Excellent video. As a 12 year-old kid in the pits at Milan Dragway working on our '50 Olds, we'd all throw down our wrenches and run to the fence when the call was made to push down the AA/Fuel Dragsters from the 'long end'. The phrase "Top Fuel" had yet to come into parlance. The push starts added to the thrill. I'm 62 years-old and I recently purchased a Front Engine Dragster running gas/carb. SBC. I've made 1/8th and 1/4 mile passes. I'm digging my "mild ride". I can't even fathom the ride a Fuel car must be. Hats off to anyone and everyone who's ever piloted any Fuel Machine. Again, Excellent video !
Didn't Milan shut the doors this year that was what I heard earlier in the year we used to go there in the 70s my mom's boyfriend's brother at the time ran a GTO I believe it was stock eliminator class because it was right from the factory
My favorite is the finish line shot, when after a long wait sitting in the bleachers you get to see them flying by like buzzing hornets zipping by, those little bicycle tires on the front, long rails thundering past. Amazing how they keep it staight.
A truly EXCELLENT video. IMHO one of the very best on drag racing EVER. Everything was top notch; the visuals, the sound, the editing (brilliant👍), no voice-over and letting the drivers and cars speak for themselves and NO MUSIC. A1++! Well done Les Mayhew! 👏👏👏👏👏👏
Since they do call these nostalgia dragsters it would be nice if they still had to start them like the dragsters they're portraying as they're started like the newer dragsters are not by push starting them like they did in the day. I also would like to commend you guys for putting in a plug for the ones that are no longer with us that were involved in the sport
Hell yeah brother!! Been attending March Meet since the mid 60's, and CHRR from the start. Some of the best people, race cars, and competition around!! 😎
I wish I had the money and 1/2 the knowledge my dad & his buddy Eddie Bernier had building FED. They built I ran BB/GD's w/a cast iron 392 Hemi & a 6-71 blower that ran low 7's at over 180mph before they quit. Built the chassis and everything. Worked for a guy in Haverhill, MA during the off season building chassis for him (Jade Grenade was one of them) in exchange for building theirs for free. I remember push starting it and watching it run. Not to mention counting over 120 trophies in the garage.
I like seeing FED relatively close to the old days, but I grew up w/my dad & his friends that built & ran BB/GD's from scratch that ran low 7's w/cast iron blocks. They built their own chassis and even the trailers they towed it on. I wish I knew 1/2 of everything of what they've forgotten. They ran 15-20% overdrive on a Gas dragster and TF guys thought they were nuts! They never destroyed a motor! Low 7's at around 180mph on gas before they quit racing in the early 70's. I remember TA guys running that fast then.
Great way to spend 15 minutes!!! Well done! Loved seeing Cole Coonce. Thought for sure he hadn't been around due to running a music studio on Mars recording space punk or something.
" Hang On Harvy " Nitro is the Ticket! haven't driven 1 but been many-ah times to see n especially "Here Dem Mothers Fire Up n Run" U can watch it on TV but it's No compairison to B wright there in the pitts or in the stands with the ground shaken body runing chills up your spine n just about piss your pants iff you've never been before you leave ths world U got to go n see these Bad Boy's a pure adrenalin Rush Trust Me Go! thanks 4 the vid!
Alphaone 101,the tire size in any class is the equalizer...we ran 10.5-Outlaw for yrs till we wadded it up. Now Drag Radial with a 315 tire...the way they slowed all us down 10 yrs ago or better is going to 1/8th mile. Which hell,we're HAULIN MUCH ASS in those cars now too! DOT tire,no sissi bars @ 3,000 lbs...& its a ton of em runnin in the 3's over 200mph. Same with NHRA. Took 320ft off track & Robert Height just ran 340mph mite as well say...338 really
Amazing video.....you just gotta love these front engine cars! One thing that I do find "troubling" and can't understand is the little slicks on the back of these cars. I'm guessing that's NHRA's way of slowing down the cars, probably for safety's sake but is that the right way to do it? Running these small tires IS A SAFETY hazard as this video clearly shows. I'd also take all the computer junk out of the cars and run them the same way they used to! Just my two cents!
the only thing missing about these new age slingshots, is that there isnt as much experimenting. there isnt two three or FOUR engine cars anymore, no different body types, not a lot of different cage looks...
eargasm! sexiest 4-wheeled coffins ever existed. Also what it cracks me up pilot literally seats on the differential box: can you imagine the level of vibrations? ps: and the risk if the fucking thing explodes under your butt, by the monstrous torque applied?
