Roger Avants Figure 8ers 76-75-74

[superstroke]

From the Chris Ertler collection, here are three photos of Roger Avants figure 8ers taken in the pits at Colorados Englewood Speedway. In the first shot, taken in April of 1976, Roger Avants, standing in front of his car in the white and red shirt, discusses strategy while two other members of his crew hold down the rear end......or are resting. This car was built on a chassis similar to a late model chassis. This beautiful 8er was lettered by Mike Young. Note the #0 station wagon "Claimer" car parked next to Rogers 8er. It was owned by Larry Dittman.


In the next shot, taken in Englewoods pits in April of 1975, Roger has fashioned a new set of headers, that dump out the passenger door side, just behind the number. This photo was taken during hot laps.

Finally, this photo was again taken by Chris during hot laps in April of of 1974. Mike Young lettered this great looking figure 8er for Roger.

[superstroke]

here are the pictures that go with the story.

Thanks Eric

[lakeside #29]

Thank you Rick, For posting these pictures. Roger Avants was amoug a small group of guys that took the appearance and overall quality of their Figure 8 cars to a much higher level. Kent Moore, Terry Boyle, Bill VanGundy, Bob Warner, Darrell Smith, Ed Brunner, and Chuck Kacin were part of that movement.
Roger's cars were all fast, but the '76 blue, silver, and red car was insanely fast. Roger and Ed Brunner had gotten down into the mid 21 second bracket which was nothing short of amazing. Roger and Ed went back and forth setting resetting the record. I think Roger wound up setting it for good. The 1976 car had a grand national rear end and Stock Car Products components on the front. In 1976 it was state of the art. It was powered by a Ford 312 Y-block. At the time Ed Brunner had a problem with his y-block that he coluldn't isolate so he took the car Auto Analysts and put it on a chassis dyno. The car produced 250 or 275 horsepower at the REAR wheels. They found the problem and corrected. It also should be noted that Ed's was running fenderwell headers and Corvair Spyder mufflers. Roger's motor had all of that or more, it was amazing. What would that be at the flywheel?
Thanks again.

Chris Ertler

[Jerry Lee]

Thanks Chris for sharing these photos, and thanks superstroke for posting them. These cars really bring back some good memories.

In '74 Roger had a back up car #174 that he let Durwin Cody drive. Cody totaled the car pretty bad by running the X on Roger one night. After the accident Roger went over to the ambulance crew to see how Cody was, and was told that he would be just fine. Roger's angry response was something to the extent of "You better take him to the hospital anyway because I'm about to give him a reason to go!".

[BillyK41]

Originally Posted by Jerry Lee

Thanks Chris for sharing these photos, and thanks superstroke for posting them. These cars really bring back some good memories.

In '74 Roger had a back up car #174 that he let Durwin Cody drive. Cody totaled the car pretty bad by running the X on Roger one night. After the accident Roger went over to the ambulance crew to see how Cody was, and was told that he would be just fine. Roger's angry response was something to the extent of "You better take him to the hospital anyway because I'm about to give him a reason to go!".

I remember that night! I kept thinking that the two of them (Roger and Durwin) kept getting a little close in the "X," and then it finally happened. What a nasty hit! I remember seeing Roger being really torqued off about it (this was a night that everybody got to go into the infield, after the races had been called due to the wreck) and also remember looking at the 174 car. Oh, man......