John Bandimere, Sr.
This Denver, Colorado, mechanic, and machinists burst into the national spotlight at the inaugural NHRA Nationals. In an error when most drag cars were either driven or flat towed to the strip; John Bandimere showed up at Great Bend, Kansas with the sport’s first tractor-trailer rig. Equally impressive was the trailer contents: a modified GMC pickup and a new McCulloch supercharged 400 hp 1955 Chevy, arguably the prototype Pro Modified combination, some 30 years ahead of its time. Indeed, despite the 10th-grade education, Bandimere made a career out of being ahead of his time. In 1946, he opened one of the early speed shops. Later that decade, he began manufacturing and selling supercharger kits, including one for the first adaptations of a GMC truck blower to an automotive engine. In the 50’s, he manufactured the first aluminum V8 valve covers in his own foundry, as well as experimental parts for General Motors engineering department, and various automotive tools of his own invention. He designed and built complete cars for drag racing and hill climbs. He built one of history’s first four-wheel drive race cars that competed at Bonneville and Pike’s Peak, entered the Mexican Road Race, raced midgets, and sports cars. He conceived and developed two drag strips from scratch; Bandimere Safety Park, outside Denver, and Bandimere Speedway, operated by his family. Of all his contributions and success, this born-again Christian, this tireless public speaker was the proudest of his lifelong work with young people. Through his youth-oriented race tracks, community service, and personal example John Bandimere left a lasting legacy.