Darrell Russell Memorial Auction Picking Up Steam

National Dragster, Oct 22, 2004

Two-time Top Fuel champion Larry Dixon and his wife Ally have been working overtime at organizing the Darrell Russell Memorial Auction, which is slated for 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, at Pomona Raceway's Hospitality Village. The Dixons report a flood of donated items that will be up for bid in both silent and live auction formats.

"We've been overwhelmed by the outpouring of stuff, especially the big-ticket items," said Larry Dixon. "The things we've gotten from across the world of motorsports shows me just how tight this racing group is. When one of our brothers is lost, we come together and make sure the family is taken care of. In this case, we're doing it all for [Russell's wife] Julie to make sure she's good for as long as possible. And we're nowhere near being done yet."

Items donated so far cover an array of interests with heavy emphasis on racing. One is to be the driver of a Darrell Russell-themed Top Fuel dragster that will be part of the 2005 PlayStation2 NHRA Drag Racing video game produced by Lucky Chicken Games. The winner will be listed alongside established NHRA Pros and have a driver's bio.

Someone will also ride away with a custom-painted Darrell Russell-themed golf cart, courtesy of Liberty Golf Carts of Liberty, Texas, with the paint job provided by Russell's longtime friend Johnny Bang of the Bang and Bump Shop in Tomball, Texas.

For those in need of horsepower, S&S Cycle Inc. sent in one of its polished, 96-cid, evolution-style engines valued at $6,200. In addition are a General Motors big-block Chevrolet crate motor and a pair of caslriron Hemi heads from Mopar.

High bidders can take home various bashed-up body panels from the NASCAR rides of casey Hears, Jamie McMurray, Sterling Marlin, Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle, and Mark Martin, who also donated T-shirts, hats, and diecasts from his Viagra team. Former champ Tony Stewart sent in a box of autographed items.

Julie Russell added two firesuits that Darrell wore many times in competition as well as several of his uniform shirts, a pair of driving shoes, and other racing-related clothing items he wore during his time on the circuit.

The special duds don't stop there. Dixon donated the Miller Genuine Draft driving suit he wore in 1995, the year he was named NHRA Rookie of the Year. Legendary Kenny Bernstein sent in his one-of-a-kind Budweiser driving suit from 2000, and icon Shirley Muldowney supplied one of her coveted "Last Pass" leather jackets from her retirement tour.

Troy Cagle, son of Top Fuel driver Gary Cagle, who competed during the late 1950s and early 1960s, was so moved by Russell's death that he donated the classic "160 Fuel Club" jacket his father earned at the Pomona Drags more than 40 years ago. The jacket has been on display at The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum.

The list of interesting miscellaneous items includes an autographed guitar from the rock group Van Halen, a collection of Oakley watches, 14k gold Custom Rod earrings, 14k gold Custom Rod and Piston earrings, South Seas pearl necklace, 24-pack of NHRA Winston Drag Racing Cards from 1995, Doug Herbert Snap-on Tools Helmet/CD player, three Simpson mini-helmets, and various racing-related cups and mugs.

Certainly, one item that will hold a special place in someone's heart is a Bristol Motor Speedway program signed in 2000 by Lee, Richard, Kyle, and Adam Petty just prior to the deaths of Lee and Adam.

The regular auction, which will be emceed by Bob Prey and Alan Reinhart, will begin after the final round of Professional qualifying has been completed. The silent-auction portion of the event will run from 3 to 6 p.m. Both auctions are free for anyone attending Saturday's action at the Automobile Club of Southern Califor? nia NHRA Finals.

Racers and sponsors wishing to donate items can find Larry or Ally Dixon at the racetrack or ship everything directly to Pomona Raceway at the following address:

Darrell Russell Memorial Auction

c/o Frank Hawley's NHRA Drag Racing School

Fairplex - Gate 12

Pomona, CA 91768

The phone number for Frank Hawley's NHRA Drag Racing School is (888) 901-7223. The U.S. Postal Service does not deliver packages to the Fairplex, so items must be sent via FedEx, UPS, or DHL.