NITRO LEGEND FRANK RUPERT HAS PASSED

by Bobby Bennett Jr.; Photos by Steve Reyes    Sat, 2019-01-05 22:08

 

Frank Rupert, a legend of nitro drag racing, has died.

Rupert, 77, passed away Friday, January 4, 2019, surrounded by his family. He had suffered a massive heart attack just days earlier.

Son Jason Rupert confirmed on Twitter Friday.

"We are grateful for the well wishes toward Frank Rupert following his heart attack, and we are saddened to inform that he passed away this morning. He died peacefully surrounded by family and friends. We will provide more information in the coming days."

Rupert grew up in Spokane, Washington, and made a name for himself on the Northwest drag racing scene. He combined his need for speed with his mechanical prowess to build his first dragster at 19 years old. He began competing in B/ and C/dragster in 1961 before being selected to drive David Heerensperger’s John Mead-tuned Eagle Electric dragster. The iconic purple dragster was a force to be reckoned with in 1965 and 1966, earning a reputation for trouncing track records at drag strips throughout the Northwest with then-rare 200-mph performances and vaulting all the way to the No. 3 spot on the Drag News Mr. Eliminator List.

In 1968, Rupert and then-fiancée Brenda moved to Southern California where he went to work for renowned machinist Steve Pick and paired with him to field the first “Black Plague” Top Fuel dragster. In the early 1970s, he went to work for Woody Gilmore Race Car Engineering and moved to the Funny Car class. He and racing partner Richard Bays owned one of the first Chevrolet Vega bodies during the 1971 season and were known for a strong-performing 392-cid Hemi in an era when many teams switched to the 426. A new Mike Kase car was built in 1974 that ran a Plymouth Satellite body followed by a Chevy Vega in 1977. Rupert’s last rides with Pat Johnson were a Funny Car with a Ford Mustang body and a rear-engine Top Fuel dragster that ran over 250 mph.

Following a driving career that was abbreviated by an accident in 1979, Rupert focused on his automotive repair business and raising his family. He became instrumental in the racing career of son Jason. Jason reached two national event finals in his own Lucas Oil-backed Top Alcohol Funny Cars and another behind the wheel of Geoff Goodwin’s Top Alcohol Funny Car. He found his greatest success in the Nostalgia Funny Car category beginning in 2010. Jason won six consecutive championships between 2011 and 2016, scored 22 event wins and broke the class’ 260-mph barrier.

Rupert left behind a legacy of ingenuity and humility, working hard behind the scenes to make himself go faster and help friends in need all the while letting his time slips do the talking. He also enjoyed spending time at the Colorado River.

Rupert is survived by his wife, Brenda; his sons, Jason and Matthew; his daughter-in-law, Jennifer; his stepdaughter, Arlene Massé; grandchildren Nickolas, Cooper, Austin, Fycher, and Bryton; and great-grandchildren Mirah, Ryder, and Elizabeth.

Rupert will be featured in an upcoming episode of Legends: The Series to air later this year.

We at CompetitionPlus.com are saddened by the loss of Rupert but blessed in the fact we were able to spend time with both a great man and a true legend who dedicated his life to the sport.

(Brad Littlefield contributed to this report)

 

 
Categories: 
:::::: News ::::::