No race had a greater impact on the rapid growth and success of funny cars than Orange County International Raceway’s Manufacturers Funny Car Championships. It’s large car count, prize money and media attention had no equal—making it the most prestigious flopper race in the nation. Six teams consisting of Chevrolet, Pontiac, Ford, Mercury, Plymouth and Dodge waged a three round battle to determine Detroit’s top brand. The grand finale was a winner-take-all match between the two quickest cars of the event, regardless of which team they represented. News of this great funny car race spread quickly from coast to coast after the inaugural 1967 event. Consequently, anticipation was high for 1968 with many out of state teams arriving at OCIR several days before the scheduled November 23rd date. However, fog and rain delays stretched the original one day race into an eight day ordeal!

The third attempt at conducting the race was finally successful on Sunday, December 1st. After three grueling rounds of team competition between the nation’s top funnies, the stage was set for the climactic final between “Big John” Mazmanian and Don Schumacher’s “Stardust.” Only a few months prior had Big John left the gasser ranks to join the funny car wars. The California gasser legend sold his unbeatable ‘48 Austin coupe and built a beautiful Barracuda to take on the nation’s top funnies. Meanwhile, in the Midwest, a young racer named Don Schumacher was making headlines by running unbelievable record times including some of the very first 200 mph speeds for the class. The Manufacturers Meet came to a

exciting conclusion as Rich Siroonian, Big John’s nephew and driver, won the battle to become the overall champion. But these two emerging teams would continue to lock horns several times in the coming years, repeatedly waging the classic East vs. West battle.

Automotive artist James Ibusuki’s painting captures the magic of OCIR’s mega-sized flopper meet! The vivid night scene recreates the glamour and gleam of these ‘show and go’ Barracudas—both Big John’s deep candy red beauty along with the bright pearl blue and white “Stardust” from Chicago. Perhaps more than any of his previous works, this particular painting holds a special place in the heart of the artist. James recalls, “This is my favorite memory of going to the drag races as a teenager. No race had as many famous and beautiful funny cars! I hope the painting conveys the kaleidoscope of color and excitement I remember that day as a 13 year old fan.” With that in mind, Ibusuki added three more flip tops to the painting as a tribute to the winning Dodge team. Depicted in the pits are: Color Me Gone, the Flying Dutchman and Charlie Allen’s Dart. Completing the picture is drag racing’s most famous piece of architecture, the OCIR octagonal glass tower, beautifully lit from within and casting a warm glow on that cold December night.

Return to OCIR with this 18" x 27" museum-quality lithograph! The edition of 850 prints is autographed by John Mazmanian and Don Schumacher, signed and numbered by the artist. Certificate of authenticity included.