stitcherbob
Nitro Member
it seems somebody needs to copyright that werd.....
Just a Classic Fire...Seen the Jim and Alison Lee bbc AA/FD a couple, 3 times at Seattle. Good running car.You can add this one to the list. yesterday at the NHRR in Bowling Green during the first round of NT/F; check out the photo sequence.
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That was as nasty a fire as there could be.You can add this one to the list. yesterday at the NHRR in Bowling Green during the first round of NT/F; check out the photo sequence.
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The third picture in the original fire sequence showed the cockpit itself to be relatively free of fire. Is that a function of today’s modern fire suppression systems or do the cars have a bulkhead that helps seal the lower portion of the cockpit?From what I understand Tyler was not injured at all. These fire often look worse than they really are, but here is one of the photos of the aftermath.
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In Don Garlits first book printed back in 1978-79, he writes in detail about the horrible fire and hospital time he and Pat suffered through years before his clutch explosion. I think it would be safe to assume he had more than his just foot on his mind when he developed a rear motor car that could win immediately. In his book he said it took slowing the steering down to make it drivable at speed. He also has talked about his distain for building monster high horsepower bombs for each pass.Joe, I agree, but also heard that a lot of drivers liked the engine behind them cuz of fire. Garlits had looked at rear engined cars for about a year before the accident. He liked the idea that he could see better w/ back motor car. Funny that back motored cars were built way back 1951 or so and never really caught on until Garlits built his version.
It was a transmission explosion, not a clutch explosion.The main reason that they went to rear engine is because Big Daddy lost his toes from a clutch explosion.
It was a transmission explosion, not sure why people keep posting it was the clutch that went bangIt was a transmission explosion, not a clutch explosion.
Larry on the left with the fire extinguisher. The late Tommy "T.C." Lemons right behind Larry, Garlits long time right hand man.I was in the stands on spectator side when this happened. Have never seen the top photo & maybe the last photo as well. Top photo, far right, is Roland Leong. I've seen another photo that shows him kinda stunned as he sees what's happening. 3rd photo, far right, man w/ white outfit & cowboy hat (holding fire extinguisher?) is Larry Sutton. Oh man, every time I see these photos, it brings back the shock I felt when I saw this. I thought Garlits had been killed. When Garlits pulled off his gloves I knew he was alive. Man..... this is one of those events in life that you never forget.