Della Woods
Encyclopedia
Della Woods is an AA/FC, NHRA pro driver. She was the first female driver in the 5 second bracket in the funny car
class and the first female driver to go to the semi finals at an NHRA national event. She held the latter record for almost 22 years.
and Don Kohler, only to have the association revoke the license, saying, "it's too dangerous for a woman to run in that class." Losing the license caused the brother sister team to lose several match racing engagements, provoking Woods to call the NHRA and inform them that if they took her license they would have to take the all female drivers' licenses as well.
In 1982 Della's husband De Nichols from N & S automotive, bought the famed Fighting Irish car - the only non-Mopar
car she drove - from Dick Rosberg and his partners Novak and McDaniel.
Della licensed in Atlanta then started entering National events. They finished 20th in the World after qualifying at only eight NHRA events.
Funny Car
Funny Car is a drag racing car class. In the United States, other "professional" classes are Top Fuel, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle. Funny cars have forward-mounted engines and carbon fiber automotive bodies over the chassis, giving them an appearance vaguely approximating manufacturers'...
class and the first female driver to go to the semi finals at an NHRA national event. She held the latter record for almost 22 years.
Early racing career
Woods and brother Bernie Woods campaigned match races during the 1960s and early 1970s. Woods qualified for and NHRA AA/FC license in 1968 signed by Rodger Lindamood, Don GarlitsDon Garlits
Donald Glenn "Don" Garlits is considered the father of drag racing. He is known as "Big Daddy" to drag racing fans around the world. Always a pioneer in the field of drag-racing, he, with the help of T.C...
and Don Kohler, only to have the association revoke the license, saying, "it's too dangerous for a woman to run in that class." Losing the license caused the brother sister team to lose several match racing engagements, provoking Woods to call the NHRA and inform them that if they took her license they would have to take the all female drivers' licenses as well.
Career restart
Della and Bernie were forced to quit due to finances in 1972 after a successful campaign barnstorming across country.In 1982 Della's husband De Nichols from N & S automotive, bought the famed Fighting Irish car - the only non-Mopar
Mopar
Mopar is the automobile parts and service arm of Chrysler Group LLC. The term was first used by Chrysler in the 1920s and has been in continuous use ever since. Mopar parts are original equipment manufactured parts for Chrysler vehicles...
car she drove - from Dick Rosberg and his partners Novak and McDaniel.
Della licensed in Atlanta then started entering National events. They finished 20th in the World after qualifying at only eight NHRA events.
External links
- White, Danny; The History of Women Fuel Funny Car Drivers, 16 April 2005