Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience

Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 09/25/14 03:42 AM

Biggest hurdle is finding 4 tracks that will open during the week and not charge HR an arm and a leg.This year the route was going to start in Tulsa and go east.One of those tracks(I do not know which one) was wanting to charge an extreme amount of $$$ thus the route was what it was this year.Plus I don't know of any track that treats racers,fans better than Tulsa.Fan attendance this year was off the chart at all 4 tracks.Alot of sick days used this year.

Posted By: StealthWedge67

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 09/25/14 05:11 AM

Quote:

Biggest hurdle is finding 4 tracks that will open during the week and not charge HR an arm and a leg.This year the route was going to start in Tulsa and go east.One of those tracks(I do not know which one) was wanting to charge an extreme amount of $$$ thus the route was what it was this year.Plus I don't know of any track that treats racers,fans better than Tulsa.Fan attendance this year was off the chart at all 4 tracks.Alot of sick days used this year.

Not that it would, or will happen, but you would have to search long and hard to find a track ownership group that cares about their grass-roots customers more than Bremerton. I'd bet that they would jump at the chance to host something like this. Woodburn also enjoys a reputation for treating the local guy like a hero. Like Pete said, there's plenty of hot-rodders up here just wishing for the chance to run something like this.
Heck, there were guys from B.C. at DW this year, that have made the trip multiple times. Mike, 3k is a lot of money, but that probably barely covers getting there and back for someone from our neck of the woods before you even start to add up the actual DW costs.
Most of all, the drive they could put together up here would blow away anything they can do in Oklahoma. Mountain passes, Coastal highways, Ferry crossings, National forests.... Its all here

Posted By: J_BODY

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 09/25/14 06:07 AM

Brian alluded to that a few times over the week on the live feed. They'd love to do some "spin offs" of Drag Week at different locals.... but wanted to concentrate on the route they're presently using as it seems the tracks have been more than accomodating for this.

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 09/26/14 07:02 AM

We walked outside, and turned our attention to the Gremlin. I helped him remove the front clip, and then he asked for some fuses.
He was trying to track down a charging problem he had been dealing with since last year's drag week. If by "dealing with it" we meant ignoring it and charging the batteries before every foray onto the street or track.
"Last year, I was having an intermittent ignition problem", he explained, "then the voltmeter or the alternator shorted out, and that problem went away. I just replaced the gauge, so let's try it".
He fired it up, and flipped the switch for the alternator circuit, the fuse died almost instantly, and let us know the problem wasn't solved yet. Next he swapped out the alternator, which resulted in a happy 13.2 volts on the new voltmeter.
"What's next, fuel system all good?"
"Yeah. Since I got rid of the deadhead regulator, ran the return line, and went to the Moroso log, it's been perfect!"
"And the 5 Gallon fuel cell?"
"Still in there...really don't have any room for much else, we'll just have to make it work!" He smiled, "Did you bring that 2 stage plate? I need to check that thing out!"
"Back to that again? Why be so greedy?" I teased.
I dug out an NOS Double Cross plate that I had picked up off Ebay a few months ago and handed it to him.
"That's what I was afraid of", he commented as he admired it, "It's basically as tall as stacked Big Shot plates, and I really don't have room under my hood for that and the air cleaner both". I bought some Ys so I can run two stages through the same Big Shot, and I'm going to try that. I also found a wiring diagram that allows me to shut off the first stage as you go to the larger second stage..."
"Oh, I really don't like that", I cut him off. "First, you're going to be limited to what one set of bars can flow, and second...that's a terrible idea to switch from one to the other. Just run the first stage and stack the second on top!"
"You think that's better?" He gave me a sidelong look.
"I just think if the first stage is working properly...why shut it off completely and hope the second hit works?
"Yeah...well, it'll be easier to wire up I guess."
"What's the plan on tires?
"I mounted up those 33X10.5 Goodyears, on the wheels I got from you...By the way, did you know one of those was bent? I had to have it straightened!" He exclaimed, hands gesturing.
"Well, they were on the Valiant when Jordan bounced it off the wall, so I'm not surprised!"
"Oh! OK...well anyway I tried them over the 31 tall ET Streets, and the car ran the same MPH at the same RPM!"
"Seems like you are gear limited on the bottle, but if your converter can't handle the extra load, I guess it's a moot point! We've done pretty well with ET Streets on the drive, you think you really want to do it on a pair of tall slicks?"
"I probably need some 4.30's..."
"Agreed, but it's not going to happen this week is it?"
"Nope", he laughed.

