Tales From Death Week – Overcoming the Odds with a Turbocharged Dodge Dart
After making the trip from Arizona to Florida for the 2022 edition of Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive, Ken Riddle finished fourth in the Pro Street class with a 9.63 average.
So, when Tom Bailey and crew brought an event to his side of the USA, Ken was committed to conquering Death Week. “You almost never see one out here, so I was excited,” Ken said.
Wheeling a unique 1969 Dodge Dart with an old-school Mopar engine, a single turbocharger and a unique blow-through carburetor arrangement on top, Ken laid down a 5.83 at 117 mph on the first day to slot himself fourth in the standings. A slightly slower 5.96 at 118 mph on the second day of racing at Barona Drag Strip kept Ken in the top five, still locked into the fourth spot.
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After two drive days, Ken arrived in Bakersfield, California and Famoso Drag Strip for the third track day. But just two passes later, he was left with a smoking and wounded Dart, and some decisions to make.
At Bakersfield, we went back and checked to see what actually happened,” said Ken. At one and half seconds out, it spiked to 38 pounds of boost. “The motor wasn’t ready for that, I wasn’t ready,” said Ken.
After some debating, they decided to pop the cylinder heads off the car. “It blew the head but didn’t burn the gaskets,” said Ken. “So, we figured we’d throw another set of heads on it.”
Not finding any local for sale, Ken was undeterred. “I called my son and asked if I could pull the cylinder heads off his running, driving truck,” said Ken. “He said yes!” The surgery was completed, along with the stock intake and 600 cfm carburetor from his son’s truck. “We threw it all together, and it runs well. Our quest was to just finish.”
Unfortunately, in his efforts to return to Wild Horse Pass, Ken missed a few checkpoints in lieu of making it to the event in time. “Keith Turk pushed me to finish,” said Ken. “We didn’t know it or didn’t see it (engine damage) coming, but we got it done.” Ken made an easy pass to complete Death Week, clocking an 8.89 at 78 mph.
Did you miss your chance to participate in Death Week? Check out details on our next one-off drag-and-drive: Sick 66 HERE!
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Sick the Magazine and Ken Riddle.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com