70-Year-Old John Force Tops NHRA Funny Car Qualifying

ASS, GAS OR GRASS

"JUNGLE PAM " HARDY

SUPER OPALA

Fernando Leme já é antigo na arrancada. Desde 1992 compete com Opalas Aspirados e fez grande parte de sua carreira pela equipe Allen. Desde 2007 corre com esta mesma carroçaria, na extinta categoria HOT no ECPA em Piracicaba, São Paulo. Depois com as mudanças de regulamento, migrou para Traseira Super.

MOTOR: bloco original GM 6 cilindros 250S, comando de válvulas Crower Roller Special Order, coletores: Carlini de 44mm, alimentação 6 injetores de 160lbs/h.

TRANSMISSÃO: câmbio Jerico performance de 4 marchas e diferencial Ford 9 Strange.

PESO: 970 quilos

SUPER CYCLONE

In late '64, Ford and Jack Chrisman teamed up to build the legendary "Super Cyclone", a blown fuel-burning 427 wedge. This machine chased the Mopars back into the woodwork. Note class designation on window.

Don "Spendo" Johnson

   Don "Spendo" Johnson's latest racer is his best. Here he points out a feature to mechanic Rick Edmisten. The Mike Kase Monza sports a 488-inch Montrelli motor for the new season

1976 - Don Johnson underscores his 16th season in drag racing with the debut of the very latest and slickest "Beachcomber" yet, a 1976 Chevrolet Monza AA/Funny Car sporting a striking blend of candies and pearls by Bill Carter.

The Carrier-bodied flopper is based on a 120-inch wheelbase constructed by Mike Case Race Cars from 4130 chromoly tubing. All additional brightwork is the result of Grafton, Ohio's Custom Chrome while Steve Harris is credited with the unique thatch-type lettering.

Power for the pretty Beachcomber comes from a 488-inch late-model hemi featuring components from Hogan's Head Shop, Venolia, Childs & Albert, Ed Pink, Donovan, Crower and Bowers Blowers.

Together with Rick Edmisten, Dave Rego and Gene Barth, Johnson hopes to have the Beachcomber dialed-in by Pomona so he can kick sand in the face of all competition.

FUNNY CAR

1965 - Here's the classic shot of Mr. Norm's answer to Chrisman as it prepares to fire at the Lions Drag Strip showdown in 1965. Gary Dyer laid down an historic 8.63 at 163 mph to herald a whole new age in drag racing.

T.V. Tommy Ivo

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After 21 years in a dragster, Tommy Ivo makes the switch

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1976 - He has known only change and challenge, from his mid-50's Buick to the infamous roadster that was known throughout the San Fernando Valley. The Southern California drag strips afforded Tom Ivo plenty of opportunity to express his desire to challenge change.

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The money earned from the many motion pictures he appeared in made it possible for Tom to do just about anything he wanted to. But what Ivo wanted to do most was drag race.

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One of the first full power runs on the new Dodge flopper was a very respectable 6.63, clicking it early

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Each new season brought about fresh combinations to try camshafts, tire compounds, chassi improvements, etc. Tommy even came up with many innovations of his own, and his list of quarter mile accomplishments are still in the record books.

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And through all the years of Tom's professional career as a drag racer, he has always competed in the dragster class, from gasoline and carburetors to the present day double-A fueler as we know it: rear engined and low, supercharged and nitro-burning. In short, the ultimate. The top of the class. And without challenge.

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After 21 years in a digger, 40-year old Ivo tries out the cockpit of his new rider, a Sarte-built bullet.

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Which is precisely why Tommy Ivo aka T.V. Tom, made the decision to go to the AA/Funny Car. A new change and very definitely a new challenge. On his first outing with the new piece, Tom journeyed north to Fremont, California, and ran within two tenth of the quickest flopper at the meet.

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The following day found the Jaime Sarté constructed '76 Dodge Dart back in the more familiar environs of Irwindale Raceway where Ivo clocked a best of 6.63, shutting off early. New car bugs begone !!

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Engine: 484" Dodge Hemi
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It will be most interesting to see what Tommy comes up with in the way of innovations during the year, one of which we know to be a 1977 Dodge Charger body by the Indy Nationals and when he does, SS & DI will be there when it happens because we also pursue change and challenge.

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Helping Ivo buckle up is longtime friend and fellow ex Road King Kenny Stafford, also known to take a trip or two down the quarter mile

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T.V. TOMMY IVO

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VEHICLE: 1976 Dodge Dart AA/FC

BODY: Fiberglass by Carrier

CHASSIS: 120" w.b. by Sarte Welding

PAINT: Carter

LETTERING: Moser

TRANSMISSION: Lenco 2 speed

ENGINE: 484" Dodge Hemi

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