Edwards Air Force Base, California—

The Muroc Reunion, sponsored by the Southern California Timing Association on April 27 & 28 at Rogers Dry Lake on Edwards Air Force Base near Mojave, California, drew hundreds of unusual and classic race cars and motorcycles. One of the more remarkable is "Danny Boy," pictured here with owner Ed Tradup, engine builder Jim Socci (who also designs for NASCAR), and pit crew member Brian Westerdahl. "Danny Boy" holds the D-Gas record of 315 mph, set at Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, in 1991.

Owners Ed Tradup and Richard Thomason are apple farmers from Brewster, Washington. Ed was a drag racer, and Richard raced motorcycles. When Ed told Richard he wanted to "belong to the 200 mph club," Richard responded, "There's no respect for 200. Let's go for 300." The result of the partnership was the original "Danny Boy," built in 1981. With a design based on a human-powered bicycle, "Danny Boy" was a ground-breaking project from the start. "You can always tell the pioneers," says Ed. "They're the ones with the arrows in their backs." Perseverance, ingenuity, and input from experts have put these pioneers at the head of the pack.