Anyone who knows me understands how much I love top fuel drag racing. This year is the first year I decided to give up my seats, stay at home, and watch it on TV. I have been to the races at least 10 years in a row, if not more, and I know the feeling, the sound, the smell, the thrill of being there. It is time (starting this year) to just watch it from my living room. Of course I watch all the races on their circuit and even had my wife record the races that I went to, so that I could watch them later.
OK, how about some pictures of John Force and his cars. This first one is John:
This is John's car just after launch running down the lane at full power. Impressive, isn't it? If you said yes, you should feel and hear it in person, live!!
John Force is not the only top fuel race car driver in the family. He has three daughters and a son-in-law who drive top fuel, all but one (who drives a top fuel dragster) drive top fuel funny cars. Here are his three daughters. The one in the middle has taken a couple seasons off to have and raise a new baby.
I took this picture of John's pit area and his son-in-law's Robert Hight:
And one of John's daughter signing autographs:
He, too, was signing autographs:
John Force has been in serious wrecks, spent many weeks in the hospital, but has been racing for more years than he can count, so I don't think a little thing like another birthday will slow him down any. They still run over 300 mph in a thousand feet. That is shorter than the quarter mile that other dragsters run. In an eighth of a mile the can reach over 270 mph. Now, you all stay with in the speed limit and have a safe and great day, you hear?
I remember the first one i ever saw, was in San Antionio, ..,,,was back in early 60s. We were into all kinds of races,, cars, boats, motorcycles,, we went to alllll. Did you ever see top fuel boats?
ReplyDeleteOnly on TV. I have seen boat racing, but it was not top fuel. Top fuel cars and boats burn nitro methane.
DeleteBack in the 70's my dad raced jeeps. we would load up a camper and spend a weekend in a field ...someplace in PA or Ohio. They had drag races, hill climbs and obstacle courses. Mainly I remember the MUD. (it always rained)
ReplyDeleteMud and Jeep racing go together. I bet those were some fun times.
DeleteWith the last name of "Force" that man HAD to succeed! Nice tribute to your friend!
ReplyDeleteAt the Dallas, TX race a few years ago, a car in the other lane lost control and slammed into the side of his car and cut the front of it John's car off. It drug his legs down the tack at 300 mph. Not a good thing. He was off a year recuperating. Yes, I guess with a name like that he has to be a winner.
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