Alright I made it into :54 sec of this vid...Most of the time comments we see are down talking or a simple cool man...Well I want to say this...Who ever put this vid together,did an outstanding job,from 0 sec to as far I as made it, You cant find awesome put together clips like this
Anyone who's ever driven any type of racing machine, and has not been gripped with the fear of death is insane. All a racing vehicle wants to do is kill the person at the controls. That's all a race car thinks about, all it wants to do. Same thing goes for a passenger car or truck. Mankind likes to think it's in (control), but we're not, control is an illusion, and a vehicle is a mechanical device that by it's very nature would love to destroy it's self.
For me, it's not so much the cars changing, it's the entire crowd regarding "teams". The days of real competition and rivalry are gone forever due to rich, dominating teams with multiple cars and drivers. and yea, who the hell wants to see the same car run in 15 different colors, some with Nissan stickers on it? I used to absolutely LIVE for it. If you jump back 30 years, it was the most incredible thing a guy could witness on a blistering July weekend. But now? It's completely uninteresting to me. I'd rather go to the local-yocal track and watch real guys, try to win real races with their own car that they build with their own tools and money while they race for peanuts. Same with what used to be the incredible Winston Cup series. Ruined by rich teams who pushed out the real enthusiasts.
Great video , but to comment on the guy in the video on making the cars follow the NHRA rules because of high engines etc,, Id say stop put so much modern gadgets electronics and ridiculous high rise manifold etc to make more horsepower on a vintage style slingshots so you cant see and therefore have to make the cars ugly , Id rather see competitors of say around the -65-67 rulebooks and slower speeds, non slip clutches none prepped strips less power etc that will also bring it to safer speeds i would think, check out Southeast Gassers,, Tons of fun, you dont have to push it to the 5s in these,, its just as fun to watch and drive in the 6-7s and man the winner of an event is still the winner,, and the sound and smoke is the thing for most spectators anyway and it can be done cheaper too without being less safe, of course you can build in better protection but that does not have to be ugly if done right, and I mean if you want the real high speeds get a current rear engine topfueler rather than make these old style cars ugly because of rules ,,, just imho :) / Vintage fuel fan
In "my humble opinion" I don't like the raised position of the driver and the metal on either side of the drivers head. These don't look like nostalgia AA/FD's to me. They look like what they are and that is modern T/F cars that happen to have the engine in the front. I'm assuming that NHRA won't allow these cars to run a wider rear slick for whatever reason. Watching this video and others, it's very apparent that the small rear tires presents a safety hazard further down the track as many cars get loose and start to swing back and forth dangerously. To NHRA I would say "let them run a wide tire for safety's sake. Not much else on these cars look nostalgic so a larger tire wouldn't make any difference in appearance if that's your reasoning for the small rear tires! Just my opinion!
Excellent video. As a 12 year-old kid in the pits at Milan Dragway working on our '50 Olds, we'd all throw down our wrenches and run to the fence when the call was made to push down the AA/Fuel Dragsters from the 'long end'. The phrase "Top Fuel" had yet to come into parlance. The push starts added to the thrill. I'm 62 years-old and I recently purchased a Front Engine Dragster running gas/carb. SBC. I've made 1/8th and 1/4 mile passes. I'm digging my "mild ride". I can't even fathom the ride a Fuel car must be. Hats off to anyone and everyone who's ever piloted any Fuel Machine. Again, Excellent video !
Didn't Milan shut the doors this year that was what I heard earlier in the year we used to go there in the 70s my mom's boyfriend's brother at the time ran a GTO I believe it was stock eliminator class because it was right from the factory
Nitro America 🇺🇸 the best slingshot drag racing. Outstanding.
Don't know why I'm getting this almost 6 years later but sure glad I did! Great video! Thanks for sharing.
My favorite is the finish line shot, when after a long wait sitting in the bleachers you get to see them
flying by like buzzing hornets zipping by, those little bicycle tires on the front, long rails thundering past.
Amazing how they keep it staight.
One of the best videos on youtube!!!!!
this is seriously some of the best filmmaking I've ever seen! too band the interviews with the drivers were blocked by their massive steel balls!
Real drag racing at its very best
A truly EXCELLENT video. IMHO one of the very best on drag racing EVER. Everything was top notch; the visuals, the sound, the editing (brilliant👍), no voice-over and letting the drivers and cars speak for themselves and NO MUSIC. A1++! Well done Les Mayhew! 👏👏👏👏👏👏
Since they do call these nostalgia dragsters it would be nice if they still had to start them like the dragsters they're portraying as they're started like the newer dragsters are not by push starting them like they did in the day. I also would like to commend you guys for putting in a plug for the ones that are no longer with us that were involved in the sport
Now THATS what it’s all about !!!
Front engine Classic FUELER Style with a modern twist. Shades of the past with the best still to come.
You have to have balls of steel to be able to drive one of those monsters. Sure do miss the racing of the 70s .
Man, this tripped ALL my memory switches..
Thank you for posting this one!
