We look forward to having you join the hundreds of other racers and fans on the Walk of Fame! Now, it is your chance to join hundreds of other racers and fans who appear on the “Walk of Fame” – a quarter mile of brick-lined sidewalk which will connect the Hall of Fame Monument with the Museum of Drag Racing. The fact is Salt Lake City Utah is a bit off the beaten path when it comes to [...], By "Big Daddy" Don Garlits|2020-10-28T15:53:17-04:00October 28th, 2020|2019 Inductees|, Mike Lewis could be described as a “man for all seasons”. The museum is home to the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame. Politician. Don Garlits Fans Also Viewed . Don Garlits in a Funny Car? “He’s doing okay and has gotten most of his memory back,” said Francine Head, a Garlits assistant at the Museum. Copyright 2020 Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing | All Rights Reserved. In the antique section I thought the cars were packed a bit tight not allowing for a person to get a good view of the interior. Don Garlits Is Getting Married, and You Can Go to the Wedding. Our dragracing building has a collection of world-famous, history making dragsters, funny cars, motorcycles, and many other exciting racing vehicles from the early days of dragracing to current day. VISIT US TODAY! Sign up. Down through the years, “Big Daddy” Don Garlits has come to … By "Big Daddy" Don Garlits|2020-10-29T12:05:55-04:00October 29th, 2020|2020 Inductees|, Don “The Wavemaker” Prieto is unique to the sport in that he is a racer (owner and driver), a journalist, a historian, and a catalyst between the sport and some of the OEM companies. “Swamp Rat 1. Luke Nieuwhof Author. Garlits was the first drag racer to officially surpass the 170, 180, 200, 240, 250, and 270 miles per hour marks in the quarter mile. JUPITER— Father Time has nothing on the father of drag racing. CLERMONT, Ind. Chuck joined us in 2017 taking his cousin Donna Garlits place when she retired from the museum. The Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing is located at 13700 SW 16th Ave, Ocala, Florida, just off Interstate 75. Watch the 1984 Gatornationals on NHRA All Access Today! Junior Johnson. The two raced at the NHRA Gatornationals, buzzing down the track at up to 30 mph. Explore. Capitano, 54, is … Donna Garlits, 53, is the general manager and chief financial officer of Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing Inc., and manages the family’s real estate holdings. Some 90 racing cars can be seen in the Drag Race building and an additional 50 vehicles are in the Antique Car building. Well, no, not quite, though "Big Daddy" did lend his name to car owner Bud Richter and driver Gary Bolger for booking power (and a percentage of said bookings) in 1971. Unlike a major stroke, T.I.A's often resolve themselves and don't result in any long term problems. Inductees include Art Arfons, Sydney Allard, Zora Arkus-Duntov, Ray Godman, Raymond Beadle, Shirley Muldowney, Kenny Bernstein, and Don Schumacher, Connie Glen Swingle. Capricorn Named Don #7. As a teenager, Larry was very interested in cars of all kinds, how to make them faster, and quicker. 1. It's a really hard decision to make and to say, 'Well, this one is three and this one is two and this one is No. Jul 22, 2019. Closed Thanksgiving & Christmas. Drag racing legend "Big Daddy" Don Garlits shared his thoughts about his homestate race, the Gatornationals, and his long history, successes, and frustrations at one of NHRA's most storied events. Closed Christmas & Thanksgiving. In January 1962 he [...], By "Big Daddy" Don Garlits|2020-10-29T11:45:54-04:00October 29th, 2020|2020 Inductees|, Billy Meyer began his racing career at the age of nine in go-karts and as a teen-ager burst onto the auto racing scene making a name for himself as a Funny Car driver. Our antique building has one of the largest collections of Ford’s, also included in the collection are muscle cars and rare vintage automobiles. Many of the Garlits “Swamp Rat” cars are here, but he also turns out to be a pack rat with an accumulation of cars and memorabilia from other top names in the sport. Open 9am-5pm Daily Once more details are available on who he is dating, we will update this section. Mike was almost born into the world of drag racing, when his grandfather, Alford Stauffer built the famed Maple Grove Raceway in Mohnton, Pennsylvania when Mike was 12 [...], Copyright 2020 Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing | All Rights Reserved. Ron Paul. In 1997, he was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. Opened in 1976, it chronicles the history of the sport of drag racing. Capricorn Race Car Driver #33. But he got to 189.04 mph, enough to break his own record. Host Hotel, Ring Sponsor, Trophy Sponsors, and T-Shirt Sponsor, 2021 (31st Annual) Hall of Fame Inductees and Honorees, Inductees:                                     Pat Garlits Memorial Award                                 Founders Award, John “Tarzan” Austin                                       Laura South                                                        Terry Cook, HIS LATEST