Take a stroll through the sportsman pits of any NHRA event and you will be struck by the sight of $100,000 trailers and $250,000 toter-homes which allow competitors to tow in safety and race in comfort. The days of towing with a pick-up truck and open trailer are long gone for practical reasons.
 
At the NHRA Division 3 LODRS race at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill., one operation stood out – way out.

Take a stroll through the sportsman pits of any NHRA event and you will be struck by the sight of



$100,000 trailers and $250,000 toter-homes which allow competitors to tow in safety and race in comfort. The days of towing with a pick-up truck and open trailer are long gone for practical reasons.
 
At the NHRA Division 3 LODRS race at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill., one operation stood out – way out.
 
It wasn’t the high-dollar rig and trailer, just his used motorhome and open trailer. That’s how Bob Harrison prefers it.
 
The Super Stock racer from Albion, Ill., enjoys a happy medium between the top-of-the-line haulers and the old-school method of getting to the race track.
 
Harrison’s nondescript and somewhat faded 1990s-era motorhome gets the job done, just like his classic SS/KA 1966 Chevy II.
 
“I’m just retired. My full-time job is keeping that Snoopy car up,” Harrison said with a smile. “I bought this ’99 motorhome used three years ago from an older couple; before that, I towed with a Midas Mini-home for 30 years”. .”
 
His trailer, by his estimation, is 40 years old. Harrison purchased it in 1971 from the legendary Wayne County Speed Shop team. Other than adding a storage box, the only major work Harrison has done was widen the ramps, because the trailer was built for a Dodge Super Stocker that had much narrower tires.
 
He prefers to leave well-enough alone. The same can be said for his race car.
 
His classic Chevy II, simply referred to as Snoopy, has generated cult hero status among the old-school, traditional class racing fans. To supplement the aura of old school, the look of the car has changed minimally since the original paint scheme was applied in 1975.
 
There have been some dings and cracking paint over the years. He did his best to keep the original look, but in doing a home repair following a 1990 mishap, Harrison “mistakenly” painted over a few signature Jim Defew designs.
 
Defew, whose client list included legendary rock and roller Elvis Presley, used lacquer on the original paint application.
 
In 2007, Harrison wrecked Snoopy at an NHRA LODRS event in Memphis after qualifying No. 1 in Super Stock and setting the SS/KA class record.
 
“I went from hero to zero in one day … big time wreck,” Harrison recalled.
 
The wreck could have been a blessing for Harrison, at least for his Snoopy ride.
 
Harrison fixed the wounded race car and on a hunch called Defew, who offered to reapply the original design using modern urethane paint for a mere $3,000.
 
There was no wrangling over the price.
 
“I jumped at that; the same guy painted the same car with the same paint job 38 years later,” Harrison added.
 
But, before you draw the conclusion this classic Chevrolet is just there for show, be advised this car has a history of being successful. Harrison and Snoopy have held the SS/KA record multiple times, and in 1978, he was runner up to Bobby Warren at the NHRA Sportsnationals in Bowling Green, Ky. Harrison has one divisional race victory to his credit, dating back to 1980.
 
Harrison isn’t ready for retirement but has begun measures to ensure the family tradition of racing Charles Schultz-themed race cars continues.
 
Daughter Rindy races Stock Eliminator but has a Super Stocker waiting in the wings. She recently earned her Super Stock upgrade. Following adequate seat time, she’ll begin racing another 1966 Chevy II, with Woodstock, Snoopy’s feathered sidekick, emblazoned on the side.
 
Right now, Harrison is enjoying life.
 
“I’ve been trying to quit, but it’s too addictive I guess,” Harrison concluded.