Don Garlits Museum Ocala, FL - Schedule News & Events

Art Malone - in Memoriam
2013 IDRHOF Dinner - SELLOUT...!!!
Lucas Oil Major Sponsor/IDRHOF Dinner
2013 IDRHOF Inductees
HOT ROD Deluxe Nov-2012
Billetproof Mar-23rd Event
At the Museum
"Big Daddy's" comments on NHRA
"Big Daddy"/Fixing the NHRA
Ocala.com on "Big"
Racing/Fatherhood/Road Ahead

This is a Nationally Televised Event!

Check out this historic coverage (HRD Nov-2012, page 69) showing a couple of "Big Daddy's" cool accomplishments!

"click" to view larger image

Billetproof Car Show 2013 - Results at www.Billetproof.com

PRESS RELEASE

The Museum of Drag Racing, Ocala Florida has acquired the historical race car, Mad Dog IV, driven by world famous Art Malone in 1961 to become the first person over 180 miles per hour on a closed course. The actual speed was; 181.561 MPH. The car, build and owned by Bob Osiecki of Charlotte NC, won the $10,000.00 prize, posted by NASCAR President and Founder, Bill France. Mr. France posted the prize for anyone that exceeded 180 MPH at the World famous Daytona Speedway. On August 28th, 1961, Art Malone, a fearless young man, 25 years of age, climbed into the cockpit of the Mad Dog IV, a Curtis Race Car with wings, powered by a Blown Dodge 450 CID wedge engine and traveled around the 2.5 mile Daytona Speedway in a lap that was timed at 49.57 seconds for an average speed of; 181.561 MPH! Bill France personally presented the check to Bob and Art for an amazing feat, back in 1961. The car has been displayed for many years at different museums, but this is the last stop as we have acquired the vehicle from it's owner Tom Osiecki, Bob's son, as Bob Osiecki has since passed away. The NASCAR fans will be happy to learn that the Drag Racing Museum has purchased the car for permanent display here in Florida.

For more information please contact;

Don Garlits
Museum of Drag Racing
13700 SW 16th Ave.
Ocala, FL 34473
garlits@mfi.net

From: Don Garlits Sent: Thursday, January 20, 2011
Subject: NHRA NEWS: NHRA ANNOUNCES PLANS TO IMPROVE THE FAN EXPERIENCE AT 2011 NHRA FULL THROTTLE DRAG RACING SERIES EVENTS

A very good start, but not near strong enough! Why should any oil down run count at all?
If you just touch the barrier line, why not just a fine and some points
removed, not disqualified! Don Garlits

