Product Description

Customer Reviews (3)

Great photo archive
Great photo book for the true drag race enthusiast.Pictures are excellent for model builders who want to make sure that all details are covered!Highly recommend

old time dragracers
Just a picture book with a few tid bits about the cars and drivers, but boy does it take me back! This was drag racing at its best. No computers, million dollar budgets- juat stab it and steer it. Yahoo!!!

Awful,Awful Fuel Altereds
If you're into these types of race cars, then, I strongly suggest you buy this book. Great pictorial history of how and why they were started,and grew to the outlaw cars you might see at some race tracks today. For you model car builders, this an excellent reference source for the fuel altered model you want to build, ie: Nanook,Marcellus and Borsch,Mondello and Matsubara,Pure Hell, Pure Heaven, etc. You get the idea. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a re-release of the original version published in 2007. There wasn't always a class for these funny-looking cars. In the mid 1960s, many of drag racing s fastest drivers were outgrowing the Super Stock and Factory Experimental classes, building cars that stretched and eventually broke the rules. Promoters discovered they could pair up these altered-wheelbase, injected, blown machines in exhibition match races and the spectators came running. Rivalries were born, the Funny Car class was created, and the cars kept getting faster and faster. Funny Car Fever is a humorous, heart-felt, first-hand account of the most exciting and memorable years of the Funny Car class. Steve Reyes followed these fiberglass-bodied, nitro burning machines and their drivers from the years leading up to the creation of the Funny Car class through its halcyon days. He s included over 350 of his favorite images and more than a few never-before-heard stories to bring the feeling of the class and the era home to you. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Funny Cars Forever
I have been a fan of Funny Cars since my first race at the OCIR Manufacturers meet in 1970. Steve has always taken the greatest action shots. The pictures in this book are no exception. Due to the memories it brings back, this is one book that I will keep coming back to forever.

FUNNY CAR HISTORY 101
Just a fabulous book of old drag strip and funny car pics. A must have for any speed freak like myself who can remember the early days of this wild sport. If you got goose bumps watching Don Prudomme line up at the christmas tree,you'll love this book!!!

Beautiful book.
Beautiful photos, great coverage of the not-as-prominent cars, and some great stories to go with them. Great history from a guy who lived and loved it. If you're a drag racing fan, you don't even have to be a funny car fan, this is a great piece of history.

Fantasic Pictoral Historical Piece
I've not finished reading this book (I just got it yesterday). The photos are spectacular and the stories about the drivers are very insightful. This book takes you from the birth of the AF/X cars to the crazy days of the early 70's (the golden era of funny cars). With names like Mickey Thompson, The Snake, Ed "The Ace" McCullough, Beadle, etc. this book is filled with the greats and the legends of floppers.

I did notice several typo's, but not enough to detract from the overall enjoyment of this book.

Fine pictorial history
Great mix of static and action shots, with extended captions.Steve shares a lot of his personal knowledge of the drivers and crews.Coverage tapers off around 1975.Not much coverage of the match bashers. ... Read more

Product Description
“Maximum Performance,” Chrysler dubbed them, and these remarkable cars and engines took the Super Stock racing world by storm in the ’60sâ€"and helped bring about what is now recognized as the golden era of stock drag racing. With an unparalleled, intimate knowledge of these carsâ€"from the assembly line to the trackâ€"Jim Schild gives a profile of Mopar cars like no other.His book takes us into the era that produced these unique cars and delves into the details behind their creationâ€"the specially prepared engines, ram-induction two four-barrel intake systems, exhaust cutouts, and the likeâ€"lightweight cars made strictly for racing, with no back seat, no heater, low gearing, and altered wheelbases.Along with highly detailed and accurate information on the cars’ specifications and equipment, Schild recounts their exploits on the race tracks, where, driven by legendary teams such as the Ramchargers, Golden Commandos, and Sox & Martin, they dominated the world of drag racing, setting class records that still stand today. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Mopar drag racing history book
Excellent book that is a must have for all Mopar drag racing fans as well as for 60's super stock drag racing fans.The pictures are excellent also and bring back many memories as I saw many of the cars featured.This book documents a special time in drag racing history.I purchased the book as a gift for my disabled brother who has a 1965 Dodge Mr. Norm 426 wedge street version race car.It is bringing him hours of pleasure.

