Will drag racing still be fun when I'm 60???

It has been fun this year @ 59, pretty sure it'll be fun next year too and as others have said, until i can't get in the car anymore

I just turned 58 and can't wait for opening day next season, won't quit untill I am physically unable to.

When I was 30 yrs. old a older freind of mine wadded up his 1955 T -Bird with a BB Chevy running C gas, I went to see him in the middle of the week at his home and he was in bed(he had been kept in the hospital overnight for observation and released the next morning), he wasn't injured seriuosly, but he was bruised up from the harnesses. He hadn't shave in two or three days, he was wearing a less than clean Isky T shirt on and didn't look real good.
I thought to myself at that time I do not want to look like that when I'm his age, mid 40 yr. old ,still drag racing. That was in the mid 1970s, in the late 1980s a older gentlemen started racing a 1969 AMX in Super Pro at LACR that was in his late 60 to early 70s and I thought the same thing, I don't want to be drag racing in my 60 or 70s I'm 68 now and will be 69 in January (if you live long enough you will get old ) As you know I'm switching heads on the Cuda now to step it up to make it run faster for the MATS race in Las Vegas in April I'm not planning on driving it there now due to me not having all the safety gear and license to run the car all out so. I will have a freind who is licensed and has the proper safety gear to drive it in the eights at 150 + MPH drive it thier so it will show better with a for sale sign on it. I'll put the wheelie bars and parachute back on it and let him have some fun in a faster car than his is now,( I may sneak in one pass in it ) I expect my car to be right at a 1/2 second quicker and maybe 8 to 10 MPH faster than his, not much faster
I did stop drag racing in 1988 for a couple of years and took up flying, flying is a lot of work to do it properly, flying isn't a lot of fun either, unless your doing aerobatics Flying your own airplane is a excellent way to get where your going in a hurry, especially in SO CA during rush hour. I bought a 4 place retractable gear piper Comanche 250, it would crusie at 180+ MPH comfortably, 4 hrs. from SO CA to cenral OR with no traffic at 11,500 above sea level I did swear to myself when I quit drag racing and sold my stocker and bracket cars that I would not do it(drag race) again unless it was fun, I had made myself beleive that when I raced back then if I didn't win the race I wasn't having any fun A freind and customer bought a used BB Duster bracket car in 1992 and wanted me to test drive it at LACR on a Wednesday T&T session, he was a really good customer that I did a lot of motors for so I did drive test it for him, that ended up with me helping him on that car for a lot of yrs. He was a pilot also but he had eye surgery that ruined his night vision so he would drive the car until sundown and I would make one or two passes in the dark, it ended up being a T&T car so we where trying things on it to make it go faster, that was fun Brad, do what YOU THINK is best for you

I'll be 74 next weekend and I still have lots of fun. Because of cost I have to pick and choose races but I'll do it until I'm not competitive. I don't win many rounds but I have fun losing!!!!!

I 'm guessing, but the average age of racers in the Various Nostalgia Super Stock Series is mid 60's. We've got guys starting after they've retired. I'll be 60 next month, car runs mid 9's, pass the physical, a few aches & pains, Life is good. My wife and I were talking about where we'll retire to, and we agreed to stay in the mid-west, that's where there's the most NSS races. I won't retire for 6 more years, but looking ahead. Takes longer to do things, but so what. As long as your reactions are good , and your not a danger to anyone, have at it.

Damn ... There are a whole buncha Gezzers on here ! .... Still great fun at 39 .... Hope the payouts are better when I get to be 60 ...

The key is WHENEVER you actually get out there and race........... Just playin.............

gona be 60 2014 been raceing since 1985 not going to quit till i get a wally, could be 70 thou

Turned 60 back in April...still having fun,,,got both of my daughters out there racing with me.

I'll be 65 in Feb. I sold my 69 Dart in July. Purchased a Daytona that is certified to 8.50. I always liked the Wayne County car DA drove. I planned on cloning that car. But I recently saw a pic of a sliver one that looked really good. Now I confused. Anyway I am rambling. Brad, as long as it feels good, do it.

fun @ 60

Just because you can retire in the mid 60's doesn't mean your on your death bed. I'm 65 race as often as money is available after spending it all on other car projects. A friend of mine is 73 and runs mid 8's in the quarter, he's putting in a bigger engine to drop down to the low 8's this months.

When was the last time you raced? All these old guys prove that if your hearts into it, then yes it's fun, but I don't recall you ever really posting race results or new best ETs, so I'm not really sure why you do this stuff. I know you like the dyno sessions and making the power and I have intrest in the stuff you post.
It's really up to you, your the only one that can really answer your question. If your passion is dyno time then sell the car and put a dyno in the garage lol we will still read your posts lol

I sure hope so..But make sure you let me know as you will beat me there by a few years

Attended my first drag race with my family in 1962. After racing on and off in NHRA stock and superstock since '77 I will be returning to stock next year with my 72 Demon. I just turned 59 and more aches and pains than years ago, but it's the competitiveness and the fact all my family and friends do this also. Wish me luck!

"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw

Better keep going you don't wanna get old...do ya?

Man, I found my pier group!! Turned the big 60 this year and have no plan of ever giving it up!

Yes, if you have the money$$$$$

Well I am only 25 so I hope to be out there racing when I am 60!!

The old man just turned 60 and he is out there every weekend I am, wrenching and working!

Casey

I turn 60 next year I`ll let you know! I don`t plan on slowing down one bit.

All of a sudden, I don't feel so old anymore (I'm 56 now) In 2011, I ran well enough to finnish in the top 5 in TWO classes, driving the same car. In 2012, I missed the first 5 races due to knee surgey. In 2013, I've missed the last 6 races because of a health issue. Also the first time since 2008 that I haven't won at least one race in a season. I am seriously concidering cutting WAY back next year and try to finnish the Daytona that I started many years ago. Seeing so many of you racing well into your 60's and 70's might just let me think that I can!

