PHENIX DRAGWAY, PHENIX CITY, Ala. (April 2) -- Pete Robinson, from nearby Atlanta, Georgia, put Phenix City and the World Championship Series on the map this week when he cranked out 7.08-second AA/FD national record.

The 1966 NHRA World Champion used a big gear and new Goodyear tires with his OHC Ford engine to cut the big number at a speed of only 193 mph. He became the favorite to capture Top Fuel honors, but fell victim to a red light during eliminations. Bob Stewart eventually got the purse.

There were 28 national records established in this first meet of 1967 at which record runs were recognized. One of the largest crowds ever to fill the Phenix City plant witnessed outstanding performances by Hubert Platt, Ollie Olsen, and others.

Platt scorched Phenix Dragway in his gold "Paul Harvey Ford" Mustang for a big 8.61-171.10 in A/XS. Platt returned to the launch pad shortly thereafter in the Paul Harvey Ford C/XS Mustang to add that one to the Platt-Harvey list of accomplishments, on the record ledger with a 10.57-132.93, for the Mustang. Platt and company then departed the C/XS car to return to Indy and Platt for an overnight drive to Chicago for a match race.

Danny Ongais, all the way from Carlsbad, California, devastated the old Phenix Dragway speed strip record in AA/FD with a 217.90, going better than 15 mph faster than any racer had ever turned at this dragway! Danny coupled the 217.90 with a 7.19, which [had not Robinson done it first] bettered the old existing National AA/FD record.

Ollie Olsen, West Palm Beach, Florida, is back with it in his Chrysler powered Willys A/Gasser named "Wil-A-Meaner." Olsen has enlisted Nick Zapetis as his driver and Zapetis really romped on the mph record to the tune of 145.39 mph!

Robinson drew a bye run in first round of Top Fuel Eliminator by having low e.t.; Danny Ongais red-lighted against Bill Mullins of Birmingham, Alabama; and Bob Stewart of Minneapolis, Minn., won over Harmon Caldwell, who had pulled a real holeshot for a quick lead only to lose in the lights. Round two Stewart got a bye, Robinson also red-lighted against Mullins. The thus-far "lucky" Mullins lost fire on the Top Fuel Final just off the line, and Bob Stewart took home the Division 2 points to Division 5.

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