BILOXI DRAGWAY RESULTS APRIL 30, 1966

BILOXI, MISS. -- APRIL 30 -- Tommy Grove from Oakland, Calif. made his debut with his brand new stretched wheelbase Mustang tonight. Tom defeated Tom Sturm's new match race Corvair with best e.t.'s of 9.50 and 144.92 mph. Note airfoil on front of car.

Tom Grove And Sturm Headline Biloxi Match

From DRAG NEWS

By Charles Meek

BILOXI, MISS. -- On hand to do battle tonight in the classic Chevy vs. Ford style was Tom Sturm representing Chevrolet with his 427 powered Corvair and Tom Grove in his brand new extended wheelbase Mustang. Both cars had beautiful paint jobs and were real crowd pleasers. B/MP was well represented tonight by three of the fastest cars in the South...Emile Robicheaux in the "Irritator" 327 powered '57 Vette "Eclipse I". All three of these cars turn in the low twelves and really put on a show. Emile Robicheaux outlasted them all through as both Corvettes redlighted in the first round and Robicheaux defeated Ed Counselman from Mobile for the trophy with a 12.51.

There was a real good crowd here tonight with 195 entries -- cars, dragsters, and bikes. In the dragster ranks tonight Paul Vanderly was going real good in his A/FD taking class honors with a 9.36 at 154.36 mph. There was a real battle in B/D with George Michler Jr. and Norman Wilt fighting it out. Both boys were in the low tens in time trials. Norman Wilt who claims to have the longest wheelbase B/D in the nation came out on top with a 10.43 and 131.19 mph.

Round one of the match race brought the crowd to their feet. The announcer really had them cheering for their favorite. Both cars made their elaborate preparations and then they were ready.

At the green, Bill Chuchfield caught Tom Grove counting the crowd and really put a hole shot going for the win with a 10.29 and 145.34 mph. and the Chevy fans went wild. They really loved the little yellow Corvair.

Gas Eliminator tonight was won by Wayne McConnell with his D/Gasser. Wayne put down Rex Gregory's "Col. Reb." C/Gasser with a 13.01 e.t.

Round two of the match race and the victory-starved Chevy fans were wild. They really wanted to see the little Corvair make it two straight over the Mustang, but to no avail though as Bill Churchfield being a little too quick red-lighted giving the win to Grove with an easy 10.56 and 143.76 mph.

Round three - the match race was one a piece. After the track surface was properly prepared with the rosin they were ready at the green they came off together side by side at the halfway mark Churchfield got crossed up and Grove went thru for the win with a fine 9.53 and 144.23 mph.

Round four of the match race turned out to be a single run for prompting by Mr. Tom Sturm. Grove went through for a new track record for unblown funny cars of 9.50 and 144.92 mph. Sturm had best mph of 145.36.

Eliminator Winners

Sources: Drag News, Biloxi Dragway Newsletter, Copyright BiloxiDragway.com