Thu, 5 Oct 2006, 04:55 PM A 5-decade Supercharged Career continues for this California

Courtesy of Ray Fong

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Hot Rod Reunion Honoree Talk to Don Hampton for a minute and you'll discover that he likes to laugh& a lot. Maybe it's because he's had such a rich career&and is still at it. Hampton, an Honoree at the upcoming California Hot Rod Reunion, Oct. 6-8, Bakersfield, began his drag racing career with a four-banger dragster in 1951 at the legendary Santa Ana Drags. His driving career included stints in Kenny Lindley's beautiful Missfire II dragster, which he drove at the '59 NHRA Nationals in Detroit. He drove Eldon Dye's Bantam-bodied competition coupe and then one of the most unique vehicles in drag racing history, the twin-engine Dye and Hampton "Too Bad" Fiat competition coupe. In later years he modified the chassis into what may have been history's only twin-engine Funny Car, the "American Band Stand" Corvette. He even drove a very fast and very noisy 13B rotary engine Mazda at Bonneville.

Hampton drove many different cars, including fuel and gas dragsters. He won the 1970 NHRA Winternationals in top gas, beating Bob Muravez in the process. Like many retired racers, he has become notable for his work behind the scenes. He has been in the supercharger business for nearly five decades and at last count was working seven days a week trying to keep up with a backlog of 75 blowers&and 25 laughs.

1. How does it feel to be named an Honoree at the 15th annual NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion? What does the Reunion mean to you?

Don Hampton: It's terrific. I love it to death. When you've been racing since 1951 and are still deeply involved in the sport, as I am, in the manufacturing end, it feels good to be an honoree. Having the reunion means remembering where we came from and how it all began and that's important.

2. Are you surprised that people remember your racing exploits?

Hampton: They better not (laughs). I won two Oscars ("Wally's") and I raced for 33 years, and built and raced a twin-engine Corvette funny car. I ran the dry lakes, Bonneville and toured the U.S. in Top Gas and top fuel.

3. What are some of your fondest (and funniest) memories about drag racing in 1950s? What do you miss most? Do you still see any of your old drag racing friends?

Hampton: I won the first money prize ever given out at the NHRA drag strip in Pomona, a $25 war bond. I miss the adrenalin rush that you have when you cross the finish line. I still see old friends when they drop by my shop or call on the phone.

4. Are you surprised at the popularity of vintage drag racing? Why do you think people enjoy it so much?

Hampton: Yes. It's something to do that's different and people like remembering the past.

5. Do you still follow drag racing? What do you think of today's drivers?

Hampton: Yes & they have it a lot easier than we did. We built our own cars and motors, towed our cars to the race track, worked on them and drove them. We had to invent things that worked on the car we couldn't buy then. Now all you need is cubic dollars. There's no sport in that.