Dragster #5 - "The Twin"

In March, 1970 Ron Braun and Marlyn Englert pitched the idea of putting the spare motor in front of the other one and run a twin engine dragster. This idea led to the building of the “Gopher Twin” by George Wepplo at Minnesota Custom Fabrication. The thought was to run 2 motors conservatively and save on parts. Good idea, bad result. We went through many blocks before getting a tip about harmonic vibrations from the aviation field about setting the motors as 1 big 16 cylinder instead of 2 8’s’timed together. We never broke a motor after that. The Twin went to the semifinals at Indy in 70, losing by a nose to Winner Jack Jones. The car ran in the 7:20’s at over 200 MPH. It was very loud, good looking (best appearing car among 2400 entries at the Nationals) unit that was a crowd pleaser. In the very last Top Gas meet ever in NHRA down at Omaha Nebraska, we beat the Pusch and Cain top runner on a hole shot 7:43 to 7:45 and won the meet.

"Images by Ralph LaPant - www.northwoodsimages.com"

1970 “Gopher Twin” Minnesota Custom Fabrication Twin 462 CI Supercharged Chrysler Hemis – Built by George Wepplo
Class - AA/GD

Drivers: Ray Ruettiman – Ron Braun – Marv Englert – John Foster – George Wepplo

Crew: Ray Ruettiman – Ron Braun – Marv Englert – John Foster – Roger Kern – Phil Bubar – Brian Warhol - George Wepplo