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PAST EVENT: Private Tour with Don Garlits

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Larry Chanin

President, Florida Tesla Enthusiasts
Moderator
Aug 22, 2011
4,937
814
Sarasota, Florida
Our club has made arrangements with the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing to have a private tour conducted by Mr. Garlits on March 7th.

The Don Garlits Musuem of Drag Racing is in Ocala about 10 miles from the Ocala Superchargers. http://www.garlits.com/index.html

In addition to hundreds of fuel dragsters, Mr. Garlits also has been racing his electric dragster. For this event we have made arrangements for Don to provide a us with a private tour. There are cancellation fees associated with this event. We will need a minimum of 10 attendees and the fee will be $40 per person. Following the private tour we can have an unescorted tour of the museum.

We will be meeting at a nearby local restaurant for lunch prior to the tour.

Our thanks go to KeithM for making these arrangements.


If you are a member of the Florida Tesla Enthusiasts club you should have received an evite invitation with the details.

If you are not a member of our club, but would like to join and attend this event, please click on the link in my signature.

Larry Chanin
President, Florida Tesla Enthusiasts

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About 3 years ago our car club went there and had the private tour with Don. He took us back in the shop where others do not get to go when they visit the museum, where he was getting his dragster ready for Gatornationals. Someone told me that he was "crusty", but we found him to be just the opposite - he was a great person - willing to talk forever, and seemed to really enjoy our club. We were with him a couple of hours, and I think he would have spent more time had we not had to leave to get back to the Hotel for the Dinner. We all had a wonderful time! Having grown up reading about Don and his various Swamp Rat Dragsters, I was in heaven! He even had the car he flipped nose over tail at 300mph in his museum, and also the dragster that had the original driver-behind-the-engine design that blew up taking half of his foot off. For those of you that don't know, Don was the person who pioneered the dragster design of putting the driver in front of the motor - and the design was a direct result of the explosion. Great Guy. Wish we could go.
 
About 3 years ago our car club went there and had the private tour with Don. He took us back in the shop where others do not get to go when they visit the museum, where he was getting his dragster ready for Gatornationals. Someone told me that he was "crusty", but we found him to be just the opposite - he was a great person - willing to talk forever, and seemed to really enjoy our club. We were with him a couple of hours, and I think he would have spent more time had we not had to leave to get back to the Hotel for the Dinner. We all had a wonderful time! Having grown up reading about Don and his various Swamp Rat Dragsters, I was in heaven! He even had the car he flipped nose over tail at 300mph in his museum, and also the dragster that had the original driver-behind-the-engine design that blew up taking half of his foot off. For those of you that don't know, Don was the person who pioneered the dragster design of putting the driver in front of the motor - and the design was a direct result of the explosion. Great Guy. Wish we could go.

Thanks for the background information. Very helpful for one going more for curiosity than outright fan interest.
 
Here's some photos from our March 7th event.


Garlits.jpg


We had a very nice turn out. Here are some of the folks that attended.


Don Garlits 1.jpg


Here are some of the Model Ss


Don Garlits 2.jpg


"Nitro" burning dragster engines have a tendancy to catch fire!


Don Garlits 3.jpg


Don is 83, but he's in great shape!


Don Garlits 4.jpg


Don discusses an early 1972 hydrogen fueled car in his collection.



Don Garlits 5.jpg


Here is a vey early hydrogen vehicle.


Larry

- - - Updated - - -

Some more photos.


Don Garlits 6.jpg



Don Garlits 7.jpg



Don Garlits 8.jpg


Larry
 
Great pics, Larry - and thanks again from the bottom of my heart for the invite you gave Jonathan & myself. It was a weekend we will never forget!! 1786 electric miles in 48 hours - and a private tour with Don Garlits to boot! Jim

I was great having you. I have to admit though when I think of the trek you folks made, pretty much non-stop, my butt hurts. :eek:

Larry
 
This was an awesome event, Jim and I really enjoyed it and talked about it all the way home. Thanks for organizing such a good time for everyone!

Hi Crystal,

The thanks should go to KeithM for suggesting it and coordinating with the Garlits museum.

I have a message into the museum to find out what Don has planned for his next attempt at the EV speed record. I learned that he is no longer affliliated with the Quest Dragster people. I am trying to get notification from Don's people if and when he will attempt another run at the speed record in Bradenton Motorsports Park.

Electric Drag Racing Rivalry Rising As Garlits Fails To Hit 200 MPH Again

I have also been in communication with the Quest Dragster people who will be competing with Don. They indicate that they plan to make a run at the record this year, but it will probably be a West Coast event. (West coast of the US, not Florida West Coast.)

If Don's people notify me with adequate notice I will try to organize a meet-up in Bradenton.

Larry
 
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