Overview
Winner of International Automotive Media Gold Award 2010
Don “The Snake” Prudhomme in his Barracuda. Tom “The Mongoose” McEwen in his Duster. The “Snake vs. Mongoose” racing feud had been making headlines long before they got their Funny Cars, but it wasn’t until they made a deal with Mattel that drag racing became the multimillion-dollar business that it is today. Happily co-opted by Mattel, the rivalry described in Snake vs. Mongoose was nonetheless real. Author Tom Madigan tells the story from the beginning, when engine builder Ed Donovan, with a nod to “The Jungle Book,” dubbed his driver “The Mongoose”--the one creature who could strike faster than a Snake. The book chronicles the bad press, the toe-to-toe standoffs, and some of the best races in drag racing history. And within that story, Madigan captures the transformation of drag racing from the gritty, gut-driven sport of the 60s into the full-fledged money-making machine of our day.
See Don “The Snake” Prudhomme by Jay Leno on JayLenosGarage.com: http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/jays-book-club-don-prudhomme/1180909/
Synopsis
Don “the Snake” Prudhomme vs. Tom “the Mongoose” McEwen. Their racing feud made headlines for years. But it wasn’t until toymaker Mattel entered the picture and made the Snake and Mongoose Funny Car rivalry a Hot Wheels promotion that drag racing became a multimillion-dollar business. Snake vs. Mongoose tells the story of this very real rivalry—the drivers, the kids Mattel introduced to the sport, and some of the best drag racing of the era. And along the way, the book captures the transformation of drag racing from the gritty, gut-driven sport of the 1960s into the full-fledged money-making machine it is today.
Editorials
From the Publisher
“Even before you open “Snake vs. Mongoose,” you know you’re in for something special and fun. A protective plastic dustjacket with full color decals of the snake and mongoose figures grabs your attention and keeps your 160 page book in pristine condition. Nine Chapters and eight informative sidebars from Marv Rifchin, Gene Adams, Bob Brandt, Pete Ward, Billy “Bones” Miller, Randy Fish, Bob Shaffer and “Waterbed” Fred Miller document the story. “Snake vs. Mongoose” is a joyful quarter mile trip down a fast memory lane. It rates four out of five lug nuts.” – Gregg Leary, SPEEDTV.com"Madigan’s book not only details drag racing in California during ’60s – from match racing to corporate sponsorship – it also tells the story of two great drag racers." - AutoTraderClassics.com