On June 13, Bristol Dragway, one of the most historic dragstrips in the world, will return to the glory days of drag racing when front engine dragsters, Don Schumacher’s Wonder Wagon and “Big Daddy” Don Garlits’ Swamp Rat replace today’s modern world of 8,000 horsepower monsters.

The Blast from the Past presented by Ferguson Enterprises gives fans a chance to see drag racing the way it was more than 30 years ago, when fearless drivers guided their home-built racers down strips across America.  Classic machines will be on hand to make exhibition runs and give fans a sample of racing from days gone by. 

The Southern Slingshots, a group of nostalgic front engine dragsters, return to Thunder Valley after an exciting inaugural event in 2008.  Spectators will be awed by the skill these drivers posses as they wrestle their cars toward the finish line.

On June 13, Bristol Dragway, one of the most historic dragstrips in the world, will return to the glory days of drag racing when front engine dragsters, Don Schumacher’s Wonder Wagon and “Big Daddy” Don Garlits’ Swamp Rat replace today’s modern world of 8,000 horsepower monsters.

The Blast from the Past presented by Ferguson Enterprises gives fans a chance to see drag racing the way it was more than 30 years ago, when fearless drivers guided their home-built racers down strips across America.  Classic machines will be on hand to make exhibition runs and give fans a sample of racing from days gone by. 

The Southern Slingshots, a group of nostalgic front engine dragsters, return to Thunder Valley after an exciting inaugural event in 2008.  Spectators will be awed by the skill these drivers posses as they wrestle their cars toward the finish line.

In addition, a replica of Don Schumacher’s Wonder Wagon Funny Car will make runs; much like it did in Bristol during the 1970s. Greg Jacobsmeyer will bring his nostalgia Funny Car, the All-Star, to compete in a thrilling match-race against the legendary Wonder Wagon.

No vintage drag racing event is complete without the father of drag racing, “Big Daddy” Don Garlits. Garlits will bring one of his famous “Swamp Rats” and will have memorabilia on hand for his fans. 

Exciting bracket racing takes place Saturday with the region’s best drag racers slugging it out for supremacy.  Racer entry fees and purse information can be found on the Bristol Dragway website.  

A vintage car show also takes place on Saturday with two classes highlighting several generations of automobile history. Registration takes place from 9 a.m. to noon. Judging begins at 9:30 a.m. and ends at 2:30 p.m. Cars will be placed in either the Pre-1979 or Post-1979 class. Entry fee is $20 for pre-registered participants or $25 day of the event.  For more information or to register for the car show, please call (865) 804-6617. 

Gates open at 10 a.m. on Saturday with time trials beginning at noon.  Eliminations will follow. The slingshot dragsters make their first appearance at 5 p.m. The dragsters will run in companion with the vintage funny cars at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Spectator admission is $20 on Saturday. Children 12 and under are free.

The bracket machines take to the track once more on Sunday, June 14 with gates opening at 9 a.m. and time trials rolling off at 10 a.m.


 

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