Historical Mopar Performance
I love this book being a Mopar Fan myself. This book is Filled with color and black and white photos as well as facts and technical information of these cars of the '60s. Well worth the price of admission if you like the Hemi and Max-Wedge Mopars

Maximum Performance
It was the book I was looking for.It was delivered in a timely fashion.

Mopar guys, you need this!
This book is awesome for the Mopar and drag racing fans alike. Great pics, but more than just a photo history, there's detailed info on what made these cars tick.

Mopar or No Car!!
This is by far the most researched book of its kind on the market today. To say that it is full of fun facts, Mopar models, various engines of the era, etc., etc., would be an understatement. Having lived in those glory days of Mopar myself - and owned and raced a few Mopars of my own - I highly recommend this book for any automotive enthusiasts library. ... Read more

Product Description
When he inherits a racing car, sixteen-year-old Ken determines to become a drag racer. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Stock Bodied Drag Racing
Great Book, sound content, accurate account.This is just a small little pocket book, so be aware. A larger hardcover book with more pictures would make it PERFECT.

Must-Have for the drag-racing buff
If you're a junkie for vintage drag racing, this is a must-have. It adds stats and info the new books don't, from the era it happened in, not a recount. My only gripe is I wish it had more photos, but the ones it does have you won't see elsewhere. Getting stock eliminator setup tips from the legendary Jere Stahl more than makes up for that! Still 5 stars. If you like any of the current drag racing hitory books out there, you'll want this one too. Matter of fact, if you're a racing history buff of almost any kind, lyle Kenyon Engel probably wrote a book about it, and his works are fairly detailed.

Great
A great history lesson on the early days of Drag Racing.You will be surprised at the names.The very beginning of the careers of some of the biggest names in the sport.Covers Stock, Super Stock, Modified, etc.Good book ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
Top fuelers, funny cars, super stocks, pro stocks, and fuel-altereds are all included in this look back at the evolution of drag racing from the 1950s to today. Modern colour photography of these landmark cars is accompanied by imagery from the NHRA archives and the stories of the legends who built and drove the cars on dragstrips across the nation. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Slingshots, A/Gassers, AFX's, If you love'em, buy this book
I just got my copy and spent the better part of the day reading it and enjoying all the beautiful photos. The history is not overdone, but informative enough to let even the casual Drag Racing fan appreciate the history of the sport. There are many beautiful, full color pictures of legendary cars and their drivers, in action from their heyday and recent. The book has nice touches like some of the original Drag Race Posters and tributes to drivers and engines. The memories this book brought back of being a kid at the track is worth many times the price. I'm looking forward to wearing out my copy of this book throughout the winter months while counting the days to the next Nitro fix at the track.

American Drag Racing
This bookis brilliant! It is not only for the hardcore fan but also for the novice to the sport. It gives a detailed story of most fo the stars and founders of drag racing with incredible photos of not only todays machines but of some of the best from the past.
This is the book that the NHRA should sanction to document the first 50 years of drag racing and not the one they have put out that excludes the main man of drag racing, Don garlits! Genat gives credit to all the contributers of this great sport and "Big Daddy" is given the credit he richly deserves.
All of the pictures in this book are of the highest quality and truly ad to the statement this book tells about the sport.
I am looking forward to the next book by Mr. Genat!

... . ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description

For those who love high drama and high-powered machinery, there is nothing to top big-time drag racing. High Performance is a dramatic, firsthand history of this daring sport, from the earliest "legal" drags run on rural airfields to the spectacular--and sometimes tragic--careers of drag racing's boldest innovators. Post, a former drag racer himself, has interviewed most of drag racing's legends and superstarssuch as "Pappy" Hart, who opened the first commercial strip in Santa Ana, California; Florida's "Big Daddy" Don Garlits, the first person to define himself as a professional drag racer; and Shirley Muldowney, who was nearly killed in a 250-MPH crash and returned to the cockpit two years later with the simple explanation, "It's what I do."

Post looks at all aspects of drag racing: the sport, the business, the means of personal affirmation. But most of all he explores it as an example of technological enthusiasm, tracking the innovations that permitted racers to disprove on pavement the "laws of physics" that experts had laid out on paper.

"By writing about the combination of talent and technology that make drag racing the most exciting sport in the world, Bob Post has finally given us the credit and credibility we deserve. This book has been a long time coming."--Shirley Muldowney

"All the roar and smell of rubber that one finds at drag races is present in this comprehensive study of the sport."--Ray Browne, Journal of Popular Culture

Customer Reviews (5)

A Must Have for Drag Racing Fans
This book is, plain and simple, the best book on what drag racing is all about. The history and facts are first rate. I learned more about the sport from this one book than all others I have read combined. This would be a fantastic documentary for TV.

HIGH PERFORMANCE the culture and technology of drag racing!!
as a lover of drag racing and a drag racer myself,i have to say this is THE MOST COMPLETE BOOK on the subject of drag racing i have ever read.it covers all aspects of the sport from the beginning to 1990 and in every detail.if you are a lover of the sport,a drag racer or even if you know nothing about the sport this book will give you new insight,new feelings and you WILL learn a new appreciation of the sport..

A "Must-Read" For Anyone Seriously Interested In Drag Racing
This is by far the best book on drag racing I have ever come across.My first season was 1961 at the track of Maryland and Pennsylvania, and to varying degrees I have followed the sport ever since.

This book has anincredible amount of detail on who did what, and includes many importanthistorical events, and other oddities that have happened in the forty yearscovered.He even includes one of the weirdest accidents I ever saw, whichwas the time Paula Murphy's rocket car had a stuck throttle, and sent heroff the end of the track at Sears Point Raceway, and literally over therolling hills of Sonoma County at well over 200 mph, like a real-lifeWhiley Cayote.

But even more to his credit the author attempts to get atthe heart of drag racing, what drives the participants.And he writes witha fine balance of scholarly objectivity and insider's appreciation.A verynice piece of work and a "must-read" for anyone seriouslyinterested in how drag racing got to be what it is today.

Richard Fay

High Performance: An Insider's Look
The book HIGH PERFORMANCE allowed us a view into the formative and early years of our sport, complete with the games, politics and personality clashes that were in existence. There were a lot of politics by thesanctioning groups who have come and gone over the years(UDRA,AHRA,PRO), aswell as those who continue with us (NHRA, IHRA). The fuel ban years arecovered, the promoters clashes with the sanctioning groups were covered,and the evolution of the sport is pretty well documented with accuracy.Several people I have spoken to who were running in these early days haveconfirmed a lot of this books content.This book removes the lustre fromthe logo of the sanctioning bodies, instead exposing ulterior motiveswithin their organization for all to see.

I think the book is incrediblyaccurate and deserves high marks for bringing the facts out, in anon-judgemental way, for the fans to absorb.

