'Engine Wizard' Bob Creitz, drag-racing innovator, dies at 81
And in this case, at least, it was the literal truth.
"You can't buy anything like it," the drag-racing legend said once about the candy-apple red, single-seat RV-3 airplane that he had built and flew himself.
"I wouldn't consider selling it. Since I didn't keep track of the cost of materials over the years, I couldn't tell you how much I put into it."
The plane, which peaked at 225 mph, took the Tulsan seven years to build and won him the Wright Brothers Award as one the nation's best "home-built" airplanes at the Dayton International Air Show in 1983. The honor was presented by a niece of Orville and Wilbur Wright.
Creitz enjoyed the project and his interest in planes continued. But his real passion was and would remain cars.
A builder and owner of fuel dragsters who also drove them on occasion, Creitz became a big name in drag racing after moving to Tulsa in the mid-1950s.
Creitz was a well-known innovator in the field, particularly with dragster engines, which earned him the nickname "Engine Wizard."
A 1999 inductee of the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame in Gainesville, Fla., Robert D. "Bob" Creitz died Monday. He was 81.
A memorial service was held Thursday at Victory Christian Center. Adams Crest Cremations was in charge of cremation.
Creitz, who had been battling cancer, was still working on dragster projects, family members said.
Most recently he was preparing a car with his longtime friend Tom Hanna for the annual Bonneville Speedweek in Utah.
Bob Creitz, who moved to Tulsa from Topeka, Kan., ran his own repair shop, Creitz Automotive, in Tulsa, and for several years also worked in mechanics' pits around the country for big names in car racing.
He built his first gas dragster as a hobby.
It quickly became more than that, though, after the car, with Gene Goleman at the wheel, won several big meets.
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His brother and fellow Tulsan, Jim Creitz, a former NASCAR mechanic and car-builder for late racing legend Buck Baker, said Bob was a self-taught mechanical genius and "could build anything. "And he was very meticulous. If it wasn't done right,
Buck Racing engine, 4 stages NOS and a 4 speed shifted Lenco. Thyr's best ET is 6:42 @ 211 This is all in addition to all of the great class racing that will be running on the weekend. Racing will start Friday night at 5pm. with the Toni Madison
Since Keselowski won two races during the promotion period two fans were selected to split the prize and receive a half million dollars each should Keselowski win the AMS race. The biggest showdown when race day arrived wasn't engine preparation,
Then we got off that depressing subject, and he proudly showed off his gleaming Liberty Engineering Racing Special car, which he said weighs 1300 pounds, with an engine that produces 450 horse-power and 1800 pounds of downforce.
The crew chiefs are good at what they do and that's why they get paid the big bucks is to try to figure out what best suits the cars for nighttime, because that's when the race is going to end. Certainly, you want to be good at night.
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The Houston Drags are always one of the Northwest drag racing highlights of the year and this year will be no exception with The West Coast Door Slammers making an appearance at the 15th annual Houston Drags, August 19th-21st.
The Door Slammers are a group of six second ¼ mile Feature cars. According to their website :
All Cars must have:
a) Two operating doors
b) Front and rear suspension
c) Left hand steering
d) Roof
Coming to heat up the Houston track this weekend are:
Outlaw Racing from Carbondale, Alberta
Wade Sjostrom in his 1957 Chevy Bel-air. It has a 525 cu. In. Chevy with a 14.71 ssi supercharger and a 3 speed Lenco, The Chassis is a Carl Spearing “LOW DOWN CHASSIS” best E.T is 6:63 @ 209 mph
KD MOTOR RACING from EDMONTON ALBERTA
Reg Deforest and his 1923 blown altered with a 509 cu.in. Chevy, 14:71 super charger, 2 speed Powerglide. His best ¼ mile E.T. is 6.79 @199 mph. Deforest is noted for his CRAZY BURNOUTS
DALE BRISTOW from EDMONTON ,ALBERTA
Bristow has a 2005 Bickel Chevy Cobalt with a 813 cu.in. Sonny’s Hemi which is a Rickie Smith ex-NHRA Prostock car. It’s best E.T is 6.70 @ 206 mph
PERRY THYR RACING from DRAYTON VALLEY, ALBERTA
Thyr has a 1996 Chevy Camero on a Tim Mcannis chassis with a 786 cu.in. Buck Racing engine, 4 stages NOS and a 4 speed shifted Lenco.Best and Thyr is 6:42 @ 211
All this is in addition to all high-class races to be run on the weekend. Racing begins Friday evening at 17 hours. with the race Toni Madison Memorial evening and Burnout Contest. Saturday and Sunday races will be held 9:00 to 6:00 p.m.. Pro Outlaw cars and dragsters Jr. run the mile 1 / 8 and Sportsman, bike, sled, and Pro King of the Hill classes will run the quarter mile.
It will be a great weekend for racing. Do not miss this race to the airport in Houston on the far side of Hungry Hill. Visit the Houston Drags!
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