Sunday 8th March 1970

Don Garlits set an American Hot Rod Association world record 1/4 mile elapse time of 6.57 seconds at Lions Drag Strip in Long Beach, California, USA, in his Swamprat 13 dragster. Later, in the final round won by Richard Tharp, Garlits’ clutch exploded, cutting the car in half and in the process, cut off part of his right foot. This accident caused Garlits to design the first successful rear-engined Top Fuel dragster. Garlits went on to win 17 world championships. In 2002 at age 70 – he took Swamp Rat 34 out of a museum – entered it in the US Nationals and ran a career best 4.72 @ 317 mph