European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - August 25, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Leaving a Wall of smoke in their Wake two top fuel funny cars each boasting about 2,000 horsepower Roar away from the starting line. Drag a touch of Home away from Home text and photos by Randy Barnett motor sports editor for the third year in a Row the Bockenheim circuit in West Germany hosted an All american production even though american Drivers were far outnumbered by their european counterparts. Last weekend s third annual International drag racing festival featured a huge Field of wild and wonderful cars. During its two Day run More than 30,000 spectators came out to enjoy the action. For the european motor sports fan drag racing is still a curiosity of sorts but it was obvious from the applause after each run that the spectators enjoyed themselves. For the american spectators Many of whom grew up with drag racing the annual Bockenheim festival is simply a big treat. Jerry Lackey a native of North Carolina who has worked More than 20 years to make big time drag racing a reality in Europe put it Best in the event s German and English language program when he wrote drag racing has come a Long Way Here in Germany and we intend to do everything in our Power to offer you and your friends a full weekend of drag racing fun. We Hope you enjoy yourselves and we Hope you appreciate our efforts to give you a touch of Home away from  with an entry of 326 cars and motorcycles Lackey said it was the largest turnout at any drag strip in Europe during the past four years and from a Driver participation standpoint the sport is going  the same could be said from the Spectator standpoint As last weekend s attendance was second Only to the German grand prix for formula one cars where motor sports is concerned. The drag racing festival was sponsored by the Deutscher Verein fur drag racing and the German american Hanau Auto racing association Harboth under the auspices of the automobile dub von Deutsch Lanci avd. Two dragsters leave the starting line at Bockenheim after the Christmas tree Between the racing lanes flashes its Green lights. August 25, 1988 stripes Magazine