‘Jungle Jim’ Funny Car returns at San Antonio Nitro Jam

[rebelracewriter]

Legendary ‘Jungle Jim’ Funny Car returns at San Antonio Nitro Jam - Five nitro classes on tap for Nitro Jam’s return to San Antonio Raceway

 

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (March 22, 2011) – It is one of the most popular and well known race machines in drag racing’s storied past and it will once again power down the quarter-mile against a field of eight of the toughest Prostalgia Nitro Funny Cars in the land at the San Antonio Nitro Jam April 1-2 at San Antonio Raceway.

 

The legendary “Jungle Jim” Camaro will return to competition the first weekend in April during the IHRA Nitro Jam series’ return to San Antonio for two thrilling days of drag racing competition. And the man filling the shoes of the “Jungle Jim” cars namesake is no other than Jon Capps, brother of NHRA competitor Ron Capps.

 

 

The legendary ‘Jungle Jim’ Camaro

 

 

“I am really looking forward to this event. This is the hometown for car owner Henry Gutierrez and we are both excited to get out there and put on a show,” Capps said. “It will be a great show and, as always, the ‘Jungle Jim’ car won’t disappoint.”

 

The “Jungle Jim” legend began in the late 60s and early 70s as drag racing icon “Jungle Jim” Liberman wowed race fans across the nation. Known as drag racing’s original showman, Liberman was a larger-than-life figure who gained a following through his wild antics on and off the track.

 

As a devotee to the match racing scene, Liberman became known across the country as a daredevil behind the wheel with long, smoky burnouts, wheelstands and an absolute refusal to lift even on the most out-of-control runs.

 

Today, the “Jungle Jim” legend lives on through the drivers dedicated to recreating that magic behind the wheel of the nostalgia machine. And that includes Capps, a man who understands what this car means to the fans.

 

“It is very cool to drive this thing. I saw this car back in the 1970s and it is an honor to get a chance to continue the tradition of ‘Jungle Jim’,” Capps said. “When I am in the car I try to keep true to the way ‘Jungle’ did things. I will stay on the gas as long as possible, recreate the burnouts and really put on a great show for the fans.”

 

But in San Antonio, Capps and the “Jungle Jim” Camaro won’t just be putting on a show. Capps will be one of eight Prostalgia Nitro Funny Cars in competition vying for the title of Nitro Jam champion Friday and Saturday night at San Antonio Raceway.

 

Reliving the days of old, these nitro-powered nostalgia floppers feature 3,000 horsepower power plants propelling these out-of-control machines a distance of a quarter-mile at speeds approaching 250 miles per hour.

 

In Texas Capps will go head-to-head against the likes of points leader Peter Gallen in the “Poverty Stricken” ’74 Vega, Mike “McAttack” McIntire, “Mr. Explosive” Mark Sanders, Greg Jacobsmeyer in the “Allstar” Dodge Challenger, Rick Krafft in the “Chicago Fire” Corvette, John Dunn in the “Dunn and Gone” Duster and the “Brand X” Mustang driven by Mike Smith.

 

“We really look forward to going up against these guys. It is a stout lineup of some of the best Funny Cars in the country and it should make for one heck of a show,” Capps said.

 

In addition to the Prostalgia Nitro Funny Car show, the San Antonio Nitro Jam will also feature four additional nitro classes including Top Fuel and Pro Fuel Dragsters, Nitro Harleys and Nostalgia Fuel Altereds in addition to tons of exciting thrill acts including jet dragsters, wheelstanders and a Texas-size showdown between the world famous Grave Digger monster truck and the 30,000 horsepower Shockwave jet semi.

 

Don’t miss the biggest Nitro Jam event of the season as Nitro Jam returns to San Antonio for the first time in three years for the San Antonio Nitro Jam April 1-2 at San Antonio Raceway.

 

Tickets start at just $25 if purchased in advance and can be purchased online at www.nitrojam.com or by calling (210) 698-2310.