Go, Speed Racer, Go!

Photo by John Shanks

With the new movie catching the interest of a new generation, let's check back in on Drag Racing's own Speed Racer...

In 1976, Steve Harris debuted chassis builder Mike Kase's "Speed Racer" Vega at the OCIR annual Manufacturers Meet. In 1977, following an injury to Harris, Tom Anderson, who had been racing his own Vega and "Wild Thing" Mustang II F/C took over the reins. By 78 team was on a roll, winning the Div 3 title, taking runner up at Cajun Nationals and finishing 6th in NHRA points. However, lady luck didn't smile on the team in 79 as they seemed to just miss qualifying at most NHRA national events. Speed Racer closed out the decade as an Omni bodied car and in early 1980, Anderson left the team to crew chief on Len Imbrogno's Centurion Trans Am and "AA/Dale" Armstrong took over driving chores. In 81 Armstrong became the 6th member of the Cragar 5 Second Club with a 5.98 at the Gatornationals. Anderson later went on to drive for Jim Wemett.

Info thanks to 70sfunnycars.com