Back in the day, auto manufacturers as well race shops did much of their testing of performance cars and the latest mechanical innovations on beaches, like Daytona and Ormond in Florida, as they proved to be the safest real world environments. The Race of Gentlemen took place at the water’s edge on Wildwood Beach!
The Oilers Car Club dates back to the early-1940s, started on the West Coast by legendary hot rodder and racer Jim “Jazzy” Nelson. He and partner partner Dode Martin fielded a number of successful Chrysler-powered dragsters as well as being involved with the trend-setting supercharged exhibition match racing ’64 Dodge (Polara) Chargers.
But it was the famed Dragmaster Dart dragster, powered by a 430-inch Dodge Wedge that put Nelson and Martin in the spotlight. They took Top Eliminator at the 1962 NHRA Winternationals, running over 170 mph in 8.71 seconds. Their Dragsmaster operation supplied chassis to the biggest Top Gas & Fuel racers in the country. And, they are still partners today.
This year’s event attracted motorcycles from 1911 through the 1920s-1930s and cars starting at 1907 and up. It was truly The Roar At The Shore!
Photos by Tom Miller, www.millersportscars.com
Check out this video of the event, http://vimeo.com/52123950
For more information, please visit http://www.hotrod.com/eventcoverage/hrdp_1303_the_race_of_gentlemen/viewall.html