Connie’s foundational contributions to our industry cannot be overstated. He’s one of my personal heroes for not just what he has accomplished on track. Thank you for this, Brian!

A legit living legend! I'm a life long Kalitta fan and a huge fan of Kalitta Air and all the amazing things they do above and beyond the normal transport companies of the world. Thanks for sharing this early Connie history.

@mr.intensity2685

13 күн бұрын

Connie once said that he raced to support and promote his business, but now the business supports the racing.

I worked with Connie at Ramchargers Racing Engines... in Taylor, Michigan in the early 70's... He and his team would come in to do engine work or on the Dragsters and funny cars they raced... Along with all the others... Garlits, Muldowney, McEwen, Prudhomme and Goldstein... Great Times and Memories...

@79tazman

24 күн бұрын

Ramchargers was affiliated with Chryslers was it not or am I thinking of something else?

@thekingsilverado3266

21 күн бұрын

I lost my ass when I was ordered to serve in Iraq. Along with me my wife and kids losing our home I lost my die cast John Force cars and little hot wheels cars. I mean the dollars back then I had better than $6,000 in collectors stuff including a hand sewn John Force Comforter and blankets for my bed never to be seen or bought again... I am sad at the History that was literally stolen from me my family and children. It was an investment totally gone.

I was just 13 but a hardcore ford fanatic already in 67. I can remember those things just melting the tires the entire 1/4 mile. It was quite a show back then.

Brian that was beautiful, Connie kalitta was one of my heroes. I'm a retired racer in his mid-70s, grew up in the great Inland Empire. I was at the drag strips almost every weekend, Fontana, irwindale, Riverside international raceway, Ontario motor speedway, Orange county international and of course lions raceway. (Add many more) I saw Connie kalitta race many times, I was always in the pits. Brought back fond memories. Good job on the video, keep them coming!

If I could talk to one person everyday, all day for the rest of my life it would be this man here! Wealth of knowledge and I find myself wanting to learn more and more about the so called golden days of our sport! Thanks man!

@brianlohnes3079

29 күн бұрын

Thanks!!!

@aszilagyi100

29 күн бұрын

Amazing episode Brian! Thank you !

@brianlohnes3079

29 күн бұрын

@@aszilagyi100 thank you!

@Bdogg12784

27 күн бұрын

It's the voice for me. Lol. Definitely makes me want to live in a different time lol. Another awesome video.

@Mike583

26 күн бұрын

I'm 71 & for me,the 60's to 80's,were the golden years!❤

I absolutely love your videos on historic drag racing. The old days of the sport in my opinion were more entertaining than today's "professional " racing. The Nitro Chaos, Good guys, Sega races, for today are top of charts for me . The only thing that I hate is the move to 1/8 mile . 1320 WFO

@robertbihn3005

23 күн бұрын

The death of his son changed races to 1000' to save lives. Today they are going faster than what they were back then, around 320 mph. NHRA rumors: cutting cu in to under 400 !

Brian these videos are on another level my friend. Thank you for bringing us this history that we would never know without you ! 💪🏻

@ThomasELeClair

23 күн бұрын

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,amen................................................................................................................

Fantastic Video. I remember Kalitta coming by the family farm on Huron River Drive to talk to my Grand Dad about this engine, Grand Dad was running Ford Dyno Lab at Michigan Ave. I met just about every FoMoCo driver in Motor Sports mid 60's till when he retired in 75. The Farm was Great Grand Dads, but he passed away in 68. I got my Super Stock & Drag Illustrated mags from Tom Smith's Wolverine Chassis garbage, grew up around corner from his house. Great memories from 65-75.

@brianlohnes3079

26 күн бұрын

Amazing!!

Once I heard John Ewald call him "Ol'Ratchet Jaw" I can't stop calling him that myself. But with much respect to Mr. Kalitta

Wow. Thank you, Brian! The entire NHRA community is blessed to watch history being preserved like this. Here's another gem = The FAA callsign for Kalitta Charters II is "Dragster", and the callsign for Kalitta Air is "Connie". How cool is that?

