On Sept. 6, Bristol Dragway will prepare for the invasion of "Big Daddy," "Cha Cha," "Trouble Maker," "Hit Man" and the "Auburn Weed Killer Special." No, they don't have mafia connections, but they did reign supreme during the age of The Godfather.
The Blast from the Past presented by RAM Motor Company will provide fans a rare opportunity to get up close to drag racing the way it was more than 30 years ago. Classic drag racing machines will be on hand to make exhibition runs and thrill the crowd with their daring passes down the equally-historic Bristol Dragway.
Race fans even may cross paths with Mr. Drag Racing himself, "Big Daddy" Don Garlits, who will bring one of his famous "Swamp Rats" for everyone to see.
Not to be outdone by Bid Daddy, Shirley "Cha Cha" Muldowney also will return to Thunder Valley to relive the glory days of drag racing.
The Blast from the Past presented by RAM Motor Company will feature more than 20 front-engine rail dragsters, nostalgia funny cars featuring body styles from years-gone-by and classic A, B and C/Gas gassers.
The rail dragsters are members of Southern Slingshots, while the funny cars come from the Great Lakes Nostalgia Funny Car Circuit. The gassers all race with the Classic Gassers group and put on a great show.
A car show will give everyone a chance to show off their unique rides. Participants can enter their vehicles in one of two classes, pre-1979 or post-1979.
Exciting bracket racing classes take place Saturday and continue on Sunday. Racer entry fees and purse information can be found on the Bristol Dragway website.
Sixteen lucky fans will have the opportunity to hang out with "Big Daddy" in one of the Bristol Dragway suites by registering at RAM Motor Company on Bristol Highway in Johnson City.
Come celebrate a great Blast from the Past at Thunder Valley!
Gates open at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday with time trials beginning at noon. Eliminations will follow. The front-engine dragsters and gassers will make runs at 5:00, 7:00 and 9:00 p.m. The nostalgia funny cars will run at 7:00 and 9:00 p.m.
Car show registration begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at noon on Saturday. Judging begins at 9:30 a.m. and concludes at 2:30 p.m. The entry fee for pre-registered cars is $20, while those registered on the day of the show are $25. Awards will be given to the Best of Show, Best Paint, Best Motor, Best Interior and Top 25 in each class. To pre-register, please contact Jeffrey Dillard at (865) 804-6617 or email dillard_jeffrey@yahoo.com.
On Sunday, gates open at 8:00 a.m., with church service scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Bracket eliminations begin at 11:00 a.m.
Spectator admission is $20 on Saturday, with $5 discount coupons available at Roadrunner Market and FasMart Convenience Stores. Sunday admission is $10. Children 12 and under are free.
For more information about the Blast from the Past presented by RAM Motor Company, please call (423) 764-DRAG.