Brian

I am 57 and have some health problems from my back , knees and other joints. In fact I use a cane to help me but when I can afford it and feel up to it I want to race. Course I only race a few times a year at mostly T & T's. Same with working on my car as all my life I have done all my own work on my car and still do but only if I feel up to it. But I plan to go to the track as long as I can. When I went racing a few weeks ago I had a blast. Course I dont race every weekend. Ron

Just spoke to a local Mopar racer this weekend that I have known of for years. Asked him how old he was and his response was SEVENTY! I couldn't believe it. Thought he might be like 60 or 62. I think he was racing TWO vehicles at Mopars at the grove this summer! He was heading to Englishtown to race yesterday. So people are still doin' it in their 70s. Me... 44 and I only race a couple times a year. Too much other stuff in my life.

I'm almost there, 59. Thank the Lord my health is good. I'm having a blast. I had a pretty decent year driving wise. My lights were as good as they've ever been. Can't wait until it gets warm and get back out.
Doug

I am having fun racing and I am 62. This car was sidelined since 1981, and this was the first year back to the strip.
I hope you do better than that!
There is more time now as my kids are grown up Being there with friends and family makes it great!

Mark

I will be 62 in Jan. and will be retired from my 42 years in the IBEW. Hope to be able to make a few more races than I have while I've been working--still chasing that elusive NHRA Super Gas wally.

If I was you I would keep the car on the street and keep it enjoyable. There pretty fun if you can jump in it and go pick a kid up on a nice day. Plus it makes for a car you can drive back and forth to the track if you get the bug to make a pass. That red Belvidere of Ron's is the best of both worlds.
ET and MPH are Based on $$. Not everyone can run 4's with John force, but I try to have more fun then him
I was not being rude to brad just asking an honest question.
Six years since not making a lap is a pretty long time but now that he explained his situation better and i know that he knows what it takes to run a series, it was the info I needed to give him my opinion. If he said he was at the track every weekend this summer my response would have been diffrent. LoL

62 tomorrow for me!!! Like others, it takes a LOT longer to get stuff done on the car amongst other things, but being retired helps!!!
Still have no urge to hang up the race helmet yet. Too much fun beatin' the young bucks!!!!

Looking at 60 in the rear view mirror. Still having a blast racing, it helps when you have the whole family loving racing and cars in general.It also helps when you have a young buck sneaking in your drivers seat from time to time. I said years ago that I wasn't going to grow up,because I knew some adults and they are just no fun. Mike

I turn 64 in Jan and don't see an end to racing, provided health and money are there. With some of the health issues it is tough to get things done with any speed, but hey, I'm retired. I only get out a few times a year, but when the adrenalin rush is enough (literally!) to keep the aches and pains at bay for two or three days, its' worth it! Not to mention I have some data to pour over for a long time.
When Leigh finally got his car out that fired me up again big time. I didn't make it out this year for lack of funds, but saved a couple of nickels for 2014.
The other big inspiration is the Golden Greek. When a guy can qualify his Top fueler in his Eighties, I figure there is hope for me too. So make a plan, and get back out there doing what is your passion
Some folks live a life of quiet desperation, don't become one of them

Yikes ! Almost there ! 55 I`m slowing down , but still fun !

Yes it’s still fun, and I’m six years past that mythical deadline. The only reason I’ll quit is because I’ve ran out of money or I’m dead.

started racing in 1969 im still racing today
and just rebuilt motor and trans 4 months ago
in my street car gtx
just pulled the motor out of duster last week
for freshen up its already apart
been through 2 kidney transplants but as long
as I fell good ill be doing it my son and grandson
help its in my blood.
always mopar since 1969

yep, still fun, allways was, expect it allways will be

No wonder those kids laugh at us for talking about purple shaft cams, 906 heads, and pop-up pistons. But lets see if they are still around the sport as long as we have and still enjoy it as much as we do.

I'm over sixty and it's still fun.

The work isn't near as much fun, but going down the track is still a blast.

Its quite interesting that in the class I race weekly at my local track ( Street Eliminator) the majority of the racers are over 60 and a few over seventy. Most of close racing friends, mentors and associates are my age ( 59 ) close to it or older with a few young guys being the exception.

I'll be 18 until I die

Just turned 60 this summer, I think it's just as much fun now as in the past, A good friend I race with is 70+ an tells me somedays he wonders why he does it yet, then he gets in the car and fires it up an says he feels like a kid again!!!

Hey Russ and Doug (Heyyy Buddddyyy ) I didn't realize We were the same age ( or will be in a couple weeks ) Do I look that that bad, or do you guys look that good?

Jay

My two teammates are 75 and 81. They have more fun than the younger guys half the time.

Well I am long past 60 (just turned 69) and I am prepping my old 37 Gasser Coupe for racing after Christmas.
We lost both of out quarter mile tracks in Phoenix last year, but supposed to have a new one on the Indian Reservation running by this December.
I plan on racing as long as my health holds up!!!

me to 62 love it working on it is harder and money is tight but think I'll have a 574 in it some time next summer! :-)

And still quick enough to catch it when it wants to turn.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgbIQcgEwes

and hear after off and back on too soon so it kept going right and off again. so I still feel good wish I had more money?? :-) Have to stop playing with things.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgbIQcgEwes

last run in october
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgbIQcgEwes

Fastest run of the year
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSNegb03q0A

so i think so on life after 60

62 here and still racing the Hemi A body. When I think I am too old to race that, I will get out the old Chrysler Powered Willys that I started with , when I was 15, and race till I can't get into the drivers seat.