Jim McLennan, a Bay Area drag racing pioneer and promoter was laid to rest today in San Francisco. Mr. McLennan passed away from complications of diabetes at age 74. McLennan’s love of racing dated back to his teenage years running hot rods on San Francisco's Great Highway, and continued throughout his life. In 1957, he opened Half Moon Bay Drag Strip, and later Champion Speed Shop selling speed parts, and building and repairing hot rods. In the 1960’s, the Half Moon Bay Drag Strip was the site of many historic battles between McLennan’s Champion Speed Shop fueler and the fueler of Ted Gotelli of Gotelli Speed Shop. In recent years, McLennan and his family built and campaigned a nostalgia top fueler. Jim McLennan sadly did not live long enough to celebrate his induction into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame in Ocala, Florida on March 15, 2007.
Thanks to Kevin M. Triplett