I am the owner of a red '66 GT350 that was taken from street car to Group 6 race car by Dave Dralle back in the early '90's.
I am looking for any info on Dave or his shop located near Willow Springs. Pictures, ads, anything that I can compliment the car with.
I am currently running the car in club/track events. Last race the car was in was at the Monterey Reunion in 2019. Number 9 is on the car.
Thanks in advance.
Dave passed away several years ago and the shop is gone.
Quote from: 6s1802 on November 17, 2022, 07:38:55 PM
Dave passed away several years ago and the shop is gone.
Yes - and his 2 sons are still fighting over stuff. One has some of the cars and the other has the titles.
His shop/house (originally Bill Huth's) was on Willow springs property but outside the gate - https://www.google.com/maps/@34.8695827,-118.2651717,109m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en&authuser=0
I had tried to buy his ramp truck and a GT1 Camaro (I wanted it just for the 6 12x16 5on5 MiniLite looking wheels for my GT1 car). The son who was selling said they were his but his brother had taken and hidden them somewhere near Bakersfield. I gave up after a couple weeks.
Dave was a great (but a gruff no nonsense) guy and taught many people the fast way around Willow Springs. I was there when they were testing the new IRS R Model. John Morton was talking with Vince from Shelby American and explaining the same fast line that Dralle espoused.
I had an occasion that I needed to fix the front of a GT350 that had a loose front suspension, Dave was very accommodating.
Some info here, scroll down.
https://www.lashelbyclub.com/dralle-day-open-track
Is this the GT350?
Hot looking G.T. 350. Great shade of red! But then again I'm biased.
Dave and his son Danny were a real bunch of characters. IF you happened to know Dave, as mentioned he was a no bs type of guy. He either liked you or he did not. (Lucky, he liked me!). Also, as mentioned he would help anyone if needed at the track. Its sad, that greed took over in the family when one passes away. On a good note, he prepped many, many Shelby's and had a huge following. Rip, Dave.
Thanks guys. I understand he was a unique guy and had a great knowledge of the mods needed to make the GT350's fly. I am looking to put a poster board together and include some info on Dave.
(https://i.imgur.com/vMPR3Z6.jpg)
Edelbrock utilized Dave for their SBF R&D at least through the early 90s. He was instrumental in the design of the Victor 302 when he was in Torrance I can say for certain (and probably much more).
I think he may have used up all of his 9 lives!
Dave was one of those few individuals that could design, fabricate, test, tune, set-up and drive. He was part of a breed that has pretty much died out. Today people buy a racecar off the shelf. Have someone else install a drive train built by someone else then have another crew to tune and maintain it at the track all for the deep pocket driver.