The very first internet organized drag race ever!

I often ponder the fact that I have been involved in the sport of drag racing for longer than I care to admit . . . some fifty years now. It really is a simple form of organized motor racing that appeals to a relatively small percentage of the population, even though a larger number inadvertently participate in an unorganized version each day at the corner stop light. I guess it is a combination of the thrill of acceleration at maximum velocity for any given vehicle and the charge you get when you blow somebody off . . . no matter how much speed is involved. 

I have long since given up on any official organized type of drag racing because it is too expensive to compete and the hassle of the sanctioning body always trying to "make it safer" and leveling the playing field is burdensome. I chose instead to chat with my friends on the internet about "the old days" and enjoy the shared camaraderie of common interest.  

My chat room of choice is a thing called Standard 1320---dedicated to the preservation of front engine dragster racing from 1955 to 1971. There are some 300 members, some  famous some not so famous and many like myself are former Top Fuel racers.  As it turns out there are several members, myself included, that have old drag cars, and they are always interested in running these relics in a laid back atmosphere that provides the throwback conditions of the '50s. Understand that the only difference between real relics and reproduced relics in this context is the amount of safety equipment on board to comply with some holier-than-thou sanctioning body.  

About a year and a half ago, the subject of Inyokern drag strip (located in the Southern California desert) and its approaching 50th anniversary of continuous operation, became the topic of conversation on the 1320. Someone, I believe it was one Ron Miller, who suggested the members should turn out to help celebrate that anniversary and bring their cars and "make a pass" in the '50s tradition we all love so much. 

Several members, myself included, dusted off the iron and towed it out to the event and participated to the degree each felt the need. It was great fun. So much fun that we discussed doing it on an annual basis. This was the genesis of what is now the Annual Standard 1320 Invitational Drag Race. The aforementioned Ron Miller (he of vast experience at running a drag strip as he ran the local strip in Winslow Arizona for years) took the proverbial bull by the horns and stirred/organized the membership into donating enough money to rent the entire facility.

Funds in hand, Miller met with his old Dust Devil pals and did a deal. We would run on the second Saturday in April the day before their regularly scheduled event on Sunday the 10th. With those details arranged, Ron set out to promote the event by printing t-shirts, got member Beth Crossley to make a poster, sent press releases to the local newspaper---a right proper deal.  

Most of us arrived on Friday night, (some from as far away as Kansas) with the idea that a barbeque would take place with members encircled in the pit area. Wind conditions forced us to John's Pizza in nearby Ridgecrest where we watched old drag race movies, bench raced and Ol' Miller gave out framed certificates commemorating the previous years event. Posters were available as were t shirts and name tags. Great gathering. 

Saturday morning early, the pits filled with members cars and trailers. John Bradley (Worlds Fastest Flathead dragster), Red Greth (Speed Sport Roadster), Larry Steinnegar (Steinnegar & Eshenbaugh Top Fuel dragster), "Potvin" Doug Peterson (unblown Chrysler digger), and a host of others unloaded for a "day at the drags."

Miller had everything organized and we started running about 9:30. The Dust Devils announced that the track was ready, and since I was too. I went up to the line in my flathead powered roadster and made the first run of the day. The treated surface didn't do a thing for my 820X16 "gum dipped" Firestones and I freewheeled 'er for the first 50 feet. The track was just as I remembered it---slippery but smooth and long enough to stop with only rear drum brakes. 

That got everybody in the mood and soon we had the lanes full of ol' timers preparing to give it a go in their antique racers. Guys were staging races against one another and since there was the lack of any structure, it was a simple matter of lining up against your opponent of choice and proceed to the line. I chose, for my next run, the orange Speed Sport roadster that I have loved since I first saw it in Biloxi Mississippi in 1959. I made sure that Group photog Robert Briggs knew to get a shot for my scrapbook. I probably will never get to do that again. We got 'em fired up and pulled to the line. We had asked for a flag start since neither of the cars/drivers had any use for the Xmas tree starting system and its electronic wizardry.   

As you would expect, Red blew me away but it didn't matter as I got to hear the unique sound of the fuel burning Chrysler powered Speed Sport from an "on the track" perspective. I was beside myself with glee.

Others did similar challenges and like cars paired with their opponents. Two at a time, diggers, door slammers, roadsters, coupes, all had at it.   

We broke for lunch and Lee Schelin, our Cat Herder of record, organized a photo op. He had everybody bring their cars onto the track much like they did in years past and we all had our picture taken. It took four photos to get all of the cars and people covered. Then it was time to have all of the 1320 members gather round for that photo. We were having such a good time talking about the cars, the people, and event itself, it much longer that usual . . . but nobody seem to care. It was that kind of laid back deal. The rest of the afternoon was spent makin'  runs and watching others.   

For those not old enough to remember when the drags consisted of those who participated and their respective family/helpers, this is how it was when drag racing was a participant sport and very few concerned themselves with who was watching. The switch to a spectator sport came when it got popular enough for people to pay to watch.    

To the man (and Ladies too), everyone couldn't stop talking about how great it was to be at this event. Plans are in the works for the Second Annual Standard 1320 Invitational Drag Race. I plan to be there. It's not often you get to relive your youth.