Dynamic Duo of Unique Rides Gives Jason Acton Opportunities For Wheelstands and 10-Second Time Slips
The west coast drag-and-drive scene has seen increased participation with the addition of Rocky Mountain Race Week, Redwood Rally, and 2023’s Death Week events.
One of the participants we met on Death Week was Jason Acton, the owner of Warr Performance in California. And it’s hard to ignore a wheelstanding 1951 Ford Panel wagon.
Jason has participated on a few Rocky Mountain Race Week events, starting with 1.0 in 2021 and 2022. The second outing had Jason picking up the third place slot in the 10-second class with a 10.15 average and a best pass of 10.01 from 1975 Datsun 280 Z.
By 2023, Jason expanded his drag-and-drive calendar to three events, and took the Ford panel on the first outing, Rocky Mountain Race Week 1.0.
Packing a turbocharged 5.3-liter LS-swap with a 4L80E overdrive automatic transmission, Jason finished in the top ten in the Hot Rod class.
Rocky Mountain Race Week 2.0 had Jason back behind the wheel of the 280 Z in the 10-second index class, and this time a 10.60 average would net Jason a top twenty spot thanks to the efforts of the 4.8-liter turbo LS-swapped ride.
He flipped back to the Ford for Death Week, and although he didn’t finish, he did post a best of 7.38 at 93 mph. “We had a great time at every event last year,” said Jason.
For 2024, Jason plans to once again participate in both Rocky Mountain Race Week 1.0 and 2.0. “We're a class sponsor for all of Matt Frost's drag-and-drives,” said Jason. “He puts on such great events.” He also plans to see if they can be a part of Redwood Rally. “It'd be nice since we're California based.”
Since the first drag-and-drive in 2021, Jason’s way of viewing racing and cars was forever changed. “The people are awesome and end up becoming like family,” Jason admitted. “There's room for all kinds of vehicles, and there's no better test of man and machine.”
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Sick the Magazine and Jason Acton.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com