NHRA Media Center Online: http://media.nhra.com
NHRA ANNOUNCES PLANS TO IMPROVE THE FAN EXPERIENCE AT 2011 NHRA FULL THROTTLE DRAG RACING SERIES EVENTS GLENDORA, Calif. (Jan. 19, 2011)
Furthering the ongoing initiative to improve the racing experience for fans at NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series events, NHRA has announced a two-pronged approach to minimize excessive down time as a result of oildowns and track preparation. NHRA has invested in additional trackside clean-up equipment and implemented strict oildown penalties, which will inclu de monetary fines and championship point deductions for violations. “We recognize that oildowns are part of racing,” said Graham Light, senior vice president of racing operations, NHRA. “But we polled our fans and they indicated that, though a part of racing, excessive down time on the track has a negative impact on their experience. We believe the added equipment, coupled with across-the-board oildown penalties, will lead to less oildowns by all competitors, shorter down time on the track and a better experience for our racers and fans at NHRA national events.” NHRA has increased its track preparation and oildown clean-up capabilities by adding additional equipment to the NHRA Safety Safari presented by AAA, including an additional drag tractor and more jet dryers available for each Full Throttle Series event. With the additional equipment, NHRA can significantly decrease track preparation time by utilizing both tractors simultaneously. Also, with the added equipment and use of more jets, NHRA will be able to minimize clean-up time following oildowns. In addition, following a string of lengthy oildowns during qualifying and eliminations in the latter part of 2010, NHRA has decided to reinstate and enforce strict oildown penalties for all classes competing at NHRA National Events. In 2011, the first violation for competitors in each of the four NHRA Full Throttle Series categories will result in a $1,000 fine. If the violation occurs during qualifying, it will result in a loss of five points and the loss of elapsed time and speed for the run. Times will be voided for qualifying position, qualifying performance points, session run order and national records. During eliminations, a violation results in a $1,000 fine plus a loss of 10 points and the loss of elapsed time and speed for the run. If the oil violation occurs on a winning run, the driver will advance, but will lose lane choice and run order selection for the next round, and the performance will not be eligible for national record consideration. Second violations at the same event will result in a $2,000 fine plus a loss of 10 points in qualifying and 20 points in eliminations. Competitors in Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car and Pro Mod will be assessed a $500 fine and five points for a violation during qualifying, and 10 points for violations during eliminations. The same rules regarding voided times, position, run order and nati onal records apply to these categories. A second violation at the same event will result in a $1,000 fine and loss of 10 points during qualifying and 20 points during eliminations. Finally, competitors in the remaining categories in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competing at national events will receive a fine of $250, plus loss of five points for qualifying violations and 10 points for eliminations violations. A second violation at the same event for these classes will result in a $500 fine and loss of 10 points in qualifying and 20 points in elimination. “Our hope and desire is to neither collect fines nor levy any penalties on the racing community,” Light said. “We hope that by announcing these penalties, the teams will work more diligently at oil containment.” More than two oildowns at an event by a single team will result in an NHRA review of teams’ season performance and further action may be taken as determined by NHRA. Penalties will be in effect for all 2011 events including the Countdown to the Championship events. All teams will receive one oildown credit at the start of the 2011 NHRA national event season however no further credits will be awarded during the season. The 2011 NHRA Oildown Policy is available online at http://www.nhra.com/competition/oildown.aspx.

"Big Daddy" Don Garlits' thoughts on "Fixing the NHRA"

The man voted as the greatest drag racer in the National Hot Rod Association’s

first 50 years has plenty of ideas on how to fix the sport he dominated for nearly

four decades. At 77, ‘Big Daddy’ Don Garlits still spends most of his days tinkering

with race cars and antiques in his garage outside the Drag Racing Hall of Fame in Ocala, Fla. If given the opportunity, he’s more than ready to tinker with the NHRA’s current rules. The NHRA, he says, is in trouble, and he’s right. Quality entries are down, attendance is down at tracks, and there isn’t a whole lot of money being made. Garlits blames the rising expenses, which have priced many teams and drivers out of the sport.

“A lot of us got into drag racing because it was affordable,” he said Wednesday. “Now you have teams that have a $3 million or $5 million budget, where they can just outspend everyone else. They’re the teams that are holding change up. We could easily make the tires smaller and lower the wing and run a lot slower, but they don’t want any part of that.”

Garlits’ biggest problem is that the races themselves have gotten too short. Races were shortened for safety concerns last year from a quarter-mile to 1,000 feet. That shortened the races from about five seconds — still too fast by Garlits’ account — to about 3.5 seconds. The races are too short; three-and-a-half seconds is just not long enough to keep the fans interested,” he said. “Then you have the cars blow engines every race, and then you have to wait another 10 minutes between races to get the oil cleaned up. It’s a bad show.”

Garlits’ ideas are simple and harsh. Make the rear wing smaller and lower it to take away downforce. Have Goodyear build smaller racing tires to take away grip. Disqualify any team that blows an engine and drops oil on the track. The engines right now, if they’d cut them back to about 1,000 or 1,500 horsepower, they would run forever,” he said. “And the problem about slowing the cars down would be solved. It would also bridge the gap between the haves and the have-nots. The competition would be a lot closer, and that’s what’s going to bring the fans back.”

