Remembering James Brown
By Danny White
Photos by Alden Swinford and Dennis Roetman
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| James Brown boiling the hides at I20 Raceway in Tyler, Texas. (Alden Swinford) |
James Brown was one of the most popular drag racers in Texas drag racing history. He is remembered for two things: his Anglias and his "Kool Klutch" funny cars. James raced a series of Anglias in the late sixties and early seventies. The last one was a wild 100-inch wheelbase funny car that featured an injected nitro and blown alcohol Chevy. James helped to form the Texas Anglia Circuit and was one of its stars.
The Anglia ran until 1978 with recorded bests of 7.17, then Brown built his first regular funny car with partner Ray Russell. The first funny car was the Anglia's chassis with a Vega body. The team raced the short car in 1978 only.
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| The "Kool Klutch" 1981 Corvette at Alamo Dragway. (Dennis Roetman) |
A Mustang II was built to replace the Vega and an aluminum Rodeck Chevrolet was added. Two more partners, Raupe and Clark, also joined. The team raced the first Corvette from 1981 to 1982.
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| The "Kool Klutch" 1981 Corvette at Prescott Raceway. (Alden Swinford) |
In 1982, Raupe and Clark left and the team debuted a new Iversen bodied Corvette. This car reached a couple of finals in 1983. They parked the car at the end of 1986 and retired the Rodeck. James Brown's best time with the Rodeck was a 6.49 in 1987.
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| "Kool Klutch" racing at I-20 Raceway in 1983. (Alden Swinford) |
In 1988, in addition to his own “Kook Klutch” machine, James drove the "Simpson & Sons" car along with several other drivers. In the early 90s, Pyroil became Brown’s major sponsor, replacing "Kool Klutch.” The “Pyroil” car was James Brown’s last ride. He soon passed away after battling cancer.
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| The "Kool Klutch" 1983 Corvette handout from Green Valley. |
Texas drag racing fans will never forget James Brown and his lengendary series of Lone Star racing machines.