Invaluable
Robert Post has given us an invaluable book. This is a strong claim, for Post's book is a narrative history of drag racing.And, while it is a very well done history, how can it possibly be "invaluable" when its subject matter is essentially useless? Now there's a strong claim.Let me hasten to establish my appreciation for what drag racers do.At the end of the 1997 racing season, the very best racers were getting to the end of their quarter mile race track -- from a standing start -- in less than a blink over 4.5 seconds.Perhaps even more astounding, the very fastest were going more than 320 miles an hour -- once more, from a standing start -- when they got there.This is truly amazing, but I am regularly struck dumb when asked a very simple question -- what's the point? Name almost any other major form of auto sport and I'll give you an answer.In NASCAR it's obvious.Even though those aren't at all stock cars anymore, a lot can still be learned by running flat out for 500 miles on production-based components, and that can be used to improve even the family car.Furthermore, that kind of abuse is perfect for testing tire technology.Even failing this, there's the old fallback, "win on Sunday, sell on Monday". But what do we learn from -- or sell from -- the top-notch dragsters?These are all completely purpose built vehicles, using all custom designed parts, performing a completely atypical activity and resembling nothing that is at all available on the showroom floor.In short, drag racing is the mountain climbing of motorsports.There is no point to it except to do it, and once you've decided to do it, you might as well do it as well as the technology -- and your money -- will allow. Recognizing the uselessness of the activity, however, is not to denigrate this very fine book.Anyone with an interest in the evolution of technology, automotive history, or motorsports will be fascinated, as should just about anyone who grew up during the time Post covers. Post writes that the first officially organized drag race happened on the streets in Goleta -- near Santa Barbara, California -- in 1949, although he recognizes that that same strip of road had been used for "unofficial" races for years before that.He uses that race as his starting point, and, in a clear, engaging writing style, supported my quite pertinent quotes from racers and many, many wonderful pictures, tells the story of the next 40 plus years in the development of this pursuit. Post is not a rah-rah boy, at least not for modern drag racing.This book is clearly a labor of love, but of love for a bygone era.While he appreciates and applauds the remarkable performance gains since the beginning -- those early cars took nearly 11 seconds to cover the quarter mile, hitting about 150 miles an hour -- he believes that the technical strides that account for those gains have changed the sport forever.It simply costs too much to go this fast.Further, going this fast fosters too much me-tooism.There is usually only one sure way to build a car to go this fast, so everybody essentially builds the same car.For these reasons, Post sees both the little guy, shade-tree mechanic and the spirit of innovation frozen out of bigtime drag racing.And since these are the backbone of what we think of as the hot-rod, drag racing culture, this is apprehensible.Post, then, seems to yearn for a time of more innocence.A time, say, 25 or 30 years ago. It is this that makes this book so invaluable.It will be invaluable to anyone who -- like me -- grew up not only during the time Post relishes, but also at the places, and cheering for, sometimes, if you were lucky, helping the people that he writes about. I started going to the drags before I had either a car or the money to get into the track.I must of been about twelve when I first rode my bike up the long hill to the Pomona fairgrounds and clung to the fence along the road, peering through the holes at what was going on.I was in love.My folks didn't have a lot of money, but I was lucky.My birthday almost perfectly coincided with Winternationals weekend!I had a standing request for a birthday present, and my parents never failed me.I always had my Winternationals ticket. Then I got a car, and enough money to hit all the local strips.Fontana.Lions.Irwindale.Orange County.Man-o-man. I took tons of pictures, but through the carelessness of youth and the normal attrition of many moves, all have been lost.Post's many pictures at least partially makes up for that.More important than the pictures, however, are the memories.The many intervening years have taken quite a toll on mine, at least.Post tells his story so clearly, and with such detail, that it can cause the fog to lift.You will be reading about a match race with Stone, Woods and Cook against Big John Mazmanian and suddenly remember that you were at that race, and remember it as if it had been run last weekend.Unfortunately, Post pulls no punches, and you will also remember that you were there when Lefty Mudersbach died, after his parachute failed. This is a very good book, but I have one minor quibble.Post keeps his focus firmly on the top rank of racers.This is understandable, since what he wants to teach us is what it took to get from going 150 mph in 11 seconds to going over 300 mph in far less than 5 seconds.But if he would let his gaze drift down a level or two, he may find that the little guy is still there and still innovating. Most often, this happens outside the formal, second-tier, "sportsman", categories of the larger sanctioning bodies, where costs are still quite prohibitive.But at places like the increasingly popular muscle car or nostalgia meets, a racer with tools and time can still run a unique and competitive car for a few thousand dollars and a lot of work.He'll only be going about 150 mph in about 11 seconds.He'll be, in other words, just about where we were in the beginning.Perhaps if Post would give us a history of this static drag racing he wouldn't yearn for the old days, for in many ways the old days of drag racing are still here. ... Read more

Product Description
In the 1960s funny cars captured the fans with tremendous smoky burnouts and gigantic wheelstands, they were so unpredictable that you never knew what to expect - they might go straight or end up glancing off the guard rail.

