HAMBsters,
and ‘the Spirit of the Bug’
As history illustrates, World War Two changed the world in
many ways, and Hot Rodding was no exception. This period of time is often
heralded as ‘the hey-day’ of our sport. A time where youth returned
from the war, with a desire to live life to the full. Times were tough,
but there was a renewed hope.
From the competitive dirt tracks at the ‘state fairs’, to
the pursuit of speed at the dry lakes, leading to the introduction of drag
racing on the redundant Air Force runways.
Cars
were stripped of all the extemporaneous parts like fenders and interior to
reduce weight and improve performance. The pursuit of speed was paramount.
The speed-equipment industry flourished. Men such as George
Riley, Ed Iskenderian, Kong Jackson, Vic Edelbrock, and Eddie Meyer were
unknowingly becoming pioneers, using their skills and knowledge to create
‘hop up’ parts for those who hungered for performance.
Automobile racing, at this level, was a true blue-collar
sport. From chain blocks hanging from tree branches in the back yard,
through to small workshops with basic tools, young men collaborated
together to build race cars. Nothing elaborate, or particularly glamorous,
but pieces of machinery which had an aura about them. They had soul.
In 1954, Don “Big Daddy” Garlits was one of these
aspiring young men, racing a 286 cubic inch Mercury/Ford Flathead
Dragster, based on 1927 Model T rails, he began his now world famous
racing career. The car was nothing fancy, but it was competitive, and
became the learning tool which transformed a mild young man into a living
legend. “They didn’t have my mind” say’s Garlits, “That’s the
only difference that’s ever been. We all have the same two hands, and
I’m certainly not stronger than anybody. But I can think –and I dare
to think for myself”. By 1956 he had created the car which made him
famous, ‘Swamp Rat 1’.
This was a period of change, a time when perseverance and
enthusiasm created opportunity. A moment in time prior to overpowering
rules and restrictions. A time where the little guy, like you and I could
get in and compete, not for money or international prestige, but just for
the enjoyment of ‘having a go’.
This is why we’d like to introduce you to the HAMBsters.
We are creating a racing series devoted to the pioneers,
focusing on engines from a bygone era, using the camaraderie and hot
rodding spirit which our heritage is based on.
The cars are basic in design, with an early beam axle front
end, and an early power plant to give our racecars soul. Toss into the mix
a late model gearbox and differential for safety and affordability, as
well as some basic safety requirements, like a roll bar and appropriate
clothing, and the recipe for a competitive class is created. A lot of
thought has been given to the guidelines (see overleaf) to allow the cars
to be competitive, without becoming excessively expensive, or losing sight
of the goal, that is to represent the Nostalgic element of our hot rod
heritage.
We want to rekindle those pioneering days, and to allow our
past to shape our future. Long live the spirit of the ‘Bug’.
Drewfus
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