Great memories Brian of the Golden age of Ford in NHRA Top Fuel. Connie in my opinion personifies the American Dream of what happens when someone combines intelligence, work ethic and the relentless pursuit of chasing a dream. On top of that he did it with a physical disability. Amazing story.

@mr.intensity2685

13 күн бұрын

What sort of disability did he have?

@martymorse2

13 күн бұрын

@@mr.intensity2685 He lost his eye sight in one eye in a childhood accident.

Thanks for taking all of us there, history will always amaze the imagination. Connie is certainly one of the hardest working people in drag racing, tons of respect for all that he has built. Thanks Brian another great one for us!

Him and Garlits were the first 2 to sign off on Shirley Muldowney’s 1st A gas license. He’s a legend

@hillbillyhitman8506

25 күн бұрын

Tiny Lund was the 3rd.

@58sportsuburban

24 күн бұрын

@@hillbillyhitman8506 Tiny Lund drove stock cars.. Tommy Ivo signed her license.

@hillbillyhitman8506

24 күн бұрын

@@58sportsuburban I looked it up and you are correct, so I wonder why in her autobiography they portrayed it as Tiny and not Tommy Ivo? Supposedly Tiny was blackmailed to sign it to get his Torque Wrench back from Kallitta.

@IowaBudgetRCBashers

23 күн бұрын

@@58sportsuburban yep it was ivo. And ivo did all the driving scenes in heart like a wheel the movie about Shirley

@IowaBudgetRCBashers

23 күн бұрын

@@hillbillyhitman8506 because ivo was actually doing the driving and couldn’t portray himself like he liked to do

thanks for bringing us these stories Brian

I was 17 in 1967 and getting my head into the amazingly cool looking cars and the articles in drag racing magazines. I went to a match race at Islip Dragway on Long Island between Don Garlits and a now forgotten opponent and have been a fan ever since. This review of the Kalitta legacy is full of history and reported in Brian's inimitable and entertaining style. A must consume for any drag racing enthusiast! To Brian... Dude! I've only recently discovered your YT channel and am consuming it voraciosly. Thank you so much for putting your time and energy into the content you've posted thus far. Your dedication to NHRA drag racing is a gift and much appreciated. Don't stop!!

Legendary Announcer Voice ! Murray Walker - Steve Evans come to mind !! Thanx Brian

@brianlohnes3079

29 күн бұрын

A million thank yous! I grew up watching Steve Evans and am a devoted student of zillions of hours of video featuring Murray Walker. Brilliant, both of them.

That's a lot of great drag racing history! And one of the greatest family's in drag racing! Keep the history coming always fun!!!

These videos and your Dork-O-Motive podcasts are great! I have had to make several trips from Wyoming to California lately. Nothing like listening to a Dork-O-Motive podcast while driving across Bonneville.

Thank you for always bringing me these amazing stories!! These historic accounts bring inspiration and drive to continue on my course

Your video, classy and very well presented as usual tell a tale of wonder and wonder. Wonder at what Connie has been able to accomplish in his life. Wonder at how he did it at all. However one of Connie's traits the few talk about is his uncanny ability to not only see where he needs to go in the future, more so to me is his baffling talent of being in the right place, at the right time, to do the right thing as only Conrad Kalitta can do. Thank you Brian for this magnificent gift of the story of what one man did at one time.

@1978garfield

12 күн бұрын

I wonder if he ever got a chance to hang out with Niki Lauda? They were both brilliant drivers, understood how cars worked and both had success in the air line business. Being the only 2 racers I know of to start their own airlines you would have thought they would have bumped in to each other at some industry event.

@bobbolieu9013

11 күн бұрын

@@1978garfield That is a very intriguing question. As you said, being in the same industry the chances were probably pretty high.

Absolutely a fantastic , and well researched story about one of the true icons of the sport Well done Professor Lohnes ! It does make me wonder ( as an avid reader of magazine my entire life) how , in the future, research such as this , and the attending stories ,will ever be accomplished.

