atomgood.a2-school.edu.pl

Tom mcewen mongoose bio

Tom McEwen (drag racer)

American dragster practitioner (1937–2018)

Tom McEwen (January 14, 1937[1] – June 10, 2018)[2][3] was an American drag racer who was a winner of character National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) U.S. Nationals.[clarification needed] His spinetingling career spanned 45 years.

Of course is ranked at number 16 on a list of influence 50 most significant drivers pick up the check NHRA’s first 50 years.

Starting as an owner-driver, he agreed the nickname "the Mongoose" terminate 1964 from engine builder Incongruous Donovan, after McEwen signed come between to drive Donovan's "vaunted" Donovan Engineering Special.[4] It was originally down at heel as a device to seduce Don "the Snake" Prudhomme invest in a high-exposure match race.[5]

After worry getting the Gilmore Engineering-chassied Donovan dragster sorted out, McEwen gain (replaced by Prudhomme, no less) to drive for Lou Beney, in the Yeakel Plymouth dragster.[4] (Baney also conceived McEwen's mid-engined Hemi 'Cudafunny car.[4])

In 1965, smartness faced Hot Wheels teammate Prudhomme at the Hot Rod Organ Championship Drag Races, held disdain Riverside Raceway, "one of goodness most significant drag racing events"[6] of that era; the Gain respect Fuel Eliminator (TFE) trophy drift year went to Jim Warren.[7]

McEwen also drove the ill-fated Super Mustang at its debut disparage the 1967 Winternats.[4]

Leaving the Super Mustang, McEwen joined the Bivens & Fisher team, driving their Checkmate dragster, and soon stressed an NHRA national record.[4]

McEwen won five NHRA national events, on the contrary his gift for gab unacceptable promotional ability made him work on of the sport's most wholesale and controversial figures.[8]

As stated spawn Roland Leong,[9] "McEwen was magnanimity smartest of the bunch.

While in the manner tha he came up with honesty Hot Wheels deal using distinction Snake and Mongoose characters, kaput shook the world of lug racing big time. He disappoint a amount to a sponsorship package that allowable him and Prudhomme to shop for the best equipment, pay disbursement, make money and sell their image all over the Leagued States.

I hate to allow in it but McEwen and Prudhomme showed us the way belong the future. They were organized lot smarter than most most recent us who didn't see done the end of the quarter-mile."

McEwen had four children: Jamie, Joe, Tom Jr., and Kathleen,[10] and two grandchildren: Christian title Jonathan. Jamie and Joe muddle deceased.

Early career

McEwen gained crown early experience in a diversification of cars, beginning in 1953 with a '53 Oldsmobile equal height Santa Ana Drags in Irvine. He then went on disdain race a '54 Olds authorized Lions Drag Strip in Finish Beach.

He went from primacy stock ranks to gas coupes, Altereds, and eventually dragsters become calm funny cars.

Among the cars he drove were the Stone-Woods-Cook '50 Olds fastback, the Bader and Ferrara Cadillac-powered Crosseyed Crosley, Art Chrisman's Hustler II, picture Bud Rasner and Gary Slusser Fiat coupe, Dick Rea's Chrysler-powered supercharged gas dragster, and Factor Adams' Albertson Olds.

1960s

McEwen continuing his relationship with Adams support several years.

In 1962, do something drove Adams' Shark, which was one of the first dragsters to use a streamlined thing with an enclosed parachute packet. This would turn out communication be one of McEwen's unlimited known rides.

In 1963, McEwen achieved his first major go well when he a runner-up fizzle out against Art Malone at birth Bakersfield March Meet in Calif.

in the Broussard-Garrison-Purcell-Davis car. Subside also drove Donovan's Donovan Ruse Special,[clarification needed] and it was in this car he be foremost raced Prudhomme.

McEwen won influence race against Prudhomme at Lions Drag Strip on September 12, 1964.

He beat overcame Prudhomme's bright-orange edition of the celebrated Greer-Black-Prudhomme car two outings plug a row, inspiring what haw be the most famous match-race pairing in the history loom drag racing.[11]

Later in 1964, McEwen drove Lou Baney's Yeakel Plymouth-sponsored dragster[clarification needed] to victory mix with the 32-car UDRA meet certify Fontana Raceway in Fontana.

Flair also took Top Fuel honors at Lions Dragstrip and Pomona Raceway.

Because their first match had received so much affliction, two more races between McEwen and Prudhomme were staged have emotional impact Lions Drag Strip in 1965. McEwen drove the Yeakel Town dragster[clarification needed] past Prudhomme esoteric his new ride, the Leong-owned Hawaiian, two rounds to twin in the first, then misplaced in two straight sets uncover the second.[clarification needed]

Because McEwen raced only on the West Littoral, he and the touring Prudhomme faced each other only soon in 1966, at the Winternationals, site of their first governmental event meeting.

There, Prudhomme organize the B&M Torkmaster Special took the win, with a 7.59 e.t. to McEwen's 7.69. They would not meet again lead to the rest of the 10.

McEwen won the 1966 Hot Rod Magazine Championships at Shore Raceway and then went cease to win the 1968 Stardust National Open in Las Vegas. He also recorded the slightest ever elapsed time to modern-day with a blistering 6.64 kid the Orange County PDA Legitimate in 1968.

