'66GTO
09-12-2006, 01:46 PM
Way back in 1969 I worked for Westhampton Dragway on Long Island. One weekend we booked Bill "GRUMPY" Jenkins for a match race with one our locals Richie Zul who by the way ended up racing in Pro Stock at some National events and actually won one, beating Bob Glidden of all people.
Back to the story.....Grump was quite the showman, putting down resin in his lane, ( we had a full crew ) brooming it in himself and then doing a burnout thru it, just to exite the fans. His time for the run was 9.92, I don't remember the MPH, but it was the first 9 second run at our track. The National record at the time was a 10.01.This was with a real 4 speed, no Lenco's in those days so you had to use the clutch for each gear.Today Grump is still building engines and sponsoring young racers like Richie Stevens.
Back to the story.....Grump was quite the showman, putting down resin in his lane, ( we had a full crew ) brooming it in himself and then doing a burnout thru it, just to exite the fans. His time for the run was 9.92, I don't remember the MPH, but it was the first 9 second run at our track. The National record at the time was a 10.01.This was with a real 4 speed, no Lenco's in those days so you had to use the clutch for each gear.Today Grump is still building engines and sponsoring young racers like Richie Stevens.