Funny car

[JoeC]

There was a great story in one of the old magazines about a guy who ran a FC in the 60s. To me it gives a little view of what it took to win in the big time in a 60s-70s Funny Car.
I donít remember his name but call him Driver X and as I remember the story it was something like this. He was an amateur running on a shoestring budget and due to other peopleís red lights and blow ups he makes it to the final round of a big race despite being low qualifier. The guy in the other lane was none other then Jungle Jim. When X staged he didnít know what was shaking more - him or his nitro burning big block Chevy. The Jungle jumps out ahead with tires smoking but hooking up and swerving down the track in a series of ìSî turns so bad that he must have covered a half mile instead of a quarter mile. Xís FC was pulling pretty strong and he passed Jungle only to have Jungle pass him back at the big end. X couldnít see much from inside his car but he figured he won because Jungle must have crossed over the centerline at least three times. X lost and found out later after talking to people and seeing pictures that Jungle was completely out of shape the whole run all over the place even getting one wheel off the track and throwing up a huge rooster tail of dirt into the stands. Jungle Jim never crossed the centerline and never lifted for a micro-second.
X thought that Jungle was one sick puppy for never lifting and winning that race after running down the track like an ape on fire. X had been thinking of going pro but knew he could never drive FC at the suicidal level that Jungle Jim had demonstrated on that run. The next year X saw Jungle Jim and talked with him about that wild race where Jungle beat him and won the show. X called Jungle crazy for never lifting. Jungle Jim said, ìI ante crazy, I was more afraid to lift off then to stay in it! The last time I lifted on a run like that the blower blew up in my face. ì [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif[/img]