The Vintage Racing Association
duly formed and honored the first 12 Nostalgia Top Fuel dragsters
to break into the "magic" 5-second zone but like NHRA
and other organizations they did not recognize those who go fast!
WDIFL.com Racing, Billy Robins and Jack Harris Racing picked
up that ball as we all know that big MPH = horsepower and a driver
willing to take it out the "back door" (on a 12"
tire!). We honor those on this exclusive list that honors the
first 16 drivers to exceed 250 MPH at a sanctioned track.
Since that first 250
by Jim Murphy in 1998 there have been many more run - the bulk
of them by Murphy, Gerry Steiner and Jack Harris (including a
stunning 265.09 at the 2005 California Hot Rod Reunion). Seven
other drivers have broken the barrier more than once, but none
with consistency. Six members have only done it once. This is
no easy feat.
As new drivers join this club
they will not get huge trophies or fancy jackets. What they got
was a hat few can wear and a certificate to commemorate the accomplishment.
Most of all they will have the personal satisfaction of DOING
IT.
*
Indicates
that the 250+ speed was run at a non-VRA sanctioned event.
Jim Murphy, Gerry
Steiner, Jack Harris, Howard Haight, Jeff Diehl (not pictured)
Dale Suhr for Roger Lechtenberg, Mendy Fry, Bill Dunlap, Jason
Richey (not pictured), Terry Cox, Brett Harris, Lee Jennings
Sr., Rick White, Rick McGee, Sean Bellemeur and Rick Rogers.
The 16 members, including the
name of the driver, team, MPH, event run, and location are listed
below in the order they were inducted:
1. Jim Murphy, WW 2 Racing,
250.00
Goodguys 1998 March Meet
@ Famoso Raceway, Bakersfield
2. Gerry Steiner, Steiner
& Berger Racing, 250.06
Goodguys 2002 Finals
@ Famoso Raceway, Bakersfield
3. Jack Harris, Nitro Thunder
Racing, 254.23
Goodguys 2002 Finals
@ Famoso Raceway, Bakersfield
4. Howard Haight, Fugowie
Racing, 250.13
Goodguys 2003 March Meet
@ Famoso Raceway, Bakersfield
5. Jeff Diehl, RB Entertainment
Racing, 250.20
2003 NHRA California
Hot Rod Reunion @ Famoso Raceway, Bakersfield
*6. Roger
Lechtenberg, Dale & Kat Shur Racing,
252.51
World Series of Drag
Racing (2004) @ Cordova, IL
7. Mendy Fry, High Speed
Motorsports, 251.32
2004 NHRA California
Hot Rod Reunion @ Famoso Raceway, Bakersfield
8. Bill Dunlap, Mike Fuller
Racing, 250.27
Goodguys 2004 Finals
@ Famoso Raceway, Bakersfield
9. Jason Richey, Dave Smith
Racing, 253.09
Goodguys 2004 Finals
@ Famoso Raceway, Bakersfield
*10. Terry
Cox, Cox-Rodeck Racing, 250.59
NHRA Winter Test Session
(Jan. 2005) @ Firebird Raceway, Chandler, AZ
*11. Brett
Harris, Jack Harris Racing, 252.14
Winter Test Session (Feb
05, 2005) @ Las Vegas Raceway, Nevada
*12. Lee
Jennings Sr., California Trucker, 251.74
Winter Test Session (Feb
06, 2005) @ Famoso Raceway, Bakersfield
13. Rick White, Neal &
White Racing, 250.13
Goodguys 2005 Nitro Nationals
@ Infinion Raceway, Sonoma, CA
14. Rick McGee, Tedford &
McGee, 251.11
Goodguys 2005 Pomona
Nitro Nationals @ Fairplex Raceway, Pomona, CA
15. Sean Bellemeur, High
Speed Motorsports, 250.60
Goodguys 2005 1st Northwest
Nationals @ Pacific Raceway, Kent, WA
16. Rick Rogers, Hammerhead
Racing, 250.00
2005 NHRA California
Hot Rod Reunion @ Famoso Raceway, Bakersfield
Don Ewald of WDIFL.com presented
the Award Certificates during the pre race ceremonies at the
2005 California Hot Rod Reunion at Bakersfield. Here Jim Murphy,
Gerry Steiner, Jack Harris, Howard Haight, Dale Suhr for Roger Lechtenberg, Mendy
Fry and Bill Dunlap prepare to be recognized.
Mendy
Fry, the only female in the club, receives her certificate.
Lee Jennings
Sr. drove the only Chevy powered fueler to make the list.
The final two
members, Sean Bellemeur (above) and Rick Rogers (below) receive
their awards.
Rogers filled
the 16th and final spot less than 24 hours before the ceremony
netting a 250.00 on his second qualifying pass on Saturday.
The first three
members... Jim Murphy, Gerry Steiner and Jack Harris.
John Rodeck,
Terry Cox and John Cox of the Cheetah II NTF team.
The only driver
in the club that's retired is Gerry Steiner who was there with
his daughter, Jerilynn.
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