"click" logo to view the complete Ocala.com article...


	Don Garlits' 2013 Schedule	Art Malone - in Memoriam 2013 IDRHOF Dinner - SELLOUT...!!! Lucas Oil Major Sponsor/IDRHOF Dinner 2013 IDRHOF Inductees HOT ROD Deluxe Nov-2012 Billetproof Mar-23rd Event At the Museum "Big Daddy's" comments on NHRA "Big Daddy"/Fixing the NHRA Ocala.com on "Big" Racing/Fatherhood/Road Ahead This is a Nationally Televised Event! Check out this historic coverage (HRD Nov-2012, page 69) showing a couple of "Big Daddy's" cool accomplishments! "click" to view larger image Billetproof Car Show 2013 - Results at www.Billetproof.com PRESS RELEASE The Museum of Drag Racing, Ocala Florida has acquired the historical race car, Mad Dog IV, driven by world famous Art Malone in 1961 to become the first person over 180 miles per hour on a closed course. The actual speed was; 181.561 MPH. The car, build and owned by Bob Osiecki of Charlotte NC, won the $10,000.00 prize, posted by NASCAR President and Founder, Bill France. Mr. France posted the prize for anyone that exceeded 180 MPH at the World famous Daytona Speedway. On August 28th, 1961, Art Malone, a fearless young man, 25 years of age, climbed into the cockpit of the Mad Dog IV, a Curtis Race Car with wings, powered by a Blown Dodge 450 CID wedge engine and traveled around the 2.5 mile Daytona Speedway in a lap that was timed at 49.57 seconds for an average speed of; 181.561 MPH! Bill France personally presented the check to Bob and Art for an amazing feat, back in 1961. The car has been displayed for many years at different museums, but this is the last stop as we have acquired the vehicle from it's owner Tom Osiecki, Bob's son, as Bob Osiecki has since passed away. The NASCAR fans will be happy to learn that the Drag Racing Museum has purchased the car for permanent display here in Florida. For more information please contact; Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing 13700 SW 16th Ave. Ocala, FL 34473 garlits@mfi.net From: Don Garlits Sent: Thursday, January 20, 2011 Subject: NHRA NEWS: NHRA ANNOUNCES PLANS TO IMPROVE THE FAN EXPERIENCE AT 2011 NHRA FULL THROTTLE DRAG RACING SERIES EVENTS A very good start, but not near strong enough! Why should any oil down run count at all? If you just touch the barrier line, why not just a fine and some points removed, not disqualified! Don Garlits NHRA Media Center Online: http://media.nhra.com NHRA ANNOUNCES PLANS TO IMPROVE THE FAN EXPERIENCE AT 2011 NHRA FULL THROTTLE DRAG RACING SERIES EVENTS GLENDORA, Calif. (Jan. 19, 2011) Furthering the ongoing initiative to improve the racing experience for fans at NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series events, NHRA has announced a two-pronged approach to minimize excessive down time as a result of oildowns and track preparation. NHRA has invested in additional trackside clean-up equipment and implemented strict oildown penalties, which will inclu de monetary fines and championship point deductions for violations. “We recognize that oildowns are part of racing,” said Graham Light, senior vice president of racing operations, NHRA. “But we polled our fans and they indicated that, though a part of racing, excessive down time on the track has a negative impact on their experience. We believe the added equipment, coupled with across-the-board oildown penalties, will lead to less oildowns by all competitors, shorter down time on the track and a better experience for our racers and fans at NHRA national events.” NHRA has increased its track preparation and oildown clean-up capabilities by adding additional equipment to the NHRA Safety Safari presented by AAA, including an additional drag tractor and more jet dryers available for each Full Throttle Series event. With the additional equipment, NHRA can significantly decrease track preparation time by utilizing both tractors simultaneously. Also, with the added equipment and use of more jets, NHRA will be able to minimize clean-up time following oildowns. In addition, following a string of lengthy oildowns during qualifying and eliminations in the latter part of 2010, NHRA has decided to reinstate and enforce strict oildown penalties for all classes competing at NHRA National Events. In 2011, the first violation for competitors in each of the four NHRA Full Throttle Series categories will result in a $1,000 fine. If the violation occurs during qualifying, it will result in a loss of five points and the loss of elapsed