The Story
Who is ZHP?
“ZHP stands for Ziegler Horsepower,” John says, leaning on the workbench. “Back in Reno I was known for building engines and making power. My car was fast, the name stuck.”
These days, it’s him and his son, Ryan, running under the name ZHP Garage: one turning wrenches, the other filming and editing the whole ride.
Horsepower and storytelling rolled together.
The Car
Behold, ZHP's 'base model' 1972 full-chrome bumper Camaro. I ask John to share what’s under the hood of the ’72. He grins: “You want the accurate version, or the inaccurate one?”
“It’s a 565 big block Chevy, conventional 9.80 deck, dual Dominators, Mikes Transmissions Turbo 400 with transbrake, GM 12-bolt rear-end. Oh, and a full cage, 8.50-certified.”
The mailbox hood scoop is the cherry on top of this monster of a street machine, ready to go absolutely postal down the track.
In the Naturally Aspirated class, ZHP's aiming for the closest average time across all four tracks. "I'm hanging everything out, throwing in the kitchen sink, so it's gonna be as fast as the car is, every time."
The Route
Medford → Coos Bay → Woodburn → Madras → back to Medford. Five days, four tracks. The route takes drivers along the scenic Highway 101 and through breathtaking National Forest lands, stopping along the way at historic drag strips of the Pacific North West. Woodburn’s the one he’s aiming at: “Last year people ran their best at Woodburn."
"I'm going to launch it as hard as I can launch it, and give it all I can give it. I'm hoping for my best pass at Woodburn."
Each drag location has its own unique features, hooks, and pitfalls. Success will come down to reading how each track behaves as John points out: "Coos-Bay, everybody says it's like a well prepped Street."
Strip Strategy?
No Compromises
A drag-and-drive can be unforgiving on cars built for the track. I asked what compromises he makes between the street/strip balance, John puts it bluntly: “I’d say no compromise, if you want to survive and have a good time.”
“You need the thing top notch. You need everything the best it could be.”
That’s his philosophy: quality work, quality parts, and confidence in the build.
Fuel is the only adjustment between street and track. On the road he runs pump 91 octane gas with a can of booster. At the track, he splashes in the 116 go-go juice. “I probably shouldn’t be driving it on 91,” he admits, “but low throttle, cruising? It’ll live. Nothing else changes.”
On The Road
ZHP knows there are risks: driving 1,000 miles in a car built for quick bursts, not comfy road cruising. No heater. No wipers. Race radials on wet pavement.
“If it rains, I’ll slow way down or stop. If it gets crazy, I’ll sleep in the car.” he says casually.
I asked what spares he’s bringing to MacGyver last minute fixes, John just laughs. “I'm pretty confident in the car, I am going to bring a couple extra things. A healthy toolbox, a spare ignition box, fuel pump, spark plugs.” When I press about indexing the plugs on-the-fly, he laughs it off with a wave: “They’re not indexed now, so… not worried about it.” (shh on the speed secrets!)
Most of the drive he is focused with earplugs, staying in-tune with the road, tracking fuel mileage, and running the next day’s plan in his head.
"The initial stage is on Highway 101, which is windy, and the car likes to go straight, it doesn't like turning. So you really got to concentrate."
Lessons from 2023
During the 2023 Redwood Rally the ’57 Chevy backup car encountered issues between starter fatigue, ignition challenges, parts too old to trust. John shrugs at it now.
“I was naive. The Camaro was always the car to go. I was thinking I was gonna get it done.”
He describes the scramble in the lead up to the 2023 Rally: "I wanted to change a couple things on the '57, and then it kind of snowballed.
This time, the Camaro’s new where it counts, tested, and dialed-in.
“It’ll do 800 miles, no problem.”
Years of experience equip the Master Mechanic with a unique and highly tuned set of troubleshooting techniques, “Sometimes you steal a bolt from one spot, use it somewhere else. You don’t need all twelve on a 12-bolt to keep rolling.”
Why It Matters
When asked what keeps him coming back, John doesn’t mention any of the trophies or time slips. Instead, John talks about his son, Ryan, recording the miles, the late-night wrenching sessions, the joy of shared experience. These are the things you’ll tell stories about later, he elaborates:
“It’s memories. Like picking up that ’57, sleeping in the trailer, driving through the night. He’s got it all on video. Stuff you won’t forget.”
The Drag and Drive becomes more than just a race and ET slips. It becomes an opportunity for us to connect on these deepest and most sacred levels. A poignant yet full-throttle reminder of how these machines bring us together as family, friends, and community supported through mutual trust, respect, and race fuel.
We wish ZHP Godspeed on their Redwood Rally adventure!