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Edward "ET" Tradup
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Born January 18, 1940 in Elgin,
MN. Raised on a farm in Elgin with one brother and one
sister. Being raised on a farm, I was exposed to a great deal
of machinery. From a very young age, I was intrigued by the
mechanical workings and operation of every piece of equipment. Of course cars
were involved, fixing, changing, to the extent that money would
allow. I didn't race then but cousins of mine raced dirt
track, Paul & David Tradup were good at it in the mid-west.
After high school went to Chicago graduated from DeVry Tech.
Married High School sweetheart Marjorie and headed to San Diego,
CA. I worked at IBM, as a Service Planning Representative on
new machines, from 1960 to 1968. We had daughter
Elizabeth in 1963 and daughter Pamela in 1966. While in San
Diego, I met Bill Renney who was building a JR Fueler in El
Cajon. He now lives in Travis City, MI. He helped me get
an old 96" Drag Master, 301 Hillborn injected 2 speed. I
bought a 1956 Chevy panel, built a trailer and loaded Mama and kids
and went racing, Ramona, Carlsbad, Orange County, and Lions.
In 1968 IBM transferred me to San Jose right next to Fremont
Raceway. I needed a new Rail, got with Jim Davis of Norcal
Feuler Fame and we built a new car. Not just any ordinary
car. Rear engine sidewinder, Morse chain, B& J trans, and
raced it until mid '70's. In 1974 I left IBM bought an apple
orchard in Brewster WA. Raced the sidewinder some at Spokane
Raceway Park, but got to be a long haul every weekend to
Spokane. I decided to attempt to fulfill a life long dream of
getting into the 200 mph club. I met Richard Thomason a
motorcycle racing champion, and we decided to build a
streamliner. We went to the Salt two years to learn. You
need more than two years and we are still learning but had to start
somewhere. We decided on a body that came from a human powered
bicycle. We decided on front wheel drive, with many phone
calls to Bob and Bill Summers about their front wheel drive
car. WE BUILT IT ! (With the help of so many people I
can not name them all) Two people I do want to acknowledge is
Jim Socci, the best engine builder in the world, and Brian
Westerdahl, who would do anything to help us. With many
trials, two crashes, Richard and I got into the 200 mph club.
We also upped the speed, and both of us got into the 300 mph
chapter. Of all the accomplishments we did racing, the
one thing I feel best about is being involved in getting Racers for
Christ to come to Land Speed Racing. Every Speed Week, there
is a church service at 6:00 AM Sunday at the Pit gate. What a
time going to church at sunrise, with engines being warmed up in the
background. A little taste of what heaven is like.
Sunday Morning Church Service at Speed Week.
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