Big Daddy Don Garlits

Among the dreams of "Big Daddy" is the Museum of Drag Racing, which is located off I-75 at Exit 341 in Ocala, Florida. The Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing began as the vision of both Don, and his wife Pat, while on a tour of England. Don's racing success had prompted an invitation to England for two racing event appearances in1976. Visiting points of interest in over that two-week period, their host took them to the English Car Museums. It was at that moment that Don and Pat decided, as an All-American Sport, Drag Racing deserved its own historical archive.
Upon their return to Florida, Don and Pat began the filing process for the Drag Racing Museum's non-profit status. By 1977 a special building had been constructed on the property adjacent to their home in Seffner, Florida. This was the origin of the Museum, and it served as a staging point for the first collectable, antique, and specialty race cars… nearly 175 are now on display in their permanent home just 75 miles north of Orlando and Tampa Bay.

Gartlits Museum of Drag Racing is far more than just a stop over point for Hot Rod buffs. Popularity and support for this Drag Racing shrine has been expressed through the donation of vintage dragsters and collectable cars from private parties. Occasionally, individuals call the Museum to provide information on the whereabouts of rare automobile specimens.

Don has worked tirelessly in tracking leads, negotiating, and retrieving racing or antique cars that were assumed lost. Ultimately, each vehicle enters into the restoration process where Don has invested enormous amounts of personal time and capital. Steps like the historical research, and then evaluating condition must precede the hundreds of hours of meticulous restoration.

Four years after the official 1984 opening, museum growth led to a 10,000 square foot addition in order to accommodate this spectacle of automotive and speed memorabilia. Don's own collection of Antique Fords, Classics, and Hot Rods brought enthusiastic response, so a decision was made to construct a separate building. In 1995, the Antique Car Collection was opened to the public, which allowed more display area for race specific cars in the Museum of Drag Racing. Like all of his accomplishments, once "Big Daddy" mixes a concept with desire … his project becomes a reality.

The Museum of Drag Racing is an established Florida attraction, found to be enjoyable for racers and tourists alike. Whether your interest is antiques or acceleration, visiting the "Garlits Museums" should be at the top of your agenda. You will enjoy colorful displays that speak with more than fifty years of Drag Racing History. A visit will include a look back to the first decade of home built hot rods with multiple carburetors. Then comes the introduction of sleeker designs, tubular chassis, and supercharged engines burning Nitro methane fuel… ultimately the rear engined Top Fuel Dragster.

Along with exhibition cars like the "Little Red Wagon", is the first motorcycle to break 200 mph. Highlighting your tour is the legendary series of Garlits Swamp Rat cars, beginning with Swamp Rat I. Attributing to his detail, Don has the original Chrondek Timing Clock from Ontario Motor Speedway accompanying Swamp Rat 22. This historic race car carried Don to the 1975 NHRA and IHRA Championships. In the season finale World Finals at OMS, Garlits, driving Swamp Rat 22 set a world speed mark of 250.69 mph in 5.63 seconds… a performance milestone that stood for seven years. The tour provides an exciting experience in the innovation and evolution that has led to the corporate backed technology are which now produces 4.4 second runs, and quarter mile speeds topping 330 miles per hour.

Garlits personal efforts have helped preserve a significant part of Drag Racing history. In addition to opening The Drag Racing Museum on 1984, Don and Pat founded The International Drag Racing Hall of Fame.

The Drag Racing Hall of Fame began official induction in 1991 to commemorate those men and women who have made significant contributions to the exciting sport of acceleration. The induction ceremony takes place each year in Gainesville, during the NHRA Gatornationals, and the evening dinner affair is open to reservations through the Museum.

Garlits Museums are open year round, excluding Christmas, from 9:00am to 5:00pm. The gift shop has a wide assortment of Garlits ' books and souvenirs, T-shirts, hats and other racing memorabilia. "Big Daddy" encourages all ages to drop in and spend the entire day. The Museum will gladly discuss special arrangements for youth groups and schools, and the grounds can accommodate almost any car club special event.

Text used from www.garlits.com