Hell yeah brother!! Been attending March Meet since the mid 60's, and CHRR from the start. Some of the best people, race cars, and competition around!! 😎
I love this video and content! My dream is to go to Bakersfield for the March Meet! Absolutely awesome!
I wish I had the money and 1/2 the knowledge my dad & his buddy Eddie Bernier had building FED. They built I ran BB/GD's w/a cast iron 392 Hemi & a 6-71 blower that ran low 7's at over 180mph before they quit. Built the chassis and everything. Worked for a guy in Haverhill, MA during the off season building chassis for him (Jade Grenade was one of them) in exchange for building theirs for free. I remember push starting it and watching it run. Not to mention counting over 120 trophies in the garage.
I could watch this over and over again
These drivers are the real deal. Excelsior rd for the win....
For drag racing video, you are the man Les. You set the bar for everyone else to reach. Very very well done my friend!
Fabulous video Les...who ever gave you that one thumbs down should be sent to jail.
Yeah, really!!
One of the greatest Drag Videos...... ever made. Thanks Les, for everything.
Outstanding video! Thanks very much for posting - really enjoyed watching it!
Some stunning work on the production, love it.
Steel Nerves, and a pair of HAIRY ONES! WOW! What an Excellent vid! Good luck too all the racers in 2015.
You're killin it Les👍 You're a very talented man. Thank's for your productions. We truly appreciate you and your crews efforts.
Amazing piece of the drag racing that I use to attend in the late 60s early 70s. I just loved this video, great job!
Another great movie Les! thanks!
Love the channel 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
I wish I could give this video another thumbs up...
Every time you make a video, I think it's the best thing I've ever seen.
..and then you make another video.
Well done, Les. Thanks for what you do.
I like seeing FED relatively close to the old days, but I grew up w/my dad & his friends that built & ran BB/GD's from scratch that ran low 7's w/cast iron blocks. They built their own chassis and even the trailers they towed it on. I wish I knew 1/2 of everything of what they've forgotten. They ran 15-20% overdrive on a Gas dragster and TF guys thought they were nuts! They never destroyed a motor! Low 7's at around 180mph on gas before they quit racing in the early 70's. I remember TA guys running that fast then.
This made all the hairs on my arms and neck stand up!! And stay there!!
Like they said, nothing sounds like these cars on the top end!! Unreal!!!!
Les Mayhew...u are THA MAN with a camera! Dont know ur age but hope u do this forever cuzz!
Kudos for the video and hats off to the builders and drivers. Just awesome baby. :0
This is a great vid production... Thanks for posting
Great way to spend 15 minutes!!! Well done! Loved seeing Cole Coonce. Thought for sure he hadn't been around due to running a music studio on Mars recording space punk or something.
superb Les!!!!
I'm so glad the front engine rail jobs made a comeback.
Probably more dangerous than being strapped to a Saturn5 rocket.
That pass by top speed sound...insanely amazing
Amazing as always.
Sorry to see those guys at the end that have passed on
" Hang On Harvy " Nitro is the Ticket! haven't driven 1 but been many-ah times to see n especially "Here Dem Mothers Fire Up n Run" U can watch it on TV but it's No compairison to B wright there in the pitts or in the stands with the ground shaken body runing chills up your spine n just about piss your pants iff you've never been before you leave ths world U got to go n see these Bad Boy's a pure adrenalin Rush Trust Me Go! thanks 4 the vid!
Great footage and editing.
Hi from NZ,
Anthony
I can almost smell the nitro thanks for te video
And to think all of this started with the simple Question "Wanna Race"
Awesome video! I would love to see more of these cars in the future.
#oldschoolkool
Excellent video!!
The True Gods of the sport,and Fuel Alterds
Really outstanding! Thank you
HOLY, CH CH CHITTT!!!
Controlled mayhem! Barely...
Alphaone 101,the tire size in any class is the equalizer...we ran 10.5-Outlaw for yrs till we wadded it up. Now Drag Radial with a 315 tire...the way they slowed all us down 10 yrs ago or better is going to 1/8th mile. Which hell,we're HAULIN MUCH ASS in those cars now too! DOT tire,no sissi bars @ 3,000 lbs...& its a ton of em runnin in the 3's over 200mph. Same with NHRA. Took 320ft off track & Robert Height just ran 340mph mite as well say...338 really
holy crap - goose bumps
Better then today's T/F cars. You have to really drive these cars.😳😎
Outstanding Vid!
EXCELLENT!!! Great video, great oratory, and no stupid music!!!
Truly Incredible Video! Thank you!
Extremely excellent vid. Thanks.
Such a well edited video
Who manufactures the chassis for these dragsters?
made my day,thanks for making this video!!
Another amazing video thanks!!!
So Cool!
