Byron's Gasser Madness!

~ ADRA - Fallon, NV ~


Most of you have, by now, heard the long, sad tale of woe regarding the ill-fated American Drag Racing Association.  Although supposedly funded for at least 2 years, whether or not they drew any spectators, they actually lasted about 3 meets.  It really was too bad.  It was a great idea that was, seemingly, mismanaged into the ground.  A lot of people (both staff and racers) didn't get paid and, despite follow-on efforts by a new management team, evidently too many people had gotten burned to save the deal.

These photos are from ADRA's Inaugural meet at Fallon, NV last year (2001).  They tried hard, and didn't do badly for a brand new organization.  The comment I heard most in the pits ran something like "If it doesn't burn Nitro, they don't seem to know what to do with it", but I suspect that, given enough time, that would have been overcome.  Unfortunately, time ran out on the ADRA.  The last time I checked (April 2002), their website (www.adra.com) was for sale.  Too bad.

 

The photos below aren't in any particular order.  Remember, click on a thumbnail for the larger version of the photo.
The Bach & Gould Cammer Ford powered Nostalgia Top Fueler Ain't that a cool motor?  Sounded good too. Bill Dunlap
The Birky Bunch Haven't seen this car before, and didn't get the chance to see it run...but it sure looked cool in the staging lanes. Another shot of the A/GS Chevelle
The only 2 currently running A/GS cars that showed were Butch Ranson's 46 Ford and Larry Ofria's 57 Chevy. Butch laid down a nice burnout and proceeded to beat Larry Ofria in a best 2 out of 3 Match Race. The "Cops & Rodders" team was well represented.
Chad Demeter's beautiful Willys was placed in A/Gas.  Chad ended his weekend on Saturday by depositing 8 quarts of racing oil at around the 1000' mark.  Bummer! Chad Demeter's Willys with 2 original (#12 and #56) Thunderbolts in the background. How about a couple original TBolts, #12 on the left, and #56 on the right.
"Estrus" AA/FA Bob Hankin's "Blue Blazer" AA/FA Jason Howell
Jason Howell Larry & Terry Anderson run the valves on the Vagabond The pits had more funnycars than I've seen in a while.  Here's the Lil Nate and the Nitro Cow bodies.
The Mastercam Top Fueler lays down a solid smokescreen. Mike Boyd put on a great show in everyone's favorite AA/FA, the Winged Express. "Mr. Flathead", John Bradley and Max Ramirez showed up with their ever cool fuel flattie.
After the burnout, he backs up and... Jim Murphy launches hard Robb Bruce and the Zombie funnycar
As an example of "they don't know what to do with it unless it's burning Nitro" here's Richard Nedbel's SS Plymouth as the other A/Gas car to face Chad Demeter's Willys.  Motive power for the Plymouth Engine in original Ford Thunderbolt #12
Don Garlits' Swamp Rat I Don Garlits' Swamp Rat I Don Garlits' Swamp Rat I
Speedvision cameras were seemingly everywhere. There's those camn dameras again! There they are again!
NitroMan! The Fanning's Nitro Cow.  It was cool to see "dry hops" again. The Zombie crew doing it's thing.