David Ray
The Life of a Funny Car Driver
Chapter Three - 1971
I got a late start actually racing in 1971, due to a promised ride in a California Car, where the owner ran out of money. But in the end it probably worked out, just as well. About the first of April, '71, I got a call from a Tim Woods. The subject was about driving a car of his. I wasn't even sure who he was at first
I went down to his office, and met one of the nicest gentleman connected with racing, anyone could ever hope to meet. Things are looking up, looks like I am going to be the new driver (3rd that year) of the famed Stone-Woods-Cook funny car. To make a long story short, after a nice lunch in his office, by midnight I am on a 747 Jumbo Jet, pre-paid for ticket, of LAX on the way to Chicago. I like their style. The overseer and crew-chief, DEE KEATON picks me up at O'Hare around 6am
This car ran fairly good considering this was the great transition period for funny cars, going from automatic transmissions in 1970 to the CrowerGlide clutch and two speed transmissions. It's best times when I drove it were 6.80s
This car was also a member of the Coca-Cola Cavalcade of Stars circuit. The high light of my short seat time, was winning the Olympics of Drag Racing, Memorial Day, Union Grove WI.
Dee was a hard guy to please. I guess that was because he was a former driver himself. By the middle of June I had my fill, and took leave after a Wednesday night race at US30 Dragstrip.
Here I am sitting at the Holiday Inn Maryville IN (next door to US30) the next few days, contemplating the next move, when on Saturday, Larry Christopherson pulls in with the Dick Harrell #2 race car, a 1971 Vega. He is lookin for a drive and mechanic. Looks like my kind of deal. After about three or six beers of negotiating, I am hired on the spot, and we fill a race date the car had that Sunday at US30. Talk about being at the right place.
This car ran pretty good considering it was a stock stroke motor. I think the best was 6.60. on a good track
One thing for sure, as a Dick Harrell car there were plenty of dates to race between Long island NY, to Kansas City MO
The downer for the year, was the death of Dick Harrell In September. Dick was a class guy. The 'show' and the 'fans' were his number one deal, above even performance. He had big plans for '72, including two new cars on order. That was to have been his last year as a full time driver. He was going to devote his energies into the promotion of the his high performance business, and the funny car match race seen.
Some what of a side note to the unfortunate ending of this race season, was that the NHRA points I earned in Dicks car allowed me to attend the NHRA World Finals At Amarillo, driving Charlie Therwhangers famous '71 Chevy powered Camaro. That was a 32 car affair, where we went three rounds before losing (we blew both head gaskets on the burnout) to the eventual winner, Phil Castronovo. Interesting note here, every car Castronovo raced, red-lighted or broke, proving it's better to be lucky then good.
CONTINUE To Chapter Four
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