KEEPING THE SPIRIT ALIVE SINCE 1999
Don Garlits
14/1/1932
Donald Glenn Garlits is considered the father of drag racing. Known as the "Big Daddy" to drag racing fans around the world he has always been one of the great pioneers in his sport. He was the first drag racer to officially surpass 170, 180, 200, 240, 250, 260, and 270 miles per hour for the quarter mile.
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Don Garlits was born in Tampa, Florida and must have raised havoc with the Florida State Police as he tested the engines he built on the highways of the Tampa Bay area, learning the trade which was to take him to the heights of drag racing.The innovations of Garlits are monumental. He was first to use bike wheels on the front of his dragster, first to employ a hypoid rear end, to experiment with an extended wheelbase, first to use spoilers and first to utilize a successful streamliner in drag racing. In 1971 he revolutionized the sport by designing and building the first successful rear engine dragster, following a devastating explosion that claimed half of his right foot.
Don's racing firsts are just as phenomenal. In 1957 he was first to run over 170 mph, first to run over 180 mph in '58; first to run over 200 mph in 1964; and in 1968 the first dragster to run 240 mph. In 1975 he was the first dragster break 250 mph. In 1986 Don Garlits drove his dragster to a NHRA record of 271.08 mph, breaking the 270 mph barrier.
In 1985 and 1986 Don was the NHRA Top Fuel World Champion, the first to win this honor back to back. Top Fuel is drag racing's top of the line category. These 5,000 horsepower, nitromethane-burning dragsters are the fastest accelerating machines in the world. Don Garlits won the world championship in this prestigious category three times and finished in the top 10 five times during his career. He won an incredible 144 national events. As well, he is a ten time AHRA World Champion and five-time IHRA World Champion.
Don Garlits was the first drag racer to have his vehicle placed in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.
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Stuart Turner 1933 -
Alberto Rodriguez Larreta 1934 - 1977 -
Jacques Cheinisse 1934 -
Ian Harrower 1947 -
Christian Gläsel 1973
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Derek Bell 1941
A former Formula One driver from England who raced for the Ferrari, McLaren, Surtees and Tecno. Bell is best know for his sportscar racing, winning Le Mans five times and the Daytona 24 hour race, three times. -
Robert Schroeder 1926 - 2011
Rob Schroeder made one World Championship Grand Prix appearance in the 1962 US Grand Prix before returning to relative obscurity. -
Pete Lovely 1926 - 2011
Pete Lovely started racing in a track roadster in the late 1940s. In 1955 he won the SCCA 1500cc Championship and was offered a drive by Lotus in Europe. He took a class win in the 12 hour race at Rheims with Innes Ireland, before competing in a few Grand Prix with an ex-works Lotus 49B. -
Chuck Daigh 1923 - 2008
6Chuck Daigh was a racing driver from the United States. He participated in 6 Grand Prix driving a Scarab and a Cooper, debuting on May 29, 1960. -
Bob Bondurant 1933
Bob Bondurant was a Formula 1 driver who raced for the Ferrari, Lotus, BRM and Eagle teams. Now famous for his racing schools where he continues to teach, time permitting, and race in select vintage racing events.