories, already planning on going next year!