Craziest Model A Ever…

A few months ago I had the opportunity to photograph what I believe is the wildest Model A on this planet. I want to start off by saying that a car like this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but if you like over-the-top, wickedly fast cars, then you’ll enjoy it thoroughly. The owner called me and gave me some details on the car, as well as a link to a few build photos. It was just too crazy of a car to pass up, so we made several attempts to shoot it. Mechanical problems caused a few hiccups, but we finally got together and shot it. With all of the failed attempts I had taken many pictures of the car, so with about 400 photos on file, I’d say I pretty well covered this car from head to toe. Unfortunately, Hot Rod magazine would only use 8 photos in the car’s feature, but I’m very happy with the way it turned out!

Then and Now–Brainerd Optimist Drag Strip

At my latest trip to Brainerd Optimist Drag Strip I got the urge to take a photo similar to one I saw from 1971. Wayne Holland took the picture, looking at the staging lanes but also encompassing the track. It’s a super cool black and white shot, so I thought I’d try to mimic it with a nighttime shot of the modern day facility. Aside from the cars, not much has changed in 40 years according to these pictures!

I grabbed this picture from doublehdragstrip.com...Wayne Holland is the original photographer and still visits the track frequently.

However, lots of things have changed that can’t be seen in the pictures. At this time, the drag strip had been open a mere seven years, and it remained in its quarter mile configuration. During the 1960’s, it was a hotbed for Super Stock racing, along with several other local tracks. Throughout the’70s and ’80s, the track was a major place to race, and it was even home to a few IHRA points races. Moving into the ’90s, the track and it’s lessee Steve Longley made a huge splash by creating a class for outlaw street cars in the south and supporting it with a healthy purse. Now, Brainerd is home to a monthly “heads up” race, and several bracket races per year. Brainerd also has special events, such as the Beat the Heat World Finals (this past weekend) and numerous “street car” style events.

Brainerd Optimist Drag Strip as of September 2, 2011.

Through the years, Brainerd Optimist Drag Strip has changed drastically, but when I reviewed my picture, and compared it to Wayne’s shot from 1971, it made me think about the similarities in a 40-year span. I’ve watched Pro Mods, Funny Cars, Outlaw Street Cars, and I even saw the Little Red Wagon wheelstander in the ’90s. I hope the track regains some of its steam over the next few years, so I can go back in 40 years, stand in that same spot and take another picture.

Vintage Racing Wheels

I love drag racing, and I go to the track quite frequently, but I can’t help but wish I could’ve been a part of drag racing in its heyday. It’s still cool, but back in the ’60s the cars, the people and the tracks made it so much better…at least in my opinion, which is based purely on stories from my dad and his friends, as well as photos from years ago. Innovation was a big part of drag racing in the ’50s and ’60s, and reducing weight was always high on the list of modifications. Wheels became an easy target for weight reduction, and two individuals paved the way for lightweight wheel production.

A couple of pieces from my wheel collection. The front runners are magnesium American Racing Torq Thrust, and the rears are Romeo Palamides (pre-American Racing) wheels, wrapped in flawless M&H 7.60-15 slicks from the mid-50s.