Al Eierdam, Manager
A
legend during the Jet and Rocket car Warz of the 70's, 80's, 90's and
up to the mid 00's of this 300 mph Jet Dragster is now a respected and
successful businessman in Phoenix,
Arizona. While a tough driver to compete against. It is as significant,
that Al is a showman and always the one eager to entertain. Past
exploits have all focused upon Al’s 30 + years as a touring
professional Drag Racer. Al has raced everything from Super Stock, to
Top Fuel in the late 60’s and early 70’s.
During
Al's driving career, while traveling across the nation He performed an
average of 60-65 events in the early years and later on slowed down to
spend time with his 3 boys.
His
first jet dragster, Emergency 1, was stylized after a fire truck and
was powered by a Westinghouse J-34 jet engine. This vehicle although
very popular was retired to make way for the next generation jet
vehicle, The Invader. The Original Invader also was a J-34 powered
beast, breaking track records where ever she ran.
Into
the mid 80’s, looking for a new challenge, Al teamed up with long time
friend, Slammin Sammy Miller to drive his Vanishing Point Rocket Funny
Car. Sammy & Al performed
the very first side by side rocket car races at Santa Pod Raceway in
England. Both cars running in
the low 4 second range over 350 MPH.
With
most of the drag racing challenges behind him, Al then decided to train
and consult the new and upcoming jet car drivers and owners on how to
successfully operate. During this time, Al trained numerous drivers,
and operated numerous teams ranging from jet dragsters, jet funny cars,
and even the restoration of some of the original jet cars & jet
powered boats.
Al’s
three sons eventually persuaded him to again field his own car, and the
second Invader was born. After
successfully running the Invader for the first few seasons, Al stepped
back from the driving duties, and spends most of his focus on training
his sons in all aspects of the running of the team.
Currently,
his sons Curt and Craig are licensed NHRA/IHRA drivers and Chris is
actively working his way to do the same thing, giving Chris a little
extra leeway to do his job representing a key supplier to the aerospace
industry worldwide.
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois
Current
Residence: Mesa, Arizona
Years
with EIERDAM Racing: 35
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