Jim Dunn Racing
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Gramps
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I knew Jim back in the 70's when we were both LACoFD and while we had our top fuel car. He is one of the nicest guys and most willing to help someone. I would sure like to see him win again.
MonkeyButt70
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I like Dunn. But I think it is a bad move for Alex. Hopefully Alex can bring in his own crew chief. Big Jim Dunn is not in it to win. It is a hobby for him and it will be interesting to see if Alex is allowed to do a proper burnout under Jims rule.
Jim is a great guy. It’s too bad he never ran full time when he was in his prime as a driver. As you said he worked full time as a Fireman. The good thing was you could race almost every day in So Cal at that time! I think Alex will bring a fresh attitude to the team.
I can tell you no one will tune Jim’s car as long as he is able to do the job. Jim set’s his clutch up for a small burnout, less clutch wear and heat. The Dunn’s are a small operation compared to the big teams and have to tune the car conservativly to save parts. Hopefully Alex will bring the funding to the team and they can step up the program.
oldboatsrule
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Jim still has the desire to win. And now he will have the budget to do so. Add in having a talented driver who knows how to win and run for a championship, good things are on the way!!
If Alex can keep it down the middle, I expect low 90's /high 80's all season.
If Alex can keep it down the middle, I expect low 90's /high 80's all season.
Terminal Velocity
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Fireman’s Quickie. Did you know Larry Aiello?
boatpi
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I lived on the same block as Jims family in the EARLY 1960;s. He fired up his old 'slingshot' fueler on am and idled it around the black. We lived on San Feliciano Dr., La Mirada. Jim lived 200' from Station 49, I do not believe he work 49. Knew Mike just a bit, he was 2 years younger than me, so not school contact. Nice guy. Spoke to Mike l.ike 20 years ago, shared some memories. I last spoke to Jim when he blew the bosy off if his rear engine funny car at OCIR. So much for rear engine floppers.
Gramps
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no I didn't or at least don't remember him
I talked to Jim about the rear engine Funny Car one time and he told me the car was not consistent going down the strip. He said it would make violent moves on it’s own. Maybe the shorter wheelbase? The rear engine Funny Car never really took off.
Gramps
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remember the drag racers creed....................the rich go fast and the fast get richer
Looking Glass
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76sanger
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Great for Alex I think. I guess he gets some flopper time and experience. I was "hoping" Big JD and son MD would be able to work together finally without problems. But no such luck.
Unfortunately that will probably never happen with Mike. I was hoping for Fast Jack! Little known fact is Jack was going to drive Jim’s Funny Car but got a Top Fuel ride at the last minute years ago!
76sanger
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Ya that was when Jack went from AA/FA to TF. Jack's to accomplished to drive for a a mid pack team at their best qualifying efforts.
parker guy
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It’s a great move on both parties…Alex gains seat time with a consistent car…excited fro these guys
76sanger
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That's not always the case. Tony Schumacher didn't jump right back into a lower tier car just to race. And he did have opportunity to do so.
Looking Glass
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Didn't Al Hoffman drive for him for awhile?
Yes. Great driver! RIP.
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No disrespect but Alex Laughlin isn’t quite in the same category as Tony, yet. Alex needs seat time and still needs to cross license from Top Fuel to Funny Car.
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Rogers Hopeful
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I saw Jim at Panda Express in Long Beach a few years back.
Looking Glass
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Yes Hoffman and Force had a little revivaly going on for awhile. On race weekends, Hoffman lived on Red Bulls and cigarettes, he was a bundle of nerves!
Jim and Diane live in Long Beach. We run into Diane often around town, Jim is usually at the shop.
76sanger
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Absolutely right!
It will be good for AL to drive. I mean at least he will get 3 to 4 qualifying rounds and 1 elimination round of driving experience for a full season. Maybe, just maybe he might get a 2nd round on Sundays as well 2 or 3 times for the 2023 season. I think it's great that Big JD got the car down in the low 3.90's at the end of the season last year. But I think that's an anomaly that cant be repeated consistently throughout an entire season. And, if he can, that's still mid pack. I sure hope that AL can bring a good chunk of money with him from havaline. That would give us a chance to see if Big JD can tune with the big boys!
I agree. Seat time is critical and it will take Alex awhile to get comfortable in the car. Jim can make the horsepower the secret is in the clutch. I don’t know if they are running the five or six disc clutch now but they have ran both combinations before.l know they got some new parts for the car and the numbers kept getting better towards the end of the year. I really hope Alex and the Dunn’s do well.
If my memory serves me right, big al use to be hard on the parts, is that why Dunn let him go?
If I remember correctly l think Al was having some health and sponsorship issues. I believe that’s when Tony Barton’s started driving for Jim. Jim’s deal is a pay to play but l never asked about details. My son really liked to analyzed the computer data after a run with Jim. On one of Al‘s runs the car started to haze the tires but drove thru it. Looking at the data after the run Al stabbed the brakes but keep the throttle wide open. This was the first time my son saw this on the computer. Al walked into the trailer and my son asked him about the run. Al said the car started hazing the tires and getting out of the groove. He told my son sometimes you have use the brakes to save a pass!
