Words by Tim Marshall
Photos by Tim Marshall and Mike Ward

The legends of the AA Fuel Altered class were out in force for Rocky Mountain Raceway’s annual Back to School event. Eight of the country's finest were at the IHRA track outside Salt Lake City, including Ron Hope in the famed “Rat Trap” Bantam, Ron Maroney in the Hough family’s “Super Nanook” and his cousin Jim in the Arizona-based “Blind Faith” roadster. Both the “Pure Heaven” and “Pure Hell” were at this facility, with the likes of Leon Fitzgerald and Rich Guasco.

“Nasty” Dave Benjamin's roadster was also at the event (Mike Ward photo)

The famed “Winged Express” made famous by the late Wild Willie Borsch and still campaigned by Mike Boyd filed out this "Legends of the Sport" AA/FA show.  (Tim Marshall photo)

Extremely high winds caused this scheduled quarter-mile event to be run on the eighth mile for safety. Unheralded Tom Padilla, Dave Benjamin's nephew, was the star of this weekend, running the quickest of the breed at a fine 4.326, 159.54 mph. Double duty driver Jim Maroney (driving two versions of “Blind Faith” alts) was second quickest with a 4.437 at only 143.88 mph showing great potential.