Ted Cyr and original partner, Bill Hopper were one of the most successful teams in the country during the late 1950s and early 1960s. The Escondido, California-based Cyr got his name in lights when he won the Top Eliminator title at the 1958 NHRA Nationals with a blown gas dragster, and really cemented his reputation by winning Top Fuel at the Bakersfield March Meet in 1960. As testimony to his prowess, the first Drag News Top Fuel top 10 list (May 1960) had the Cyr & Hopper dragster No. 2 trailing only Don Garlits. In late 1960 Ted had a racing accident and was hurt pretty bad.

When he recouped, Cyr built "The Lincoln" that was strictly his deal and it really ran well winning it's share of races on about 50% nitro. Cyr raced it until late 1963 and then he parked it and he never drove again. He and Flip Schofield teamed up in the early 70's when they ran a rear engine Top Fuel car with some success.

 

In the pits at Lions in 1962 with the Lincoln between the frame rails.
Photo by Glenn Miller

 

1962 Fuel & Gas Championships
Brad Kittredge Photo

 

Push start at the 1962 Fuel & Gas Championships at Bakersfield.
Doyle Hatfield Photo

 

 

 

After Cyr quit racing "The Lincoln" he parked it in the back of his shop and basically forgot about it. Aside from his involvement with Skip Schoefield in the 70s, Cyr has been a very good business man and has done extremely well financially. With some urging from some friends, in 2001 he dusted the old girl off and brought her out to play in Cacklefest II.

 

Before

 

After

 

Once restored the car was "tested" on Commercial Avenue in front of Cyr's shop with Flip Schofield in the seat. Left to right Harry Sherman, unknown, Harold Merziere, Ted "Curly" Cyr and flip Schofield in the seat prior to fire-up and burnout!

 

 

Ted Cyr made his Cacklefest debut in 2001 - here is his push start.

 

 

 

Cyr was part of a "short field" at Cacklefest II - the field would not stay short the following year.

 

 

Cyr was back again for Cacklefest III in 2002 with AA/FA pilot Jeff Bennett in the car.

 

 

 

In the 2003 Cacklefest Kol Johnson got the honors to drive the Ted Cyr Lincoln powered fueler.

 

 

 

 

 

When its not at the CHRR, Ted Cyr's car is on display at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum located at the Pomona Fairplex in Pomona, CA.