Pat Dakin, driver for the legendary Rupp & Dakin team that tore up the drag racing circuit in the early 1970s, can't wait to reunite with old pals at the Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion, presented by SoffSeal, June 15-17 at National Trail Raceway near Columbus, Ohio. Dakin wants to tell stories about his old partner, Gary Rupp, especially the ones that are not suitable for publication. Rupp & Dakin – named among the Honorees of the Reunion – ran one of the nicest looking dragsters of its day. Dakin drove and Rupp was the car owner. The team began racing in 1970 in a gas car and then made the switch to a front-engine fuel dragster in 1971. They switched to a rear engine Woody Gilmore car in 1972 and bought another one in '74-'75 and kept that one until '77 when they quit. Dakin said, "We came back in '89 and won an IHRA World Championship and then bought a Don Long car and stayed together through the 1993 season." Then Rupp moved to Florida, effectively ending the team. Dakin found a new partner in Tom Kattelman and continued to race, but he never went further west than Texas. The team was victorious in Canada in '71 and '73. Dakin still has the '89 car and is attempting to put it back together in time for the Reunion. Here are some of his thoughts on the upcoming Reunion:

Pat Dakin, driver for the legendary Rupp & Dakin team that tore up the drag racing circuit in the early 1970s, can't wait to reunite with old pals at the Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion, presented by SoffSeal, June 15-17 at National Trail Raceway near Columbus, Ohio. Dakin wants to tell stories about his old partner, Gary Rupp, especially the ones that are not suitable for publication. Rupp & Dakin – named among the Honorees of the Reunion – ran one of the nicest looking dragsters of its day. Dakin drove and Rupp was the car owner. The team began racing in 1970 in a gas car and then made the switch to a front-engine fuel dragster in 1971. They switched to a rear engine Woody Gilmore car in 1972 and bought another one in '74-'75 and kept that one until '77 when they quit. Dakin said, "We came back in '89 and won an IHRA World Championship and then bought a Don Long car and stayed together through the 1993 season." Then Rupp moved to Florida, effectively ending the team. Dakin found a new partner in Tom Kattelman and continued to race, but he never went further west than Texas. The team was victorious in Canada in '71 and '73. Dakin still has the '89 car and is attempting to put it back together in time for the Reunion. Here are some of his thoughts on the upcoming Reunion:

 

1. How does it feel to be named an Honoree for the 5th annual NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion? What does the Reunion mean to you?

Dakin: It feels really good. I didn't think anybody knew we existed. Having never been to a Hot Rod Reunion before, I'm looking forward to seeing some old friends.

2. In your wildest dreams, did you think after you retired, people would honor your racing exploits decades later?

 

Dakin: It's not been that long [he was racing in the 1990s] so it never came up.

3. What are some of your fondest and funniest memories about the good old days? Got any particularly funny stories about Gary Rupp?

Dakin: They were all great times of my life. Probably one of the funniest stories is the first national meet we won. It was in Atlanta, back in 1972 or '73, and we were making a qualifying pass on Saturday and after I made the run, nobody came down to get me. I sat there for about 15 minutes and finally here comes Gary. I asked him where he was he said he 'had a little problem on the starting line.' That was all. So we go back to the pits to service the car and some official comes over and asked if this was Gary's car. I said yes and he told me to load it up and leave now. I said he better talk to Gary and he was not amused. Turns out that Gary got into a fight on the starting line when some stupid official pushed him. We had both been up for a couple of days and you don't push Gary Rupp as he found out. Anyway it was all resolved and we went racing the next day. Oh yeah, the qualifying run counted. There are a lot more stories I could tell you, but you may not be able to print them.

4. Why do people enjoy the Hot Rod Reunions and vintage drag racing?

Dakin: The memories.

5. What are you doing these days to keep busy? Are you still involved in racing? Do you still follow drag racing? What do think of today's drivers?

Dakin: I still have a business to run Commercial Metal Fabricators that keeps me pretty busy. I watch the races on television. Today's drivers are paid for something I always paid to do, too. I loved the ride and didn't like to pay for it…but I did.