DOCTOR HITS TOP SPEED FOR KIDS

By Joe Klaas

A drag race purse donated by a chiropractor is one of the most unusual and welcome gifts to the Klaas Foundation for Children. Dr. Richard Brophy, a champion race driver on weekends -- who on weekdays treats chiropractic patients in Oakland, Fresno, Brentwood, and Mountain View, California -- turned a $1,000 prize he won in a driving demonstration of his "Final Countdown Jet Dragster," an 8,000-horsepower, 6,000 pounds-thrust jet dragster, over to Marc Klaas to help in the struggle for child safety throughout the United States.

The presentation by "Doc" Brophy took place before 50,000 cheering fans of the national Hot Rod Association Autolite Nationals at Sonoma's Sears Point Raceway.

"Sears Point Raceway is proud to be associated with him," the track's Director of Community Affairs Rob Lopez said in commending Doc and his jet dragster "for providing thrilling and highly entertaining shows for all age groups."

Countdown to Speed

Brophy's "Final Countdown" is a 280-inch Hedebeck & Segal prepared jet chassis, powered by a Westinghouse J-34 turbo jet engine. It is the quickest and fastest J-34 dragster in the world, posting a 5.71-second track time and a speed in excess of 290 miles per hour.

Since 1983, Brophy has been drawn to speed. He began his racing career in 1985 driving drag boats, advancing to the "comp hydro" class in 1987 and finished second in the nation to be nominated for Driver of the Year.

I want to help Marc Klaas in his crusade to protect children," Brophy says.

1988 Doc moved from water to land in the quickest and fastest "Super Eliminator" category, in which he finished second and was named "Rookie of the Year" and became 1989's "Super Eliminator Champion."

Again named Rookie of the Year in 1991 by the California Independent Funny Car Association, he began driving Top Alcohol Funny Cars in 1992-93 and soon was piloting his world's fastest 290-miles-per-hour Final Countdown in 1994 to Post an impressive 88.2% win record.

Top Speed for Kids: "Doc" Rick Bvophy's 290-miles-per-hour "Final Countdown" championship dragster, a winnner for the Kraar Foundation for Children.

"It's Something that Needs to be Done"

"I want to help Marc Klaas in his crusade to protect children," Brophy said. "It's something I don't have time to do, but that needs to be done. God bless Marc for doing it for all of us.

Brophy holds a degree as a chiropractic physician from Palmer Chiropractic College West. His four-city practice flourishes along with his racing career.