On August 20, Mike Berry wrote an article on legendary drag racing driver and fabricator Pat Foster for the Wichita Eagle. We reprinted the story with Mike’s and the Eagle’s permission on 8/23. Mike said he had never had such an outpouring of positive letters after writing an article. Many, if not most, came from the Standard 1320 Group Internet email list. Mike agreed to let The Drag Racing List share these tributes with our readers. Pat Foster has been out of the country for a week. This should be a nice reception! Welcome home, Patty!

Mike: I just wanted to say "thank you" for the writing that you did on Pat Foster! I've been a fan of his for years, and thanks to the Internet, I’m able to enjoy your article in San Jose Ca., which I would have never been able to do otherwise. Here’s Foster talking to the Snake in 1977. Pat built the car for him. Robbie Robertson

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Mr. Berry, Thank you doing such a great job on the Pat Foster story. Pat is truly a hero for both what he has accomplished in the past, and what he is doing to preserve it.

About a year ago, I began restoration on a 40-year-old twin engine dragster. Through the internet I made contact with Pat Foster and Tom Hanna. Both have been instrumental in helping to restore the car.

Pat is very generous in sharing his knowledge with someone willing to learn. He is helping me with the restoration "on-line" with welding and fabrication tips, plus his invaluable knowledge on how things "were".

Thanks again for such a well-written piece. As "Patty" would say..."Sit Low" Chris Stinson -- Winslow, Arizona

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Mr. Berry: What an outstanding article on my old pal pat foster. I was one of those young dragster drivers in southern California back in the 50's 60's and 70's. Raced against pat many times. Pat is a very humble guy. He was one of a very few that could drive those fire breathers and build the cars. He was one of the best dragster and funny car drivers and builders ever. Not B.S. but fact. If you ever wanted to do a book, that would be a real part of history of drag racing. Then write one about pat's experiences. They are unbelievable. Wayne King, a.k.a. "The Peregrine"

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Mike: I just read your article on Pat Foster, on line. That's a very good article on a very talented individual. Thanks for writing it! Brent Cannon, 783 AA/FD, 1972 Vintage

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Mike, Thank for you penning a wonderful article on Patrick. As long time acquaintance and one of his pals on the internet, I know what a talented man he is. His abilities and current projects are the talk of the nostalgia racing world. We all know they will be perfect, when finished. Thanks again, Pat (Ma) Green, Medford, Oregon

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Mike -- Let me add my appreciation to that expressed by others in the Standard 1320 Group for the article you wrote on Pat Foster. I've never met Pat, but I hope to fix that at the California Hot Rod Reunion in October. We've exchanged some e-mails, and I sent him an 11 x 14 enlargement of a photo I'd taken in 1966 and posted to the 1320 group, This is one of the many dragsters Pat had driven in the 60s, the Dusty Rhodes car. Thanks again for the great article. Paul Hutchins, Front Royal VA

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Mike: Great article on Foster ... Patty's one of the for-real Heroes! Fred Vosk

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Thanx for the great article on Pat Foster. He has been a hero of mine for many years and continues to show why.

Not only was he a superb driver throughout his career and one of the finest designer and builders of dragster and funny car chassis, he has always had fun doing it all.

Thanx again. Phil R. Elliott, Somewhere near Seattle

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Mr. Berry, Thanks to the Internet, your fine story about Pat Foster in yesterday's paper is achieving wide circulation among an audience that really appreciates it. Some of us remember Pat as the skillful and meticulous designer/fabricator that he still is. Others remember his colorful driving career, particularly in the Mickey Thompson and Barry Setzer drag racing "Funny Cars." But what Foster is doing right now is of equal interest and no less importance. For all of us that still keep a "flame" alive for an earlier era in the sport of drag racing, and recognize Pat Foster's past and present contributions, I thank you.

I am sure that others will also suggest a companion article on Tom Hanna, who is also mentioned in your story. You are fortunate to have two "living legends" in town, each of whom continue in creative roles with great passion, skill and enthusiasm.

I also hope you follow up with Pat Foster upon conclusion of his current restoration / reconstruction projects to fully appreciate what an artist is in your midst! Victor B. Cooke

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Dear Mike, I just read your article on Pat Foster. Wonderful article. My husband is Kent Fuller, builder of Dragster Chassis since the late 50's. We have known Pat for most of that time. He is well known over the years as one of the best. Thank you for letting the World know there are real masters still going and creating works of art. Evelyn Fuller

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Nicely done. You seem to have grasped the facts better than most writers who have written similar articles, even for specialty magazines have. In fact, you may want to consider expanding the article and adding more pictures and selling it to Drag Racing magazine or one of the other special interest magazines like Hot Rod. Ron Johnson

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Mike, Thanks for the story on Pat Foster. Extremely well written, concise and right to the point. Having had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Foster made the story all the more interesting. Pat's skills as both a racecar builder and driver were legendary 'back then'. And, no mention of a tragic crash on the streets mistakenly being referred to as a 'Drag Race' made the story all the more refreshing. Thanks again. More old B.S. later. Bill 'Badco' Ott

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Mike, you are one of "these guys" aren't you? Very nice story on Pat, and you have Hanna and Wiebe to go. Looking forward to your stories and the Motorsports section. Gordie (not quite that old) Bonin

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