I just got off the phone with Jim Cox who tells me that Tom Drake went 9.85 in their super nice Simca. The bad news is that they wrecked the car on the next pass, trying to "back-up" the run for a record.

The word is that Tom is OK but the car is "totalled"
I am trying to get more info on what exactly happened.
DD

I feel really bad for the Drakes and the loss of one of the nicest cars around! I am also thankful the Tom is Ok. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and you family.

Rick Covalt

I hope he's OK, he's one guy I wanted to meet someday, and that car was awesome....

Putting in some chat time with the big dude up top!


-D.Idiot

Yikes!

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

What a terrible shame this is, more of a tragedy. An unreplaceable car owned for 35 years. I hate bad news like this.

Cecil

Thanks for the info DD,

Glad the world still has you, Mr. Drake.

Most cars are an extension of someone's personality, I hope yours came through unscathed. I'm not much of a talker but I've enjoyed your postings here for awhile now and hope you'll continue.

The Simca will be a loss for many who's respect and good wishes regularly rode with you, it was a benchmark car. I'd wager you'll find a lot of support for whatever you choose to do next.

Dick Sappington

that really sucks glad to hear he is ok

i got to see the car at paradise and it was a work of art

cars can be replaced but people cant happy to hear he walked away

bp

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pekingese parker all bark no bite and piddles on the carpet..... bad puppy

I receive a note from Tom, thank goodness he is OK. Tom was out of the car on his own, before the safety crew got to the scene.

Here is what Tom told me about the pass:
" First pass Saturday morning was 1/8 Pro practice. I was in the left lane. The car was fine and went straight as an arrow just like always. About 10-15 feet before the 1/8 speed clocks you can see what looks like dust or smoke come from the right rear tire and the car makes an immediate right turn. When it gets to about a 60 degree angle the left rear slick bites in and flips it on the driver side and it heads for the right side wall and turns completely around and impact on the rear with the drivers door down. This spins the front around and into the wall as well. It slides along the wall this way for a distance and then falls back on all four tires. It had separated the right front tire from the rim and when all four tires are on the ground it turns back against the right wall and slides to a stop almost at the 1/4 mile finish line."


To me, it sounds like there was something on the track or something leaked-out of the car and got under the tires.
Truth is that it does not really matter how you wreck a car....it is still wrecked.
Hopefully Tom can give us more info. later.

My heart goes out to the Drakes, they will have some hard days ahead of them. I know it took me a week to "sort-out" my feeling and even look at the wrecked car(s) after my crash last year.
The most pain for me came when I finally took the saw-all and cutting torch to 12 years of hard work and good memories. The Drakes will have 35 years of those feelings to deal with.
As already said, cars can be replaced, I'm just thankful nobody was hurt.
DD

I was selling in the swap so I didn't see any of it or the car afterwards, but they said over the PA system that a radiator hose blew off and wet one of the tires Was glad to hear no injuries.

Thanks for all the well wishes. I am a little sore today but other than that I am ok.

Let me set the record straight. Nothing was leaking from our car. All hoses were intact. The water is still in the radiator. No oil or trans leaks. The datalogger shows no wheel spin until the point the car makes the right turn and flips on its side. We are unsure as to what happen. Could have been some kind of breakage but until we start taking the car apart we will not know.


Tom Drake

Glad to hear you're OK. I met Tom at my first slant six race at Farmington, and he is a super nice guy! The Simca really blew me away when I saw it up close. I'm not a racer but I can appreciate a work of art when I see one. My sympathy goes out to Tom and his family for his (and ours) loss.

Brian

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Flyin' Brian

74 Duster, 225, rear-mounted blow through turbo at 12psi boost, street/strip car
"Sixy Beast"

Tom, sorry to hear of the loss of the Simca. It was really a work of art, both cosmeticlly, and mechanicly. I'm glad to hear you are ok, a testament as to how well the car was put together.

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Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

Thanks guys. In the immortal words of Douglas MacArthur " I Shall Return!"

Tom

Tom, glad your ok. That was a true work of art and a beautiful car. Here's hoping it can be saved.
What were the final results of the Slant race @ Bristol ?