Show Quality Willys Wheelstands its Way to 9-Second Timeslips and a Hot Rod Class Win
Drag-and-drive events always bring out select rides that fall outside the “common cars and trucks” group. One of those rides at the 2023 Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive was Larry West with his 1941 Willys coupe.
Clean enough to hold it’s own on the show field, Larry isn’t afraid to exercise the Willys, making an appearance on both the Carolina Drag Cruise spring and fall event in 2022, as well as Hot Rod Drag Week in 2019.
After finishing Hot Rod Drag Week in the second spot in the Hot Rod category, then following it with an Unlimited Street N/A Fastest Average at Carolina Drag Cruise fall edition, Larry came into Sick Week as a favorite to win Hot Rod.
Sick The Mag keeps its web articles ad-free thanks to merch sales and magazine subscriptions. Thank you to all of you who wear our stuff and read our books!
Utilizing a 427 cubic inch small block Chevrolet backed by a Turbo 400 3-speed automatic and a Gear Vendors Overdrive, Larry’s Willys was good for wheelies and 9-second time slips at three of the tracks.
He concluded the week with a 10.03 average and the overall Gassers versus Hot Rods versus Beetles class win, plus the Hot Rod segment win.
After three decades of racing, what brings Larry back to the drag-and-drive events? “I just like being on a big cruise with a pile of cool cars and people,” he said. “Plus, on Sick Week, it’s warmer in Florida than it is in Virginia!”
He mainly focuses on just finishing the event, expressing “I’ve got a pretty decent car, not real fast, but consistent and good friends backing me up.”
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Sick The Magazine.