The Adventures of the Gasser Bros.
written by Chad Logan
1960’s The golden era of drag racing.
We all love the history of the first all american muscle car. It is a well known fact that the first factory production muscle car was the Pontiac GTO in 1964. A time when Drag Racing was growing all over the nation and the stock class was ripe for the picking. AFX class Gasser’s with altered wheelbases, straight axles, big power and fuel injected blowers were all the craze. These “funny cars” pre-date today’s flip body style that most of us grew up watching. Most notable for this is Arnie Beswick and his Tameless Tiger.
At 92 years young in 2022 Arnie is still attending as many events as possible. Shaking hands and autographing items for his fans. A true Pontiaddict with a career that stands the test of time. You can now buy a copy of his book that was co-written by Dean Fait on Amazon or attend the GTOAA Nationals and also get it signed by the man himself. (Click Here to order now!)
1970’s The early days…
It’s easy to see why the Muscle Cars were so attractive to young guys across the nation, including these two young men, Dil and Darren Brandow who grew up in California during the hay days of drag racing. They took an interest in adventure at a very early age, thanks to the support and encouragement they received from their parents at home. Starting out on BMX bicycles and often bringing home trophies, they went on to racing dirt bikes where Darren dominated the 250cc class at the Elsinore 500. They even made the cover of the popular Cycle magazine which was founded in 1950 and ran until April of 1988.
Boss Commander asks: Tell us your most memorable story growing up in California.
Dil writes: Darren still hasn't told you about how I whipped his *$# in a street race, what, around 83-84 Darren was on Magnolia down by Ramona High School. Yes, he got spanked. I'm sure he has his own version. Plus he cheated on the launch. I had more weight with 3 guys in my car, he only had 2. Plus I was bangin gears while he was moving his Quick Silver automatic ratchet shifter.
1980’s Coming of age…
Darren responds: Well I see my Bro obviously remembers how I caught him sleeping at the light! It was just as he says. I was in my 65 GTO (LeMans Clone) 400HO, TH400, 3.55 rear gear and had Dan & Troy with me. He was in his 67 GTO 400 4 spd (390?) gear with his Buddy Bryan. We were coming from Castle Park, it was the Arcade/ mini golf park that was the local hangout. We were headed down Magnolia that was the main Drag through Riverside to go Cruise Market Street (the downtown end of Magnolia becomes Market Street for the last 2 miles or so) from one end of town to the other. Anyway Magnolia Ave has maybe 15 stop lights ranging from 1/4 to maybe 3/4 of a mile apart. So as we’re cruisin along we catch the light at Jefferson (one of the longer stretches).
I have never raced my brother before at this point who is a 20 year old Veteran street Racer I’m 18. So I look over at the light ( we are I’m slow motion now , movie mode ) he looks back at me with “ the look “ , I say to Dan “he wants to Race “. I ratchet my Quick Silver B&M shifter into 1st gear. My Eyes are on the light. I glance sideways to see the light on Jefferson go yellow, IT’s ON!!! Adrenaline surges, our Light goes Green and I Nail It. The Car surges forward as I see his left front fender raise up as the 67 GTO torques over from the dump of the clutch. I get out a fender on him and where draggin’, bangin gears going down Mag in front of Ramona High School at probably 100 mph. His left front Fender at my passenger Door. I can’t pull away and he can’t catch me. I’m telling Dan & Troy I’m not backing off until he does. The Adrenaline is at Full flow and I’m On Top of the Street Drag Racing World , I’m cheering my car on and I just beat my Idol in our first Race !!!! So finally at about the half mile point we’re Haulin Ass with my 65 a fender up ,he backs off and so do I . We roll up to the next light and I’m screaming “I BEAT YOU I BEAT YOU “! It was the proudest moment of my young life. He immediately starts with the “I didn’t know you were gonna Race” excuse! It was Awesome Chad. We didn’t Race again until Norwalk 2015 when we had the Gassers there (his 64 & my 65). He of course beat me in his Blown 64! But that’s what really happened that Friday night in Riverside in 1984!!!
1985 Inland Empire GTO Club is born!
The Inland Empire GTO Club Tyler Mall Show 1987
The show was hosted at the Tyler Mall and we were the first car club ever to have cars inside. Some of you may remember the stores in the back ground 1987, way before the remodel. The cool factor was that we got to drive the cars in and boy did we rattle the windows.
This was the main table in front of Penny's. We had a number of trophy's for different things like Best of Show, Best Engine, Best Trunk, Best Interior, etc.
Alex Idzardi had made a cool tape with classic car and beach tunes that the mall played all weekend. We all knew the lyrics to Little GTO by Sunday night.
We brought the cars in on Friday night and stayed through Sunday evening. We had voting ballots at each car so people could vote for their favorite GTO.
Dil Brandow, John Vincent & Bruce Rhoads
Terry Roughton, Dolly Hart, Ara Mardirosan
Galen Bakewell, Chris Idzardi, Richard Elkin
Vicky Idzardi, Ara Mardirosian