First Annual Funny Car Reunion
Thoughts
By Ted Pappacena
I was at the First Annual Funny Car Reunion Sunday, July
28, at Englishtown, New Jersey. Actually, I was there when I first heard
about it in January. I just couldn't wait. This was one show I wouldn't
miss. My main objective was to "come out" so to speak, to get
more publicity for my website www.dragracingimagery.com,
and to sell my photos. I was in touch with Steve Bell on and off
during the following months as I volunteered the model car club I belong
to (LIARS) to help out with the model car contest/display. At each meeting
until July, I talked up the show.
Once the site was up, I visited it to see who was going
to be there. With each new car and driver, the frenzy level would go up a
notch. Bruce Larson's USA-1 Camaro was at the top of the list. I had just
seen it at his barn in November and now after 30 years, I would see it
again on the track and running. Rob Bruce's Zombie was going to be there.
I had seen photos of the Zombie ‘65 GTO and with that in mind couldn't
wait to see the Zombie Firebird (ex Beswick Boss Bird). Frank Jonkman's
Nitromare Mustang, Rocky Pirrone's Daytona Nitro Charger, the Blue
Angels Corvette, John Denski's recently completed Challenger, Jerry
Smith's First Love Nova and Challenger, the Tom & Jerry Duster, Lou
Sgro's ex-Kenney Goodell Challenger, and on and on. The night before, I
didn't get much sleep; in addition, there was the anxiety of the
possibility of inclement weather. Did you ever notice how when we make
plans for something like this months in advance, the weather plays
an important role (negative) right up to the last second?
There was one slight problem to be ironed out. There is
no way I could handle a vendor space without help (who can, unless you
have a friend in the next space?). So I recruited my best friend and
fellow drag racing enthusiast to help. "John," I said,
"When the first round starts, I have to go into the stands and
videotape it and you have to stay with the table, O K?" John says,
"I want to see the show, too". "This is why I need you to
help, so I can get the show on tape." "I don't know," says
he. This went on right up until the space was set up. He actually wanted
to break everything down during the rounds then reset it all up when it
was over. So, I cut a deal. I take the first round, and you take the
second. He agreed. So that part kinda worked out.
The space I had was right next to the model display
which was right smack dab in the middle of all the funny cars. Lou Sgro
was across from me as was Bruce Larson. Denski's Challenger, the WarHorse,
Tom & Jerry, and the Rambunctious cars were behind me. At one point,
Lou fired up the Challenger and I was in nitro Heaven. I initiated a
rousing round of applause after he warmed up the car. This was waaaaaay
cool!
My table was jammed all day. People did not stop coming.
I made new friends and met old ones. I put faces to names seen only on my
computer monitor. Occasionally I left the space to take pictures of the
cars in the pits and do some networking. I have photos of racers who were
racing in the ‘60s and ‘70s that were there. Some couldn't believe it
when I told them. I managed to meet some drivers and get autographs for my
collection. R C Sherman stopped by but the best had to be Jake Crimmins.
He came by and picked up a Jungle Jim Monza shot (he was in it, I found
out after 25 years) and a Swenson & Lani Mustang shot (he drove it in
‘73). To this point, I didn't know who he was so I said in conversation,
"Yeah, I'd like to get that one autographed, but I don't
know how I would even recognize Jake." He said, "Where do
you want it signed?" I said, "Anyplace; it doesn't matter,
why?" He said, "I'm Jake Crimmins!" The whole day was like
that.
Then comes first round and seeing that there was no one
over in the spectator side stands, I moseyed over there to shoot the
video. First, there was a parade of the funnies, then the Cacklefest.
Blown and injected, what a sound. I couldn't wait for the racing to begin
and about an hour later, it started. It's hard to describe what it was
like to see these cars run again. Performance numbers were not on my must
have list. I was content to see a strong burnout and some good dry hops.
Who out there that is a fan of the funny car does not miss the dry
hops? I miss those the most in today's funny car racing. I wasn't
disappointed. No one who raced in the first round disappointed. Jerry
Smith's Nova looked strong, as did Lou Sgro's Challenger. The No Money No
Funny Nova did a wheel standing dry hop. Oh yeaaaah! Then, up comes the
Zombie and the Nitromare Mustang.
These two guys pitted together and they were paired off
together. There should have been an award for best race pair. These two
run hard. When they came up to the starting line and did their burnouts, I
was back at New York National Speedway in 1971. I got chills then, I got
chills when I watched the tape Monday morning, and I'm getting chills
now as I write these words. They were that good. The Zombie did a
fierce burnout, all smoke and you could see each exhaust pipe spewing
smoke and fuel. The Nitromare looked like it would forgo the water box. He
was going that fast through it, yet he laid one down! The noise when they
were backing up was deafening. They were loaded for bear. The run was a
little anti climactic as the Zombie struck the tires about 30 feet out and
Frank ran a blistering 6.91 but no chutes! So into the sand trap he went.
It was very sad to see the front end damage on the car in the pits. My
hat's off to both of you. You made my day.
Another car that seemed to tip the can label and all was
Rocky Pirrone in the Nitro Charger. His burnout was equal to the Zombie's
and as he was backing up it sounded like each cylinder was exploding
(which I guess it is, but it's the best way for me to describe it). It was
about 4 PM, bright and sunny, and I could see header flames! He ran a
career best 7.31 but did some engine damage along the way. Last out was
Bruce Larson. His car, the USA-1 '68 Camaro, is a Senior National First
place prizewinner with the Antique Automobile Club. That means it's
restored to perfection and is only allowed to run 1/8 mile passes by NHRA
because the roll cage is not up to today's specs. But, what a pass! Not a
particularly smoky burnout, but when he backed up, he was guided by none
other than Jungle Pam. Bruce launched great with the left front dangling
in the air and ran a great 8.05 1/8 mile pass. Then it was over. Back to
my table I went, and sticking to my part of the bargain, stayed there
through round two. I won't even tell you what I missed, you all probably
know.
‘Round about 7:15 p.m., we packed everything up. We
had to leave because my buddy still had some family celebrating to do when
he got home. I was beat. I must have lost 10 pounds just sweating. We know
there will be a Second Annual Funny Car Reunion, but instead of having to
wait seven months for it, we have to wait 12! Bummer.
Ted Pappacena
www.dragracingimagery.com
Nitroblues@Juno.com