Really enjoy these deep dives into drag racing history Lohnes. Thanks a million for all the time and effort you put into them!

ford was once chryslers only compeditor

Connie has done a lot. I’m glad his team has been having success lately

I saw Connie at PID in 1967, he was running great!! They had a rain out. I couldn't make it back for the rain date! I've regretted that ever since!!! He is one if my Heroes!!!¡!😊

Thanks Brian,I never knew these facts of Connie,only you bring these awesome Informative videos❤❤this is a gem,and so is Connie Kalitta

@brianlohnes3079

28 күн бұрын

The dude is a national treasure

5:55 - I definitely remember that photo of theBounty Hunter in a wind tunnel! WOW, just WOW!

Heeeelllll yyeeaaaah! A new Lohnes adventure!

Thank you Brian, as a non American I’ve always found it difficult to keep up with the the history of drag racing in America (the home of drag racing for me personally), but thanks to good blokes like yourself, I’m finding out about sone of the most amazing and most influential cars and drivers that were part of making the sport what it is! Respect man, you’re a godsend!

@brianlohnes3079

2 күн бұрын

I am glad you are enjoying these! Cooking up another drag racing history one now!

Always a great story!!! Thanks for your hard work.

Hey Brian, I wanna say thank you from the bottom of my heart for all this awesome drag racing history. I'm fascinated by the sport but I live in the Netherlands, and the drag racing scene here is almost non-existent. We don't even have a single dedicated drag strip where people can race on the regular, so youtube videos like this feed my need for drag racing stuff.

Very much enjoy your obvious research and truly insightful videos. As a lifelong car enthusiast, I was glad to see one of Connie's 747's on the ramp the last time I was on Maui. Your talk of money reminds me of a saying I once heard: You know how you make a small fortune in racing? Start with a large one.

@brianlohnes3079

28 күн бұрын

He’s about the most galactic lone exception to that rule who exists. It’s applied to everyone else in racing history, I agree

@1978garfield

12 күн бұрын

@@brianlohnes3079 I first head that joke from Bill Davis. I think he was telling to Mark Martin's dad when it was reported.

Another good one! I had always thought/remembered the Ford SOHC engines having reliability problems, blowing the cranks out the bottom of the block. If that was true, which I now wonder, Mr. Kalitta was able to manage the issue. Thanks for doing these.

@brianlohnes3079

28 күн бұрын

The cranks, not the problem. The nodular iron blocks, not the problem. The Ford rods? The problem. Haha

Wow what another incredibly awesome video. I've been around drag racing my whole life and I never heard this story before which is basically typical for most of the videos you do!

I saw him run 1963-'66 match races at the Island Dragway, he is a cool guy. We'd watch him him preparing in between runs in the pits. He'd answer questions as he worked, his slingshot was always clean & fast. I always thought, here is a real pro ! This was the best drag racing time.

Good story Brian....almost three in one..Connie, Cammer, NASCAR vrs. NHRA.....great episode.....I have all the mags you have highlighted in all your episodes....so far 😁

Mr Lohnes, as I write this, I am 3 feet from an 8X10 of the Dave West resto version of the vaunted Beebe & Mulligan T/F dragster! The only flaw is that my pic shows a 392 and the team had transitioned to the 426 version by that time(68 I believe). Of course the distributor location is the tip off. But, you're no dummy. I stopped the post at 22:18 to compose. Calling John legendary was super! Thanks! You're good at this, don't beat yourself up too much. In fact, your voice and delivery are the best this 69yr old has heard. Oh, yeah, on the cover of the Hot Rod mag covering the 67 Kalitta cammer win in huge font was 'Veni Vidi Vici' Ford! I came I saw I conquered! But you knew that! Ok, on with your glorious post! PS: I was 12yrs in 67! 29 yrs old! 60 fuelers! That saddle design would likely be a no no! The Cessna 310 twin w/tip tanks is a legendary airplane. Thanks! Since the passing Don Schumacher, Connie, 'Big' & Snake are the few big names left. Wait is the Greek gone, maybe not!

I truly love your channel. Much respect for the time you must be putting in to provide this content. Thanks for sharing this with the masses

@brianlohnes3079

28 күн бұрын

Appreciate you watching Don. I enjoy the process of excavating as much info as I can and trying to tie it all together. Thanks for taking the time to check it out

@dustydon6419

25 күн бұрын

@@brianlohnes3079 I’m a history fan period, but I love gear head history. I truly appreciate what you’re doing. I can’t imagine the time you put in researching your videos

After you read the article about nascar drag racing circuit racing, I couldn’t help but draw the comparison to the phenomenal work they do at the no prep kings series. That is what the drag racers of old were hoping the sport could achieve . It just took time and tv.

