04.12.03_707_UNK_REA_0070_1.jpg (76121 bytes)

Photo ID # 04.12.03_707_UNK_REA_0070_1
Car #: #707
Driver (s) : Jim Baker?   Donny Varner? (See notes below from Mike Feltenberger and Frank Thomas))
Location: Reading, PA
Date: Early 70's
Photographer: Mike Feltenberger
Photo provided by: Steve Strickler
Comments: Those big injectors on that big motor made some big power - But it sure made it difficult to see!  I'm not sure who was driving this Pinto bodied version of the powerful Big Donkey, but I'm sure the Reading faithful are up for the challenge! 
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04/12/03 Kevin Budden I remember sitting with my father at East Windsor speedway, he would tell me fabled stories about how he heard that drivers were almost afraid to pilot this particular DONKEY. I believe it was PLOSKI. Great-Great memories. '
04/12/03 3-Wide I'm not sure if this is the car or not (might be too early), but Al Michalchuk told me that he was asked to drive the #707 a few times (maybe in 71 or 72?), and said that it absolutely was the most powerful car he had ever driven in his life.   He said he went wide open down the frontstretch at Bridgeport only to spin going into one.  He got back on it and went wide open down the backstretch, only to spin going into turn 3.... 

Found out that if he got out of the gas all the way, the big old engine would just stop turning and locked the rear wheels up!  He also said that at the time, the car did not have power steering and he felt he really didn't have the upper body strength to muscle the thing around lap after lap.  Upper body strength he may not have had, but he sure had plenty of nerve, and I'm sure if they would have put power steering in in, Al would have really given the "Big Donkey" a ride!

04/12/03 Doug McClune I think this is Paul Fitzcharles in the BIG DONKEY
12/17/03 Mike Feltenberger Nice try everyone but behind the wheel of the Big Donkey in this photo was Jim Baker.  It was the last race of the season and Jim was without a ride.  Paul hooked him up for the show and I believe Paul put the Big Donkey into the starting field.
12/17/03 Fred Voorhees Look at those monster sized drag tires.  You just don't see those tires anymore.
11/05/07 Frank Thomas - Crew Member #707 Jim Baker drove this car before it was painted this way-the year before  It may be Donny Vaughner who ran this car towards the end of 1974 at Reading and Orange County.
     
     
     
     
     
     

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