Drag racing Australia mourning the loss of a true Pioneer and Gentleman of the sport today with the passing of Jim Reed from QLD.
In Australia, Jim Reed was a pioneer in the sport of drag racing, particularly in the development and racing of blown-alcohol vehicles.
Without the creativity and contributions of someone like Jim Reed, drag racing and the contemporary Top Alcohol or Pro Alcohol car would not be what it is today. As we remember Reed, let us carry forward his spirit of kindness, compassion, and strength in our own lives.
Australian drag racing legend passed away
We regret to inform you of the demise of renowned blown-altered racing veteran Jim Reed at the age of 86. Reed was a pioneer in Australian drag racing.
The pioneer of blown alcohol racing who helped establish Top Alcohol and a family racing dynasty, Reed was a true legend of Australian drag racing.
We at Medicotopics are thinking of Jim Reed’s family and friends at this difficult time. The sport of drag racing has lost a great pioneer who will live on in memory.
Reed family announced the passing of ‘Gentleman’ Jim Reed,
I would like to let everyone know that Dad (Jim Reed) passed away yesterday afternoon at Prince Charles Hospital, he had been struggling health-wise for quite a while so he is in a lot better place now. We will post the funeral details when it has been organized.RIP Dad.
Jim Reed cause of death
The Reed Racing Team carries on his family’s tradition of racing. The passing of Jim Reed is a significant loss for the Racing community, as he leaves behind a legacy that will be remembered by those who followed his career.
According to the family statement, Reed passed away at Prince Charles Hospital Friday afternoon, following medical issues. His family will also make further announcements regarding funeral plans and services.
The passing of Jim Reed is a great loss to the Racing community and to those who knew him personally. His talent, dedication, and warm personality endeared him to many viewers over the years.
Who was Jim Reed?
Over the course of more than 70 years, Reed had devoted himself to the sport of drag racing by modifying, competing in, and managing a family of drag racers.
Reed was recognized for his contributions to the sport as part of the 50th-anniversary celebrations of Surfers Paradise International Raceway and US Dragfest, as well as being inducted into the ANDRA Hall of Fame in 2014.
Reed was a pioneering racer on the track and a true driver of the sport’s growth thanks to his tuning, fabrication, and blower, engine, and driveline servicing expertise.
Along with other fans, Reed helped create the Queensland Drag Racing Association (QDRA), for which he was given life membership in the late 1980s in recognition of his contributions to the organization and Queensland drag racing.
About Reed’s Career
When he was just thirteen years old in 1949, Reed made his first forays into the world of drag racing when he modified the 1928 Essex that he had inherited from his father by increasing the compression for a significant boost in power.
At the Strathpine former World War II airport, he raced his modified flathead V8 powered 1935 Ford in 1955, clocking times of 16 seconds over the standing start quarter-mile and 100 mph over the flying quarter.
Jim married Nelma in 1957 when he was just 21 years old. For the next 50 years, they never missed a racing season while they pursued their shared passion for the sport.
In 1977, he immediately started splitting driving responsibilities with his son Steven until 1982, when Steve took over as the Reed team’s sole driver.
Family Racing
In order to create a true racing family unit of which he was extremely proud, his wife Nelma and daughter Kerri both participated in racing.
Nelma was a legend in her own right. Later, granddaughter Sally and her husband Matty Watts, grandson Daniel Reed and his wife Fiona Reed, and daughter-in-law Debbie Reed would all compete in the family racing enterprise.
Reed Racing Family
Reed Racing has now been racing in Top Alcohol continually for more than thirty-three years, winning multiple championships.
He was important in the creation of this new Top Alcohol Eliminator, which has proven to be popular with racers and fans to this day.
Although Reed had stopped driving, he continued to lead his team by leveraging his expertise in fabrication, tuning, and innovation.
Reed was also a vital member of the Reed Racing family. In fact, as of the year 2022, he had only ever missed one meeting in his 20-year career (in November 2022 owing to being hospitalized).
In addition to giving drag racers all around Australia tuning assistance, engine, supercharging, and gearbox building services during his nearly six decades of racing, he also put on a lot of interesting drag racing performances.
There is no denying that “Gentlemen” Jim was a true hero and legend of our sport, an inspiration to many, and he will be dearly lost. He was Australia’s counterpart of America’s Don Garlits and Connie Kalitta.
READ ALSO,
Chris Price, Little Rock, AR man died after sustaining gunshot wounds in Little Rock shooting
Derek Watts Cause of Death: How did the ‘Carte Blanche’ presenter die?
Follow us on Twitter to get the latest news.
Lavanya (Senior Editor) is a full-time content writer with almost 5 years of experience and a part-time teacher. She joined Medico Topics on the Breaking News trainee scheme in 2022 and now works on MedicoTopics.com. As a lifelong learner, She is constantly curious about learning new things and passionate about sharing knowledge with people through her writing and teaching.