@brianlohnes3079

28 күн бұрын

There’s a guy selling his car for a half million bucks right now, the dudes at Pop Rod would have stroked out to learn that. Haha

That was an awesome video Brian! Keep em coming!

Thanks for another awesome one , Brian!

Fantastic job as always Brian! Thank you for the wealth of information you give your readers! Being a Ford fan for 55 years now, I really enjoy episodes like these! I heard that the great Pete Robinson, had developed a gear drive in place of the 6' chain. Because of his untimely passing, I don't know if that had anything to do with the lack of development of the gear drive or not!

I worked for Conni back in the 80ies hes definitely a legend!

Brian...you may have a small channel sub base ..but what you bring to people like me who grew up with that on the TV is so meaningful to me I tell all.my family and friends like me have been to speedways since I was a kid. Bring it on man NASCAR and other events I'm with ya

@brianlohnes3079

29 күн бұрын

Thanks for watching!!!!

Ahh Yes...grab a cold one and enjoy drag racing history class ! 🍻

Great video love your work!

@brianlohnes3079

29 күн бұрын

Thank you!!

This is a FANTASTC Video and history lesson. I love the Deep-Dive-Into-The-Subject format! You do fantastic work ! Thanks!

The man, the myth, the legend! Well done Brain, thanks!

What a great yarn, Brian! Thanks again for a well-researched ripper. 😃 👍

Babe wake up, The GOAT posted again!

Nice job Brian. A feel good story about drag racing. Thanks

Brian Lohnes and Slapshoes are freakin pro's. How NASCAR has not hired Slapshoes I'll never know.

@brianlohnes3079

28 күн бұрын

That dude’s videos rule!

Another great video Brian I remember Kallita at Bakersfield in 1964 trying to borrow money to race and support his racing career - and won the race Copied from A Salute to the March Meet - 1964: Garlits came close to grabbing his first Bakersfield win but was turned away by wily Connie Kalitta in the final, 7.95 to 8.23. Top Gas again was "collected" by Collett. One of the pioneers of our great sport -

Brian it’s people like you that keeps drag racing growing year after year the future looks strong in this great sport.

@brianlohnes3079

27 күн бұрын

Thank you!

Ford was smart to work with the best.. Connie an amazing man and competitor

Awesome Brian, thanks again!

Nice one!, good job Brian

Outstanding work Brian

Killer video. World Finals used to be here in Tulsa from 65-68.

Another great show. Kallita was so consistent.

great job Brian

Great video Brian

Look at the freakin headers at 19:20 on Popular Hot Rodding cover! Jeez!

BRIAN YOU ARE THE ABSOLUTE BEST DRAG RACE HISTORIAN...BAR NONE!!!

Another great story!

Another awesome video!! Thanks for sharing So…I’ve lived in Orlando for almost 20 years..,am pretty tapped into the Hot Rod scene, but have never heard of a race track in Deland. Now I’m on a mission to find it.

@brianlohnes3079

27 күн бұрын

It was the airport!

@jakespeed63

25 күн бұрын

@@brianlohnes3079 found out my old timer Orlando Hot Rod buddy was at that event! How cool is that? Agreed it was cold 🥶 Showed me a picture of The Spirit of America land speed car parked there.

Brian, I always try to watch these videos. You have put loads of research in each one. Have you ever heard of Debby Lawler, the female Evil Knievel? From the little I have read, she is still around , and he feats make a heck of a story

I live on the landing flight path for East Midlands airport in the UK. Being a bit of a nerd I have a flight tracker and got overly excited one day when a Kalitta air 747 flew in lol.

Good one Brian!

@brianlohnes3079

28 күн бұрын

Thanks man!!

this is interesting... as i do, when i see a newer video by you, i'll go to your page to see if i missed any since i last watched... i have NOT missed an episode... not one!

@brianlohnes3079

28 күн бұрын

Thank you!

