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Trip to Don Garlits Museum in Ocala

February 20, 2022

When: Sunday 2/20
Time 11:00 AM.
Where: 18955 N US Hwy 441, Mt Dora, FL 32757

We will meet at 11 am in the Publix Shopping Center located on the corner of 441 and CR 44 in Mount Dora. We will take back roads for a nice scenic drive to Don Garlits Museum located at 13700 SW 16th Ave, Ocala, FL 34473

Don “Big Daddy” Garlits Biography

The name “Big Daddy” Don Garlits is synonymous with Drag Racing. In fact Garlits has been dubbed the “King of the Dragsters,” and could be considered the patriarch of Top Fuel Drag Racing. Dons High school sweetheart is his wife Pat, however, his first love is the, automobile and his passion is winning. His swamp rat series of 34 hand fabricated black race cars carried him to 144 national event wins.

Adding to his marvelous racing accomplishments is a Florida tourist complex called Garlits Auto Museums in Ocala, FL. The Drag Racing Museum and Classic Car Collection, 17 World Championship Titles, and numerous racing milestones are all reality because Don first saw them as worthwhile dreams. Garlits’ distinct ability to conceptualize his dreams has allowed him to be master over the end result.

“Big Daddy’s” living legacy and race car design innovations are so significant that his record breaking Swamp Rat XXX is enshrined in the Smithsonian Museum of American History. Don Garlits began racing in 1950 and scored his first major victory in 1955. His first NHRA National event win came in Top Fuel at the 1963 Winter Nationals in Pomona, CA

Don has won the prestigious NHRA U.S. nationals a record 8 times. His four decades of Drag Racing have filled the pages of seven books, Although this list is not exhaustive, the facts below provide a good overview of “Big Daddy” Don Garlits’ colorful racing career.

 

Details

Date:
February 20, 2022
Event Category:
Event Tags:
Website:
https://garlits.com/

Venue

Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing
13700 SW 16th Ave
Ocala, FL 34473 United States
+ Google Map
Phone:
(352) 245-8661
Website:
https://garlits.com/
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