And some idiots think a Lamborghini sounds better. LMFAO!
awesome
WOW!!!👍👍👍
Modern day NITRO COWBOYS.
totally bitchin love it some of my fave drivers and nice to see the makings of a nother cackle fest car
Skidmarks at 6:03 from the fire crew
Amazing video.....you just gotta love these front engine cars! One thing that I do find "troubling" and can't understand is the little slicks on the back of these cars. I'm guessing that's NHRA's way of slowing down the cars, probably for safety's sake but is that the right way to do it? Running these small tires IS A SAFETY hazard as this video clearly shows. I'd also take all the computer junk out of the cars and run them the same way they used to! Just my two cents!
the only thing missing about these new age slingshots, is that there isnt as much experimenting. there isnt two three or FOUR engine cars anymore, no different body types, not a lot of different cage looks...
Dead Inside hot x
both
Rod shop
Sickness!
How often are these engines torn down?
eargasm! sexiest 4-wheeled coffins ever existed. Also what it cracks me up pilot literally seats on the differential box: can you imagine the level of vibrations?
ps: and the risk if the fucking thing explodes under your butt, by the monstrous torque applied?
Alright I made it into :54 sec of this vid...Most of the time comments we see are down talking or a simple cool man...Well I want to say this...Who ever put this vid together,did an outstanding job,from 0 sec to as far I as made it, You cant find awesome put together clips like this
Damn i wish i had a Slingshot and make those Bikers cry for mommie ;-D
This video is cool as mine.up tops ☝👏
That's when it gets exited.....!!! 😏
Anyone who's ever driven any type of racing machine, and has not been gripped with the fear of death is insane. All a racing vehicle wants to do is kill the person at the controls. That's all a race car thinks about, all it wants to do. Same thing goes for a passenger car or truck. Mankind likes to think it's in (control), but we're not, control is an illusion, and a vehicle is a mechanical device that by it's very nature would love to destroy it's self.
3000 HORSEPOWER 500 POUNDS OF DOWNFORCE 10-INCH TIRE WELL...............GOODLUCK
yea, good luck: slingshots took lives of many brave pilots.
Don Garlits understood
wouldn't fuel altered's be the most dangerous, since its the same thing with a shorter wheel base?
very bad ass video also, tyvm
Bloody Brill. .
love it
Balls of Steel
For me, it's not so much the cars changing, it's the entire crowd regarding "teams".
The days of real competition and rivalry are gone forever due to rich, dominating teams with multiple cars and drivers. and yea, who the hell wants to see the same car run in 15 different colors, some with Nissan stickers on it?
I used to absolutely LIVE for it. If you jump back 30 years, it was the most incredible thing a guy could witness on a blistering July weekend. But now? It's completely uninteresting to me. I'd rather go to the local-yocal track and watch real guys, try to win real races with their own car that they build with their own tools and money while they race for peanuts. Same with what used to be the incredible Winston Cup series. Ruined by rich teams who pushed out the real enthusiasts.
Nice!
Great video but what's with the cut scene, cut scene, cut scene, cut scene...? I don't think there's a single complete race
My buddy Cole
Where did the term "slingshot" come from?
The drivers seating position
When has Les ever produced a bad video??
Listen to our Bill Dunlaps comments.
Great video , but to comment on the guy in the video on making the cars follow the NHRA rules because of high engines etc,,
Id say stop put so much modern gadgets electronics and ridiculous high rise manifold etc to make more horsepower on a vintage style slingshots so you cant see and therefore have to make the cars ugly ,
Id rather see competitors of say around the -65-67 rulebooks and slower speeds, non slip clutches none prepped strips less power etc that will also bring it to safer speeds i would think,
check out Southeast Gassers,, Tons of fun, you dont have to push it to the 5s in these,, its just as fun to watch and drive in the 6-7s and man the winner of an event is still the winner,, and the sound and smoke is the thing for most spectators anyway and it can be done cheaper too without being less safe, of course you can build in better protection but that does not have to be ugly if done right, and I mean if you want the real high speeds get a current rear engine topfueler rather than make these old style cars ugly because of rules ,,, just imho :) / Vintage fuel fan
wicked!
TReEEEEeeeMendoose! Have,nt been for over 30+ yrs. . . Go to POD next yr. . . (nb Watch Dom Lagana on ere!!!)
In "my humble opinion" I don't like the raised position of the driver and the metal on either side of the drivers head. These don't look like nostalgia AA/FD's to me. They look like what they are and that is modern T/F cars that happen to have the engine in the front. I'm assuming that NHRA won't allow these cars to run a wider rear slick for whatever reason. Watching this video and others, it's very apparent that the small rear tires presents a safety hazard further down the track as many cars get loose and start to swing back and forth dangerously. To NHRA I would say "let them run a wide tire for safety's sake. Not much else on these cars look nostalgic so a larger tire wouldn't make any difference in appearance if that's your reasoning for the small rear tires! Just my opinion!
:)
My friend's Honda Civic is faster