A Flying Fairmont Goes in Search of 6-Second Runs and a Class Win At Hot Rod Drag Week
During this year’s Sick Summer Presented by Motion Raceworks, Frank Webb shot onto our radars on day two with a massive triple-wheelie from his 1978 Ford Fairmont.
It got Webb and the Ford a lot of attention, but it also resulted in a trip to the tower looking for a replacement Aeromotive mechanical fuel pump, when the wheelie claimed his is violent fashion.
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When we first saw Webb on a ‘Sick’ event, it was the 2023 edition of Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive. The Fairmont was sporting a gray hue, and twin turbochargers poking through the lower valance.
Unfortunately for Webb, a 10.21 pass at Orlando ‘Sick’ World Dragway on day one would be his only time slip, and he was on the sidelines on day two.
Almost a year and-a-half later, it looked like Webb might once again be stranded. But thanks to the help of photographer Dominick Damato and the internet, Webb was able to locate a replacement pump, and get back on the road.
By the end of day three, the car was starting to show the potential of the 598 cubic inch big block Ford, as Webb turned in a 7.66 at 170 mph pass from Tri-State Raceway, almost one and-a-half second quicker than his day two run.
Great Lakes Dragaway gave us even more of a curveball, as incoming Pro Street class leader Tom McGilton bowed out, moving Webb into the second spot with a 7.93 pass, just over a tenth of-a-second behind class leader Evan Uerkwitz.
Webb completed the comeback on the fifth and final day with his best run of the week, a 7.57 at 176.93 mph, for an 8.32 average and the class win.
But Webb isn’t done with drag-and-drive events for 2024 yet, so the Ford has been tuned up for next week’s Hot Rod Drag Week. “We have made repairs, and upgraded the suspension front and rear,” Webb said.
After the front end was tweaked with the big wheelie on Sick Summer, Webb replaced the steering, and took steps to control the wheelies with new Menscer struts and travel limiters. The tail end got new QA1 shocks.
“We have worked very hard since the week after Sick Summer,” said Webb. “We do hope to do well at Drag Week.” Can he challenge for another title in the Fairmont?
A feature on Frank’s ride from Sick Summer is in the current print issue of Sick the Magazine.
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Sick the Magazine and 1320 Video.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com