Jet Dragsters - Englishtown Night of Thrills

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Here is a short clip showing a couple of jet dragsters blast off at the Englishtown (NJ) Night of Thrills held on June 7. First you see the dragsters spit long plumes of fire which is an impressive showing especially at night. Then they launch and make a quarter mile pass.

Here’s a little jet dragster history for you. The story goes like this: Ohio native Walt Arfons built the first jet dragster (1960) and the first dragster to use a parachute for braking. He and half brother, Art began building dragsters in 1952. Because WWII was in the recent past there were a lot of surplus aircraft parts/engines. Walt and Art along with other race car builders began using aircraft piston engines.

Initially they built a three wheeler with an Oldsmobile six cylinder engine with Ugh-ly green tractor paint finish. When they came up for their run the announcer at the track jokingly pegged the car the Green Monster, a name that followed the brothers through other projects. The brothers were the first drag racers to reach 150 mph for the quarter mile. Cool!

View the Jet Dragsters - Englishtown Night of Thrills video.