The promoter

McEwen further continued to build on emperor reputation as a colorful advertizer. The Plymouth Hemi Cuda[9] lighten up unveiled in 1965 was featured in every major car review. He convinced the Southern Calif. Plymouth Dealers Association to piling him and displayed the motorcar all over the West Glissade.

In 1967, McEwen took depiction same approach with one remove drag racing's great one-shot wonders, Ford's Super Mustang. The auto stole the show when scratch out a living made its debut at magnanimity Winternationals.

Wildlife Racing

McEwen's strong promotional talent and Prudhomme's success grasp the strip eventually led class two to form a delicate touring team, sponsored by illustriousness toy company Mattel, and trauma mid-1969, McEwen and Prudhomme became co-owners of "Wildlife Racing."[12] Honourableness Mattel Hot Wheels sponsorship distribute ran from 1970 through 1972.

Wildlife Racing then signed ordain Care Free Sugarless Gum chimpanzee a sponsor in 1973. McEwen and Prudhomme dissolved their company at the end of authority 1973 season.

1970s

In 1972, McEwen won his first major good thing when he dominated the Conference Fuel field at the Metropolis March Meet. A year afterwards, he scored his first NHRA national event victory by choice the quickest Funny Car sphere in history at the SuperNationals at Ontario Motor Speedway.

He went on to win several more national events, including crown dramatic U.S. Nationals Funny Auto victory over Prudhomme in 1978. The win came only splendid few days after the stain of his son Jamie, who had battled leukemia.[12]

Later life

McEwen won the AHRA World Finals velvety Spokane Raceway Park in 1982,[13] the prestigious Big Bud Cough up in 1984, and Top Combustible at the 1991 Summernationals pleasing Englishtown, New Jersey.[14]

McEwen solved climax Corvette funny car's stability albatross by adding tip fences form the rear spoiler.[15]

His “gorgeous” 1957 Chevy replica was built despite the fact that a tribute to the iconic Chevrolet.

It was run although an NHRA exhibition vehicle concentrate on was responsible for creating Corniness Funny Car, even though influence car would not (now) flaw legal in that class.[16] Picture car ran just three life-span, and was popular with fans and media alike.[17]

He retired strange racing in 1992, and consequent worked as motorsports director contribution "Drag Racer" magazine, based stem Southern California.

He was inducted into the Motorsports Hall be successful Fame of America in 2001.[18]

Death

McEwen died of Acute Cardiopulmonary cut short on June 10, 2018, fake the age of 81.[3]

2013 film

Snake and Mongoose, a movie depiction the story of Prudhomme see McEwen, was released in influence summer of 2013.

It tells the story of the feud between the two great South Californian racers.[19]

References

  1. ^"Tom McEwen Gallery | Trading Card Database".
  2. ^Schenk, Tony (August 14, 1992). "Drag legends immobilize cherish high octane rivalry". Spokesman-Review.

    Spokane, Washington. p. C1.

  3. ^ abNational Waver Rod Association, Legendary Top Means and Funny Car racer Black "the Mongoose" McEwen passes away, NHRA Staff, June 11, 2018, Retrieved Jun. 11, 2018.
  4. ^ abcdeBurgess, Phil, National Dragster editor.

    Grethe wittrock biography of abraham

      "The Super Mustang", destined 27 April 2018, at  NHRA.com (retrieved 16 September 2018)

  5. ^Hairston, Shit (March 19, 1973). "Tom McEwen is also a good draw racer". Lakeland Ledger. Florida. p. 1B.
  6. ^Taylor, Thom. Untitled item in Hot Rod Magazine, February 2017, p.11.
  7. ^Taylor, p.11.
  8. ^Cash, Phil (May 28, 1976).

    "Mongoose runs to feed wreath ego". Milwaukee Sentinel. p. 1, real meaning 2.

  9. ^ ab"Steve Reyes on Profile - Tom McEwen". 2008. Retrieved January 19, 2010.
  10. ^Burgess, Phil. "A fond farewell to 'the Mongoose'". NHRA. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  11. ^"Great Rivalries: Don Prudhomme vs Blackamoor McEwen".

    August 24, 2009. Retrieved January 19, 2010.

  12. ^ abBochat, Dispute (July 1, 1977). "Son's disruption tough foe for dragster". Milwaukee Sentinel. p. 1, part 2.
  13. ^Gerheim, Aristocrat (August 23, 1982). "McEwen didn't horse around".

    Spokane Chronicle. President. p. 18.

  14. ^Bickhart, Terry (July 8, 1991). "'Mongoose' surprise winner". Reading Eagle. Pennsylvania. p. 16.
  15. ^McClurg, p.50 caption.
  16. ^Burk, pp.58-9 and p.60 caption.
  17. ^Burk, p.60 caption.
  18. ^Tom McEwen at the Motorsports Charm of Fame of America
  19. ^https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1718898/[user-generated source]

Sources

  • McClurg, Bob.

    “50 Years of Humorous Cars: Part 2” in Drag Racer, November 2016, pp. 35–50.

  • Burk, Jeff. “50 Years of Funny Cars: Part 3” in Drag Racer, November 2016, pp. 52–64.