Unfortunately, most of the drag strip antics EJ details in the book took place before I was old enough to haunt what is now the Mid-Michigan Motorplex.  I did have the pleasure of seeing (and hearing!) the 24 cylinder Allison powered tractor, "Double Ugly" in it's full glory at the Ionia Free Fair years ago......and I've heard and read EJ Potter stories from the time I was old enough to drool my way through car magazines.  When I was in college I made a habit of occasionally driving past EJ's farm just to see what kind of out of the ordinary machinery might be on display or in operation in the yard.......jet engines in school busses, HUGE tractors with even bigger motors......and once in a while hearing a really HUGE noise......

    This summer, I finally fulfilled a desire I've had since I first heard of the "Michigan Madman"......I traveled to Petersburg, Virginia for the "Last " Flowmaster Super Stock Reunion.  I not only saw and heard the fabled "Widowmaker", but had the honor of acting as a "strong back & weak mind" helper in the pits and on the starting line.  I've seen pretty much everything run down a drag strip one time or another......fuel dragsters, jet cars, wheelstanders......I've even ridden 9 sec. snowmobiles.....but nothing prepared me for the visceral experience of seeing EJ straddle a fuel injected, alcohol burning Chevy-powered motorcycle and tip it off the stand with the engine crankin' out 7000+ rpm.  The even more amazing part is that after a twenty-some year hiatus, to EJ it was no big deal......he just got back on it, lit the tire for a quarter of a mile and went over 150 mph......and went back home.

     If you've heard the stories and legends, or were around over the years to see any of his truly unique creations run, you owe it to yourself to read this book.   EJ's an engaging storyteller, and, if you read real carefully, you just might even learn something....

                                                                                                                                   Jim Steere

                                                                                                                                   July '99

Some pics from the Flowmaster Superstock Reunion, July 2-4, 1999.   Click on 'em for a larger view.

   "Widowmaker #7", painstakingly restored by Gary Werner, of GWM Corp.

   Gary Werner, Don Garlits, and EJ.

   Looks like some pretty serious bench racing........

   It's over 100 degrees, he's wearing full leathers (black!) and EJ can still manage a smile.

Here's how it works......

  After it's started, reach over and engage the clutch......

   Roll forward off the stand......

   Make some smoke......

   Make even more smoke......

   End up going FAST.