Connie is still into racing today he has his own team and still going strong he lost his only son Scott Kalitta in a bad accident back in 2008 in NJ when his funny car exploded at the shutdown and run to the end of the track hit the barrier flew into the air into the big camera and lost his life. I still remember that day I was not there but I was watching it live on TV and I could not believe it now only Doug Kalitta is around that is Connie's nephew and he just won a championship in 2023. I have been a big Kallita fan since a kid my old man and Connie are friends and have been since before I was even born.

Met him when I was just a kid at brainerd dragstrip close to Chattanooga Tennessee

I think one cannot talk about The Cammer without mentioning Ed Pink (Guys had funny names those days...)

@brianlohnes3079

28 күн бұрын

He’s in there!

@LaLaLand.Germany

26 күн бұрын

@@brianlohnes3079 Yeah, I heard. Wasn´t chiming in to offend, just a fan of what Ed achieved- was just saying. Don´t go full Tuco on me ;) This engine is just too cool.

@brianlohnes3079

26 күн бұрын

@@LaLaLand.Germany - sorry wasn’t trying to come in hot!!

@LaLaLand.Germany

25 күн бұрын

@@brianlohnes3079 No worries, we´re cool

I never knew that NASCAR had a drag racing series

Saw a Kalitta Air cargo jet at San Antonio airport a few weeks ago.

😎💪🏁

Great job Brian,can you do one on Beebe and Mulligan who set the ET record in 1969 with a 6.43 run which stood for a while I remember cheers from UK

CHEERS from AUSTRALIA

Amt or even Atlantis need to make a model kit of this

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Thanks Brian......You are one of the top three in NHRA ; the other two are , Alan Rhinehart and Joe Costello...................

10/10

This could be a great script for a movie. Kinda something to have a tie-in to Ford V Ferrari and Snake & Mongoose.

It’d be nice to build a blown nitro FED and run it for 4000 bucks wouldn’t it

OK so....as far back as the mid 1960's people were expressing concerns about the sportsman racers getting squeezed out of the sport?

@brianlohnes3079

28 күн бұрын

Hot Rod got letters from the 1955 Nationals saying that the sport was doomed for the little guy.

Fun facts,,,,,when all the aircraft were grounded right after 9/11,,his planes were still flying because of his large contracts with the federal government,and he is the largest private owner of aircraft in the world

If I could only relive 1967 until 1989 I would stop there as far as racing it stopped in 1989 with NHRA. Dale E took Nascar into the future but he knew what was coming and ah retired.

Not surprised that Wally Parks and Big Bill France disagreed on things 😊

@brianlohnes3079

26 күн бұрын

The least surprising news in the whole piece!

The very first street racers. Can you believe it?

@brianlohnes3079

28 күн бұрын

They were street racing before WWII.

👍🏁🏁👍

25 48. 1963,, mentioning 'veteran' Don Garlits. I guess 60 years on he qualifies!

Also met bunny berket, she was a smoking gal, I was a teenager and you now young boys lol

Remarkable that the hemi bearing sizes in the bottom end continue to be the jam far and wide and lately in the highest end of Duramax diesel performance.

That’s 60 dollars man!

what car is that at 18:52?

Well, since you've done him I guess Cha Cha's next, as it should be.

1959 NHRA NATIONALS DETROIT Rod Singer wins in a Ford MEL Powered Dragster

@brianlohnes3079

28 күн бұрын

Which is not the Winternationals as referenced in the video.

@n5ifi

28 күн бұрын

@@brianlohnes3079 I get it and I pointed out the first Ford National event win. Fair Enough? There are questionable quotes though. For one thing, the 427 Hemi Ford and Chrysler 426 had the same main bearing diameter. I don't think that's what was changed. The Ford had a larger rod diameter which meant bearing speeds were higher on the Ford Rod than the Chrysler 2.2 Rod Bearings. Most likely that's what was changed instead of the main. Another thing, the magazines were highly questionable in those times. East Coast had an agenda. West Coast had an agenda. West Coat Mags stuck with Wally Parks and the NHRA. I could go on for 2 hours. cheers

0:06

Don't forget . Money

Conrad …