Go Time: Garlits To Begin Full Power Testing Of Battery Powered Swamp Rat-37 Next Week – 200 Here We Come!


Go Time: Garlits To Begin Full Power Testing Of Battery Powered Swamp Rat-37 Next Week – 200 Here We Come!

We heard a rumor the other day that Swamp Rat-37, the hellacious looking, battery powered dragster that has been in the works for a couple of year now was complete and ready to take its first couple of swings at breaking the 200mph barrier as soon as next week. We reached out to Randy Cannon, the communications man on the team working tirelessly to finish the car and get on with the record breaking and he confirmed it for us and then BAM! This press release showed up and it lays out the fact that Garlits and crew will be hammering on the car next week (4/30 to be exact) at Bradenton, Florida. This will be a closed session but we’re going to harangue Cannon so bad that he’ll be forced to give us the inside line on results. Either that or he’ll have Gar run over his phone. Both of those things are distinct possibilities.

We’ve been unabashed fanboys of this project and we sure hope that Garlits and the entire team can leave the track at Bradenton with the same giddy, goofy, hooping and hollaring that Garlits, along with the late TC Lemmons and Connie Swingle did back in 1971 when they put the final pieces together on what would become the archetype for the 300mph rear engine monsters of today. To quote Don Garlits in Robert Posts’s fantastic book High Performance, “We drove back to Tampa from Orlando that afternoon and if anyone had been with us they would have thought we were drunk!” Here’s to hoping for some more joyous prose from Big Daddy next week.

As always…we’ll keep you posted. Until then, read the release below for all the information!

 

GARLITS AND SR-37 QUEST EV DRAGSTER TO TEST AT BRADENTON!

“Big Daddy” Don Garlits and the SR-37 “Quest for 200 MPH on Batteries” EV Dragster will take to the test track at 10am on 4.30.2014 in a private session at Bradenton Motorsports Park in Bradenton, FL.  The much-anticipated full systems test of the stunning completed dragster will take place on the recently resurfaced ¼ mile dragstrip of the beautiful and historic Bradenton facility.

The SR-37 team will converge early next week on “Don’s Garage” at the world-famous “Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing” for the final installation of the battery pack and integration of the motors and Manzanita Micro “Zilla” Controllers.  Garlits will be joined by battery engineer Derek Barger of HighTech Systems LLC who recently completed the incredible 2014 SR-37 Lithium Polymer battery package.  Shawn Lawless of Lawless Industries will be on hand to tune and tweak the 6-pack of GE motors furnished by Crescent Electrical Supply Company.  The fully integrated powerplant will produce a peak power of 1500 kilowatts – in excess of 2000HP – and will launch Big Daddy nearly as quickly as a Top Fuel dragster.

In preparation for the test, the 82-year old Garlits brings the project full-circle, “It has been over two years now since the idea for an attempt to reach ‘200 MPH on Batteries’ in a dragster came to mind. Several times the project seemed stalled, but due to the wonderful team effort, we were able to continue. Next week the team and I will travel to the Bradenton Dragstrip with Swamp Rat 37 and wring it out.”  Garlits was confident on the prospects for the test, “All seems well and I believe we should be able to exceed the 200 MPH mark with ease”.  And for “Big Daddy’s” legion of fans, “Pray for my safety…and some good weather.”

Please check facebook.com/questfor200mphonbatteries and twitter.com/questfor200 for updates on this exciting EV technology project.

About the “Quest for 200 MPH on Batteries” Dragster:

The Quest Dragster is designed and constructed to be the first battery-electric dragster to exceed 200 mph on a ¼ mile drag strip.  The goal is to accomplish this speed mark in 2014 with the legendary “Big Daddy” Don Garlits. 2014 marks the 50th anniversary of Garlits’ historic first official 200 mph pass in 1964. The dragster will be powered by a 1500 kilowatt array of lithium polymer (LiPo) batteries producing an equivalent horsepower rating of over 2000 HP.  The Quest dragster has already been launch-tested by “Big Daddy” Don Garlits with early versions of the LiPo battery-power packs and electric motor/controller systems.