Heroes were born and idolized with their driving talents and their showmanship. Arnie "The Farmer" Beswick, "Mr. Pontiac" Jess Tyree, The "Kings of Smoke" - Farkonas, Coil and Minick's "Chi-Town Hustler," Don Schumacher, "Big John" Mazmanian, and "Jungle Jim" Liberman drew standing room only crowds each and every Saturday night under the lights!

It was an era of development, of success and of failure. Many raced for Saturday night bragging rights, but many raced for a living - today they are legends of the sport, several of which have contributed information to this book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Drag Racing History
This book is a great reference source for info on vintage funny cars and drivers. Great pictures.

a terrible shame
Unlike another reviewer, I knew the interior photos would all be b&w.But if they were GOOD b&W photos, this book would be a treat.

However, many of the photos are blurred and just awful - it looked like they were shot by a 10 year old with an Instamatic.There are a few good photos here (particularly Tom Sturm's "Just 4 Chevy Lovers" Corvair) but, all in all, this is a terrible book.Don't waste your money!

I felt ripped-off
Before you shell out your cash for this book,be forewarned that the ONLY picture that is in color, is the one on the cover!
There is not one color photo inside this book,everything is black and white,and most of those are very grainy. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (2)

Lovely
An excellent read, obviously a lot of research gone into the early years of the sport. Would have been nice if some of that time had been spent on what went on from the 1970's onward. Time periods were skippped over in some places and it gets a bit samey towards the end.
But these are just small gripes, if you have been following Drag racing for has long as I have you should buy this book.

crazy horses the history of british drag racing
I was a member of the 1964 U.S. Drag Team that went to England. In 1965 I returned again. They were two of the best years of my life. Crazy Horses is the best book I have yet seen about my trips there. I recommend it to anyone interested in the early days of Drag racing. Lots of great pictures and stories. Get it you won't be disapointed. Bob Keith Dos Palmas Machine Spl. ... Read more

Product Description
In the late 1950s, thousands of street legal hot rods participated in organized drag races across the country-they ran in three major classes:Gas, Modified Production, and Modified Sports. As the racers got more serious, these cars were street legal in appearance only. Yeah, they had headlights, taillights, and interiors, but they were full-on race cars, with huge blown Hemi engines, wide racing slicks, raised front suspensions. Racers soon discovered that small, lightweight cars were the fastest, and the classic Gasser was born-cars like the Stone Woods & Cook '40 Willys.

Because these cars resembled street vehicles, they had a huge fan base, and their short wheelbases and wildly overpowered engines made them exciting to watch. And, as cam manufacturers began sponsoring cars and touting their accomplishments in ads, the "Gasser Wars" were born. Thousands of spectators flocked to events where the top Gassers in the country would face off in grudge matches. Some cars even raced internationally in Europe and Australia. These were among the most popular and exciting racers of the era-many of the top original cars have been restored and are now valuable museum pieces, and the "Gasser" look is popular again among hot rodders. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Time Warp Gasser Wars
This book is GREAT! Awesome pictures and history well documented, you can almost feel like you were there to witness these cars and drivers in person on race day. I was very young when this type of racing was being replaced by funny cars and pro stock drag cars but this book brings it all back!

Great Historical Pictures
The book is an excellent coffee table book. Wonderful old color pictures of a by gone era. Highly recommend it for any one who likes to remember the old gasser wars.

