Roller Starters

By James Morgan

Before the detachable starters used on today's Top Fuel cars, the cars were push started. Well this could become a problem in a crowded pit area so the ultra modern tracks ;-) had roller starters. Here the "Pleasure Seekers" Fueler is sitting on the rollers. The crewman will squirt a little gas in the injector, hold back on the bug catcher, and the roller starter would be engaged. When the RPMs were high enough, the driver pops the clutch, un-grounds the mag, and the motor sputters to life. Then the car is driven back to its pit area and warmed. Bet an insurance adjuster in today's world would have a friggin' heart attack at this sight.

James Morgan
http://www.Motorsportunderground.com

Happy birthday, James! By complete coincidence, April 2 is James Morgan's birthday! Now, can I pick the right story for the right day or what? Bill