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Over the years the guys went
their own ways but all held on to one common bond - that little
1962 Peppmuller car that put them on the map and established
their nitch in drag racing history. That's where this story begins.
Fast forward to 2000. After several
years of searching, it was determined that the original 1962
car was, like so many dragsters of the 60s, lost forever - probably
cut up for scrap or used for dune buggy parts. So Dennis Holding
decided to replicate the car and with the input and help of the
other team members (Jim Fox engine) - he did a fine job. From
start to finish the project took a year. Their target date was
to make the 2001 California Hot Rod Reunion in Bakersfield and
in their typical "frantic" way, they did.
The reunited
"Frantic 4" pose behind their most famous A/FD at Bowling
Green, KY in 2004. Dennis Holding, Jim Fox, Ron Rivero and Norm
Weekly. How they got here is recorded below.
All the finish work on the reproduced
Peppmuller chassis was done by Dave Tuttle at California Chassis
Engineering.
After lining up the engine to
the rear end Tuttle fabricated the new (old) body. Working off
of 40 year old photos, he duplicated the original tin perfectly
... including the unique chute-pack tail section (below).
Once the car was finished at
Tuttle's. Lettering was by Bob Thompson and paint was by Carter.
And when it came time to install the Jim Fox built 354 between
the frame rails, what better engine hoist than a forklift.
With much fanfare and anticipation
the Frantic 4 fueler made its debut in 2001 at the Wally Parks
NHRA Motorsports Museum just prior to the California Hot Rod
Reunion.
First time out
of the box at the 2001 CHRR Dennis Holding, Ty Norton and Ron
Rivero look things over with Weekly in the seat.
Static starts on display are
one thing, but THE thing is a good old push start. These are
only done at race tracks on approved fire-up roads ... like the
one at Bakersfield, CA. Here, during its 2001 debut at the CHRR,
the Frantic 4 with Norm Weekly in the seat makes his first push
start in over 3 decades.
In 2002
the guys upped their game. Here Ron Rivero poses with Norm in
the seat.
Talk about prime
time - during the finals (Sunday) of both the 2002 NHRA Winternationals
16 of the best "Cacklecars" around push started down
the track and then parked side by side in front of the spectator
grandstands. The 30,000 plus fans were on their feet applauding
these warriors of old. Since they last ran in 1972, thousands
of these folks had never even seen a front engine fueler before.
2004
National Hot Rod Reunion at Bowling Green, KY
Jim Fox,
Norm and the legendary "TV Tommy" Ivo
Ron Rivero
in the seat of the F4 car for the 2004 Cacklefest.
If you attended
a CHRR in the mid 2000's chances are you dropped by the Frantic
4 Racing display that includes some really cool merchandise including
T-shirts, photos and the world famous Stormin' Normin' Nitro
Pickles and other Nitro veggies.
It is
also the only cacklecar that offers fire-ups to any fan who wants
one.
Fan in the seat.
Dennis Holding with Norm
prior to 2004 Cacklefest.
Candid
Norm after 2004 Cacklefest.
Norm
with old friend Darrell Tedford at Bakersfield in 2012.
At the 2012 CHRR the team/car
won the second annual Best Presentation Award presented by Greg
Sharp from the NHRA Motorsports Museum. This was the last year
the car was allowed out to play and Norm’s final year touring
before his health was too unstable to continue.
Thanks
for stopping by.
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