Pat Foster Remembers Leland Kolb
By Pat Foster
I had the pleasure of racing with Leland for three memorable weekends. Weird, insane weekends but still memorable.
When Woody and I decided to bring back a modern rear engined Top Fuel car to the sport, we had made a deal with ‘Big John’ Bateman to supply one of his 392" engines for the car. Woody and John had some problems (imagine that!) before we debuted the new car, so Leland said we could run his 426" if we'd like. We jumped on the deal as the 426s were coming and we knew it. Leland supplied the engine, clutch, and anything else we needed to start testing the new concept. Always a gentleman and very easy to get along with and had excellent parts.
The first time out, we were at OCIR and all went well until about half-track, at which time the car became very evil indeed. Woody and I talked it over and decided to park it for the night and rethink some aspects having to do with handling.
We worked the following week on slowing the steering ratio down some and went to Irwindale for more testing. Better, but still got very spooky at about 800 feet. We had brought another set of steering arms with us (just in case) and bolted those on for another attempt. Leland was calm through all this and told me to not get stupid, just relax and let her have her head. The second attempt was again much better but still jittery at the lights. We ran right at 200mph (clicking her early) and the ET was fine for the speed.
During the previous two weeks, P&S made us another steering with a ratio of 11-1 instead of the standard 6-1 used in all front-engined cars of the era.
The following weekend we arrived at the "Beach," full of confidence and ready to show the world the way of the future.
We had built the car with as much static weight on the rear wheels as possible and choose to not run any wing or wings on the piece until it became apparent it needed them. We prepped her for an all out attempt (after Woody, Leland, and I deemed the handling would be sound, of course). Well, long story short, she handled like a dream, on a string, moving HARD the first half and settled in for a run to the eyes. About 50 feet before the first light that bitch went straight up (first blowover?), got up on a short single wheelie wheel, launched HARD right (left tire caught the pavement first), and cleared the right side guardrail by five feet! Problem was, there was a light pole just outside the guardrail. I impacted the pole at 220 something and it tore the car off at the rear of the cage and sent Leland's engine and all out through the parking lot full of spectator cars and clear to on Willow Street! Oh yeah, I was still at the bottom of the light pole; those sudden stops are hell!
That ended Leland and my racing career together but started a lifelong mutual admiration for one another.
RIP Leland. I'm tellin' ya…she was haulin' ass!
Patty
BTW - So now you know: after several phone conversations with Gar and Connie (from my hospital bed) how they came to design the first "successful" rear engine dragster! Woody also built Duane Ong's RED that also ran well before Garlits finished his.
Let's see... Slow the steering way down and perhaps put some front wing on the bitch and I think you'll have a starting point! <GRIN>
Foster
