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Rich Siroonian, Ultra-Talented Gasser And Funny Car Driver Passes – Drag Racing’s First 220-mph Flopper Pilot


Rich Siroonian, Ultra-Talented Gasser And Funny Car Driver Passes – Drag Racing’s First 220-mph Flopper Pilot

We’ve received word that Richard Siroonian, nephew of the late “Big John” Mazmanian and the man best known for driving the drag race cars his uncle owned and maintained through the 196os and into the 1970s has died. As we’ve heard over the years, Siroonian was sneaking off in his uncle’s virtually new Corvette and drag racing…without him knowing. When “Big John” did become aware of the situation, he also became heavily interested in the sport and with Siroonian’s driving prowess and Mazmanian’s financial backing, first rate equipment, and unwillingness to accept anything but top notch performances out of both car and driver, they became a fearsome duo for over a decade.

While research has shown that Mazmanian had lots of drivers over the course of his time in the sport, there is no denying that Siroonian drove for him the vast majority of the time and most successfully. Starting with the famous red straight axle Corvette in the gas classes and eventually closing their most dedicated time in the sport  with a nitro funny car, Siroonian and Mazmanian tasted the sweet nectar of victor at races and tracks all over the country. During the gasser days those wins were racked up all over the continent as the various small cars that bore the “Big John” name on the side toured with different groups on a nearly endless string of match race appearances through the years. On the west coast, which was certainly the place where anyone needed to truly gauge themselves back then, the guys were just as fearsome as they were anywhere else in the known universe.

With the scene changing rapidly in the late 1960s, Mazmanian saw the fervor that the funny class was being greeted with and he decided to jump in. The first flopper that Siroonian got to drop the hammer in was a Ronnia Scrima built piece that was a contender from the start with an iron 392 Hemi and elapsed times in the seven second range and speeds in excess of 190mph. Things evolved from there until the team nearly snatched the greatest honor in the sport of drag racing with a win at the 1969 US Nationals…unfortunately they made the finals but lost on a red light to Danny Ongais. They had one of the, if not THE best car that weekend at Indy proving once again that they were contenders wherever they showed up.

In 1971, Siroonian etched his name permanently into the drag racing history books by etching the sport’s first backed up 220-mph funny car pass. That particular car has long been described as “dominant” with respect to west coast funny car competition in the 1970/71 time frame. It goes back to the same formula that worked for them in the gasser days. Quality pieces, quality crew, quality driver.

Rich Siroonian may not be a household name for drag racing fans but we can promise you that every racer that ever looked across the starting line and saw him in the other lane had a shiver run down their spine. As we mentioned above, Siroonian was not the only guy that drove for “Big John”.  That driver list is pretty long, but he was the guy that drove most frequently, at the most race tracks, and is most associated with the amazing string of spotless red races cars.

Rich and John are now reunited at the big strip in the sky. Think they are running gassers or funny cars? Yeah, you’re right. Both.

HERE’S A PHOTO OF RICH (CENTER) AND BIG JOHN (RIGHT) WITH THEIR AUSTIN GASSER!

rich

 

 


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11 thoughts on “Rich Siroonian, Ultra-Talented Gasser And Funny Car Driver Passes – Drag Racing’s First 220-mph Flopper Pilot

    1. Matt Holmes (Holmesian)

      Sure miss Uncle John, sure you did too. Cousin Rich you will be missed. Sure miss those days at OCIR and Lions

  1. Bruce Morgan

    I remember John and Rich from many years ago, when I was a lot younger and Les Ritchie use to tune his cars. I drove a couple of John’s cars way back in the 60’s. Not as anything other than he just need someone to make a couple of runs for him.

  2. Brian Julian

    Richard Siroonian was my dad and if you guys or any of the NHRA staff has pictures, articles, or any good stories please feel free to share. We are still figuring out a date for his funeral and if you have questions you can email myself or get ahold of Richards’s brother Johnny. my email is [email protected]

  3. Katheryn Siroonian

    I am married to Richard’s brother Johnny. The funeral will be private but we certainly appreciate the condolences.

  4. Katheryn Siroonian

    Brian, as Johnny and I understand it, you were Richards’ stepson. Please contact the family if you’d like any information about Richard. All of the articles have been written and the publications have been notified by the family. We are sorry for your loss. I know Richard was in your life for many years. If you Google him, you will find a large portion of his history.

  5. TommyHot RodThompson

    I had the Great fortune of spending time with Big John during the Nostalgia movement’s early era (late 80’s on) and it was fabulous. Spent some time with Richard at the Cali Hot Rod Reunion a few years back, and he had a Serious itch to build a ‘Big John’ tribute Nostalgia Nitro Funny Car and his enthusiasm to drive was still strong. That would be The Best Nostalgia Nitro Funny Car Ever, in my humble opinion.
    Nothing like Reuben’s candy apple red, and gold leaf…
    Enjoy some High Horsepower in the next realm Richard Siroonian.

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