GeorgiaDragRacing.com - Information about Georgia drag racing history, personalities, activities and events.
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Denny FenstermakerDenny Fenstermaker
Denny Fenstermaker grew up in southern California, attending races at all the big tracks in the 1960s. After a tour in Vietnam, he eventually settled in northern Florida and moved to Valdosta, Georgia in 1995. Denny never forgot his drag racing memories. Recently he has been able to live out his dream, and restore an original 1960s front-engined top fuel car.
He found the former Roger Gates 1966 car in California, and brought it back to Georgia for restoration. With help from several local people, including Mark Adams (fabrication), Bill Malone (graphics), Bryan Rowe (graphics), and Frank McMullen (paint), he put the chassis back in running order.
Brendan Murray (California), put together a rat motor and fuel system to get the car running. Denny would also like to thank Roger Gates (original builder/owner/driver), Del Doss (of Wilton and Doss rat motored fueler fame), Tob Abbot, Jr. (Chute Metal Company), Dave Flory (Hayes Clutches), Tom Cirello (Cirello magnetos), Dave (Airheart Brakes), Mark Polson (Polson & Cox Racing), Larry Anderson (Vagabond), and Matt (Lenco) for all their help in getting the car in running order. Denny's son Cody was indispensable in getting the project accomplished.
The car has an interesting history. It was originally built by Roger Gates for top gas competition, running with a Chrysler hemi. The car later raced in top fuel, and at various times had a hemi, a rat motor, and even two rat motors for a short period. The original car had a scoop made by Wayne Ewing - one of five scoops like the one on the famous Greer, Black, and Prudhomme car. The car was originally painted by Von Dutch, who also engraved the scoop and fuel tank. The car has been repainted several times, and no longer sports the Von Dutch color scheme, and today, the original scoop and tank reside with Roger Gates.
At one time, this was the test car for Chute Metal Company safety products. The original upholstery, still in the car, was stitched by Art Trantafello. Over the years, the car has been lengthened three times, but is original from the motor back.
This fall, Denny towed the car to California for the California Hot Rod Reunion. The car ran in the Cacklefest, and by all accounts was really something to hear! Denny plans to take the car to the National Hot Rod Reunion and California Hot Rod Reunion in 2004. Congratulations on a job well done.
(Also, see Photos by Marvin T. Smith in our Photo Gallery.)
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