Post by dragnews on Dec 7, 2008 20:38:43 GMT -5
So you want to build a dragster? Well as many of us have learned if you want that perfect race car you gotta do it yourself.
In late 1988 Rick Carrell decided it was time for Brenda and him
to take their racing to the next level. Rick had progressed quickly since starting out in his little front engine dragster, and was winning quiet often in his new Paul Payton state of the art rear engine car. Although the Peyton car was reliable and sturdy, Rick
was convinced he could build one better. With the help of welding wizard Kenny Jackson, Rick set off to build his favorite dragster. To start with Rick took all the durability details that the Payton car had. He then borrowed Tom Bowling's ultra flexy former comp eliminator car that was built by Don Ness.
Above photo Welder Kenny Jackson explains the driver compartment to the Ragland's.
All the bending, forming and welding was done in house at Rick's home shop. Every little detail was considered in making this car
safe and fast....One day it will prove to be both.
This photo} Rick explains the working of the flexible rear section the car utilized to James Turner and Rob Ragland.
The front half of Rick's car was sturdy and tuff built for hauling and
reliability on rough tracks. From the seat back the car utilized a
floating flex joint that works similar to todays swing arm chassis.
This photo was taken in the Ragland shop after the first body was completed..NOTE: a lot of controversy was on this car about how large the driver compartment was and how tall this body design was. How times would change!
Photo of finished car un-painted at Dallas race. Note: This car came out a winner on it's first weekend, a lot of trash talk was soon hushed.
Photo of finish car with chute out later in 1989 at Ardmore Dragway..Saddly the car was crashed soon after, but as noted above the car was well built and only a new rear wheel and body
with a few more small details was all it took to get This champ back up and going.
Kenny Jackson built this ultra tall body and a number of drivers filled in to drive at Ardmore until the track was shortened to 1000
feet. I believe Mark Newell may be the driver in this photo.
Around 1999 Bill Massey replaced some sagging front tubing added a new body and finished a twin car for Will. The team raced both cars until 2007.
Finally Joe Monden has restore the car one last time, building a more conventional body and replacing more stressed tubing in the rear section..The drivers compartment seat and cage is all that is left of the original design. The old car still can hike the wheels and run with the more modern 4 link cars of today. Then again I told you its was built safe and strong from day one.
My pal Rick and I with the high body design at Thunder Valley.
(Photo's and story courtesy of the Ragland collection 08)
Next time we will look back on 2009. Merry Christmas and God Bless............................Rob
In late 1988 Rick Carrell decided it was time for Brenda and him
to take their racing to the next level. Rick had progressed quickly since starting out in his little front engine dragster, and was winning quiet often in his new Paul Payton state of the art rear engine car. Although the Peyton car was reliable and sturdy, Rick
was convinced he could build one better. With the help of welding wizard Kenny Jackson, Rick set off to build his favorite dragster. To start with Rick took all the durability details that the Payton car had. He then borrowed Tom Bowling's ultra flexy former comp eliminator car that was built by Don Ness.
Above photo Welder Kenny Jackson explains the driver compartment to the Ragland's.
All the bending, forming and welding was done in house at Rick's home shop. Every little detail was considered in making this car
safe and fast....One day it will prove to be both.
This photo} Rick explains the working of the flexible rear section the car utilized to James Turner and Rob Ragland.
The front half of Rick's car was sturdy and tuff built for hauling and
reliability on rough tracks. From the seat back the car utilized a
floating flex joint that works similar to todays swing arm chassis.
This photo was taken in the Ragland shop after the first body was completed..NOTE: a lot of controversy was on this car about how large the driver compartment was and how tall this body design was. How times would change!
Photo of finished car un-painted at Dallas race. Note: This car came out a winner on it's first weekend, a lot of trash talk was soon hushed.
Photo of finish car with chute out later in 1989 at Ardmore Dragway..Saddly the car was crashed soon after, but as noted above the car was well built and only a new rear wheel and body
with a few more small details was all it took to get This champ back up and going.
Kenny Jackson built this ultra tall body and a number of drivers filled in to drive at Ardmore until the track was shortened to 1000
feet. I believe Mark Newell may be the driver in this photo.
Around 1999 Bill Massey replaced some sagging front tubing added a new body and finished a twin car for Will. The team raced both cars until 2007.
Finally Joe Monden has restore the car one last time, building a more conventional body and replacing more stressed tubing in the rear section..The drivers compartment seat and cage is all that is left of the original design. The old car still can hike the wheels and run with the more modern 4 link cars of today. Then again I told you its was built safe and strong from day one.
My pal Rick and I with the high body design at Thunder Valley.
(Photo's and story courtesy of the Ragland collection 08)
Next time we will look back on 2009. Merry Christmas and God Bless............................Rob