HC50: Personal
Info: Name, location, age, make, model, year of car, etc.
Name: Dwayne J. Gutridge Sr. AKA
Big Daddy. I live in Toms River N.J.
I drive a 1989 Black Ford LX Notchback.
HC50: How long have you been drag racing?
Since 1980.
HC50:
How did you get your start?
I grew
up with guys that street raced Chevy all the time.
HC50: What's been the biggest challenge to your racing
program?
Myself..
HC50: What would you consider your biggest
accomplishment as a racer?
Longevity... and the
introduction of the Drag Radial Class
HC50: What's gotten you hooked on the Mustang
drag racing scene?
1970 Mach 1 Hotwheel as a 7
year old kid.
HC50: What are
your plans for the future?
To continue to set standards,
and set out to accomplish new goals.
HC50: What
changes, if any, do you feel the sanctioning bodies need to make
in
order for our sport to prosper?
LISTEN
HC50: Do you
feel like the rules regarding the nitrous, Turbo and blower cars
are fair?
NO
HC50: If
not, what would you like to see changed?
I think that the rules for
superchargers and turbos for the last 2 years are unfair...It
forced me to make companies step up to the plate and make me a
raceable turbo, and a 20k expense out of my pocket. There really
is no limit to how much power you can make on a 410ci NA engine
with no N2O limit. When you have a limit on superchargers
and turbos the manufacturer gives an estimate or approximate
horsepower level
achieved with that power adder...Those limits are not even close
to the N2O
limits..
HC50: Who are
your biggest friends (or enemies) at the track?
The Fans they make it all possible.
Enemies are people who make every excuse on y they didn't work on
their car until 2 days before the race, and want to win. Or
complain
about everybody in the class that has worked hard and sacrificed
time, money
and effort to go faster, just to have them complain that others r
cheating.
HC50: Who
do you fear
having to see at the starting line?
Myself....I love
competition. The larger the name the more x-citing the race
gets. I love good close races...I will challenge anyone..
HC50: Any
other pertinent info? (sponsors you'd like to thank, wives you
HAVE to thank, other things not mentioned you feel are
important)
First off I would like to thank my
14u Girls Jersey shore Lightning for winning the
United States Junior Nationals in Washington D.C. this year, by
beating the team that took their State Title away 1 month
early...Great Job!!!! The Spirit of not quitting... Second I would
like to thank all of the Manufacturers that had a vision and saw
Drag Radial as a class worthy to have contingency...My personal
thanks goes to TurboPeople in NY if it wasn't for Job Sr. and
Jr. this wouldn't at all be possible. Kooks Headers,
Innovative Turbo, Jesel Valvetrain, Manley Performance, Downs
Ford, Precision Racecars, Three Piasano's, Turbo Technology,
Anthony Jones, Neal/Marty Chance, Tim Christ, Country Auto Parts,
BF Goodrich, The Entire Outrageous Mustang Crew and The
Cornerstone of my life Jesus Christ.... sorry if I forgot anyone.
Keep in mind, folks, that shortly
after this interview was done, Dwayne re-set the Drag Radial class
record at Atco Raceway with an 8.719 at 165.90 MPH blast!!!!
Thanks for your time, Big Daddy, and we'll
see you at the races!