ESSENTIAL
if you are at ALL interested in historic drag classes, horsepower, hot rods, etc. this book is a must.There simply isn't any other source of information and photographs on gassers out there.Hundreds of rare photographs of gassers from the golden age make this a perfect coffee table book.The appendix at the back listing all the cars and the classes they raced in is also very helpful if attempting to "recreate" a historic gasser. This book is required reading!

Great history of a well-loved class
Like Davis' previous book on Super Stockers, this one's a keeper.Unlike that one, this one has a wealth of color photographs.And Davis supplements the pix with interesting, well-researched text.Anyone with an interest in this class or drag racing history in general will love this book.An A+ effort. ... Read more

Product Description
Describes the sport of pro stock racing and the vehicles and various people involved. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Beginers' book about drag racing
This is a small format book in large type about drag racing of almost all types, NOT pro stock as you would expect. It is very elementary and would do well for pre-teens. Not worth the money. Look elsewhere for a better book !

Really for the pro-stock guy a must
You need to have a good read as it is very interesting and covers all aspects of a pro - stok car and its team Dont miss it its pure normally aspirated heaven ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Excellent Book
The book gives you the basics and the info to get you out there and going. It also gives you ideas on improving and taking the next step.

Worth it's Price and the time you spend reading it
If you are interested in Drag Racing, particularly Bracket Racing, this is a Great book to read. Well organized, this book is a valuable resource for the "basics" of Drag Racing as well as some more advanced issues such as various electronics used in this sport, throttle stops, line locks, etc.

This book is well illustrated and logically organized. You can read it front to back, or just use it as a reference tool for any specific part of Drag Racing you are interested in learning more about.

Even though this book is already a few years old in print, it still provides accurate fundamentals which have remained virtually unchanged in this sport for 25 years or more.

If you are looking for a technical manual on 4 link geometry, look elsewhere. If you want to further your basic knowledge, read this book. I wish that high school auto shops would include this book in their class as a study guide. The future of our sport, or any sport for that matter, depends upon new players. Many "first time" racers have shared their stories with me about their desire to participate in the sport of Drag Racing, but they were reluctant to approach any current racers they don't personally know for help and advice on getting started. This book answers many of the basic questions about bracket racing / drag racing as well as serving as a valuable guide for racers with experience in the sport.

If this book were used in Auto Shop classes, the number of racers would increase. Knowledge is power, and power supports confidence. Knowing the fundamentals about drag racing and helping any "rookie" avoid embarassment for trying this sport can be accomplished by reading this book

Just when we think we know it all about any topic, a book well written about the fundamentals of the topic teaches us some more. This is that book.

Very useful information for all who enjoy Bracket Racing
This book has numerous tips for every bracket racer out there! From building your race car to dialing it in. There are also many strategy tips for the beginner or seasoned veteren. This book has it all to help you fromthe gate to the finish line. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (4)

Drag Racing Funny Cars of the 1970s
Black and white photos, except the cover. Brief captions, but no in depth descriptions. I watched these cars and enjoyed looking back, but again, these are black and white. The photos are mostly full page, approx. 10" wide by 8 1/2".

DRag Racing History
This book is an excellent source for researching vintage Funny cars and drivers. Great pictures.

drag racing funny cars of the 1970s
This book has nothing to brag about,all photos are black and white,and quality isn't that great.Pretty good tidbits of information,but not much.It will be a letdown If you are expecting modern day quality for photos.

If you're a funny car enthusiast, get this book
This book is a pictorial, with ample captions.It carries you through from early 1970 through the end of the decade, with an emphasis on '70 through about '74.Most of the famous cars here, plus some obscure ones.Some of the photos were taken by non-professional fans, but are good nonetheless.A good assortment of pit shots and on-track action, mostly burnouts.A visual history of a simpler era in full-bodied drag racing. ... Read more

Product Description
Describes the various kinds of monster truck drag races and the vehicles involved; includes a history. ... Read more