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Gary and Ena Eickman are the embodiment of modern day nostalgia racers, as they’re not only doing what they love, but “sharing the love” with the vintage racing community. Their pit area is a must-stop at the races; a place where fans and friends are sure to find a warm welcome and feel right at home!

Their nostalgia A/FD is also the embodiment of modern day nostalgia race cars, in that it’s a very cool ride (as well as very fast) and has a great theme; “The Black Pearl”!

An ace fabricator, Gary built the first version of The Black Pearl in 2001. It was powered by a blown alcohol Donovan, and competed for three seasons in the northwest area. In 2006, the car was reworked to accept a nitro burning, late model hemi, and testing got underway for a full season of racing in 2007.

The colorful team, including crew members Tyson and Jenni Price, Darron Countryman and Jay and Lisa Kennee enjoyed almost immediate success with the revamped machine, which garnered a runner-up finish at the 2007 March Meet. The team went on to be #1 qualifier with a 6.36 E.T., at the Speedworld, Arizona nostalgia event, as well as going to the semi-finals at Nevada’s Top Gun Raceway. However it was back in the Great Northwest where a career best E.T. of 6.22 seconds was recorded, at Mission Raceway’s 2007 Canadian National Open.

The Black Pearl’s 205-inch chassis cradles a 466 cubic inch Keith Black Stage X block with BAE Stage V heads. One of the cars defining features is the “Scott-Slot” style intake atop a Hogan’s manifold, where a “we-don’t-need-no-stinking-hydrometer” load of 100% nitro is introduced. Bob and Randy Eakins of East West Clutches built the unique, “glide” style centrifugal clutch, which sends the power through a Mike Strasberg prepared B&J two speed.

Gary’s racing career started at age 15, running Pro Gas at Sacramento Raceway, and he built his first front engine dragster in 1987. After a hiatus to buy a home and get his business going, Gary put his then 8-year old son Logan in a Jr. Dragster, and laid out plans for the A/Fueler.

The entire Eickman family is about as involved in nostalgia drag racing as you can get. Ena is a licensed NEII driver herself, and currently collecting parts for her own injected nitro dragster, while sons Logan, Keifer and Boyd have all been very competitive in Jr. dragsters. At 16 years old, Logan moved up to an injected alcohol dragster, and now runs the Goodguys NE II class as well as other nostalgia events.

If you want to see what nostalgia drag racing is all about, just stop by the Black Pearl pit; you’ll be glad you did!

Story by: Kenny Youngblood
Cover photo by: Larry McFarland
Cover model: Ena Eickman