Michigan's AutoTalk Episode 68: "Ford's Raptor R, Pinewood Derby Cars, and a Big Daddy Don Garlits Tale"
In this episode, executive producer Phil Tower and co-hosts Al Schwinkendorf and Joh Puhek bring you three important auto-related news and history stories

First off, we have news from Ford Trucks...the announcement that the 2023 model year brings the all-new F-150® Raptor R™, Ford's most potent F-150 Raptor ever, with a 5.2-liter supercharged V8 that cranks out 700 horsepower and 640 lb.-ft. of torque...a truck Ford says is built for extreme off-roading adventures

Next up, we reminisce about the legendary Boy Scouts originated Pinewood derby races that will be 70 years old in 2023. Interestingly enough, the first pinewood derby was held on May 15, 1953, in Manhattan Beach, California by Cub Scout Pack 280C. The pinewood derby concept was created by the Pack's Cubmaster, Don Murphy. Since Mr. Murphy's son was too young to participate in the popular Soap Box Derby races, he came up with the idea of racing miniature wood cars. The rest as we know is full of pinewood derby race stories told for decades!

Finally, Al has news of a historically significant event in the life of now 90-year-old drag Racing legend, Big Daddy Don Garlits. Garlits is known across the world as the Godfather of drag racing. Garlits perfected the rear-engine Top Fuel dragster, an innovation motivated by the loss of part of his foot in a dragster accident...a much safer design since it put most of the fuel processing and rotating parts of the dragster behind the driver.

Garlits was also the first drag racer to officially surpass the 170, 180, 200, 240, 250, and 270 mile-per-hour marks in the quarter mile; he was also the first to top 200 mph in the 1⁄8 mi. To put it simply, he was a man built for speed.

Online:
https://garlits.com/

Ford Raptor R:
https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2022/07/18/700-horsepower-new-ford-f-150-raptor-r.html

Official Boy Scouts Pinewood Derby car Kit:
https://www.scoutshop.org/official-pinewood-derby-car-kit-17006.html

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