Made the same call in 08 Ted. Drove to Vegas, raced and on the way home looked at the entry, fuel cost, cost to fill the tank on the diesel. Car hasn't been to the track since. If my wife and daughter were more involved we'd probably still run, but it's something that I do alone most of the time. The last three years the "fun money" has turned to travel fastpitch softball with my daughter. Went from slicks, fuel, and belts to cleats, gloves and composite bats. That reminds me, it's been since May since I've started the car.... better get it out of the trailer again soon.

You know, due to time, other stuff, wife's car, etc, I haven't had the car to the track since last Oct. And I got a flat on one of the slicks after one pass.

But now I'm inspired. I'm going brave the 90 degree heat and hit the street legal day at fontana this afternoon/evening. Won't expect any new bests with the heat, marginal track, full exhaust, ect, but at least I'll have fun running the car...

Well, now I don't feel so bad or guilty or whatever it is...as my car's gotten quicker it's seemed more fun to just T&T on the thing. The competition part was more fun when I used to race with a bunch of friends, but after I moved away and a few of them passed on, some of that fun left too. I figure by building a slower car that's cheaper and less effort to run, the competition part will come back, so that's what I'm doing.
If I had the money, I'd do more road-racing track-days, since the thrills last longer and I enjoy nailing the perfect line around a track and feeling the car work in all directions.

Thats why you build a pump gas street car...best of both worlds

Wednesday nights at Island, $25 for trailered cars w/driver, $15 for driven cars w/driver, $15 for spectators/crew, BBQ and soda included. The girl and I go up, $40 gets dinner and some passes. Tough to beat.

Ted, the last few years I have entered points at RT 66 and not been too worried about whther I show up or not. Last weekend I went with the intention of getting my 2 time runs and one more from the first round. Got some stuff figured out on the car, hung out with some old friends I hadn't seen in a while, and was home in time to cook dinner with the wife.

Sounds like a lot of guys are in my position..And thanks everyone for the well wishes!

I understand your feelings.

One thing that makes the losing nights better, is hanging out with my regular race friends. And if one of them goes a lot of rounds, it is fun watching/helping them (even if just moral support). I appreciate when one of them stays late with me if I am winning rounds. Better odds and more fun racing with a group of friends.

I have a winners circle pic with just me in it. Everybody else packed up and left (1am). That win was not the same being all by myself...
But the $1400 was good, and the race the night before my friend won $1300 after the splits ($2000 published win). A couple of us stayed, but it wasn't as late. The Mopar's took that weekend.

test n tune and a head up race here and there,the way to go

Jim...You got that right! I can't ask for better friends at the track! One when of our guys go up to the line,there is usually 5-6 of us standing there with our bright orange J&C Performance shirts on..Great support for the team and I have heard that it is a little intimadating to some of the other racers..

Ted this is just what I do when I can. I love racing but I knew I could not afford to race alot and I have tons of fun just going every now and then racing the T & T's. Last year I entered one NSS race and had a blast. I believe to work within my budget and there is no way I could race every weekend even if I wanted too. And I love driving my car on the street thats why I built a pump gas eng so I can drive it whenever I like. I knew because of my back and kneee's I could not stand alot all day at the track and it would be to much on me to try and race every weekend. From growing up in the muscle car era I always loved to see the car cruisin on the streets and I still like to see cars on the street cruisin and I love being part of it. Driving to the track and making a few passes having fun is great to me and the drive home is always fun. My brother races almost every weekend with the NSS 422 club and he tells me I should race with them but I know I cant afford too and my back and knees bother me to much.
Bottom line is I live in my budget and I love it ! Just racing at test & tunes is a blast for me and when some buddies go and you can have a grudge race its even more fun. And to enter a race now and then is even more fun. I really dont care if I win or loose when I enter a race I just like to do what I love and if by some luck I win.........thats even better. I think you will still enjoy it just as much and you can consider putting your car back on the street if you like that. Hey enjoy it and have lots of fun. Ron

Ron! Love your car...I wish we would have done the same..But this thing is too far gone to put back on the street..None of the original factory wiring is left. But it would be a blast to take uptown to the local C-store!!

i have a 9 sec duster sitting the garage this year.i won the pro points championship last year with it.this year i have been running my 75 duster street car.it runs 11.80's,
i'm having more fun this year,no more wearing a double layer fire suit when its 95 deg.using pump gas instead of $10.a gal race fuel.
not chasing points,so it does't feel like a job.
the other nice thing is street class is $25.to entry and pays $200-300 to win dep.on car count.i have won 3 times this year,
so maybe just take your street car out and have fun.

ted , I just got back in the seat this past weekend for the first time since september of '06 , I think the bug bite me again , it was a lot of fun, but just tnt for me ...

Find a junky old 4 door '64 and pull the wiring and parts off it to get yours on the street again!

I had the perfect donor for you a couple years back. Rust free and perfect grille. I sold it waaaaay too cheap.

There's a guy with a early B salvage that runs a small machine shop just south of here. Let me know if you need anything.

http://www.moparmax.com/features/featurecar/vi_3-maxwedge-13.html

I feel ya ted . It also sucks when the car isnt working.Ive had a horrible year.


I might go tnt at Eddy friday for fun ($20) and maybe work out some bugs. Plus the Fuel cars are qualifying

I know how you feel. I've been racing since 1973 but not continously. I've taken a year or two off here and there and one time took about eight years off. When it stops being fun it's time to stop and regroup, but I wouldn't sell a car unless I was building another.

Kevin...If I had enough cash for gas and entry fees,I would love to come down Saturday and run nostalgia 2 class..But I think we are testing Friday night at CFR...Just want to take a few shots at the tree....Maybe put the fun back in!!

Ted racing sure does take alot of the summer. Trying to get the farm work done and field 2 cars sometimes gets me cranky. Had the trans. out of both cars, valves to set ect. About midnight last friday night I'd have sold 2 mopars cheep. I need to keep things in perspective. Racing with my sons has been a Blessing. We can't always make it but I'm Thankful for the times we can race.
Kevin