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2010 Hall of Fame
Bunny Burkett
Racer
Bunny Burkett is one of
drag racing's most
popular stars. She has
etched her name not only
into the record books,
but also into the hearts
of thousands of racing
fans, and especially
those at Maryland
International Raceway.
While racing fans line
up to greet Bunny at
every event from Maine
to Florida, MIR is proud
to call itself Bunny’s
home track. For four
decades, Burkett has
been among the most
respected and beloved
competitors in drag
racing. Despite a modest
budget throughout her
career, Bunny was the
first woman ever to win
both IHRA and NHRA
National Events, and in
1986, was crowned the
IHRA World Champion.
Bunny has raced in Stock
Eliminator, Pro Stock,
Funny Car, and even Top
Fuel, and in every
class, she and her team
have displayed gritty
determination and
winning performances on
the track, while
treating each and every
fan like a king or queen
back in the pits. It is
not uncommon to see
families with three
generations of racing
fans showing up together
to visit with Bunny at
the track year after
year.
Despite Bunny’s
successes, her career
has been far from easy.
In September 1995, Bunny
experienced a nearly
fatal accident while
racing at another
facility. She was forced
off the track at over
200 mph, and traveled
through a ditch and into
the woods, suffering
multiple broken bones
and crushed vertebrae.
Bunny was in intensive
care for over a week.
According to doctors,
she had little hope for
walking again, and NO
hope for resuming her
driving career. However,
Bunny’s determination
and competitive spirit
led to a remarkable
recovery and her return
to the competition. Of
course, she chose MIR,
where she competed in a
match race, driving Beth
Royster’s Junior
Dragster! Bunny soon
returned to funny cars,
much to the delight of
her fans. A little known
fact is that not only
was Bunny competing and
winning in Funny Car
events at MIR and up and
down the East Coast, but
she was the promoter and
manager of those shows
through her War on
Wheels circuit. Bunny’s
most recent contribution
to MIR is a special one,
indeed – her world
championship winning
funny car is now proudly
displayed on the roof of
MIR’s Hot RodZ Diner
concession stand! Bunny
Burkett is a special
part of drag racing
history and MIR is proud
to announce her as part
of its inaugural Legends
class.
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I have
lost a true friend...
In my 30 years
at the helm of Maryland International Raceway, I have had
the privilege of working with many great racers... many with
big personalities, incredible driving skills, and impressive
racing accomplishments. However, none had the spirit, heart
and caring for others as my friend, Bunny.
She was a
serious racer for sure, but she was also an incredible
ambassador to the sport of Drag Racing that we all love. The
thing I will remember most about Bunny was the one-on-one
time she spent with her fans at the back of her trailer on
every race day. She made sure everyone that wanted an
autograph or photo or simple "hello" was given the
opportunity before she would leave for the evening. There
are literally thousands of photos of children with Bunny all
around this country. For the lucky ones, they have a photo
in her car or with her helmet on, that have provided special
memories for them. My daughter, Ashley, has one from when
she was about 8 years old.
My heart aches
and I will truly miss my dear friend. We will be planning a
celebration of life with Bunny’s family, friends and fans
once this world gets back to normal and we can all come
together again. In the meantime, I have put together some
photos to share with everyone of Bunny at the track she
called her "home track", Maryland International Raceway.
Until then, be safe and be kind to others as my friend,
Bunny, was to all.
~ Royce
Click photo
below for slideshow
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