Don Garlits in his Swamp Rat 13, March 1970 at Lions Drag Strip
When the sprag in his experimental 2 speed transmission failed as he let the clutch out,the engine over-revved and spun the transmission drum backwards at three times the engine speed. As the drum approached 30,000 rpm it came apart,and sawed the car in two pieces,it severed his right foot and took off all of his toes.
Drag racing changed forever on this day,as the front engine dragsters were faded away in favor of the rear engine design.
I was about 10 or 11 when I saw him win the Winter National race in Gainesville FL in the early 70's. He made it a point to sign autographs and shake hands afterwards.
ReplyDeleteIf you go to " soundcloud.com/bigsounds2001 " and listen to the track "Black Smoke and Orange Flames" it is a 3 minute interview with Don Garlits about the accident.
ReplyDeleteThere were several builders already building rear engine (actually mid engined) cars prior to Garlits accident but few drivers were interested. The Peek Brothers and Mark Williams were running one that was working pretty good. The late Ed Mabry of Arlington, Texas had built one but couldn't give it away. As soon as Big Daddy cut that carbin half Mabry had two or three front engine cars he could sell but plenty of orders for the rear engine models. One other note.T/F driver Ronnie Martin of Arlington, Texas had a Mabry rear engine car. Tire shake was a real problem in thise days and cars were regularly back halfed mid season. When Ed Donovan introduced s all nee aluminum 392 hemi block Martin told me this would be the beginning of the end of T/F racing as we knew it. No truer words were ever spoken. Eay to much money reaurequ to race with no chance for individuals to run at national events and even quality. Match racing has pretty much disappeared and that is truly a loss to the sport.
ReplyDeletePlease rxcuex my spelling. I don't do touch screen cell phones very well and I do apologise. Will wait and get on my laptop next time. I built better cars then post text!
ReplyDeleteDidn't this race end his racing career?
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