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Curt Eierdam, driver of the “INVADER” an awesome
Fire breathing, 300 mph Jet Dragster, is competing in his first full season
as primary driver. Over the last two seasons,
Curt has constantly trained for this new role. Prior
to assuming the driving duties, Curt has been the crew chief of the Invader
Jet Dragster while his father Al Eierdam (driver of Jet Cars for 30+ years)
performed all over the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Curt started off his
involvement with the jet cars in 1976 helping with the cleaning and up keep
of the Emergency 1 Jet Dragster. By the time the first Invader Jet Dragster
rolled out in 1980, he was able to perform all the maintenance on the jet
dragster along side his father Al.
In 1985, Curt took over the crew chief duties for the team. As Al took on driving of different cars,
Curt went along as the crew. He was
a crewmember of the “Vanishing Point” Rocket Funny Car, “Air Supply” “the fastest Air powered
Thrust vehicle”, the “Simple
Pleasure” Jet Dragster, and the “Fireworks USA” Jet Funny Car. Curt and Al
also helped with the restoration of the “Hustler” World Record Holding J-46
Jet Powered boat for the Legendary Jim Deist of Deist Safety Equipment fame.
During the break of running a team,
Curt found time to earn his FAA Airframe & Power Plant (A&P)
license. In addition to the call of
the drag strip, Curt also heard the call to duty. He is currently a full time employee of
the Arizona Air National Guard as a Maintenance Scheduler. Curt has spent his thirteen years in the
areas of Jet Propulsion, Non-Destructive Inspection, and Metals
Fabrication.
Curt served in the Gulf War and has
also participated in exercises in Turkey, Spain, Germany, South America and
Italy over the last several years. He is 39 years old, married
with 3 children and lives in a suburb of Phoenix, Arizona.
Curt can be reached for interviews or
additional information at 602-697-0088.
Al Eierdam, co-driver of this
300 mph Jet Dragster, is a respected and successful businessman in Phoenix,
Arizona. Just as significant, Al is a showman and always the one eager to
entertain. Al’s 30 plus years as a touring professional Drag Racer racing
everything from Super Stock, to Top Fuel in the late 60’s and early 70’s.
Then in the mid 70’s Al became involved in Jet Car racing with his usual
“full speed ahead” attitude, traveling the U.S.A., Canada, and Mexico
performing exhibitions at an average of 40 events per year. Al also spends
a considerable part of his time visiting middle schools and meeting with
school children while displaying the “INVADER” Jet Dragster. Al finds it
personally rewarding to discuss with his young fans the every day
challenges that children are faced with.
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