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Drag Racing Texas State Championships 2011, nostalgia dragsters

The Texas State Championships race, run by the Texas Timing Association was conducted in San Antonio, Texas on Oct 22,2011. Special thanks go to Ed Miller for putting together a great show and to press veteran Forrest Bond for his support during the event. The race had a strong emphasis on nostalgia cars with a salute to the golden era of drag racing. The only stock bodied cars there were far from stock and had to be original, historical body styles. No rear engine dragsters. A number of restored, original historical dragsters from the '60's were present. While they were too valuable and rare to race, those old fuel cars fired up their engines simultaneously in two "cacklefests" of noise. More modern fuel altereds vied for the state title and some are pictured in this gallery. Former National Champion and Hall of Fame drag racing legend Bobby Langley had ironically died the night before, and two of the cars he raced "back in the day" were represented and received special recognition.
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  • Quarterflash stages for a night run.

    Quarterflash stages for a night run.

  • Donnie Anderson's "Summer of Love" Top Fuel Dragster.

    Donnie Anderson's "Summer of Love" Top Fuel Dragster.

  • A supercharged, early model Chrysler hemi at the moment when it has nitro running through its veins. Over the years nothing else in drag racing has stirred the emotions of fans as much as this. The sights, scents, and thunderous vibrations of this engine, especially in full competitive attitude, are unforgettable.

    A supercharged, early model Chrysler hemi at the moment when it has nitro running through its veins. Over the years nothing else in drag racing has stirred the emotions of fans as much as this. The sights, scents, and thunderous vibrations of this engine, especially in full competitive attitude, are unforgettable.

  • Event promoter Ed Miller stands behind Floyd Head's AA/Fuel Dragster and addresses the crowd after the row of classic old nitro cars simultaneously fired up their engines.

    Event promoter Ed Miller stands behind Floyd Head's AA/Fuel Dragster and addresses the crowd after the row of classic old nitro cars simultaneously fired up their engines.

  • The "Nitro Junkie" does a burnout at sunset.

    The "Nitro Junkie" does a burnout at sunset.

  • Bobby Langley's Scorpion V. Langley's engine set up caused the motor to pop and make more noise than most of his competitors. John Wiebe of Kansas had one of the few cars that matched his noise level at idle, and Wiebe won 3 AHRA World Titles.

    Bobby Langley's Scorpion V. Langley's engine set up caused the motor to pop and make more noise than most of his competitors. John Wiebe of Kansas had one of the few cars that matched his noise level at idle, and Wiebe won 3 AHRA World Titles.

  • "Shockwave", a nitro burning Fuel Altered skillfully driven by Bobby Marriott, a long time drag racer.

    "Shockwave", a nitro burning Fuel Altered skillfully driven by Bobby Marriott, a long time drag racer.

  • The "Thrill Factor" supercharged fuel altered roadster

    The "Thrill Factor" supercharged fuel altered roadster

  • Bobby Marriott's "Shockwave" fuel altered.

    Bobby Marriott's "Shockwave" fuel altered.

  • "Sundown" Fuel Altered roadster early in a run.

    "Sundown" Fuel Altered roadster early in a run.

  • Few racers drew a bigger crowd or had more fans than wild and crazy "Jungle Jim" Lieberman. His endowed companion Pam Hardy, simply know as "Jungle Pam", dressed to please and stylishly backed Jim up from each burnout to the delight of the crowd. Jim was gone before his time, but Pam still attends events.

    Few racers drew a bigger crowd or had more fans than wild and crazy "Jungle Jim" Lieberman. His endowed companion Pam Hardy, simply know as "Jungle Pam", dressed to please and stylishly backed Jim up from each burnout to the delight of the crowd. Jim was gone before his time, but Pam still attends events.

  • Bobby Langley's Scorpion V. This is the actual car he used to win the 1964 AHRA National Championship title. The beloved Langley passed away due to health issues the day before this photo was taken.

    Bobby Langley's Scorpion V. This is the actual car he used to win the 1964 AHRA National Championship title. The beloved Langley passed away due to health issues the day before this photo was taken.

  • 2011 cacklefest at San Antonio.

    2011 cacklefest at San Antonio.

