How did Don Garlits lose part of his foot?

Considered the father of drag racing, he is known as “Big Daddy” to drag racing fans around the world. A pioneer in the field of drag racing, he perfected the rear-engine Top Fuel dragster, an innovation motivated by the loss of part of his foot in a dragster accident.

When did Don Garlits lose part of his foot?

Don Garlits lost half of his right foot in this transmission explosion in Swamp Rat 13 at Lions Drag Strip March 8, 1970. Jim Nicoll was lucky to walk away from a terrifying clutch explosion in his slingshot in the final round of the 1970 Nationals.

What happened to Don Garlits?

Garlits was forced to retire from racing in 1992 – at the age of 60 – due to a detached retina in his eye. He made two brief comebacks in 1998 and again in 2003, attaining a personal best of 323 mph in 4.7 seconds (on a quarter-mile, before NHRA scaled back Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars to 1,000-foot lanes).

How long was Chrisman in the hospital after his incident at Pomona?

42 days
The team debuted a new Pontiac Hemi engine a few weeks before the U.S. Nationals at Indy, and won the Top Eliminator crown. During a regular afternoon event at Pomona in May 1963, the dragster’s rear end broke. Chrisman spent 42 days in the hospital recovering.

Who is Don Garlits second wife?

Big Daddy Don Garlits Is Getting Married, and You Can Go to the Wedding. If you follow the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing page on Facebook (and if you don’t, what’s wrong with you? Go! Follow it!), then you already know that Big Daddy and his girlfriend, Lisa Crigar, got engaged on Valentine’s Day 2015.

Who is the oldest Top Fuel driver?

Karamesines
2011-present. By 2011, Karamesines was the oldest active driver in NHRA’s top ranks. He would continue to show speed to qualify for races, but would fall in the first round. Then came Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, Tennessee.

What was Don Garlits nickname?

“Big Daddy,” who acquired his nickname because he was the biggest name in drag racing during the 1960s, confesses he is surprised at his current success. “I retired four years ago,” Garlits says.

What is wrong with Matt Hagen?

CLERMONT, Ind. – Don Schumacher Racing officials confirmed Friday that NHRA Funny Car competitor Matt Hagan will not compete during Dodge//SRT NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway after Hagan was diagnosed with COVID-19.

Who is the oldest NHRA driver?

Chris Karamesines
Chris Karamesines was born November 11, but conflicting reports raise questions regarding his birthyear. While NHRA has it listed as 1931, other sources, including The Drag Racing Hall of Fame, say he was born in 1928.

Did Don Garlits marry Lisa Crigar?

Follow it!), then you already know that Big Daddy and his girlfriend, Lisa Crigar, got engaged on Valentine’s Day 2015. Above, a photo of Garlits and Crigar looking very happy in the Florida sunshine. This will be Garlits’ second marriage. His first, to childhood sweetheart Pat, lasted more than 60 years.

How old is Big Daddy Don Garlits?

89 years (January 14, 1932)
Don Garlits/Age

Who is the oldest active drag racer?

How old was Garlits when he had his accident?

The accident occured when Garlits, who turned 53 on Jan. 14, was running his newest needle-nosed Swamp Rat dragster at Firebird Raceway, outside Phoenix, in a match race against former world champion Gary Beck of Hemet.

How did Don Garlits contribute to drag racing?

A pioneer in the field of drag racing, he perfected the rear-engine Top Fuel dragster, an innovation motivated by the loss of part of his foot in a dragster accident. This design was notably safer since it put most of the fuel processing and rotating parts of the dragster behind the driver.

How did Don Garlits get his foot broken?

When the green light flashed and Garlits stepped on the throttle pedal with his right foot, the dragster’s transmission, which sat between Garlits’ legs, exploded from the enormous power unleashed from the engine. The blast ripped the car in two, instantly severed half of Garlits’ right foot and broke his left foot in five places.

When did Don Garlits retire from active driving?

In 1987, Garlits suffered a blowover at an ADRA event in Spokane, Washington. He received several injuries from the resulting crash. Though none were life-threatening, he temporarily retired from active driving and became a color commentator for NHRA telecasts on TNN and NBC.