Not a Push Start, But...

By Don Roberts

Don Roberts tows up the return road at Epping in the King & Marshall fueler.
Photo by Paul Wasilewsi

Keeping with the theme of push starts, push bars, and in this case roller starters, your pal Jimmy King did this to me one night at Epping.

In typical King & Marshall fashion (not all the time.... <g>) they show up at 7:25pm for an 8pm first round at a Wednesday night program at Epping, NH. Hurry up to get parked, get the Garlits chassis rear engine car out of the trailer, hustle over to the roller starters to get started and warmed up.

I didn't bring my helmet or jacket, no time to go get them, so I hop in the car and get the tires turning, let the clutch out get some oil pressure, and this being the old days where drivers did everything, I hit the mag switch on.

The next thing I hear is a loud KABOOOOOMMMMM followed by some serious heat on the back of my head and neck and shoulders. Then I'm smelling this god awful smell, when it dawns on me that my period correct long hair has been singed pretty good and my neck is still real hot. Jesus, what are these guys trying to do to me.

A quick check determines that your pal and mine, JK, put the mag in wrong. The spring-loaded pop off valve opened on the front of the manifold, and out came the fire. Hey, it was only off a tooth, right?

One of the many adventures of King & Marshall I was so fortunate to be part of.

Hero driver enclosed, trademark cigarette, and sunglasses in place, on the return road Epping, NH 1973.... <g>.

Don Roberts
TopFuel169@aol.com