[USA1]

Last night on the Speed Channel was a special "Behind the headlights" about Big Daddy Don Garlits. It was very well done with lots of old footage and new interviews. He broke the 200, 250, and 270 mph barriers first. He set record after record. Look for reruns of this program if you didn't see it the first time. He truly was a pioneer in drag racing.

 

[Beenaway2long]

He was my hero through the late 70's early 80's. (young impresionable kid, ya know)
I'll be going to his museum in February. Digital camera in tow...

 

[RdNekRatRodr]

You'll love his museum beenaway. I wen tthere this past summer. Theres a show car museum, and a drag raceing museum. Both are great and packed with cars. Theres also a lot of information on every car in there, along with video's and some hands on stuff. But before i give away too much, I'll stop!

 

[[email protected]]

Dec 9th, 8PM, Eastern Time, Speed Channel.

 

[BarryK]

I really hope when you go to the museum you get to meet Big Daddy.
When I lived in FL my farm was about 3-4 miles from him.
This guy for being famous is the most down to earth guy you will ever meet.
He is like an every day good Ole boy.

 

[pro70z28]

I really hope when you go to the museum you get to meet Big Daddy.
When I lived in FL my farm was about 3-4 miles from him.
This guy for being famous is the most down to earth guy you will ever meet.
He is like an every day good Ole boy.

I got to meet him summer of 2003 @ the Rt. 66 drag strip. He was peddling T-shirts @ the Super Chevy Show. Got an autographed T-shirt hanging' on the office wall.

 

[Centerline]

....This guy for being famous is the most down to earth guy you will ever meet. He is like an every day good Ole boy.

I'll second that. Interviewed him for a documentary I did on Drag Racing back in '71. What a great guy. Asked him for an interview and he took me to his pickup and we sat inside with the air on (Palm Beach International Raceway in South Florida) and we talked for about 20 minutes. He then spoke to the officials and arranged for me to film his next pass at the start line. Was way more than I expected and certainly more than he had to do. They just don't make them like that anymore.

I was also there the day he initially broke the magic 200 MPH barrier. What a day that was!

Centerline

 

[dinger]

I've got an autographed hat from him at one of the Famoso meets, very special to me. The documentary last night was great. Any ideas when the Awards show for this years NHRA will be rerun? Garlits also has a monthly column in the freebie "Drive" magazine, available at Carquest stores. Dan

 

[pro70z28]

The T-Shirt on my office wall.

 

[BarryK]

RE: Shirt on wall.

Says it all!

 

[dinger]

I WANT that shirt!!! :thumbup:

 

[pro70z28]

I WANT that shirt!!! :thumbup:

I know this is Christmas, And I should be willing to give you the shirt off my back .................. but ..............This shirt is on the wall not on my back so ......No can Do ..Sorry.:welcome:

 

[[email protected]]

I found this picture on some other forum a while ago. This is the reason Garlits invented the rear engine digger. He lost half a foot and the kid in the circle lost an arm to Don's exploding clutch. And it appears from the photo it happened on a solo run! Bummer.

 

[willowbilly3]

I remember that picture from an old Hotrod at the time. I didn't know a spectator was inured. If you look close you can see a smoking chunk of schrapnel headed toward the crowd.
I used to have a good video on his history with lots of interviews and personal glimses. Interesting to note is that while he was laying in a hostpital bed with burns, he had a born again experience and from then on all the swamp rats had the big cross and Jesus saves on top of the body.