Eric Hendrickson of Mount Airy started drag racing on the street. Realizing that it was far safer to race at the track, it didn't take him long to begin taking his car to 75-80 Dragway in Monrovia.
Year by year, Hendrickson has become more involved in drag racing. He started with a 1964 Ford Mustang that he and his father restored in time for his 16th birthday. Like many youngsters his age, he would cruise with the car on Friday nights with other friends, which sometimes led to match racing. It didn't take him long to recognize the danger of unorganized racing.
Hendrickson is part of a group of more than a dozen Mustang owners who regularly race at area tracks. They are always experimenting with their cars and testing their ideas at the track.
Hendrickson has just completed his best year. He races in the ETK or Trophy class, a division for amateur drivers who like to have fun. His success can be attributed to maturity, getting to know the car better and racing more often.
"I like going up there [75-80] for fun," said Hendrickson. "I like running the trophy class because the competition is more even. Class II cars all have automatic and are there every week. It is harder for me with a five-speed transmission."
Hendrickson's 1984 Mustang is powered by a 302-cubic-inch V-8 Ford motor. He believes that his improvement coincides with making his car a race car two months ago.
"It was a daily driver," he said. "I had to drive it to work, and that's harder on it than racing. I brought a pickup two months ago to drive to work, so I only drive the car on weekends to the track.
"The car was inconsistent there for a while. It has all seemed to come together now. For a while there I was having problems throwing rocker arms. I feel I am on a hot streak the past month and a half."
Last Sunday, Hendrickson turned in the best time he ever recorded in his Mustang with an elapsed time of 13.14 seconds. Until he turned the new time, Hendrickson had been using street radial tires. He was able to knock off more than two-tenths of a second off his regular time with special racing slicks.
Hendrickson was unable to better the mark later in the day because he blew the rear, spilling parts all over the burn-out pit. He has been working hard all week to replace the rear in time to race today. He estimated the cost would be around $400 to replace the complete rear.
Hendrickson had mechanical problems last week but won his class the week before, the second time within two months.
The 23-year-old works for D&D; Mechanical Services in Gaithersburg. The owner, Archie Davis, is also a regular at 75-80. He won in Class II the same day Hendrickson did, making the next Monday a good day at work.
Hendrickson plans on staying in the trophy class for now and race with his large group of friends and their Mustangs. During the off-season, he plans on making some safety improvements to the car.
Weekend results
The Hagerstown Speedway had its last event of the season last Sunday. Gary Stuhler of Westminster finished fifth in both ends of the twin-20s late model features. Charlie Schaffer of Hampstead finished 13th and 22nd.