Excerpts from the Diamond P video "Fabulous Floppers". Narrated by the late Steve Evans with NHRA Funny Car Champions Kenny Bernstein and Don "The Snake Prudhome".
I was very fortunate to work at Lyons dragstrip Wilmington California from 1969 until the last race. I worked for Carson ambulance service and we had the contract for Lyons dragstrip. I was out there every time strip was open with my partner in the ambulance at the far end of the dragstrip. I had been a drag racer for years. I became friends with some of the top names in drag racing. A lot of them are still here today and still racing but I have lost alott of Friends.
The best way to slow down these modern animals is to simply remove the traction compound they apply to the race track. This would also equalize the whole idea of these two three or more car teams. It would literally drive the crew chiefs nuts as well as to slow them down to a much safer speed.
kbdevo is correct.Funnycars originated from altered wheelbase factory experimental cars,which originated from factory stock cars.SS/A,SS/AA,for example.Then came the Factory experimental cars,A/FX,for example.These cars soon got into match racing,then guys would move the rear wheels foward for more traction,because slicks in those days were too small.And it kept evolving from there.Then in the late 60's,Pro stock had a similar transformation.
I had a discussion about the origin of the term funny. what is the opinion here? is it because of the driving behavior (tends to bounce because of the short wheelbase) or because of the look (offset rear axle)?
I remember when Chicago Patrol was a rocket FC later on. I can't believe they didn't mention the Flying Dutchman when they showed funny funny cars. The Quicksilver Pro Mod was similar to Secret Weapon.
Unless someone else knows better, Dick Landy instigated the term "Funny Car" when he was the first to lengthen the wheel base of his Dodge back in the days of "Run What You Brung" super stockers.
Phil Burgess and I had a little e-mail exchange about this very subject a few years back. I said the FC's were a result of the FX cars and he disagreed. He brought in Ronnie Sox as his expert witness/backup who then said that FC was an extension of the SS class guys who wanted to go faster without restrictions (blowers, injected etc). I couldn't believe this reasoning and still don't today, sorry Phil and Ronnie, you're still wrong.
these days funny car's are carbon fiber wedges with brand stickers on the nose, sad it's come to a sport where only those who are super rich or have acquired millions to campaign a car for a season, there was a time not long ago a family could campaign a top alcohol car but that's pretty much gone too.
I was very fortunate to work at Lyons dragstrip Wilmington California from 1969 until the last race. I worked for Carson ambulance service and we had the contract for Lyons dragstrip. I was out there every time strip was open with my partner in the ambulance at the far end of the dragstrip. I had been a drag racer for years. I became friends with some of the top names in drag racing. A lot of them are still here today and still racing but I have lost alott of Friends.
My father always says, "There is nothing funny about a funnycar". Lol!
8:22 The ole Mustang Deuce bouncing to the music, cartoon style! lol
First thing that come to mind was the old Popeye and Mickey Mouse cartoons as they sway to the music 😊
It is hard to find films of Landy's '66 nitro dart, nice to see that car run in this video!!
Back when they actually looked more like the cars they represented.
So true. Now there all off the same mold
badass! many young memories!!! i became a drag fan at a young 6 years 86, 87 i miss when it was on tnn every weekend and nhra today!!
steve O .. TNN at the drags w/Steve Evans & Brock Yates used to make my weekend complete...✌🏼.. thanks.
Late 80s enthusiast here!
I was in the stands when Joe Winters pitched the body....I remember everyone of these cars!
This what we need to go back to, cars you can recognize and slow them down and go back to 1320
Oh yeah and long smokey burnouts would be awesome to see again also
The best way to slow down these modern animals is to simply remove the traction compound they apply to the race track. This would also equalize the whole idea of these two three or more car teams. It would literally drive the crew chiefs nuts as well as to slow them down to a much safer speed.
@robertakabear I sure appreciate you taking time to watch and share your story! Thanks!
John
some of the most skilled drivers ever to walk the earth were funny car drivers from the 60's and 70's
"Gold Dust Classics" has great early altered wheelbase and S/S class footage.
kbdevo is correct.Funnycars originated from altered wheelbase factory experimental cars,which originated from factory stock cars.SS/A,SS/AA,for example.Then came the Factory experimental cars,A/FX,for example.These cars soon got into match racing,then guys would move the rear wheels foward for more traction,because slicks in those days were too small.And it kept evolving from there.Then in the late 60's,Pro stock had a similar transformation.
This is one of the top FC videos!
Most violent, unpredictable would be the AA-FA Fuel Altered. A top Fuel of Funny car in a very short wheelbase like a T Bucket or Fiat Topolino.
I had a discussion about the origin of the term funny. what is the opinion here? is it because of the driving behavior (tends to bounce because of the short wheelbase) or because of the look (offset rear axle)?
I remember when Chicago Patrol was a rocket FC later on. I can't believe they didn't mention the Flying Dutchman when they showed funny funny cars. The Quicksilver Pro Mod was similar to Secret Weapon.
I love funnys the best of Drag Racing
Unless someone else knows better, Dick Landy instigated the term "Funny Car" when he was the first to lengthen the wheel base of his Dodge back in the days of "Run What You Brung" super stockers.
great vid ,got to the roots of it
The Blue Max !!! I That does it, I'm Subbin' ! Thanks for posting these vid.'s !!!
Phil Burgess and I had a little e-mail exchange about this very subject a few years back. I said the FC's were a result of the FX cars and he disagreed. He brought in Ronnie Sox as his expert witness/backup who then said that FC was an extension of the SS class guys who wanted to go faster without restrictions (blowers, injected etc). I couldn't believe this reasoning and still don't today, sorry Phil and Ronnie, you're still wrong.
Joe Jacono - Rolling Stoned!
I was at the very first EAST VS WEST funn
260.........now they go about 350 or so in a half mile
these days funny car's are carbon fiber wedges with brand stickers on the nose, sad it's come to a sport where only those who are super rich or have acquired millions to campaign a car for a season, there was a time not long ago a family could campaign a top alcohol car but that's pretty much gone too.
Bill Grumpy Jenkins will always be the KING.
Wrong class bro....he ran Pro Stock.
/watch?v=BS5lJoQ4rME
1st tune from 0:36 to 2:16
😎😎👍🏼👍🏼🇺🇸🇺🇸
Not funny if you crash at 250 Mph.