time and speed for the run. Times will be voided for qualifying position, qualifying performance points, session run order and national records. During eliminations, a violation results in a $1,000 fine plus a loss of 10 points and the loss of elapsed time and speed for the run. If the oil violation occurs on a winning run, the driver will advance, but will lose lane choice and run order selection for the next round, and the performance will not be eligible for national record consideration. Second violations at the same event will result in a $2,000 fine plus a loss of 10 points in qualifying and 20 points in eliminations. Competitors in Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car and Pro Mod will be assessed a $500 fine and five points for a violation during qualifying, and 10 points for violations during eliminations. The same rules regarding voided times, position, run order and nati onal records apply to these categories. A second violation at the same event will result in a $1,000 fine and loss of 10 points during qualifying and 20 points during eliminations. Finally, competitors in the remaining categories in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competing at national events will receive a fine of $250, plus loss of five points for qualifying violations and 10 points for eliminations violations. A second violation at the same event for these classes will result in a $500 fine and loss of 10 points in qualifying and 20 points in elimination. “Our hope and desire is to neither collect fines nor levy any penalties on the racing community,” Light said. “We hope that by announcing these penalties, the teams will work more diligently at oil containment.” More than two oildowns at an event by a single team will result in an NHRA review of teams’ season performance and further action may be taken as determined by NHRA. Penalties will be in effect for all 2011 events including the Countdown to the Championship events. All teams will receive one oildown credit at the start of the 2011 NHRA national event season however no further credits will be awarded during the season. The 2011 NHRA Oildown Policy is available online at http://www.nhra.com/competition/oildown.aspx. "Big Daddy" Don Garlits' thoughts on "Fixing the NHRA" The man voted as the greatest drag racer in the National Hot Rod Association’s first 50 years has plenty of ideas on how to fix the sport he dominated for nearly four decades. At 77, ‘Big Daddy’ Don Garlits still spends most of his days tinkering with race cars and antiques in his garage outside the Drag Racing Hall of Fame in Ocala, Fla. If given the opportunity, he’s more than ready to tinker with the NHRA’s current rules. The NHRA, he says, is in trouble, and he’s right. Quality entries are down, attendance is down at tracks, and there isn’t a whole lot of money being made. Garlits blames the rising expenses, which have priced many teams and drivers out of the sport. “A lot of us got into drag racing because it was affordable,” he said Wednesday. “Now you have teams that have a $3 million or $5 million budget, where they can just outspend everyone else. They’re the teams that are holding change up. We could easily make the tires smaller and lower the wing and run a lot slower, but they don’t want any part of that.” Garlits’ biggest problem is that the races themselves have gotten too short. Races were shortened for safety concerns last year from a quarter-mile to 1,000 feet. That shortened the races from about five seconds — still too fast by Garlits’ account — to about 3.5 seconds. The races are too short; three-and-a-half seconds is just not long enough to keep the fans interested,” he said. “Then you have the cars blow engines every race, and then you have to wait another 10 minutes between races to get the oil cleaned up. It’s a bad show.” Garlits’ ideas are simple and harsh. Make the rear wing smaller and lower it to take away downforce. Have Goodyear build smaller racing tires to take away grip. Disqualify any team that blows an engine and drops oil on the track. The engines right now, if they’d cut them back to about 1,000 or 1,500 horsepower, they would run forever,” he said. “And the problem about slowing the cars down would be solved. It would also bridge the gap between the haves and the have-nots. The competition would be a lot closer, and that’s what’s going to bring the fans back.” "click" logo to view the complete Ocala.com article...