Biloxi, Miss. June 12th, 1960 - Jack Chrisman, World's 1320
Champion from California and "Q-Ball" Wale local champ from New
Orleans, found the going pretty rough Sunday at the Gulf Coast
Drag Strip. The machines of both men were hampered by minor engine
and clutch trouble, and had their pit crews working unceasingly to
give the crowd a big show.
"Q-Ball" Wale had his problems when he blew a clutch disc and
had forgotten his spare. Albert Waits, who holds the 1320 record
for "C" dragsters showing great sportsmanship, loaned "Q" Ball the
clutch from his dragster and ran top eliminator with a stock
clutch.
Wale then made a trial run to feel out the strip and he was
ready to race the clock. He turned on the power and went through
the trap at a breath-taking 9.7 seconds at 159.37 mph. The crowd
cheered as the drag chute opened to bring the dragster to a slow
safe stop. Chrisman, finally getting his machine ready, approached
the line, revved his machine to clear out the injectors, stuck his
foot to it and turned 9.20 seconds at 159.74.
Matching their records in the tower, it was announced to the
pleasure of the crowd that their local champ had come within five
tenths of the world's champs best time of the day and 37/100 mph
of the champs fastest speed of the day. It truly shows that the
local champ has a very fine machine and the world's fast boys had
better watch their injectors or "Q" Ball will clean them for them.
In regular eliminations. Albert Waits, of New Orleans, driving his
record holding "B" dragster defeated Cliff Smith of New Orleans,
in his Triumph motorcycle to take home the top eliminator prize.
The winning time was 10.28 seconds at 136.79. In Little
Eliminator, Andy Zanka took on all comers to win in 13.32 secs at
111.11 mph.
