Hot, hot, hot!

HRH Speed Spectacular at Las Vegas

Words by Darr Hawthorne
Photos by Tim Marshall, James Drew and Darr Hawthorne

The second edition of the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series meet, dubbed the Las Vegas Speed Spectacular, attracted over 200 racers from across the Western states that met unseasonably hot weather with track temperatures nearing 150º. The weekend event also featured exhibition nitro Funny Cars and a Fuel Altered match race between Dave Hough's fabled “Nanook” and Craig Michael’s appropriately named “Vegas Heat” Bantam.

In nitro funny car match racing on Saturday, Division 7 alcohol Funny Car competitor Dennis Taylor drove the “Future Flash” Dodge Charger racing Mendy Fry in “McCain’s Bomb Squad” Plymouth Duster. Fry set low elapsed time and top speed of the meet running a 6.232/225.97 mph to Taylor’s early shut-off 6.681/160.44 mph.  (James Drew photo)

The seldom seen “Beach City Chevrolet” topless Corvette replica driven by Ed Schwarz carded a best of 6.446/219.15 mph. The Estrus Racing ’69 Vette is probably the most period-correct nitro Funny Car currently being campaigned.  (Darr Hawthorne photo)