Absurd Dragster Has 8 Cylinders, 2 Tracks, 1 Blower. Why?
In its earliest stages, motorsports existed to prove that the automobile was a viable object. Now, it has evolved into an endless quest to answer questions that do not necessarily need to be answered, though we are all the better for knowing the answers. Case in point, this ridiculous supercharged V-8 rail dragster with twin snowmobile tracks instead of big slicks. What reason could this thing have to exist?
No race car needs to exist, so I’ll just move right past that question and embrace the absurdity. The chassis was built by Mike Bos Chassis Craft out of tubular steel and was further modified by Dave Klock. The front features pushrod suspension hidden under the fiberglass body and the rear suspension is a traditional solid-mounted arrangement. The cockpit appears to be standard dragster fare as well, with a snug roll cage, large tachometer, steering yoke, sequential shifter, and two pedals.
That shifter and skinny pedal are connected to a small-block Chevrolet and three-speed automatic transmission. The 350-cubic-inch V-8 wears a B&M supercharger topped with dual Holley carburetors and a Hilborn-style air scoop, plus upturned headers that keep the exhaust way from the tracks that flank the engine on either side.
That’s right, tracks. The setup here borrows a lot of parts from snowmobiles that were configured to take power from a Ford 9-inch differential sitting in the dragster chassis. This arrangement seemed dubious to me until I started talking to a few “sled head” friends. I’m not a snowmobile guy, despite living in North Michigan, and it just seemed unlikely that these tracks could handle the power that a small-block can put out, especially a blown one.
Hagerty’s own Greg Ingold set me straight. Modern snowmobiles, he pointed out, are not much more than superbikes with tracks instead of slicks. Supercharged or turbocharged four-cylinder sleds can make power numbers that require commas. Plus, look at the engine setup again; that 350 is nothing radical. The blower pulley is a decent size, so it’s likely not putting a ton of boost into the cylinders, meaning this rig is not the quickest, as evidenced by a 16-year-old video clip found on YouTube:
This thing does one thing better than any straight-laced snowmobile or dragster could ever do: Draw attention. The dragster was built as a promotional item for Bob Weaver Motorsports in New York, and we’d say it’s working. At the time of writing, the current bid on Bring a Trailer plus the cost of a paint job is far less than you would spend to create something that would grab this many eyeballs. It’s hard not to call this wild dragster a deal, whether you’re looking for the most absurd shop art or a fun novelty on the frozen lakes. Honestly, I’m curious how it would do in a mud bog.
This dragster didn’t need to exist, but here it is—and wow, is it awesome.
Arctic Cat built a blown rail snowmobile that this looks like a copy of called the King Kat in the early 70’s. Was followed by a rocket powered version. These were ran at a drag strip in suburban Coon Rapids MN that is now defunct. Then the industry went broke during the energy crisis and most sled companies went out of business, including Arctic for a couple of years.
Are these things run in show, mud or dirt? Are there organized competitions and classes for tracked dragsters? This is a corner of the car enthusiast world that we Southern Californians just don’t seem to know about!
That’s my question also. it looks cool but with skis to steer pavement would not (I assume) be it’s home.
Geez, NHRA or IHRA should look into this un-tapped sport! Something different for sure. Running in snow or dirt, doesn’t matter, it would sure bring in some attention if there were a few that would drag against each other.
Any comments?
From the dark recesses of my memory I recall a Budweiser King top fuel snow dragster. It was not affiliated with Kenny Bernstein but it was definitely patterned after his car. As far as developing a racing series for this type of car, it would probably help to get some farmers involved. Run the race, get your field plowed in the process. Win, win!
These grass drag sleds are fun to watch.
Come on Kyle, You are in the snow belt! What do you think we race in Canada from December to March?????
Get out on a sled this winter, you will love it, like trail riding a motocross bike with more power and traction!
Bikes and cars are sleeping, No clean up after a day of riding, the snow just melts and turns to water.
Put snowmobiling on the list Kyle!
I’ve been trying to get him out on a sled for a couple years now! If he can hustle his KTM 950 Adventure, off road, he can handle a big bore sled just fine!
Unfortunately where we live in Traverse City Michigan, the locals (ahem, metropolitan transplants) aren’t very sled friendly, so our trail system is quite limited and under maintained, so there is somewhat of an excuse to not own a sled around here.
Assuming there’s enough snow to go out this year, you bet the pestering will begin again soon.
In the video it looks like a 70’s Yamaha 440 Exciter could open a can of whoop a$$ on that slug
What a slug
RUPP MFG MICKEY RUPP BUILT ONE THAT WAS ON THE SNOW
I remember having a model of the RUPP snow dragster. I believe it was produced by MPC. Too long ago to be positive on the manufacture of the model.
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