OFAA season opener at Denton, TX

Words and photos by Chris Graves

The highly anticipated season opener for the Royal Purple Outlaw Fuel Altered Association brought fifteen blown hot rods to North Star Dragway in Denton, Texas on April 18.  Dodging morning showers, the racers had time to get reacquainted after a long off season and it was all smiles in the pits as the skies cleared up in early afternoon and teams went to work preparing for the first session of qualifying. 

The new season always brings new faces to the OFAA group.  Terry Anglin of Terrell, Texas, made his debut in the magnificent “Psychotic Express” blown alcohol Fiat (a former Bunny Burkett car) and hoped to repeat on his great pre-season testing performance at North Star.  Another new team on the grounds was the brand new Darby and Trussell 1923 T bodied blown alcohol machine, branded the “Assassin”, which will be driven by Chris Trussell.  The team took advantage of the NHRA Tech Inspection being held at the track and will be out in competition very soon. 

A number of familiar faces could be spotted in the strong crowd in Denton including altered pilots Tim Hay, Brad Rigler, Clint Cross, Howard Knowles and Mark Jones, who all have active racecars but for various reasons weren’t able to compete at this event.  With a good turnout of Top Gas Motorcycles and 5.80 doorslammers along with live music by Dallas-based country rock band Somebody’s Darling, it was going to be an action packed evening of drag racing.  North Star Dragway announcer Nic Duty made the call to “bring ‘em to the lanes” and anticipation turned to focus as the teams prepared to battle for a spot in the 10-car field.
           
Yorba Linda, Calif., runner Rich Howell lined up with19-year-old Louisiana-based John Broussard to start off the session.  Howell’s “Power Play” fueler went 4.35 at 172 mph with some damage through the traps while Broussard shook early and went 4.50 at 171 mph in the “Purple Haze” Chevrolet powered machine.