Legendary "Nanook" will match race Las Vegas

LAS VEGAs: Nanook, the legendary AA/Fuel Altered owned and raced by the Hough family for almost 30 years, will be featured as part of "Match Race Madness" at The Strip on June 30.

Rick Hough, eight-year resident of Las Vegas and son of AA/Fuel-Altered drag racing pioneer David Hough, will pilot Nanook in match races against the Mike Sullivan/Consolidated Packaging Fiat coupe driven by Gary Reed.

"These cars are a real handful to drive," said Hough of the short wheel-based Altereds. "It's not necessarily how fast the cars go, but that they make it to the other end of the track, period."

Hough drove a Super Comp Roadster 8.90 for 10 years before taking over the driving duties of Nanook from his father.

"I'll get kids that want my autograph," Hough said. "And in the very same crowd, there will be adults that want my dad's autograph. I don't mind it at all though, I grew up with that car, everywhere it went, I went."

When he was in his youth, Hough traveled with his father during his racing days to help work on the car. Now he drives a Nanook replica about twice a month from March until September.

Nanook's body is a 1923 Ford roadster. Two engine combinations are a possibility, depending on the event. For nostalgia events, an early-model style 440 Donovan is used. A late-model 482 cubic-inch Keith Black is utilized for open events.

"Match Race Madness" also will feature two Jet Funny Cars, two Pro Modifieds, non-points bracket racing and an explosive display of fireworks to celebrate the Fourth of July.

Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for senior citizens, military personnel and high school students. Children 12 and under are free. Gates open at 4 p.m. Racing starts at 7:30 p.m. For more information, log on to lvms.com or call LVMS' ticket office at (800) 644-4444.

-LVMS