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2008 East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame
By Bud De Boer
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| An estimated crowd of 40,000 braved the elements to attend the event. |
Henderson, NC.
Each year since this event began in 2002, it has grown in size and stature to become a must-see attraction for the performance car enthusiast. However, this year's event held over the weekend of October 17-18-19 had to deal with inclement weather for the first time: a day of rain and two days of below normal temperatures. But try as she might, mother nature couldn’t dampen the spirits of those who attended. An estimated crowd of 40,000 braved the elements to view this classic hot rod, muscle car, restored antique, and nostalgia drag car showcase that attracted some 1,500 entries. Lined up side-by-side on the main avenue or in adjacent parking lots, they turned the downtown section of this historic city into a hot rodder’s dream.
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| Kenny Warren's "Virginia Twister" '70 Challenger and Houston Platt's "Dixie Twister" '68 Camaro funny cars appeared at the event for the first time since their restoration. |
Each year a host of nostalgia drag racers from the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s display cars that were prominent in the early days of the sport, some for the first time and others from years past. This year was no exception. Displayed for the first time were Don Garlits’ Swamp Rat XII dragster, Dave Koffel’s ‘68 Hemi Cuda and ‘48 E/Gas Packard, Johnny Rocca’s Iron Horse” Pro-Mod Mercury, Kenny Warren’s “Virginia Twister” ‘70 Challenger funny car, Bob Thomas’ “Strip Teaser” ‘64 Ford Fairlane, K.S. Pittman’s 1933 Willys coupe (replica with doors and other parts from original car), Phil Bonner’s ‘68 Mustang Cobra Jet Fastback, and Houston Platt’s “Dixie Twister” ‘68 Camaro funny car. All are restorations unless otherwise stated. The event also gives the fan an opportunity to meet and bench race with owners or drivers of these cars from the sport’s golden years.
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| Rocky Pirrone did a masterful job of replicating K.S. Pittman's '33 Willys Coupe using doors and other parts from the original car. |
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| Phil Bonner's '68 Mustang Cobra Jet Fastback is one of the original 50 "lightweight" models built by Ford for drag racing. Initially run in Super Stock with a 428 CJ motor, it was later converted to A/FX using a 427 SOHC for power. Car is currently owned by Don Fezell. |
In addition to a great car show, the East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame also takes time to honor drag racing pioneers for their contributions to the sport with induction ceremonies on the last day of the event. It’s a day that begins at 10:00 am with cars on display, autograph signing, bench racing, scrap book viewing, and a chance meet past inductees and as well as those about to be honored. Then at 12:30 pm, ceremonies began with Brett Kepner as MC.
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| ECDTHOF inductees proudly hold their plaques at the conclusion of the awards ceremony. |
This years inductees were: Dan Weis, Dave Koffel, David Frye, the Ewing Brothers (Ken, Gary, Wayne), Harry Coombs, Herman Lewis, Joe Gerdleman, Johnny Rocca, Mac Pressley, the Pacers Team (George Snizek, Charlie “Dodge” Hagenmeyer, Otto Qualliotine, Ken “KB” Braun), Tommy Grove, and Wally Bell. The Distinguished Achievement Award in Drag Racing went to Arnie Beswick. Posthumous Awards went to Ron Lyles and Dick Swecker. The Ronnie Sox Memorial Award went to former Sox teammate Herb McCandless. The Thomas Woody Andrews Memorial Award went to Bobby Starr, and the Wally Parks Motorsports Statesman Memorial Award went to legends Robert “Bones” Balough and Ed Iskenderian.
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| Long time friends Ed Iskenderian and Robert "Bones" Balough were recipients of this year's Wally Parks Motorsports Statesman Memorial Award. |
According to Nancy Wilson, Director of the Vance County Dept. of Tourism, dates for next year’s event have already been set. They are October 16-17-18, 2009. Mark them down and plan to attend. Remember… there’s only one East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame!
For additional information call Vance County Tourism at (866) 438-4565 (toll free) / (252) 438-2222 ext. 21 (local) or visit www.eastcoastdragtimeshalloffame.com
and www.kerr-lake.com
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