The Quest for 200 MPH on Batteries dragster was built by Brad Hadman, created by Mike Gerry, art direction by Kenny Youngblood, car and logo graphics by Eric Reyes, print graphics by Tommy Naccarato, LiPo batteries by HighTech Systems LLC, and GE motors by Lawless Industries.

http://www.garlits.com/batteryCar.html

About co-owners “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, chassis builder Brad Hadman, and Quest Dragster creator Mike Gerry:

 “Big Daddy” Don Garlits of Ocala, FL is considered the father of professional drag racing. He began racing in 1950 and scored his first major victory in 1955. His first NHRA National event came in Top Fuel at the 1963 Winternationals in Pomona, California. His legendary career includes 17 World Championships; 10 AHRA, 4 IHRA, 3 NHRA as well as 8 NHRA US Nationals Top Fuel final victories. A true American icon; his Swamp Rat XXX dragster is in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution.

Chassis builder Brad Hadman of Tacoma, WA has been constructing dragster chassis for nearly 40 years.  Brad is widely regarded as the industry leader in modern dragster chassis design and fabrication.  Brad Hadman has produced more Top Fuel Championship cars than any other chassis builder worldwide; 59 and counting. Brad’s customer list reads like a “who’s-who” of drag racing history.

Mike Gerry of Las Vegas, NV created the Quest BEV Dragster project.  In 2001 Mike produced a custom battery-electric dragster to herald drag racing legend Darrell Gwynn’s return to the US Nationals. Mike fabricated the battery dragsters for and promoted the 2011 Darrell Gwynn vs. Don Garlits “Match Races for a Cause” in support of the Darrell Gwynn Foundation and Don Garlits Museum of Drag racing.

About the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing:

The Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing Inc. is a tourist complex in Ocala, FL.  It enshrines the history of Don Garlits and his hand-built black “Swamp Rat” dragsters.  Car exhibits are combined with period memorabilia, Big Daddy’s numerous racing awards, as well as extensive presentations of the history of the sport of drag racing.  The Museum includes a gift shop selling a large selection of Garlits- and drag racing-related books, clothing, models, and videos.  http://www.garlits.com/

About Bradenton Motorsports Park:

The Bradenton Motorsports Park facility built in 1974 is known as the winter professional drag racing test strip.  This premiere IHRA drag race facility, home of the Snowbird Nationals, is renowned for its record-breaking track surface and beautiful nearby Gulf beaches www.bradentonmotorsports.com

About HighTech Systems LLC:

HighTech Systems LLC of Colorado has been engineering and fabricating EV battery systems for well over a decade.  Stepping from carbon-fuel electronic/emissions systems engineer to the truly high tech world of EV racing, HTS principal Derek Barger has developed high performance battery power systems for such racing teams as Drayson, Harley Davidson, Eric Buell, Chip Yates, and Earnhardt Ganassi.  He has also engineered power systems for the record setting battery-electric drag racing vehicles of the KillaCycle, the KilleJoule LSR Streamliner, and the Lawless Electric Rocket among many others.  HTS also manufactures EV battery-specific test stand and welding equipment.  http://hightechsystemsllc.com/

About Lawless Industries:

Lawless Industries specializes in high efficiency electric drive systems for vehicles of all types as well as the design and manufacture of parade float chassis for internationally prominent theme parks and parade events.  Lawless has been the industry leader in specialized float-motion chassis design for over 20 years.  Owner Shawn Lawless has adapted their knowledge of EV power drives to the very specialized world of high performance and custom battery-electric vehicles, developing the record-setting Lawless Electric Rocket drag bike and numerous other designs.  Lawless-powered vehicles have appeared on episodes of American Chopper and Top Gear. http://www.paradefloats.com/

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17 thoughts on “Go Time: Garlits To Begin Full Power Testing Of Battery Powered Swamp Rat-37 Next Week – 200 Here We Come!

