You had to have known this one would show up at some point during the week, right? The 1986 Gatornationals had plenty of great moments but if we are looking for the legitimately awesome history it falls with Don Garlits, a new dragster, and record breaking performances under some pretty crummy mechanical conditions. Thankfully, a kind soul has posted these videos up on the internet so we can relive them as they happened on that early Spring weekend in 1986 (not technically spring but you get what we are saying!).
Swamp Rat XXX with its canopy, enclosed nose, and Garlits led construction made its debut at this race. It did not look like any other dragster and by the end of the weekend it did not perform like any other dragster either, running nationally low elapsed times and oh yes, the fastest speed that had ever been seen in the sport at 272mph. That was also the first run over 270 in the sport’s history as well. Big time stuff that was happening at the same time the front wheels were literally failing on the car.
Because of the enclosed nose and space constraints, Garlits used a unique solution. He machined a pair of aluminum discs into wheels and then searched the catalogs and crevices of the world until he found something to wrap those aluminum discs in for tread. He chose some specialty high speed rubber belts that were rated for ridiculous due to the machinery they normally helped turn. The idea as a disaster and the belts failed on EVERY. SINGLE….pass. That being said, Garlits was able to control the car and by the time it went to the next race the operation already had some mini-airplane tires to handle the job. That is what he stuck with post Gatornationals.
Listen to an excited Dave McClelland make the calls!
Here’s the great final round showdown between Garlits and Dick LaHaie that put the finishing brush strokes on a Picasso of a race for the old man who still had ideas, drive, talent, and ability that left those in the other lane bewildered and confused when he ran straight away from them. As the fans said in the last clip, “Big Daddy Rules”!
I recall seeing and reading this as it happened. I also recall a comment from someone with racing credibility, years later that said he (Garlits) should never have been allowed to continue to make passes as long as the tires / belts kept blowing off. Not sure the NHRA motivation behind allowing Garlits to keep running (Glad they did), likely the fact the car stayed under control.
Interesting to see the raw fuel from Garlits car and almost nothing from the opposition… Kind of makes me thing the performance advantage wasn’t entirely streamliner related