QUEST: TO BECOME THE FIRST MAN IN DRAG RACING TO DRIVE 200 MPH IN A BATTERY-POWERED CAR. The Don Garlits Museum Drag Racing and International Drag Racing Hall of Fame is open every day between 9 AM and 5 PM. Don Garlits: Like I told USA Today, just to be in the final three, as far as I'm concerned, is a great honor. ... Today. Don Garlits clutch explosion. When GatorNationals roars to a start today in Gainesville, kicking off NHRA's 60th anniversary tour, Garlits will be there. He is already on the road to recovery and back at work. Brother of Don "Big Daddy" Garlits, NHRA Hall of Famer Ed Garlits was more than a force to be reckoned with on the track. In 2004 he was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame. The average tour takes 2-3 hours and all pictures are welcome. In May 2014 at age 82, Garlits set a 184 mph speed record in an EV dragster, a battery-powered electric vehicle that does not burn fuel.Don Garlits drew the plans and constructed the World’s First Rear-engined Top Fuel Dragster. True to the times, Etta stood by Bob [...], By "Big Daddy" Don Garlits|2020-10-29T11:48:44-04:00October 29th, 2020|2020 Inductees|, As with a lot of the members of the drag racing world, Don got his first experience as a driver in the seat of Gary Densford’s C/Dragster at Lions Drag Strip in Long Beach, CA. The International Drag Racing Hall of Fame honors drag racing’s pioneers and heroes. By "Big Daddy" Don Garlits | 2020-10-29T11:48:44-04:00 October 29th, 2020 | 2020 Inductees | As with a lot of the members of the drag racing world, Don got his first experience as a driver in the seat of Gary Densford’s C/Dragster at Lions Drag Strip in Long Beach, CA. You can purchase a brick in person, during your visit to the museum, or you can download and fill out the form provided by clicking on the button to the right. His first [...], By "Big Daddy" Don Garlits|2020-10-29T11:52:19-04:00October 29th, 2020|2020 Inductees|, Etta Glidden was introduced to the sport of drag racing by her husband Bob at a time in the sport when most women involved in it were seen more than heard. Don Garlits Is A Member Of . Nhra Drag Racing Auto Racing Top Fuel Dragster Old Race Cars Vintage Race Car Big Daddy Drag Cars Car Humor Hot Cars. Electric dragsters today are among the least expensive vehicles in motorsports, Garlits said. The 87-year-old hopes that he … We will continue to update information on Don Garlits’s parents. Chuck prior to joining the museum was in law enforcement for 18 years. He was inducted in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1989 as the sole representative of drag racing. The passing of Don Garlits was affirmed by insideeko through an online life post. Once more details are available on who he is dating, we will update this section. South Florida in July is not an area of … 1.' ESPN featured Don Garlits during the 2014 Gatornationals elimination show. First Name Don. United States ; Florida (FL ... Today, their car sat before me. David Pearson. He’s credited for the first 200-mph pass in a … Today, Don still reside on the grounds of the Don Garlits Drag Museum where he and wife Pat raised two daughters while traveling all over our nation on tour, and they now have 5 grandchildren. The exact medical term for what he had was a T.I.A, or Transient Ischemic Attack, sometimes referred to as a "mild stroke." Don Garlits hails from a poor family; he spent his childhood in his hometown, Tampa, where he attended Hillsborough High School. Race Car Drivers. We have just fewer than 300 cars between 2 buildings. We have just fewer than 300 cars between 2 buildings. Don Garlits, the 87-year-old drag racing legend, hoped to be the first racer to reach 200 mph in a battery-powered dragster. OCALA, Fla. – Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing, located in Ocala, is a place rich in history, with thousands of artifacts, memorabilia, trophies and many drag racing cars. Don started his journey into [...], By "Big Daddy" Don Garlits|2020-10-29T12:03:35-04:00October 29th, 2020|2020 Inductees|, Roy learned about cars as a young teenager acquiring his first car, a 1969 Plymouth Road Runner, at the age of 23 years old. Following his matriculation, Don became interested in racing, and built his first car out of 1927 Ford Model “T” Roadster, a 1948 Mercury, a 1939 Ford, and a 1948 Ford parts. Don Garlits Popularity . The Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing and International Drag Racing Hall of Fame is open every day from 9am-5pm. It’s been almost a half century since Florida native “Big Daddy” Don Garlits revolutionized drag racing by perfecting the rear engine design that today is employed universally by racers like two-time reigning NHRA Top Fuel champion Steve Torrence, one of the favorites in this week’s pandemic-delayed 51st annual Amalie Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway. Don Garlits’s mother’s name is unknown at this time and his father’s name is under review. Race Car Driver Born in Florida #7. Chuck has grown up around drag racing and went to several races with Don as a child. The British Drag Racing Hall of Fame is sad to report that Ed Garlits, brother of BDRHoF member Don … -- By the time he retired in 1992, "Big Daddy" Don Garlits had won every race and received every honor a drag racer could hope for, but he was still haunted by one yet-unachieved dream: earning a … In 1982, "Big Daddy" Don Garlits, always the innovator, experimented with a sideways-mounted nitro engine in his Swamp Rat 27. 