FCR3-n-Me

I just don't know where to start. Should I go with the "some things improve with age" bit or the "amped" bit? I think I'll go with the "amped" bit. I was truly amped or wired if you will for this years version of the Funny Car Reunion at Raceway Park.

It actually started about 2 weeks prior when I attended the York U S 30 Reunion and Muscle Car Madness show. It was there that I saw the Winged Express for the first time. Ever! Oh yeah, I read all about it and who hasn't seen the photos of Willie gripping the side of the car as he attempted over and over to get the thing to go straight? I have the Jackson Brothers Bad Boy Altereds Vol 1 that is the standard for any altered aficionado. But alas, that great video has no sound. Ahh, but I do have the Jackson Brothers CHHR Cacklefest 2003 DVD. That one run, at night with the flames tickling the wing just about says it all, except that Willie wasn't at the wheel.

I figured, as well as the powers that be organizing FCR3 that if he was in Pa he might as well stick around and attend FCR3. You can't get much closer than that. The deal was made and the Winged Express would be at the event making exhibition passes. When I found out, I told just about every drag racing friend I have that they had better make plans to see the car. That's when I got "plugged in". It's pretty much all I could think of. I mean, when I first saw the car in the York Expo Hall, I went over to it and I just had to touch it. It is after all one of the Holy Grails of drag racing. Speaking to Mousie at the show was the icing on the cake.

Now the Winged Express wasn't the only thing I was "amped" to see. There were the funny cars. Man, were there funny cars! John Denski was there with the restored Duster funny car that the Ramchargers refuse to have their name on. C'mon guys, lighten up. It's your heritage he is celebrating. Also along from Michigan was the legendary Jay Howell along with the Prock & Howell F-Troop 33 Willys gasser. The new Zombie Charger Daytona of Rob Bruce as well as the Nitromare Mustang of Frank Jonkman was there. Bruce Larson, the Wild & Crazy Charger, Bits n Pieces Camaro, Mill City Boys 70 1/2 screaming yellow Camaro on nitro, the Fuelish Monza, Dave Sano's Instant Insanity Grand Am, War Horse Mustang, Maine Event Corvette, New Generation Racing Corvette, Rubber City Thunder Monza, No Money No Funny Nova, N Y Super Twister, Lou Sgro's Black Magic Duster and Bob Rosetty's Rollin Stoned Cuda with Joe Jocono at the wheel. Talk about being "amped", Joe was "out there" after his second run. Just like riding a bike Joe! If I left anyone out, it's unintentional as my head is still spinning. I have to wait a few days for my photos and then I'll be spinning all over again.

Pat Foster was the Grand Marshall and they announced over the P A system that he had the restored Jade Grenade FEF and the 76 Corvette funny car of Tom Mc Ewen on display. I started to pinch myself. I spoke to Pat and even got one of my Barry Setzer Vega photos signed by him. Too bad they weren't running. I did a lot of networking for my website www.dragracingimagery.com and had a vendor spot ably attended by my youngest daughter Lauren. I needed someone there who didn't care one iota about drag racing. She certainly fit the bill. When the Winged Express was warming up a few spaces down, I told her to take a deep breath. "That's NITRO", I exclaimed. "Yuck" said she. Oh, well. And, I cannot forget my good friend Walter Frey giving me a shout out and inviting me to talk about my photos and N Y National Speedway in the tower. Was that ever cool! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY Cool!!!

Two P M was the start of the festivities. First up were Bruce and Jonkman Man they were baddddd! Sounded like N Y National 35 years ago with the nitro exploding out of the zoomies. That's where I was for a while when the nitro was lit. Unfortunately I was changing film for their burnouts (definitely something to be said for digital). But after almost 40 years of shooting, I have it down pat. I didn't miss much after that. They blasted off and were gone in a flash. Didn't get the times but that's almost an afterthought. I want to see the burnouts and the sound and fury of the launch and the dry hops. That's what it's all about!

Next up was the legendary Winged Express. I was at the right lane and Boyd was in the left lane. I couldn't cross over in time so I positioned myself for the best possible shots. After all, when would I see this again? Next year I hope. Step back with me a little here. As I was walking to the start line, I passed the Winged Express tent. I looked over at the car and it was dark under the cover of the tent. It was then that I saw the driver Mike Boyd. I wouldn't have known it was he except he had the fire suit pants on. I think the word "handler" suits him better. After all doesn't a handler tame the wild beasts of the world?

This man is huge! Look at his arms. I figured that it took someone that big to handle a machine as ferocious as the Express. Artie Cimilluca told me he was a body builder. O K, I'll buy that. Obviously you don't drive the car, you muscle it.

Anyway he did a great burnout, all smoke and thunder. I was starting to have one of those mystical experiences all the while keeping the car in my viewfinder. I just snapped away. At the green, he was gone (sort of) zigzagging all over the track. He ran a shutting off, motor destroying, 95 mph. I thought to myself, "He's gotta be the only person in drag racing to make a 95 mph run look that wild and cool". When the run was over, the whole experience overwhelmed me. I actually had tears in my eyes. Maybe that was from the nitro. Mousie told me at York they run 80%. Now I truly knew what Winged Express mystique was all about. I will never forget my "first time". Back in the pits I saw Mike and shook his hand and thanked him for the experience. He said he was sorry that he couldn't put on a better show for the fans!

Then out came the funnies two by two all making full passes. Thundering burnouts, and the RUMP RUMP RUMP of the engines was music to my ears. Some day I'm gonna record that so I can play it in my basement kingdom when doing my photo work or building a model. Bruce Larson was all class as usual. I wish they'd let him make a full pass. He was crankin'! Lou Sgro pulled a nice wheelie against Jocono in the Rollin Stoned car. Joe returned the favor in round 2. John Kippin pulled them about 2 feet in round one and (I'd like to think) at my urging did it again in round 2. I saw him in the staging lanes and asked him to do it again as I missed it the first time. I was focused on the War Horse. Sano stepped back (literally) in round one as he jerked backwards on his launch then managed to nail it forward. Obviously it's not as easy as it looks. Scary! Everybody got down the track under power and there were no incidents to speak of. Two rounds of awesome racing. That's what I meant at the beginning about things improving with age. This was the best Funny Car Reunion by far. And then everyone was packing up to go home. Didn't we just get here? I took about 15 more photos and packed up and left. What a letdown the ride home was. Sort of "unplugged" if you know what I mean. Man I can't wait for next year!

Ted Pappacena

ted@dragracingimagery.com