World's first four second quarter mile run happened thirty years ago today

[FourFather]

We were blessed with a run of 4.990 at 288.55 mph on 4/9/1988, the day that seemed to demand it.

What a change in the sport since thirty years before, like this picture of my 1958 dragster in the lower right hand of this picture- with Cushman motorscooter front wheels, and a Pontiac v-eight with six carburetors, engine as stressed member. 1070 pounds.

1958



1988 First in the Fours, hence my handle FourFather.


2018 And my latest racer weighs--- wait for it----- 1070 pounds! After a lifetime of going straight, I'm trying to learn to turn corners.


The first sixty years of racing have been so much fun that I can hardly wait for the next sixty years! :thumbsup
And my order window for a new Ford GT is supposed to come up later this year- God is good and life is great!

Thanks for looking,

Eddie

 

[Specracer]

I attended my 1st top fuel runs ever about a month ago in Phoenix. I have watched for many years, but never witnessed in person. It was an amazing experience. You did some amazing things, thanks for sharing your milestone!

 

[Triheart7]

Thanks for sharing. Like Specracer, I attended my first top fuel runs not too long ago(5 -6 years at Sonoma Raceway). The power was kind of overwhelming, but pretty cool. Pretty impressive what you pioneers did.

 

[pe2unia]

My buddy still has the picture hanging in his office with all your candles lit “first in the 4’s”. What a great career you had Eddie![emoji469][emoji469]

 

[Apollo]

Hi Eddie,
Really awesome!
Is that a formula 1000? We have some of the guys at Spring Mountain running F1000s. Pretty cool cars!

 

[Spaceman]

Happy Anniversary Eddie, that was a great day and being their to witness that run is a very special memory. Thanks for all you have done for the sport.

 

[ByeEnzo]

Congrats Eddie! You and the late Lloyd Ruby are true motorsports legends from "The Falls". When you get your car I'd love to drive up from Fort Worth for the reveal. I'll bring the "red machine". BTW, my 40th reunion from Rider High School is this fall!

 

[GTMD]

Eddie, I remember watching you race when I was a kid thinking "he must be the coolest man alive and have balls of steel." Now I know that holds true today and will forever hold true. Congrats Eddie and thanks for sharing!

 

[CJ428]

Watched you at Englishtown many times now the track is closed for racing. Took a piece of me with it. You've always been a great Ambassador for the sport , hopefully it survives in this new age world.

 

[Vince H]

You are a true pioneer Eddie. All the best to you and your family.

Vince H

 

[Simon]

Cool video

[video=youtube;prgoHGbjf2s]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prgoHGbjf2s[/video]

 

[digman1]

Great photo from the early days. Made me flash back to " Sunday Sunday Sunday" at the drags.

I spent a lot of weekends at Green Valley Raceway or Dallas International Motor Speedway watching you and all the other great Dallas drag racers.

Mart Higginbothom, was my buddy from Hillcrest High, Ralph's brother, and drove the Doran Chevy funny car for Mike Burkhardt. Ralph built a side-oiler 427 for his Ranchero, and it was stolen 3 days after it was completed. Body shell found burned later.

Watching Bernstein in the Bud cars, Beadle in the Blue Max, and then all those door slammers like Grumpy Jenkins, Sox & Martin, and those other great racers like you that are still up there mingling with my other thoughts and cob webs.

Thanks for those memories.

Just bought a Hellcat Charger, and ready to make some new memories in front of that Christmas Tree soon.

 

[Brombear]

Congrats and good luck for your continued career.

 

[FourFather]

Hey, Specracer, Triheart7, pe2unia, Apollo, Spaceman, ByeEnzo, GTMD, CJ428, Vince H, Simon, digman1, and Brombear, Thanks for all the kind comments!

And Apollo, my new (to me) road racer is a Pro Formula Mazda, with a Mazda RX8 Renesis rotary engine, car comes with 265 hp at 8,600 rpm, 1070 pounds, no-lift shift. I have spent the winter upgrading the engine by installing a turbo and converting to methanol. :thumbsup

Cheers,

Eddie

 

[SteveA]

Being an old boat racer this is how I picture (you) Eddie Hill "The Texan TFH".

 

[FourFather]

Being an old boat racer this is how I picture (you) Eddie Hill "The Texan TFH".

That was really some fun times, but I was very fortunate -(blessed is probably a better word) to have survived the crashes. Crashes took the lives of fourteen of my top fuel boat racer friends.

 

[SteveA]

Agree Eddie, I figured that was the reason you went cars. Saw more than my share as well and it stop making sense. Fun sport however.

 

[tpraceman]

It's all about the hair.... nobody else knew your secret

 

[STORMCAT]

Good stuff !! Thanks for sharing !! :thumbsup:usa:usa

 

[shesgotlegs]

Old memories while making new ones.... love your spirit Eddie... you know how to live. Thank you for sharing.