(Words and Photos by Tommy Lee Byrd) – Tommy Lee Byrd was at it again this weekend, shooting photos at yet another awesome event in the Southeast. This time it was the Spring Show N Go at Paradise Drag Strip in Calhoun, Georgia. You’ll see more photos from this event later, but for now you need to check out his killer photo sequence of a wild wheelstand performed by a very cool nostalgia dragster.
The dragster has run quite a few times at this particular track, but a new engine combination provided the most spectacular moment of the event. According to the car’s owner, Bennie McMichen of Woodstock, Georgia, it was the first time out with the new blower and four-port Hilborn setup. Bennie said he honestly thought it would smoke the tires, but the old Firestone slicks grabbed hard, and sent the front engine dragster into a crazy wheelie. Bennie’s son, Lee was the man behind the wheel, and stabbed the gas several more times, causing the car to lift the wheels again and again and again, carrying them nearly to the 330-ft cones. Bennie’s other son, Ben also made a pass but left in high gear to prevent any shenanigans.
Bennie said that Larry Sikora built this dragster in 1964, and that it has always been powered by a small block Chevy. These days, it’s powered by an LT-1 based 350 with a big huffer and Hilborn mechanical injection. This bad boy runs off of alcohol and makes a beautiful noise through the zoomies. Luckily, the wheelie didn’t do any serious damage, aside from a slightly smashed oil pan.
Check out Tommy Lee Byrd’s photo sequence of this wild ride, and also check out two angles of GoPro footage, thanks to the McMichen boys.
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE SEQUENCE AND ALL THREE GO PRO ANGLES!!!
Amazing photos, amazing videos, and an amazing dragstrip. I have to make a trip to the South. Maybe I can buy that house in the background.
Wow, still running the digger with the single hoop roll bar.