DODE MARTIN MAKES HISTORY
Dode Martin, who along with his partner Jim Nelson owned and built some of the most innovative Chrysler-powered dragsters -- most notably the Dragmaster Dart -- in their Carlsbad, CA, shop, has made drag racing history once again.
On March 15, 2008, the 82-year-old Martin qualified for his NHRA Competition license at Barona Dragstrip. According to the dragstrip, that makes Dode Martin the oldest licensed NHRA driver. Congratulations, Dode. (Pete Liebig photos) [3/21/2008]
DART FORD SMALL BLOCK
Dart Machinery advertising manager Jack McInnis is, like many of us in this business, a racer at heart. He forwarded the Agent this photo of his “small-block” 427 ci FI Ford. He built it using a Dart aluminum block and Dart CNC Ford heads. It has a 4.225” bore and a 3.780” stroke, with 10.5:1 compression, and a roller cam. It made 634HP and 572 ft. lbs on the dyno.
The Agent hears the plan is for the potent pony motor to eventually find its way into a lightweight AC Cobra for “Street and Strip” action. The Agent wonders if he might see Jack and the Cobra on Detroit’s famed Woodward Avenue some night, looking for a little action. For Pete’s sake, people, get your mind out of the gutter…we’re talking racing! [3/21/2008]
FLIPPING A PIZZA
After seeing our note about the return of Twig Ziegler, photographer Larry Pfister sent us this photo he took at the April 1975 Northwest National Open in Seattle. This shot won the last Car Craft monthly photo contest that year and launched Pfister’s career.
He says at the Fall Nationals just five months later, Ziegler tossed the body off at nearly the exact same spot. Pfister says he’s really looking forward to Ziegler’s return. After seeing this action, we are too! (Larry Pfister/ www.horsepowerheaven.com) [3/21/2008]