Al Hoffman
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Somers NY
Al Hoffman
I was just going through some of my old mags. & in "Drag Racer" they had an article titled "So Long Al".. It was about Al Hoffman's career in NHRA how he used to be independent & then got BDS (Blower Drive Service) as a sponsor.
Then got some bigger sponsors, & was known as "The Bad Guy" and always was frowning... & yes he was, but I got to know him pretty well, & spent many hrs in his trailer at E Town, Reading Pa. & Baytown Tx.
Yes he could be grumpy at times, (so could Bill Jenkins AKA "Grumpy")
but thinking back of all the Pro drivers I've met, I think my two favorites are Al Hoffman , & Tom Hoover, I remember when Tom used to take his 87 yr old father to the races :)
One time after I took photo's of Al warming his car up, after he shut it off, he said to me go ahead, jump in & I'll take a picture of you in it..
BUT if you hit the Fire Bottles. it'll cost ya $250 :D I was in the car in 20 sec.. & have that photo on my wall at home..
I was just reminiscing, & thought I'd share it..
Then got some bigger sponsors, & was known as "The Bad Guy" and always was frowning... & yes he was, but I got to know him pretty well, & spent many hrs in his trailer at E Town, Reading Pa. & Baytown Tx.
Yes he could be grumpy at times, (so could Bill Jenkins AKA "Grumpy")
but thinking back of all the Pro drivers I've met, I think my two favorites are Al Hoffman , & Tom Hoover, I remember when Tom used to take his 87 yr old father to the races :)
One time after I took photo's of Al warming his car up, after he shut it off, he said to me go ahead, jump in & I'll take a picture of you in it..
BUT if you hit the Fire Bottles. it'll cost ya $250 :D I was in the car in 20 sec.. & have that photo on my wall at home..
I was just reminiscing, & thought I'd share it..
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,176
Likes: 88
From: State of Confusion
Re: Al Hoffman (Red96Coupe)
I remember seeing Al & Helen going down the Pa. Pike in the Ford dualie & way-too-small trailer, with BDS plastered all over the sides.
After BDS, Western Auto came on-board, and Jimbo Ermilovich (?) got the funds for REAL parts!
Hoffman was the ONLY guy who'd go toe-to-toe with John Force, on the track, in the pits, or in the 'head-games' category...
http://forums.nitromater.com/showthread.php?t=5092
After BDS, Western Auto came on-board, and Jimbo Ermilovich (?) got the funds for REAL parts!
Hoffman was the ONLY guy who'd go toe-to-toe with John Force, on the track, in the pits, or in the 'head-games' category...
http://forums.nitromater.com/showthread.php?t=5092
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,176
Likes: 88
From: State of Confusion
Re: Al Hoffman (MikeNMaxZO6)
Does anyone know what Al is doing these days? He has been out of NHRA competition for the last 3 years, I think? :chill:
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 13,298
Likes: 14
From: Somers NY
Re: Al Hoffman (Glensgages)
Glen thanks for the link, Mike ..Al is in Fla restoring 60's muscle cars...There is a Q&A and he said his favorite race was ANY ONE that he beat John Force!