9 : 'Big Daddy' returns . Born in Florida. The iconic cars of Dean Moon, the Mooneyes gas dragster and the Moonbeam sports car are on display. Dragster legend Don “Big Daddy” Garlits, at 87, is pursuing the 200 mph mark in the quarter-mile. Beard, known for cleanliness, organization, and preparation, was first introduced into the world of drag racing by his high school Industrial Arts teacher, Ed Renck, who also [...], By "Big Daddy" Don Garlits|2020-10-29T11:54:58-04:00October 29th, 2020|2020 Inductees|, Larry Minor has often been called a “gearhead” but it is simply a fact of life for him. Like many famous people and celebrities, Don Garlits keeps his personal life private. Drag racer “Big Daddy” Don Garlits has set more than a few records throughout his decades-long racing career. Personal Life. SANFORD—Don Garlits of Tampa, FL, (the locals mispronounced his name as "Gartlits") got wind of the super fast track conditions and high payoffs at Sanford. The Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing and International Drag Racing Hall of Fame is open every day from 9am-5pm. The experience got Big Daddy thinking about the future, a place Garlits dwells most of the time. Dubbed Swamp Rat 37, the electric dragster resulted from a gift to a friend. Bill was the youngest person to [...], By "Big Daddy" Don Garlits|2020-10-28T16:12:23-04:00October 28th, 2020|2019 Inductees|, Dan Richins and Rex Pearmain, known as the “Iron Horse Team”, were not household names in the world of drag racing. His first car was a 1934 Buick Limited coupe he purchased as soon as he got his first California driver’s license at [...], By "Big Daddy" Don Garlits|2020-10-29T12:01:20-04:00October 29th, 2020|2020 Inductees|, Lee Beard has been referred to as “a crew chief’s crew chief”. Saved by Dan Petty. She took him to the hospital on Sunday. To preserve the history of drag racing one of the original forms of auto racing known to man through restoration, and preservation of historical vehicles, involvement in research of said history, honoring prominent individuals who were the sports’ pioneers, development of a National Archive and Library, collecting, documentation of state history, educating the general public on the history and progress of all racing and presenting the uniqueness of this sport auto racing.”Our Collection” Nearly 300 vehicles on display and thousands of artifacts. His first experience at organized racing came in 1969 at the wheel of a 1969 [...], By "Big Daddy" Don Garlits|2020-10-29T12:00:20-04:00October 29th, 2020|2020 Inductees|, Bob “Bones” Balogh was another of the early sports competitors who has always been a “car nut”. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. Mac Tools U.S. Nationals Memorable Moments Moment No. 189.04 / ET 7.235 We’re here at the track making modifications and our next run we’re hoping to hit 200 miles an hour on batteries! Garlits, who turned 88 on Jan. 14, continues to push the borders of racing performance in Swamp Rat 38, his battery-powered electric dragster. The Garlits brothers were a fearsome force in the drag racing world. Don Prudhomme, John Force, and myself, any of the three, you can pick out good reasons why each one should be No. Chuck is Don’s nephew via Pat Garlits who is the sister of Chuck’s mom. Spread throughout the two buildings is an amazing collection of hemi engines, flathead engines, rare manifolds, and carburetors that have been restored by Don Garlits himself. Don Garlits suffered a mild stroke on Sunday, a spokesperson for the Garlits family confirmed. Most Popular #117499. The average tour takes 2-3 hours and all pictures are welcome. Each brick purchased comes with a certificate to locate your brick placement. Don Garlits suffered a mild stroke on Sunday, a spokesperson for the Garlits family confirmed. Sadly, we have been informed that Ed Garlits, younger brother of "Big Daddy" Don Garlits, has passed away after a long fight with an illness. Don Garlits Net Worth $15 Million. Don Garlits sets New Electric Dragster Record in Florida; Still Chasing 200mph. Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing, Ocala: Hours, Address, Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing Reviews: 4.5/5. Big Daddy and his girlfriend, Lisa Crigar, got engaged on Valentine’s Day 2015. As many of you know by now, "Big Daddy" Don Garlits recently had some medical problems. 774. Don Garlits is the greatest drag-racer of all time.” Nothing was off-limits for the roasters, from Garlit’s belief in aliens to his failed bid for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Race Car Driver. We have fewer than 300 cars between two buildings. Log in. 89 Year Olds. 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