I was standing on the top level of those old wood bleachers that day. When Garlits made that run,the bleachers shook so bad,I thought I might fall off. I was 16 years old and I haven't been the same since. Thanks Don! 😁
I was at Island when he set the record @ 201.34. It was about a month earlier when He was there and ran 200.44 and 200,88 Both times were not recognized officially because the clocks were not OFFICIAL NHRA certified. It was announced that day that he would return to make it official in August. And that's the truth!
Al Brown shot this footage. The shot with the Greek was a month earlier. Garlits set the record in the left lane I have the original 8mm reels. I know first hand from both Don & Al. This track holds many memories & records. God bless Eddy, Kate, Kathy, Tony, Melisa and Carl for keeping this track alive for 60 years
I go to island dragway all the time in my roadster. Amazing track to be at with real home grown racing, almost as if time stood still. Crazy to see only minor changes after all these years.
I was there also with my brother Bill. A cold front blew down from Canada that helped give them more horsepower. We didn't realize it was the official record. The Greek ran side by side with Garlits, both smoked the tires all the way. It was a great day record or not, I was 17. That 200 MPH barrier held up over years, many AA/FD running just under (some over !) across the USA, on dragstrips large and small.
I was there that day.What they didn't mention was that Don flipped his dragster and crossed the finish line at 190 mph and came back and broke the 200 mph record showing the great racer he was!
I agree, Chris Karamesines was not there that day, only Norm Weekly with the Frantic Four AA/FD running for Drag News Top 10 against Garlits. I think they ( Weekly, Rivero, Fox & Holding) had to rebuild the engine in a barn that day but beat Garlits at night when Garlits shut off early because of darkness.
That was a freak time by Chris since he never ran close to that speed for many years after that. Isky Cams made a big deal over that but Garlts was the first to run multiple 200+ mph runs in the Summer of 1964. Connie Kalitta was the first to run 200+ at an NHRA National event , the NHRA Indy Nationals in 1964.
GO BIG DADDY! It's a shame so many of these vintage rails were turned into balls of twisted metal when they flipped it on the top end. #ExterminateISIS
There was alot of controversy over who was the first.We were at Colton Drag strip and there were 5 or 6 Guys there going for it the closest was a unknown car with a small block chevy went over 199 but grenaded the engine so hard through the light it blew both back tires and pieces of engine everywhere never I never saw it before or after that day?
I was standing on the top level of those old wood bleachers that day. When Garlits made that run,the bleachers shook so bad,I thought I might fall off. I was 16 years old and I haven't been the same since. Thanks Don! 😁
I was at Island when he set the record @ 201.34. It was about a month earlier when He was there and ran 200.44 and 200,88 Both times were not recognized officially because the clocks were not OFFICIAL NHRA certified. It was announced that day that he would return to make it official in August. And that's the truth!
That is just so amazing. I love seeing this footage, Island really has barely changed in the 50 years since this all happened
Al Brown shot this footage. The shot with the Greek was a month earlier. Garlits set the record in the left lane
I have the original 8mm reels. I know first hand from both Don & Al.
This track holds many memories & records.
God bless Eddy, Kate, Kathy, Tony, Melisa and Carl for keeping this track alive for 60 years
I go to island dragway all the time in my roadster. Amazing track to be at with real home grown racing, almost as if time stood still. Crazy to see only minor changes after all these years.
Been on that track, at lesser speeds, with newer technology. I bet that shutdown area looked VERY tiny in those days. Thanks for posting.
I raced at Island Dragway. It still looks about the same. Thanks for posting.
I was there also with my brother Bill. A cold front blew down from Canada that helped give them more horsepower. We didn't realize it was the
official record. The Greek ran side by side with Garlits, both smoked the tires all the way. It was a great day record or not, I was 17. That 200
MPH barrier held up over years, many AA/FD running just under (some over !) across the USA, on dragstrips large and small.
I love this track knowing how close it is to me and the small town called Hackettstown
Island is truly a time capsule! Hasn't changed much at all
I was there that day.What they didn't mention was that Don flipped his dragster and crossed the finish line at 190 mph and came back and broke the 200 mph record showing the great racer he was!
Wish they would show the spectator seats so I could see myself back then.
I was there that day. Don't remember Karamesines being there. Memory gets fuzzy after so many years.
I agree, Chris Karamesines was not there that day, only Norm Weekly with the Frantic Four AA/FD running for Drag News Top 10 against Garlits. I think they ( Weekly, Rivero, Fox & Holding) had to rebuild the engine in a barn that day but beat Garlits at night when Garlits shut off early because of darkness.
The Greek was there the month before. That run is thrown in at the beginning.
I was there... But I think it was August 3rd.
Yup I was there 13 yrs young
First to 200 if you choose to ignore Chris Karamesines at Alton IL. Garlits was the NHRA recognized 200.
We would love to see Chris's run Mack. Please post up the video.
That was a freak time by Chris since he never ran close to that speed for many years after that. Isky Cams made a big deal over that but Garlts was the first to run multiple 200+ mph runs in the Summer of 1964. Connie Kalitta was the first to run 200+ at an NHRA National event , the NHRA Indy Nationals in 1964.
Mack trapman. I remember that was a HUGE controversy for years. I doubt that it was ever settled.
The clocks used at Alton, IL had a notorious reputation for being "squirrely" to say the least... and they were not "Chrondeks", either.
Imagine if he had no tire spin.
I never knew this footage existed. Thank you very much.
Very cool !
Good history video
bobby walters turned 200 mph 3 weeks before that
GO BIG DADDY! It's a shame so many of these vintage rails were turned into balls of twisted metal when they flipped it on the top end.
#ExterminateISIS
There was alot of controversy over who was the first.We were at Colton Drag strip and there were 5 or 6 Guys there going for it the closest was a unknown car with a small block chevy went over 199 but grenaded the engine so hard through the light it blew both back tires and pieces of engine everywhere never I never saw it before or after that day?
great footage...why the fake crowd???