Dust Devils to Hold Drag Race on April 9 & 10
The Dust Devils Auto Club will be hosting a two-day race at the Inyokern Airport April 9th and 10th. The club, which has put on races at the track for 51 years (making it the oldest continuously operated dragstrip in the world), will have two days of fun filled racing.
Saturday will see a Nostalgia race. Standard 1320,an internet group dedicated to preserving the history of drag racing from the era of 1955 to 1971, will present its First Annual Invitational Drag Race on Saturday, April 9, at Inyokern Dragstrip. Racers from Arizona and southern California who have raced cars that fit this era are expected to attend and race.
Two Drag Racing Hall of Fame members, Gary "Red" Greth of Tucson and John "Mr. Flathead" Bradley, will be there with their racers. Greth's Speed Sport roadster was the world record holder for speed in the mid 1950's. It is a rear engined T bucket roadster powered by a Hemi Chrysler burning nitromethane fuel. The sound of its eight exhausts is legendary. John Bradley has been racing for over 55 years in Flathead Ford powered Dragsters, also using potent nitromethane for fuel. He is from the Banning area and has victories over other greats in the sport, including legendary "Big Daddy" Don Garlits.
Arizona Drag Racing Hall of Fame member Larry Steinegger will do static fire-ups with his Steinegger and Eshenbaugh Top Fuel rail from the 60's. Larry enjoys letting people, young and old, sit in the seat of his car and have their picture taken as if they were driving.
Ron Johnson of San Diego will also do fire-ups (called "Cackles") in his recreation of the Shubert and Herbert Top Fuel car. Johnson's car, which features a small block Chevrolet motor, competed against and defeated many cars of the era using much larger powerplants.
Don Prieto of Torrance will return with his roadster powered by a Fuel Flathead engine. Doug Peterson of Lodi and daughter Lori, who drives his dragster, will return to race. Many other nostalgic era racers are expected to attend the event.
The Dust Devils regular Summit Series race event will be held on Sunday and should be well attended, as most all of the Standard 1320 group plans to stay over to spectate. Several out of town racers plan to make the Sunday racing action as well.
Many famous dragracers have been members of the Dust Devils. The club was honored by the National Hot Rod Association at last year's California Hot Rod Reunion in Bakersfield for its long service to the sport.
For added info, contact the Dust Devils website at www.Inyokerndragstrip.com or for Saturday's info, contact Ron Miller at RLMiller@cableone.net or 928-289-4537
