Little Hoss at Beardstown Dragstrip

[Mr70]

Great pictures and story guys.Thanks for the memories,but I am curious as to Dick Harells sudden death.
Where,when and how did he die?
Does he have any relatives owning the rights to his name?
Would like to know more.
Rick

[68TopStock]

From what I have learned, talking with others who were familiar with the events
and what is in printed material, such as Fred's interview with John Hooper, in the
1969 Camaro Reference book. Dick Harrell had an untimely death on the 1971 Labor Day weekend, he died racing.

The suspected cause of the accident was the result of loss of front tire pressure
in an experimental tire. I understand the accident occurred at a Canadian race track,
involving the '71 "mini" Camaro Funny Car.

Dickie Harrell was such a unique individual, and I have come to conclude his death shook the drag racing world deeply. Close friends continue to miss his presence.

[Edited by 68TopStock (10-13-2001 at 08:41 PM).]

[JoeC]

Does anyone know why Dick Harrell ended his relation ship with Nickey and switched to Yenko in 1966/67? I found this photo on a drag site of the Nickey 66 Nova with the new owner/driver name painted on.

[68TopStock]

I think Mike G. in another post incicated Dick Harrell had a disagreement with the Nickey management in the spring of 1967. I wonder when he started his sponsorship with Yenko? I just bought a 4/67 Popular Hot Rod, which on the cover has the red '67 Nickey 427 transplant (yellow block), being installed. This was probably written in Jan/Feb., will be interesting to read about it when it arrives.(my own way to replace MCR!)

[Edited by 68TopStock (10-13-2001 at 08:48 PM).]

[Edited by 68TopStock (10-14-2001 at 11:39 PM).]

[68TopStock]

Rumor is that the '66 Harrell/Nickey ChevyII Funny Car is still around in the midwest. It is still red. Does anyone have any further information? It sure would be fun to see it run again at Cordova.

[68TopStock]

I have found an article printed in 1967 with a pic of Dick Harrell and his '67 Camaro Funny car. On the door of the car the is the Yenko Super Camaro Dealers logo. the race occurred at Detroit Dragways, on June 13, 1967. He was a member of the Midwest United Drag Racers Association Super Funny Car Circuit.

Others at this race, and USDA members were the "Farmer", Stone-Woods-Cook, Eddie Schartman, Farkonas & Minick-"Chi-Town Huslter", "Ramchargers", Pete Gates.

I sure miss my MCR!

[Dan 68 Chevy II]

I kinda miss MCR too but the OMCM ( Old Muscle Car Magazines) definitly fill that void.The old mags have so much neat original articles,thats if you like the old stuff.