Buddy Shanklin's Corvette

This blast from the past photo was sent in by David Shanklin (Buddy's son). I believe this photo of Buddy Shanklin's National Record Holding E/G Corvette was taken at Phenix City Dragway (Phenix City, Alabama). I'm guessing, but I would say around 1970 or 1971. I saw Buddy race this car several times and this photo doesn't do justice to how nice it looked. It was a winner, too! Thanks for contributing the photo, David.

If anyone would like to see what Buddy has been up to lately, click here.

Left to Right: Tommy Grove, Phil Bonner, Dick Brannan and Hubert Platt.

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Tommy Grove, Phil Bonner, Dick Brannan and Hubert Platt Attend Private Ford All Star Reunion

Ford drag racing legends Tommy Grove, Phil Bonner, Dick Brannan and Hubert Platt met for dinner at a undisclosed, top secret (just kidding) Georgia location recently. Joining them were Reed Koeppe, one of Reed's friends, Fred Simmons and Bob Beasley. Reed Koeppe was the man responsible for setting up this gathering of drag racing superstars and I was lucky enough to join in via cell phone. Thanks to Reed Koeppe and Fred Simmons for making the call and putting Tommy Grove and Phil Bonner on the line with me. I had been invited, but was unable to attend and that phone call sure meant a lot to me! I haven't talked to Tommy Grove since the early 1970s and it is always great to hear from Phil Bonner!

It's great to see Tommy Grove out with his old drag racing buddies. Hopefully, Tommy will join Hubert, Dick and Phil at some of the drag racing reunions and nostalgia races soon. I know a lot of people would love to see him (and them)!

Brannan-Hammes All Ford South Classic March 31- April 2, 2006

Be sure to mark your calendars for the Brannan-Hammes All Ford South Classic to be held at the Cumming Fairgrounds (Cumming, GA) March 31- April 2, 2006. Legendary Ford drag racer Dick Brannan is putting together a great event for all automotive/racing fans - especially FORD fans! Check GeorgiaDragRacing.com for updates as they become available.
For more information, check the Brannan-Hammes All Ford South Classic website.

Pete Robinson Blower End Plate Plaque on Ebay

No, it's not one of my auctions, but I know the man that made this plaque and it is super nice! I just happen to have one myself! GeorgiaDragRacing.com has no affiliation with this auction, but I wanted to let you know about it. The mold for this Pete Robinson/George Montgomery reproduction blower end plate was created from an original and the finished product is the same size as the original. Don't miss out on this great piece of drag racing wall art!
Pete Robinson Blower End Plate Wall Plaque

Reid Whisnant Duster photo by Larry Meaux

Here is the best photo I've ever seen of this particular Reid Whisnant Duster! This is my favorite Whisnant car and the colors show up very realistically. I want to thank Larry Meaux for allowing GeorgiaDragRacing.com to share the photo. For more of Larry's great photos, check out MaxRaceSoftware.com Blast From the Past

Reid Whisnant Funeral Arrangements

The Whisnant family will accept visitors between 5 and 8 PM January 2, 2006 and services will be held January 3, 2006 at 11:00 AM.

Cannon Cleveland Funeral Directors
2580 Hwy. 42 N.
McDonough, GA 30253
770-914-1414
canclev@bellsouth.net

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to:

The Victory Junction Gang Camp
4500 Adam's Way
Randleman, NC 27317

If anyone would like to add something to the guest book in memory of Reid Whisnant, you can go to: http://www.cannon-cleveland.com/FuneralHome/ and click on the obituary link. You'll see the guest book link there. I'm sure Reid's family would like to have your memories included.

Former Pro Stock, Super Stock Driver Reid Whisnant Passes Away

by Phil Burgess - courtesy NHRA.com
12/31/2005

Reid Whisnant, 1937-2005

Former NHRA Pro Stock and Super Stock standout Reid Whisnant died Dec. 31 of apparent cardiac arrest while in the hospital recovering from surgery for a broken hip. He was 68.

Whisnant, who was one of the more competitive drivers in Division 2 Super Stock competition throughout the 1960s and continued to enjoy similar success after Pro Stock was created in 1970, fell in his shop Dec. 29 and suffered a broken hip. He underwent surgery at Henry Medical Center in his hometown of Stockbridge, Ga., and was recovering but succumbed to cardiac arrest suspected to have been brought on by an allergic reaction, according to daughter in law Gina Whisnant.

Whisnant set his first national records with an SS/EA '67 Coronet in Phenix City, Ala., and began competing in Pro Stock in 1970 with a'68 Dart. By 1972, Whisnant had become a major contender with his new Plymouth Duster, which had set a national speed record of 144.00 mph in Phenix City and an e.t. record of 9.50 in Suffolk, Va. Both marks were set in April of that year, and in May, he increased the speed record to 144.69 mph.

Whisnant later cut back on his racing activities to devote more attention to his plumbing business, but he returned in the early 1980s with a Hemi-powered Dodge Charger 2.2. His final Pro Stock vehicle was a Chevy Beretta that he campaigned until he retired from racing in 1992.

In reflecting on his racing career, Reid Whisnant spoke about the difference between today's cars and the ones that he raced.

"The original Pro Stockers were made from showroom cars," Whisnant said. "We'd stick an engine mount on the front and back of the body, put them up on tall stands, and rotate the frame 90 degrees so that we could burn off the sound deadener and anything else to reduce weight. I remember running in the low nines with a manually shifted four-speed transmission, and that was always a thrill."

Whisnant also was instrumental in the success of his son, Mark, on the quarter-mile. Mark Whisnant competed in Super Gas, where he won the 1998 event in Houston, and in Pro Stock Truck, where he earned a runner-up in 2001 in Columbus, before following his father into the Pro Stock ranks. He finished in the top 10 in 2002 and was runner-up at that year’s events in Topeka and Seattle.

Whisnant is suvived by his wife, Bobbie, sons Mark, Terry, Danny, Joey, and Tommy, and his mother, Katie Whisnant. Funeral arrangements are pending.

GeorgiaDragRacing.com Editors note: Reid Whisnant had just turned 70 on December 26.

Reid Whisnant with Gina Whisnant (daughter-in-law) at the 2003 NHRA Southern Nationals. Fred Simmons photo.