Boston Strangler

[Nick]

I don't think Robert Sweet's Oldsmobile funny car was the first flopper to be named "Boston Strangler". This picture was snapped in the early 1990's. The big tower that's luming large in the background easily identifies this old IHRA facility. Over in the far lane is Bogie Kell's "Southern Thunder" Trans Am.

---Van Abernethy

[Nick]

Trivia time...Does anyone here know why the old BID tower sits at an angle to the track?

[Big Blue Oval]

Jet cars maybe?

[1promodfan]

Thats a good question, I've wondered the same thing. Why?

[Nick]

It wasn't designed that way. The tower was built before track construction was started. The tower was supposed to face directly downtrack but it was decided that the track needed to be relocated because it would have cost too much to move the side of the mountain. The track ended up just grazing the side of it instead of going straight into it.

I haven't been to Bristol since it was rebuilt. Most folks I've talked with say it just isn't the same. That's a shame. There was nothing quite like Thunder Valley!

[tom1099]

Arnie Karp was the pervious owner /driver i think it was about this time that Arnie retired.

[Rat_Fink_UK]

Arnie Karp.....now his Mountain Dew Olds was stunning.

[1promodfan]

Well Nick, I didn't get a chance to go to the "old" Bristol. But I love the new Bristol. We go every year to the Thunder Valley Nationals. A couple years ago I went with one of my brothers, and he has never been to a NHRA race. We was down in the Pro Mod pits. One of the cars was idleing, and a few minutes of warming up he nailed the throttle. My brother almost jumped out of his skin. You should see the footage on my video camera, you can see the picture vibrate.

[John Brady]

Originally Posted by Outlaw Nick

It wasn't designed that way. The tower was built before track construction was started. The tower was supposed to face directly downtrack but it was decided that the track needed to be relocated because it would have cost too much to move the side of the mountain. The track ended up just grazing the side of it instead of going straight into it.

I haven't been to Bristol since it was rebuilt. Most folks I've talked with say it just isn't the same. That's a shame. There was nothing quite like Thunder Valley!

I've been going to Bristol since '90 and have watched alot of racing there. I was thinking about this topic the other day. Back in the day you sat right up on the track, like 10 feet from the cars it seemed. Those were the good ole days as they call them. The new Bristol is a great track in every way. Probably better than any facility in every way. But it lacks character and personality. I loved the old Bristol, the new Bristol is awesome but....

[draglist]

Hi gang. On the Robert Sweet deal, he purchased the name from the former team. He ran for a few years on alky, then was planning to go nitro. That never happened. After a few seasons, Robert hung up the driving gloves.

Before Robert took over the name, the Boston Strangler team was legendary in division one NHRA points and match race action. The team was always in the mix... one of those teams that didn't always set LOW ET, but was always the most CONSISTENTLY quick. in that way, they won many races. The team went back to the 70s... and raced consistently and competively until the early 90s, when Sweet purchased the car.

You may remember Arnie coming back a few years ago and driving one of the Chuck Worsham nitro cars for a while, before deciding to retire again.

The Boston Stranger team was always kind to me when I was a young pup with a drag list booklet to update... I saw them at least once a year wen I announced at MIR from 87 to the early 90s. I met and talked with Sweet about the deal at MIR, too. bp

[beegator]

Great shot Van. Good thread too.

Hi ya BP.

[Deturbonation]

Here is two question for you....

Can anyone name the car in the other lane?


How long would that paint scheme last on the NHRA tour these days?