SOUTHEAST GASSERS
ALTHOUGH NOT A WRITTEN RULE , SEGA STRONGLY ENCOURAGES RACERS TO GIVE THEIR CARS NAMES , AND THE VAST MAJORITY COMPLY . BILL REVELS CHOSE “ BLACK BETTY ” TO IDENTIFY HIS VINTAGE MERCURY COMET .
grown to have 11 paid employees to make this show happen .
Imagine the scrutiny involved in achieving parity alone , not to mention other contraband the tech department is always on the lookout for , including decals that don ’ t meet spec . You read that right ! Stott has even turned down sponsor money when the proposed company refused to make a nostalgic-looking logo ! Even the facilities that host SEGA events must also “ look the part ” of being somewhat vintage , and there ’ s currently a waiting list of 23 tracks wanting to be considered for a chance to host this group and their cult-following of fans .
Without question , Stott has taken the idea of “ period correct ” to absurd levels , it seems , but the results of this program are speaking volumes . “ Someone asked me recently how I attracted such a high-quality group of individuals , and the answer is simple : I ’ ve made it difficult to do . I could have 500 cars at the next race if I ’ d open up the rules .”
The magic formula that this deal generates is not only difficult to manufacture , but it has also sent shockwaves through the drag racing landscape . And while there are fans of all ages in the grandstands , the generation who lived through this golden age when it was happening in real-time can hardly tell the difference . “ I ’ ve had 80-year-old men walk up to me with tears in their eyes and tell me this is just how they remember it ,” Stott says . “ Another guy in his 80s told me once , ‘ You ’ ve made me feel like I ’ m 18 again !’”
The sheer workload and late nights required to keep this series marching forward have increased significantly over the years , much more than Stott ever imagined , but the accolades he continues to receive have proven more than enough to keep the fire of desire burning strong . “ This sport has been real good to me , and I figured the best way to give back was to protect its history ,” he concludes . DI
140 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 184