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Driver and NHRA Drag Racing Highlights
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Ray Hadford
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My drag racing career started in 1965. After drag racing success with Junior Stock, C Dragster in Comp Eliminator, Top Gas Dragster, and Top Fuel Funny Car, I left drag racing in 1974 to spend more time with the family and pursue other interests. Now that the kids have grown with families of their own, my interests in drag racing have rekindled and I've decided to come back. Here's some racing highlights from my early days. |
*** Junior Stock ***
In 1966 and 1967, I co-owned and piloted a '57 chevy.
Racing highlights included - Won 1966 Winternationals in E/S - Won 1967 Winternationals in F/S - Set Arlington Drag Strip record in F/S @ 13.16 seconds and 105.26 mph - Set Shelton Drag Strip record in F/S @ 12.99 against a 12.98 NHRA record |
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Starting line launch in 1966. |
Another starting line launch in 1966. |
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Winternationals in 1966. |
More Winternationals in 1966. |
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My brother "Ron Hadford" and I heading to the races in 1967. |
Pass down the drag strip in 1967. |
*** C Dragster ***
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In 1968, I piloted the B-Boys C Dragster owned by Jim Green.
Racing highlights included - 1968 Comp Eliminator Division Six Champ - 1968 Comp Eliminator World Champion - Set National Record @ Arlington Drag Strip on 5/68 @ 9.05 seconds - Set National Record @ Bremerton Drag Strip on 6/68 @ 8.93 seconds |
Me in 1968.
Jim and Betty Green, Ernie Shields, and I in 1968.
My brother "Ron Hadford" securing the harness in 1968.
Starting line launch in 1968.
Pass down the dragstrip in 1968.
Newspaper clip on 1968 World Championship.
*** Top Gas Dragster ***
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In 1970 and 1971, I piloted a top gas dragster. I had a partnership with Ray Maxwell who owned and tuned the top gas motor and I owned the chassis that I purchased from Jerry Verhuel. Ray and I did the maintenance with part time help from friends. We were sponsored by Jim Green's Performance, who did our motor machine work.
The car was damaged during one of my licensing runs by a large wheel stand off the starting line that bent the frame. Al Swindahl replaced the frame forward of the motor, added 40" to the wheelbase, and had us back racing the next week.
His changes brought the wheelbase up to 180" which made the car handle very well. We powered the car with a 410 cubic inch stroked 354 Chrysler. We ran a best of 7.14 seconds and 201 mph.
Racing highlights included - Won 1970 Northwest Open - 1970 Top Gas Division Six Champ - Runner-up at 1970 Supernationals |
Here's looking at you kid in 1970.
Push start at night in 1970.
Win against the Cope Brothers twin engine dragster in 1970. National Dragster clip on win against Don Cain in 1970, at the Winternationals.
Smokey burnout in 1971.
Another smokey burnout in 1971.
*** Top Fuel Funny Car ***
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In 1972, I piloted and wrenched on the Green Elephant Top Fuel Funny Car owned by Jim Green. I started the 1973 Funny Car Season driving and wrenching on Jim Green's new car as a full-time job. I left the team early in the year due to a problem with my father's health and moved to Arizona. The Green Elephant Team later that year won the Division 6 Funny Car Championship and the Funny Car World Championship using the points I had earned during my partial season. The addition of Jerry Verhuel as crew chief, Mark Dentler as mechanic, and Frank Hall as driver made up a very strong operation. The cars performance improved from a 6.50 to 6.13 with Jerry and Jim's tuning. Frank's driving was always very sharp.
Racing highlights included - Won 1972 Seafair 64 Funny Car Race |
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Starting the engine in 1972. |
Backing up after a burnout in 1972. |
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Starting line launch in 1972. |
My family back in 1972. |
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Winners circle at 1972 Seafair 64 Funny Car Race. |
Burnout with Frank Hall driving the 1973 car. |
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| Race against Don Prudhomme "The Snake" in the Army Car at SIR in 1974. | Burnout with Twig Ziegler in the background at Boise, Idaho in 1974. |
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| Jim Green backing me up in the groove at Boise, Idaho in 1974. |
