Vinnie and Richard Napp present Darwin an NED flag. Lots of good times in Division One.
I was very pleased with our accomplishments in Division One as my tenure as the Northeast Division Director during the years 1964-1978.
Division One was the first Division to have a Division logo. We started with a pretty simple NED logo that we not only had in a decal but we had badges that were widely accepted in the Division by racers and track operator’s alike. The other Division’s of NHRA were quick to establish their own logos and each Division soon thereafter had their own. Sport Service was quick to jump on marketing of the logos throughout the United States.
We also were the first Division to have an open Division Banquet for presenting Division awards and special awards for individual achievements and industry recognition. As with the logo, the other Divisions of NHRA were quick to follow our lead. Division One had the largest Divisional Banquet each year during my tenure.
We were the only Division to have a Division Annual to recognize our racers and tracks throughout the Northeast. The program became a collector’s item as can be attested on eBay. The racers received deserved recognition for their accomplishments and the Division tracks likewise received exposure for their events and plaudits for their many innovations to drag racing. The revenue derived went to communications equipment and other equipment essential to coordinating NHRA Division events.
Bruce and Joan Mehlenbacher of Dragway Park presented Pat and me with a NED quilt at a WCS event there. Esprit de Corps reigned in the Land of NED. Lots of fun times racing “back in the day!”
We established a NHRA Pro Stock Circuit, NHRA Funny Car Circuit, NHRA Super Stock Circuit, and an NHRA Stock Circuit, all providing numerous benefits to each category of racer and especially a revenue producer for the NHRA Division One track operators.
We were the first NHRA Division to establish a Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is still a regular part of NHRA Division One.
We became the first Division to establish an NHRA Bracket Finals which was a most wanted program by track operators nationwide. We created the format and operational criteria that was quickly adopted by the other Divisions of NHRA.
At the outset of my involvement with NHRA at the Nationals and other NHRA National events I formulated the system, no matter how primitive it would be considered today, for recording all runs at a national event and for developing ladder sheets that comprised the format for running at national events. We had no computers back in the day, but it worked until the development of today’s electronic methods.
I served on the Board of Directors of ACCUS-FIA for several years on behalf of NHRA.
I thought it adviseable to put our achievements and personal accomplishments on record as the clock is ticking and there is no guarantee on how long we may be here on this earth. Certainly those who succeeded us at the Divisional level and National level don’t know nor really care.
I pride myself in knowing that I was able to contribute many beneficial programs to NHRA,and to Division One racers and tracks. I have not seen any new programs and ideas coming from Division One since I moved on to other areas of motorsports.
No Brag, Just Fact.
Thanks for the Memories.
Darwin Doll
