Established 1954
Dragster #1 - "The Little One"
In the summer of 1962, Dave Anderson and Ron Braun were able to wrangle jobs working the Dragster staging line at the 1962 Nationals at Indy. As we walked up to the head of staging on the first day we saw the first car in line, the weirdest little dragster. With only a 92” wheelbase and 12” front wheels and a small block Chevy , it looked more like a go-cart instead of a Top Gas dragster. It was owned by Jack Moss of Amarillo Texas.
That winter GSTA made the decision to buy a top Gas car. Our President John Foster went looking and you guessed it, he came back with that very same Car, the ”Little One”. That was the start of the GSTA Dragster tradition. From 1963 until the present, Gopher has raced dragsters in AA/GD, BB/GD, Pro Comp, TA/D, Super Comp, Comp and Nostalgia classes.
The first 2 years were a real learning experience. John Foster, Dave Anderson and Ron Braun made the first passes on a Saturday test at Minnesota Dragways. In the next few years, 15 different drivers from many of the clubs were able to make a pass in that little Chevy making it a true club car. Anyone that wanted to work on the car and drive it was able to experience the thrill. We had to split into 2 crews on alternate weekends to keep from stepping on each other. Working originally out of John Fosters garage, we were able learns the whys and wherefores of a blown Chevy motor.
Drivers: John Foster Sr.– Dave Anderson – Jack Loza – Ron Braun – Vern Smith – Bob Johnson – Ray Ruettiman – Doug Ondeck – Don Williams – Dick Murray – Ky Michaelson – Larry Johnson -- Terry Gageby – Bill Quimby – Tom M
Crew: John Foster Sr.– Dave Anderson – Jack Loza – Ron Braun – Vern Smith – Bob Johnson – Ray Ruettiman – Doug Ondeck – Don Williams – Dick Murray – Ky Michaelson – Larry Johnson - Terry Gageby – Bill Quimby – Tom M.