  1. Piston Pete

    I understand the “green” significance of this technology, but am not likely to get very excited about it as it relates to any type of racing.
    That said, any project that Garlits is involved in is of interest to me. The man is the consummate tinkerer and I am thankful that at a young age he committed to use his talents and foresight to furthur the art and science of professional drag racing. His contributions and accomplishments to our life and lifestyle (I hesitate to use the word sport, it’s so much more than that) cannot be overstated. We all know that.
    I wish him all the best that life has to offer and if this project gives him satisfaction and focus that’s great. We’ll all reap the benefits somewhere down the line.

    1. Mick

      Hey Wade you Tosser , If it wasen`t for people like Big Daddy you`d be sitting in darkness …

  2. claymore

    And the world has tilted on it’s axis with the “former” big daddy moving to juice. Electricity is for light bulbs.

    1. Bemused

      The ignorance in some of these replies regarding this project is staggering. Because it’s has batteries and electric motors doesn’t mean the project is being done in the name of “Green”. There’s a significant growth in technology with Lithium power and the torque curve or lack thereof with DC motors. The power and torque of these motors is incredible. These guys are out to see what can be done in the name of innovation.

      There’s an innovator on board that’s been there and done that, now looking to do something new and break another record or two on the way. No one is out to steal our nitro and muffle our exhausts whom is involved with this project. Everyone involved has likely bled nitro from their pores and now look to do something new.

      Don’t worry, Al Gore isn’t secretly funding anyone. Green battery powered helicopters won’t swoop down and steal our gas cans.

      And by the way….what do you think moves freight trains across America? That’s right, electric motors merely charged by diesel generators. Maybe Big Daddy should have a diesel generator with some glass packs installed on hand to charge the car in order to keep everyone happy.

      1. claymore

        Yea sure this is the camels nose under the tent. Just look to Formula 1 and how it’s evolving there. Yep you guessed to away from engines and onto electric motors.

        We just don’t want that forced on us in drag racing.

  3. Clarence Sifton

    The last post said it all. Those nuclear submarines that protect us all are powered by atomic exolosions that heat water that turn turbine generators that make electricity that power electric motors. Go Big Daddy!

  4. Wing6970

    Way to GO Bemused, these trolls venting their anger at electric propulsion for SW37 is quite lame. I am a die hard MOPAR Maniac with a BSME who gets to play with hybrid electric and all electric buses every day and I have been drag racing my MOPAR’s a lot longer than these negative trolls have been even at a local drag strip. Simply put, this is an AWESOME effort and to have Big Daddy at the helm just makes it all that much more cool. Do you trolls realize that electric motors generate 100% torque at start-up? That’s right, Don gets to get a handle on 2000 HP and its associated torque INSTANTLY as in the very second he mashes the accelerator. There is no lame build up to max torque like in a reciprocating gasoline engine, its full ON at startup as in instantaneously! Often we have to throttle the electric motors back on the buses to simulate standard driving conditions or you might see four Firestones smoking on your standard transit bus. OMG, there is no gasoline and there is no flames coming out the pipes, what’s the fun in that? I am here to tell you, this ride has to be a lot of fun or Don wouldn’t be doing it so back off trolls, this is a badass initiative, be happy you have Don at the wheel controlling that 2000 HP and he brings attention to the effort. If you wish, we can hook this dragster up with some parallel hybrid propulsion which still requires some sort of a propulsion motor so you can still have your flames. There is a place for everything and all Don is doing is showing it can be done. What he learns there on the track will be driving down your street some day soon in a transit bus near you so enjoy people, this should be one heck of a ride!

  5. Pete Rallis

    Big Daddy is going fast again at 82 years old..that’s all that matters to me. He has nothing to prove as he has done it all because of his brilliance and dedication to going fast. Those naysayers probably have nothing, or race 2 liter Hondas with a loud muffler, which impresses no one with any real knowledge.

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