The H.A.M.B. Drags are quickly approaching and in the spirit of this drag race, featuring only pre-65 cars, the Jalopy Journal is taking a look back at old-school drag racing practices. Thanks to the 1957 February issue of Rod Builder & Customizer, Jalopy is able to share with us the ten steps for winning on the drag strip. While some of these steps are definitely outdated, it is surprising how closely related some of them are to drag racing advice for the 21st century.
You would be looked at strangely if you followed some of the advice in the Rod Builder & Customizer article-such as putting four tires on the back of your car for traction or using leather straps to hold down the hood.
However, advice such as using the correct octane gas for your car’s set-up, is still sound.
Whether some of these steps still stand true for today’s racers or not, other “winning” steps seem irrelevant, even for racers back in the day. Sporting funny license plates or comic car club stickers on your car may be humorous but doesn’t seem to have any impact on how you will race, but this advice is the ninth step to drag racing success.
To see all the steps for success on the drag strip, check out the Jalopy Journal. While we know most of these steps won’t help you now, they are well worth scanning for comic relief. Oh, how the times have changed in the automotive world!
