Drag Racing's Exhibition Attractions: From Rockets to Ramp-Jumps [Paperback]

Lou Hart (Author), Cory Lee (Author), Jon Lundberg (Introduction), Roger Gustin (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 2008

This book showcases photographically the wide variety of cars and drivers that fit into the exhibition theme: the jets, wheelstanders, rockets and other exhibition vehicles which have thrilled millions of spectators. Their entire basis was who had the fastest vehicle. But in 1959 complaints from other competitors and Detroit automakers got all aircraft-powered dragsters banned, so they became the sideshow attached to the legitimate circus that is drag racing. The Green Monster became the first exhibition car exceeding 200 mph everywhere it ran. Wanting even more, Walt Arfons debuted the first jet-powered dragster which became the desire of every fan and promoter throughout the country. At virtually the same instant, Tom Ivo had Kent Fuller build a four-engine dragster and although it was too heavy to be competitive, the tire-smoke show became arguably the most famous exhibition car in history. See Bill “Maverick” Golden and the Little Red Wagon, “Wild Bill” Shrewsberry’s and the Hurst Hemi Under Glass, LA Dart and Knott’s Berry Wagon, Chuck Poole and his Chuckwagon, Doug Rose and The Green Mamba, plus many more.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

This book showcases photographically the wide variety of cars and drivers that fit into the exhibition theme: the jets, wheelstanders, rockets and other exhibition vehicles that have thrilled millions of spectators. Their entire basis was who had the fastest vehicle. But in 1959 complaints from other competitors and Detroit automakers got all aircraft-powered dragsters banned, so they became the sideshow attached to the legitimate circus that is drag racing. See The Green Monster, Walt Afrons’ first jet-powered dragster, Tom Ivo’s four-engine tire-smoking dragster, Bill “Maverick” Golden and the Little Red Wagon, “Wild Bill” Shrewsberry’s Hurst Hemi Under Glass, LA Dart and Knott’s Berry Wagon, Chuck Poole and his Chuckwagon, Doug Rose and The Green Mamba, plus many more. A must for any drag racing fan or gift for them.

About the Author

Lou Hart has been covering the sport of drag racing for over 30 years. He started going to the drag strips in the heyday of drag racing with his camera and has collected a large amount of vintage drag racing photography. This will be his sixth successful book in the subject of drag racing. 

Cory Lee, professional drag racer who has driven race cars on 3 continents in 7 different countries, held track records, won events and who is currently developing a historical Drag Racing film DVD archive company, Dragfilms, they bring their talents together to create this exciting book.

Roger Gustin is a professional funny car racer and race track promoter; inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1980, ProJet Association Hall of Fame in 1993, and Don Garlits’ International Drag Racing Hall of Fame in 2002.

Known as “The Voice of Drag Racing”, announcer Jon Lundberg was on the scene from day one in the 1950s and still makes his rounds at selected racing events. Jon was inducted into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame in 2008.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Iconografix (May 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583882081
• ISBN-13: 978-1583882085
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 8.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #958,096 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Drag Racing Exibition Attractions, March 17, 2010

By 

hipshakething (Hemet, Ca.) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Drag Racing's Exhibition Attractions: From Rockets to Ramp-Jumps (Paperback)

This is a great book for the nostalgia drag racing fan. It contains many photos of the different exibition cars of the 60s' and 70s'. a great find if you remember these cars.

5.0 out of 5 stars Drags X, February 6, 2009

By 

Al Kayed (In usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Drag Racing's Exhibition Attractions: From Rockets to Ramp-Jumps (Paperback)

Some of the best photos of the sideshow of drag racing. Little known cars and drivers, who did not get a lot of ink, because they entertained fans at a lot of small,out of the way tracks all over the USA and Canada. Great showman all around. Lou Hart has done a wonderful job with a fun(but deadly)part of drag racing. A must buy for drag fans.

0 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hot Rods to Hell, June 4, 2008

By 

Douglas R. Buhler "Von Zipper" (Lodi, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Drag Racing's Exhibition Attractions: From Rockets to Ramp-Jumps (Paperback)

This is an "Oldie but a Badie" and that's good. Shows how far we've come when it comes to car chase movies. Not very far plot or story wise, except for CGI in todays flicks. The over acting is monumental, with only a couple of exceptions, but the hot rods are great fun to watch. The oil burning Corvette needed a ring job, but I guess it wasn't in the budget. I almost had to laugh out loud when Dana Andrew would bend over in pain (with his back injury) at the signal from the director saying action: "OK and the PAIN hits you "NOW"! Dana's daughter is cute, but so naive, it's hard to believe at least one guy didn't hit on her before running into these hot rod punks. Ah, restless youth. I remember when I was young and now I have a bad back. The movie is entertainment, so watch it as that. Too critical an eye will ruin it for you. I've seen it many times including on AMC TV, but had to have my own copy. This should be a cult classic like other B movies have become. How Dana Andrews kept from slapping his wife, played by Jeanne Crain, whilf filming this, is beyond me. Scheesch, calm down lady. Over all just fun campy stuff, like the good old days at the drive in. Grab a box of popcorn and enjoy. DeleteReplyForwardMove...