Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)

[sYc]

I think most, if not all of us here agree that Dick Harrell did as much, or maybe even more, for the sport of drag racing, then almost any other person. Well, yesterday I was told that he IS NOT in the drag racing Hall of Fame. We are talking about a AHRA World champion, who was at the top of the sport when he lost his life. 30+ years later his influence can still be seen, on and off the track. I am not for sure how, but I feel that we need to do something to see that this is corrected. Tom

[Stefano]

Tom, I would say that while Drag racing may have been Dick's Primary avocation that it its ridiculous he is not in the its Hall of fame, based on his accomplishments and contributions to the sport. IMO he is directly responsible to one degree or another for the whole "Super Car" Culture which exists today ,as well.

[davenkc]

Tom and all,
This is a true statment Dick is NOT in the dragracing Hall of Fame! I personally have written to several of the people in charge of nominations more than once. I know Bob Gibson has also with no responce. Plain and simple he has been shunned by the powers that be. I once thought it was due to
his loyalty to AHRA. This proves out to be wrong as Jim Tice (the founder and president of AHRA until his death) is in the HOF. After Tice passed even Don Garlits was involved in the admin. of AHRA for a while. I think that voices should be heard in order to make this happen. The DRHOF is located near Garlits famous display of cars in FL. There is no reason Dick should not be honored with membership on this
list of Dragracing heros. One person on the board of nominations is Steve Gibbs another Shirley Muldowney just to mention 2. Mentioning to Garlits surely would not hurt.
what say you?

Dave

[menmyfcs]

Dave. When I see these pictures of the 68 car and Henry Garcias in the back ground it almost brings tears to my eyes.That year I raced several times with those guys, Being the young kid on the block those guys looked out for me.Took me places in New York I never imagined existed.Between Dick and Charlie I never knew who had the biggest grin but they both had it.After being around that 68 car I wanted a Don Hardy car so bad.We were in the staging lanes at NY national when Charlie pulled in next to Kelly. Kelly still had his Door car and was soon to get his flip top.as soon as it stopped he jumped in the 68 just to see how it felt.was all smiles knowing his was next.It was not a deep candy red but a very bright with the gold base showing on the right angles.
Dont get me going on that Hall of Fame. I have talked to Garlits,Steve Gibbs,Shirley Muldowney and others on the board.Its pretty dissapopinting of who has gotten in and not Dick.I would not hurt for any of you to send letters to them about it. I am the 1st to say after the last few years its political.Far be it from me to sugar coat it.
MenMyFcs

[davenkc]

menmyfcs
I also have gotten a little choked up going through some of the pics I have. Thinking today back to 68-69 how many times a touring car would stop by the shop. Hardly raise an eyebrow other than to look and see who it was. Now I would go back to then if given the chance in a heartbeat.

I am going to attach the first of pics of the 69 to this post. It is fairly early on in the year. Has Courtesy in
the logo on the door. This car was fast from the start and probably Dick's best remembered car. Pic speaks for itself.
IMO it was beautiful just like this.
Dave

[sYc]

Dave, keep the pictures and stories coming. And if you find a way to return to those days, PLEASE take me with you. Tom

[Belair62]

DO NOT FOLLOW THE LIGHT you guys...stay here...Charley has more snails to play with and its much more mellow on this thread now...

[sYc]

More mellow, yes, but playing with Charley's snails? Sick [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[davenkc]

Tom. Consider it done BTW notice on the 69 it has door handles on both sides. Do real race cars have doors?? Maybe so maybe not. This one has door handles but no doors.
Dicks 69 car.. what can be said about this car that hasn't been said before. From my stand point it I am just proud to say I had the chance to work on it,sit in it while it was running... There is no way to describe what that feels like.
You had to be there to understand. I will be the first to admit it was no fun to pull the tranny after a run and either put the other in(we had a spare always) or pull it apart and see if anything else but the high clutches were trashed. The tranny was the best piece that there was for the era and we had been known to lose it on a burn out.
Wow it sure was fun. In Jan of 71 (yes 71) This car advertised in the AHRA paper for sale. I have a copy of the ad. I still kick myself for not buying it. Ahhh live and learn. The attached pic some will think it has been repainted but it is just the different lighting. I talked at length a few months ago with John (oop) Fensom about this car and he assured me there was no complete repaint on this car until just before Fred's prostock was painted to match it.
Dave

[davenkc]

This next pic is the first time I tried out my scanner It is of my personally autographed copy of the well known hand out taken at Bristol Tenn. On the back it said To "Dave Libby best wishes" signed Dick Harrell. The Lace has been added in this pic and the logo has been changed to Fred Gibb
The hand out has been destroyed by a strange sequence of events. Suffice to say I was upset,but what is done is done.
There is not much one can say about a world championship car
Its winning record speaks loud. This car will rise again
for all to see take my word for it.
Dave