Don Garlits sets E-record at 82, 184-MPH

[spinningmagnets]

The youngsters around here might not have heard about Don Garlits. He was a pioneer in 1/4-mile drag racing. I was present as a young lad when he was the first to break 200-MPH burning liquid fuels (nitro-methane?). The new electric record is 184.01 MPH in 7.258 seconds.

Someone wanted to build a record-breaking 1/4-miler, and Don was available, so...why not? I hope I am having this much fun at 82.

http://www.nhra.com/story/story.asp...-vehicle-record&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

 

[StudEbiker]

The moment I always think of when I hear the words "Don Garlits".

[youtube]o0M69OAkjuA[/youtube]

 

[The fingers]

Congratulations to Big Daddy, hope he breaks 200 mph in it real soon. Still a hero of mine after all these years. 8)
Too bad Art Arfons isn't around to break the world land speed record in an electric Green Monster. Craig Breedlove might need to assemble an electric Spirit of America to do it.

 

[dogman dan]

Way to go dude. He's always been awesome. Including the day he signed Shirley Muldowney off to race.

 

[docnjoj]

I've always followed road racing rather than drag racing but these folks here are legends. Great post.
otherDoc

 

[liveforphysics]

Soon electrics will be dominating all types at all levels of drag racing, hill-climbing, and all the other applications where you win by having massive acceleration.

I think it's so cool he is into electric racing! They said his controllers were only at half-power when he set the record as well... I can't wait to see when they get things sorted out well enough to turn up the wick.

 

[Hillhater]

Don wont be having it all to himself though.
He has a girl chasing his tail...7.89 @ 161...which is now the official NEDRA record...not bad for a first run in the car !
... With a lot more to come from both hopefully .
http://www.diyelectriccar.com/forums/showthread.php/lawless-hammerdown-dragster-quickest-nedra-history-96264.html

 

[Hillhater]

The 7.25 sec battery pack and controllers..

 

[dogman dan]

Am I hallucinating, or do I see a huge pile of Hobby King packs?

 

[Frank]

Those aren't HK cells! They are from High Tech Systems out of Colorado (Derek Barger.)

 

[Hillhater]

http://www.hightechsystemsllc.com/pt_Batterypacks.html

 

[wheelbender6]

I vote for an e-dragster grudge match between Big Daddy Garlits and Cha Cha Muldowney.

 

[e-beach]

I vote for an e-dragster grudge match between Big Daddy Garlits and Cha Cha Muldowney.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shirley_Muldowney
Muldowney success met enormous opposition from those who felt drag racing (or any form of motorsport, for that matter) was no place for women. Don Garlits has said about her:
"Now, if you ask who do I have the most respect for, I'd say Shirley Muldowney. She went against all odds. They didn't want her to race Top Fuel, the association, the racers, nobody...Just Shirley."[10]

Two year old interview....vintage to the question:

[youtube]pcmYP1lLpi0[/youtube]