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Parma Heights, Ohio (October 24, 2011) – The Quarter Mile Foundation will have a strong presence at the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show, December 1-3, 2011 at the Orange Country Convention Center, Orlando, Fla.
The Foundation will occupy Booth 801, near the Show’s Media Center, and will be sharing the location with one of the most important drag racing vehicles in the sport’s history – Don Garlits’ “Swamp Rat XIII.” The Foundation will use the show to continue filming interviews with drag racing and performance industry legends for the PROJECT 1320 documentary film series.
Foundation Chairman, Traci Hrudka said, “The Foundation, working with Steve Lewis Founder/Publisher of Performance Racing Industry, the PRI Trade Show production team and Don Garlits and the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing, have allowed the foundation to display the iconic ‘Swamp Rat XIII,’ which because of the catastrophic accident at Lions Drag Strip, led to the demise of the front-engine dragster when Don perfected the rear-engined dragster design. The Foundation will share the booth with the car, which will allow us the opportunity to reach the motorsports community with our message and the importance of the PROJECT 1320 documentary.
“We are also very pleased to use the PRI Show to continue to gather the interviews for the PROJECT 1320 documentary. The number of drag racing and industry legends who gather at the show makes this a great place to capture the memories of their lives.”
Steve Lewis, PRI Trade Show producer, commented about the presence of the legendary car at the show, saying, “I see the presence of Don’s ‘Swamp Rat XIII’ as a major enhancement to our show. The car’s history and unintended impact on the sport of drag racing is the stuff of legends.
“This is the first time this car has been out of Don’s museum since it was rebuilt/restored, and we are extremely grateful to him to allow us to showcase this car during the 60th Anniversary of the National Hot Rod Association and of organized, sanctioned drag racing. This will be one of the most significant cars of the many on display during the show.
“We are also very pleased to have the Quarter Mile Foundation share the area. The Foundation and the PROJECT 1320 documentary about the history of drag racing and the performance aftermarket is a very important, and much needed, undertaking. The ability to have them share the spotlight with this significant piece of drag racing history seemed to be a natural fit.
“We at PRI are extremely pleased to have a role in assisting in building the awareness of the undertaking, and having such an important, history-changing race car in this year’s show.”
Traci Hrudka added, “This could not have happened without Don Garlits and his enthusiasm for sharing the car with the show-going public. He will be around the car most of the show Thursday and Friday, answering questions and signing autographs.
“The Foundation will also raffle the ‘Vintage Rat’ big block Chevrolet engine – the last engine built by the late Joe Mondello. We’ll pull the winning name at the World Products booth (2523) on Saturday afternoon at time to be announced.”
PHOTO CREDITS/CAPTIONS: Don Garlits and “Swamp Rat XIII” (near lane) vs. “Kansas John” Wiebe (far lane) at the Beeline Dragway, 1970. Credit: Don Garlits/Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing, Ocala, Fla./Garlits Swamp Rat XIII – Bee Line Dragway 1970 – 300dpi
Don Garlits and “Swamp Rat XIII” roll to the starting line at the 1970 NHRA US Nationals at Indianapolis Raceway Park. – ©Ray Mann Collection, quartermilestones.com/Garlits Swamp Rat XIII – US Nationals Indy 1970