In drag racing there is a large number of classes, and graduation varies significantly among the many associations. As a rule, most of the riders started their way to the top with the lower classes, gradually changing the cockpit of some cars into place behind the wheel of a powerful and fast technology.
Many of the superstars of our time to the sport came in the role of engineers in low-budget teams, while some pilots over time preferred financial or engineering side racing career of those who directly presses on the pedal. In this collection we offer a series of remarkable photographs of the iconic characters of the past in a modern drag racing, because all the same once to start somewhere...
Before becoming the first girl in the class of Pro Stock, awarded the world title, and consolidate this achievement further undisputed triumph a year later, Erica Enders Stephens (in those days still simply Anders) marked the beginning of his career in the classroom Junior Dragster in eight years. Pilotessa later became the owner of the award «Driver of the Year» among juniors, and in 2000 at the age of sixteen, has declared itself to the world as the youngest finalist (regardless of gender) Official Event NHRA. Then racers waiting dizzying career and countless titles, beginning with the words «The first woman...» But about this more in detail how some other time.
Four-time champion Greg Anderson (right) is currently the most titled of the current pilots in the class Pro Stock. And when you consider that after the change of the rules of his team in one gate dominates the current championship, then he has every chance to move on the number of victories of the great Warren «Professor» Johnson and retire in the status of the coolest guy in the whole history of the division. Anyway, the first experience in racing Anderson acquired is not behind the wheel of low-power single-cylinder dregster and twisting nuts in the team of his longtime friend John Hagen (center).
Prior to the 2012 end of the season on the first line of personal credit in the Funny Car class and arrange last year on terror shaped strips across America, destroying records and sweeping away opponents, Jack Beckman, like many of his colleagues began in the Sportsman class. In this photo the champion holding his first career major trophy he got for winning the Super Comp division at the first stage in Pomona 1998 championship.
Ron Capps (left) recently issued its fiftieth victory at the event NHRA, and has long been the number two in the number of stages won in the classroom Funny Car. Above this statistical indicators only John Force, who with his 145th Wally is outside the reach of all. Unfortunately, Capps never in my career have not been able to try on the championship crown, but judging by the balance of power in this year, the high point for him with a very high probability there will come in November. Like many peers, Ron also began to make its way to Olympus drag racing with a wrench in his hands, and only later worked as a pilot with such giants as Don Prudhomme and Don Schumacher, whose team he was and to this day is one of the top representatives of the division.
This shot is not quite fall under the theme of the collections, but the pass is just not possible. This King of NASCAR legend Richard Petty motorsports world. After the technical commission of the most popular in the United States body Series imposed a ban on the use of the powerful 426 the Hemi, whereby Chrysler factory team drivers to easily destroy all your opponents with the nerve cells GM bosses and the Ford, Petty decided to try his luck in drag resinge. In the photo, Richard and his Plymouth Barracuda with all fiberglass «muzzle». The Strip «The King» was delayed for long, and soon returned to the familiar ring for himself, where he continued successfully sweep everybody indiscriminately, adding to his piggy bank with new regalia.
Before becoming a founding member of the largest companies Vance & Hines, engaged in the manufacture of components for two-wheeled drag racing, Terry Vance took with NHRA's Event for nearly 27 Wally, first rode a motorbike out of seven seconds, and retired with the score 101–21 in the races Shootout in the class Top Fuel Motorcycle. But in recent years the riders in the saddle prepared in his office, Harley-Davidson became a real pain in the ass the other participants of the championship.
Alan Johnson is considered one of the most successful engineers and heads of teams in the modern history of the NHRA. It was his experience, technical skills and deep understanding of all the intricacies of engineering have led to the title of such stars like Tony Schumacher, Larry Dixon and Del Vorshem. However, in the eighties Johnson himself actively raced in the class Top Alcohol Dragster, until I finally decided to hang up the helmet on a nail and retrain in chief mechanic team Blaine brothers. The solution turned out to be extremely successful, and four titles to Blaine visual confirmation.
Another two-wheeled Knight Bruce George became world famous thanks to the fact that it was out of his wings came to light two champions: John Myers and Angell sempai, subsequently brought the head of stables Star Racing five league titles. But before you become a successful manager, Bruce has worked as a mechanic, and before that in 1984, winning the prestigious class of Funny Bike U.S. Nationals.
Photo: open source
