Dry Lakes and Drag Strips

Dry Lakes and Drag Strips
Author: Dean Batchelor
Publisher: Motorbooks International
Total Pages: 192
Release: 2002
Genre: Transportation
ISBN: 9780760312162

Illustrated with evocative period photos, this paperback reprint of The American Hot Rod (0-87938-982-6) traces the evolution of the cars built and modified specifically for street, track and salt flats racing from the 1920s through the early 1970s. Chapters cover topics like dry lakes racing, prewar Fords, Detroit engines, road racing specials, supercharging and alternative fuels, Bonneville and drag racing.

Drag Racing in the 1960s

Drag Racing in the 1960s
Author: Doug Boyce
Publisher: CarTech Inc
Total Pages: 176
Release: 2021-03-15
Genre: Transportation
ISBN: 1613255829

The 1960s were a fascinating decade on the race scene. Relive the memories today through this wonderful new book. Drag racing has a long and storied history. Many have said that the first drag race happened shortly after the second car was made. While that may or may not be true, racing prior to World War II was mostly centered around dry-lake activities and top-speed runs. After the war, drag racing became organized with the formation of the NHRA, and during the 1950s, many tracks were built across America to accommodate the racers. Technology in the 1950s centered on the manufacturers updating old flathead designs into newer overhead-valve designs, and the horsepower race really started to heat up. In many forms of racing, the 1960s brought technological evolution. The decade began with big engines in even bigger stock chassis and ended with purpose-built race-only chassis, fiberglass bodies, fuel injection, nitro methane, and blowers. Quarter-mile times that were in the 13-second range in the beginning of the decade were in the 7-second range by the end. New classes were formed, dedicated cars were built for them, and many racers themselves became recognized names in the sports landscape. In Drag Racing in the 60s: The Evolution in Race Car Technology, veteran author Doug Boyce takes you on a ride through the entire decade from a technological point of view rather than a results-based one. Covered are all the classes, including Super Stocks, Altered Wheelbase cars (which led to Funny Cars), Top Fuelers, Gassers, and more.

High Performance

High Performance
Author: Robert C. Post
Publisher: JHU Press
Total Pages: 460
Release: 2001
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9780801866647

Providing a firsthand history of the sport, this book takes a detailed look at all aspects of drag racing: the sport, the business, and tracks the innovations that permitted racers to disprove the "laws of physics". 147 halftones.

Fuel and Guts

Fuel and Guts
Author: Dave McClelland, Tom Madigan
Publisher:
Total Pages: 270
Release:
Genre:
ISBN: 9781610609388

Supercharged Gas Coupes

Supercharged Gas Coupes
Author: Don Montgomery
Publisher: D. Montgomery
Total Pages: 192
Release: 1992-12-01
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 9780962645433

This book is the story of the exciting blown gas coupes in the 1960s' drag racing. It shows and tells about the evolution of the cars and the technical improvements in both the engines and chassis design.It discusses the fierce competition, the hype and challenges that made many of the guys famous. Hardbound - 192 pages - 313 photos.

Quarter-Mile Corvettes 1953-1975

Quarter-Mile Corvettes 1953-1975
Author: Steve Holmes
Publisher: CarTech Inc
Total Pages: 192
Release: 2024-04-15
Genre: Transportation
ISBN: 1613258046

Re-live Corvette’s early years at the drag strip! Famously known as “America’s sports car,” the Chevrolet Corvette came to market in 1953. That same year, the newly established National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) hosted its first event. The Corvette was never intended for quarter-mile drag racing, and it appeared to be completely at odds with the sport. Early equipment included an underpowered Blue Flame 6-cylinder motor and automatic transmission. But somehow, the two have become forever entwined. The Corvette brought an element of class and style to drag racing. On the showroom and on the street, it has always been unique. It is truly American. Likewise, the uniqueness that sets it apart from everything else also meant that it had no natural competition on the drag strip. However, that fact didn’t dampen enthusiasm. Indeed, the NHRA and other governing bodies introduced Sports Car divisions in the late 1950s, catering to both stock and modified vehicles. Naturally, these classes were packed with Corvettes. Racing historian Steve Holmes breaks new ground by unearthing the complete early history of the Corvette in drag racing. Quarter-Mile Corvettes focuses on the period from 1955 to 1975, which spans the first 20 years of Corvette V-8 production. Fittingly, this was also the era considered by many to be the greatest in drag racing’s history, and Corvettes encapsulated the vibrancy of the period in a way that will never be repeated. Certainly, Chevrolet never intended for the Corvette to become a quarter-mile terror, but today, its nameplate has become one of the longest running in all of drag racing.

Hot Rod Pin-Ups II

Hot Rod Pin-Ups II
Author: David Perry
Publisher:
Total Pages: 150
Release:
Genre: Transportation
ISBN: 9781616730109

Following on the success of his 2005 bestseller Hot Rod Pin-ups, ace photographer David Perry offers an all-new collection of images winningly riffing on the timeless theme of girls ’n’ cars—specifically, girls ‘n’ hot rods. In the garage, on the road, at the race, these sumptuous pictures by the acknowledged master of contemporary hot rod pin-up photography recall classic 1950s illustrators like Vargas and Elvgren. But the beauties in Perry’s photographs have been transported to--and, it seems, transported by--the cluttered chop shops, deafening drag strips, and dusty highways that hot rods call home. Sharing top billing are the cars of many of today’s top builders, as well as painstakingly perfect wardrobes and settings. Essays by male and female stars of the hot rod world round out this delightful book.

How to Drag Race

How to Drag Race
Author: Kevin McKenna
Publisher: CarTech Inc
Total Pages: 146
Release: 2008
Genre: Transportation
ISBN: 1932494472

Whether you're bracket racing your daily driver, tuning the new suspension setup on your weekend bracket racer, or competing in one of many pro classes, drag racing is the participation motorsport of choice. McKenna uses over 300 color photos to show you what to expect your first time out, how to set your street or racecar up for consistency and speed, and driving technique for enthusiasts at all levels. He talks tires, safety equipment, driving aids like line-locks and delay boxes, choosing a class, and advanced racer math. Special sections detail how to maximize your current setup and strategy bracket racing success.

San Diego Drag Racing and the Bean Bandits

San Diego Drag Racing and the Bean Bandits
Author: Emmanuel Burgin
Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
Total Pages: 210
Release: 2017-12-11
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1439663580

San Diego enjoys a long and storied race car and drag racing history, and the Bean Bandits are a huge part of that heritage. Yet their story remains buried in plain sight. Told here in photographs garnered from private, personal, and historical collections, the 1950s pioneering exploits of Bean Bandits leader Joaquin Arnett and his contributions to that racing history come to life. The San Diego native led his Bean Bandits to over 300 wins and several land speed records while competing against other local clubs, like the Prowlers, Oilers, Roadsters, and Roadrunners. Eventually, the Bean Bandits' streamliners set records on the Bonneville Salt Flats. Arnett won the first National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Championship in 1953, was named to the International Car Racing Hall of Fame in 1992, and was awarded an NHRA Lifetime Achievement Award in 1994. Arnett and his Bean Bandits' car also graced the cover of Hot Rod magazine's special drag strip issue in 1953.