  • The courage of those who drove front motored, nitro burning dragsters cannot be overstated. They sat with the differential between their legs and the explosive clutch between their ankles. All it took was a fuel-filled cylinder, hung intake valve or a bolt failure to cause a violently exploding engine, blasting them in the face with heavy shrapnel and burning fuel. Nitro engines don't break-they detonate. The lack of good fireproofing technology left drivers at high risk. They took it in stride-even with a sense of humor. My favorite driver quote-"After the third flip, I lost control".

    The courage of those who drove front motored, nitro burning dragsters cannot be overstated. They sat with the differential between their legs and the explosive clutch between their ankles. All it took was a fuel-filled cylinder, hung intake valve or a bolt failure to cause a violently exploding engine, blasting them in the face with heavy shrapnel and burning fuel. Nitro engines don't break-they detonate. The lack of good fireproofing technology left drivers at high risk. They took it in stride-even with a sense of humor. My favorite driver quote-"After the third flip, I lost control".

  • Floyd Head's dragster after the cackle. In the old days the open headers were kept sealed from the elements between runs with anything from beer cans to rubber balls on a chain. Budweiser serves the crew a dual purpose here.

    Floyd Head's dragster after the cackle. In the old days the open headers were kept sealed from the elements between runs with anything from beer cans to rubber balls on a chain. Budweiser serves the crew a dual purpose here.

  • "Thrill Factor" fuel altered on a burnout. Nitromethane, a by-product of the fertilizer industry, is a very powerful fuel in part because it carries its own oxygen. Heavy concentrations of fuel can be introduced into the cylinders. Nitro burns relatively slow and continues to push hard on the pistons as it burns-more fuel means more push. Nitro is hard to ignite, but also hard to extinguish. A nitro fire in the pits can be a serious matter because starving the fire of air doesn't put it out.

    "Thrill Factor" fuel altered on a burnout. Nitromethane, a by-product of the fertilizer industry, is a very powerful fuel in part because it carries its own oxygen. Heavy concentrations of fuel can be introduced into the cylinders. Nitro burns relatively slow and continues to push hard on the pistons as it burns-more fuel means more push. Nitro is hard to ignite, but also hard to extinguish. A nitro fire in the pits can be a serious matter because starving the fire of air doesn't put it out.

  • Putting fire in the Summer of Love

    Putting fire in the Summer of Love

  • The back section of Langley's unique dragster. Langley not only campaigned a flamboyant "statement" design on his race car, he backed it up with the racing skills of the champion he was. His unmistakable beard and great personality were even more reasons why he was endeared to the public eye.

    The back section of Langley's unique dragster. Langley not only campaigned a flamboyant "statement" design on his race car, he backed it up with the racing skills of the champion he was. His unmistakable beard and great personality were even more reasons why he was endeared to the public eye.

  • "Bad Oman " fuel altered stages for a night pass.

    "Bad Oman " fuel altered stages for a night pass.

  • Bill Crosby drives the famous Scorpion fueler. He and Don Ross meticulously restored this car after having its authenticity verified by Bobby Langley himself. Its location was not known to the drag racing community for many years, but the car was eventually found only a few minutes from Langley's home near Ft. Worth.

    Bill Crosby drives the famous Scorpion fueler. He and Don Ross meticulously restored this car after having its authenticity verified by Bobby Langley himself. Its location was not known to the drag racing community for many years, but the car was eventually found only a few minutes from Langley's home near Ft. Worth.

  • Scorpion V.

    Scorpion V.

  • Rat Patrol.

    Rat Patrol.

  • Floyd Head car.

    Floyd Head car.

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    2011 cacklefest at San Antonio.
    The courage of those who drove front motored, nitro burning dragsters cannot be overstated. They sat with the differential between their legs and the explosive clutch between their ankles. All it took was a fuel-filled cylinder, hung intake valve or a bolt failure to cause a violently exploding engine, blasting them in the face with heavy shrapnel and burning fuel. Nitro engines don't break-they detonate. The lack of good fireproofing technology left drivers at high risk. They took it in stride-even with a sense of humor. My favorite driver quote-"After the third flip, I lost control".
    Floyd Head's dragster after the cackle. In the old days the open headers were kept sealed from the elements between runs with anything from beer cans to rubber balls on a chain. Budweiser serves the crew a dual purpose here.