Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted (edited)

This was an annual event held near where I live, at Raceway Park in Englishtown, NJ. This was filmed during "Crazy Eddie's Night of Thrills" on (I believe) June 15, 1977, and I was there!  I was in the pit-side bleachers, opposite where this was filmed, about halfway down the rack.

 

The closing part of the video shows two J-79 powered jet dragsters. If I am not mistaken, one of them suffered a brake chute malfunction, leading to the death of the driver when the unrestrained vehicle punched through the barrier rail at track's end while still traveling at almost 200 mph.

 

This was so far away (almost half a mile) that no one in the stands knew that it had happened. 

They just nonchalantly announced that there were to be no further runs that night, and closed the track. We did not find out until the next day.

 

Edited by Fubar512
Posted

Brings back many memories.  The first NHRA Champion Shirl Greer lived in my home town of Warner Robins,Ga.  His son custom painted by Chevelle Malibu.  I was in high school at the time. His shop was about 2 miles from my home.

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue..