Rodney Fazekas has purchased and will drive Al Hanna’s 1980 Eastern Raider Nitro Funny Car. He’s brought it back to life after nearly 30 years of cold Connecticut storage. Quite the ‘barn find’ one might think, but its location was always known by its original owner, Al Hanna. Hanna always kept tabs on this car, as it was special to him; it was the last Funny Car he owned before leaving the Nitro circuit to focus on his growing Jet Car program.
The car’s restoration began in September 2009 at Rod’s Custom Fabrications, LLC. The shop is located in Eastern Pennsylvania, near to many of the drag strips where Hanna raced his Eastern Raiders for two decades. The 1980 body, paint, chassis, rear and many other original components remain intact.
The 1980 NHRA GatorNationals ‘Best Appearing Car’ Returns …
Rodney Fazekas has purchased and will drive Al Hanna’s 1980 Eastern Raider Nitro Funny Car. He’s brought it back to life after nearly 30 years of cold Connecticut storage. Quite the ‘barn find’ one might think, but its location was always known by its original owner, Al Hanna. Hanna always kept tabs on this car, as it was special to him; it was the last Funny Car he owned before leaving the Nitro circuit to focus on his growing Jet Car program.
The car’s restoration began in September 2009 at Rod’s Custom Fabrications, LLC. The shop is located in Eastern Pennsylvania, near to many of the drag strips where Hanna raced his Eastern Raiders for two decades. The 1980 body, paint, chassis, rear and many other original components remain intact.
“It’s an undisputed museum quality piece and part of Drag Racing history,” said Fazekas.
While in its 1980’s race trim, Hanna recorded bests of 6.13 ET and 232 mph. Fazekas plans to power the car with a Keith Black blown alcohol combination in 2011 with and a nitro-burning Hemi in the future.
“My goal, while rebuilding the car, was to keep it as original as possible. Modern safety regulations prompted a few changes, but it’s essentially the same car Al climbed out of, and now I’m the lucky driver that get’s to strap back in,” said Fazekas. “I look forward to experiencing the wicked ride and challenges that the Funny Car pioneers, like Al, had faced.”
Fazekas is not only the team owner but will also drive the classic ride. After many years as a custom car builder, race car fabricator and crew member with Hanna Motorsports Jet Cars, he is now following his passion by becoming a professional drag racer.
“We’re also looking forward to entertaining both new and old-School Eastern Raider fans with trademark long & smokey burn outs. We are currently booking 2011 dates, so look for the Eastern Raider to be invading a Nostalgia Funny Car show near you,” Fazekas concludded.
For more information, visit www.rodseasternraiderfunnycar.com
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