Ora Vasquez celebrates 80th birthday

60+ year drag racing veteran Ora Vasquez celebrates 80th birthday

<img src="http://www.insidetopalcohol.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=266&thumb=1&d=1279373356" align="left" borders="0"/> ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. – There’s a very short list of people in the world that can say they have drag raced for over 60 years, especially considering NHRA celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2001. Ora Vasquez, a member of that elite club, will celebrate his 80th birthday this Friday.

Vasquez, who many know as one of the top tuners/innovators in the alcohol classes, cut his teeth driving before moving to the ‘Crew Chief’ role. He started racing street cars in 1949, working his way up through the ranks eventually to the Pro Comp category, where he made his final pass as a driver in 1975, running a best elapsed time of 7.17 seconds at 198.67 mph. He continued to campaign his own car with his son Mark driving until 1990.

As storied as his tenure as a driver and car owner was, the list of drivers he worked for as a Crew Chief and Consultant from 1988 to present is a who’s who of stars in both the alcohol and fuel ranks. Among those were Bucky Austin, Cory McClenathan(TAD), Blaine Johnson (TAD & TF), Pat Austin, Tiffany Hyland, Russ Parker, Lee Callaway, Artie Allen and Dennis Taylor to name a few. Along the way he has been named Division 6 Crew Chief of the year twice and once in Division 7.

In addition to working with many teams, even more teams utilize many of the specialty tools built and designed by his company Ora’s Tools, which he still operates today.

“Dad has made so many friends all over the world during his racing career, and I am sure that they have many stories of their adventures together,” said his son, Mark. “I am so privileged to to have shared a part of his storied career, to directly experience his passion for racing and his commitment the people involved.”

Friends are welcome to send him a birthday email at oravasquez@gmail.com