When Jim Barrett and the rest of the crew on the Rocketeer AA/FC Nostalgia Funny Car come to a race, they do it family style. With Jim’s son Alex deciding that Drag Racing was the career choice for him at a very early age, Jim, Tim, Tom, and Martin all stepped up as Alex’s skill and determination grew larger, and the ET’s kept getting smaller. The story is a cool one, but not as cool as the recent twist the Rocketeer team has taken. You see, they’ve added another car, and for the first time ever it’s going to be Dad behind the wheel. Yep, Jim is taking the reigns on the newly updated Rocketeer El Senior Dodge Dart. Below is the story straight from Jim. It’s a good read, enjoy.
Next Gen Racer with a Twist
(Text by Jim Barrett)
I was always just a spectator and fan of drag racing. When I took Alex (Jim’s son) to his first race, he announced on the way home that he was going to be a professional drag racer and, I have been following him ever since. At the end of the 2003 season when he was 15, Alex sold his Jr Dragster and bought this Dart and a full tube chassis kit. He and I built it over the next few years and debuted it in January 2006 when Alex was 18. We ran it at a few races that year and then bought what is now the Rocketeer funny car. Needless to say, the Dart has been sitting since then.
With Alex moving on to crew for Johnny Gray at Don Schumacher Racing, our racing program has changed considerably. We teamed up with Gabe Wood to drive the Rocketeer funny car and have Alex’s old Jr Dragster being piloted by 14 year old Tyler Harper. We have been pondering the sale of the Dart to make room in the shop. I have talked with several potential drivers to get it out on the track and help get it sold. Alex kept bugging me to get my license and drive it instead.
I finally relented and got a fire suit from DJ Safety and started the process. Well, now I am hooked! I told Alex it is a good thing that I didn’t do this earlier because he may have never gotten his chance. As it is, we think it is pretty cool that a dad is following in his son’s footsteps! We can now say that we have a second generation driver, only thing is the old guy is the second generation.
We are very happy with the new graphics design by Rick Jay at AVIWraps.com. Rick designed the Rocketeteer funny car graphics and applied the wrap. Rick is an amazing graphics designer, we never know what he is going to do, but every time he amazes us. I will be competing in the ANRA C/Gas class for the 2014. I know I am jumping into the deep end with a bunch of hungry and experienced sharks, but, I am sure I will be bending the needle on my fun meter. We have some incredible crew guys from the funny car who have stepped over to help get the Dart dialed in and down the track. We are very proud that they are working with 17 year old Tyler Nelson in teaching him the ropes of tuning a car and chassis. Tyler has been a crew member for us going way back to Alex’s Jr Dragster days and is 17 now and learning from some of the best in the business in Tim, Tom and Martin.
I know the crew will do me proud, so now it’s time to see if the old guy here can hold up his end.
Jim Barrett
(Photos by Daniel Lindholm)
Specs.
1970 Dodge Dart
540 ci Big Block Dodge
Powerglide trans
9″ rear
2250 lbs
Best ET 9.52
Best MPH 140
Sponsors
AVIWraps.com
CAA Professionals
Star Auto Parts
DJ Safety
Cunningham Davis
Truckworks
Crew
Tyler Nelson-Crew Chief
Tim Cook
Marting Morris
Tom Harper
Kris Harper
Very Nice, Awesome!
Jim, you are an inspiration! Keep up the good image for us old guys. Old guys rule!
Great guy, Great Team, Doing Great Things!