Class Acts

Meet a Veteran Who’s Restored a Plymouth A/FX Car for a Worthy Cause and a Brand-New Player to SS/AH Wars.

Words and Photos: Bruce Biegler

Classic for a Cause

A truly heartwarming story from within the drag racing community is being provided by Jerry Hall, from Brookland, Ky.

Hall, who is a veteran drag racer, but who is quick to admit that his days as a race car driver are now behind him, is focused on drawing some important awareness though a display that includes some impressive restored race cars from the past. One of Jerry’s machines is a perfect recreation of a 1965 Plymouth Satellite altered wheelbase A/FX Funny Car which he has dubbed the Rebel.

Built by Bobby Umstead (HSC Race Cars), the restored machine features an iron block 426 HEMI® engine built by Ray Barton. That motor uses classic style Hilborn injectors and power is delivered though a 727 transmission. While the car does not see actual competition, Hall does run it on an exhibition basis.

“This is a replica much like the Ramchargers car of its time,” said Hall. “It’s an off take of that car—with a paint job that I liked.”

Hall’s primary purpose for his car is a very noble one. He has for almost twenty years been deeply involved with charities, most notably “God’s Special Kids” and “Cars for Kids” which help to battle muscular dystrophy and autism. During that time he has raised over $3M for various causes.

“These cars (also including the Dixie Stomper ’64 Comet) are used extensively in the charity work we do – it’s really their primary purpose,” he added. “We donate to wherever we feel the money is needed.”

Hall also draws in some other personal satisfaction in that he is able to give newer generation racing fans an accurate glimpse into drag racing’s past.

“In my younger years – the A/FX altered wheelbase cars blew me away,” he reflected. “That has stuck with me all my life. Those racing days are now behind me but I’m still able to do a part in preserving some of that history. It’s rewarding for me that I am able to help out kids and at the same time show people what it was like drag racing back then. This is exactly where the Funny Car class really evolved from and a lot of newer fans don’t realize that.”

Niagara Dream Chaser

The immense popularity of the SS/AH has claimed another patron, Buffalo, N.Y., businessman Bill Kraft.

Kraft, who owns a very successful industrial construction company, is ending a 15-year hiatus from the straight line sport and is now intent on chasing a dream. During mid-2009 Bill took delivery of a spectacular 1968 Barracuda. Kraft plans to use the rest of this racing season to ramp up his effort in preparation for a more aggressive 2010 racing season.

“I was very impressed by the Super Stock HEMI cars that were built for Mark and Wendall Howes,” Bill said. “I got the body shipped here from California and a Canadian shop did a beautiful job of putting it all together. Racing in this class has always been a dream of mine – so now I’m stepping up to the plate.”

Kraft revealed that his potent 426 HEMI engine program is in fact a joint effort between some of the biggest and most reputed names in HEMI engine building.

“Originally this motor was a Don McCallum piece that has been rebuilt by Ray Barton with some input from Charlie Westcott,” he revealed. “Everyone involved has been very helpful – they all want to do their part to make sure there is another new car for the (SS/AH) category.”

Kraft confirmed that his machine, which features a stunning paint scheme by Scott Jahren and lettering by Dan Delaney (both from Buffalo area), will stay mostly in test mode for the rest of this year.

“Stepping up to the very top level of the Super Stock class is a big change from what I was used to racing,” he added. “I have been on the circuit helping out the Howes the last two seasons and got some great experience from that. But I do want to tread carefully; my goal is to race at future Mopar® HEMI Challenge events.”

For a complete listing of Mopar HEMI engines and other performance parts visit www.mopar.com and click on the 2009 Mopar Performance Parts Catalog link.