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Posted By: RonTheAnnouncer

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 09/27/14 04:36 PM

Love it...waiting for more...

Posted By: Dart451

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 09/27/14 04:40 PM

Breakfast is now normal again

Thanks for sharing the story's year after year

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 09/27/14 09:20 PM

Dale and I continued knocking out a few small things on both the Valiant, and the Gremlin, until Boone and Darren finally returned with the Dakota. Dale directed them to park it under his biggest shade tree, and we decided to just work on it on the trailer, so they disconnected the truck, and moved it free.
The first thought that ran through my head was, "This is a complete waste of our time, we need to concentrate on the four cars that ARE going on Drag Week!" What I said was, "Where are the bed sides and tailgate?"
"The painter wasn't done with them yet!" Darren exclaimed, tossing his hands in the air. "He said he'll bring them down to us on Thursday...I guess we will see!"
They jacked it up and put the back half up on stands, and Darren pulled off one wheel and tire as I took a closer look at the interior. There were no seats, carpet, gauges, in fact the dash was a complete disaster of wires that were spewing out like grass through a crack in the sidewalk.
I crawled under the rear-end, rolled on my back, and took everything in. No plumbing of any kind on either of the shiny new frame rails. No brake lines, no fuel system, no wiring, no battery cable...nothing, and we were sitting at roughly 8 hours short of a week before the tech line would shut off. This was not going to go well, at all.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 09/28/14 12:29 AM

I caught Boone looking for parts in the shop later on and asked him, "What went on up there? I thought it was supposed to be closer to finished than that!"
"Yeah...it was, long story short...I think Darren made both the chassis guy and the painter mad the way he jerked this project around."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, they had the back half finished, and painted, about two months ago, and he pulled it out, so he could do the stuff he wanted to do. Then he took it back and wanted a bunch of additional stuff done, and put them on a tight schedule. Basically all he did was pull the 4 speed, and mock up in the automatic in 3 weeks, then wanted them to finish it in 2 weeks! Didn't go over very well...Dale is probably going to have to make a trip up there and mend some fences when this is all said and done."
"There is no way we can do all that stuff...to Darren's standards no less, and have that truck ready for Drag Week!"
"No way, you're right...but if we don't make progress, he'll take it home, push it off in the field, and not touch it for a year."
"Why is that our responsibility?"
"Let's just take it day by day, and see what happens", he shrugged.

We retired to the kitchen table for a late snack, and strategy session.
"We must get a Summit order in" Darren started, "There is no way I'm going to Drag Week with those terrible Super Tricks on the Dakota!"
"Good grief Darren!" I stared at him, "You can't get new wheels in less than a week. Most of those are drop shipped from the manufacturer...it took me three weeks to get my Centerlines!"
"Oh, I'll have new wheels...you just watch", he challenged. "Dale, just look up wheels that can ship today on there."
There meant Dale's smart phone. A truck which needs tons of hours poured into it is sitting on a trailer, and four guys are at the table with one smart phone trying to order parts. It was more than I could take, so I excused myself and went to bed.
"I have to get a new steering wheel too!" I heard Darren add on as I walked away.

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Posted By: moparpollack

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 09/28/14 12:34 AM

The Dakota truck looked better than I thought it would!

Posted By: mopar400

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 09/28/14 04:11 AM

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 09/28/14 08:44 AM

Labor Day morning was pretty much the same as the two previous, as I was the first up, was showered, and outside before anyone else was moving. I decided to remove the 750 DP from The Belvedere and give it a once over. Much like the 950 on the Valiant, I wanted to record all the particulars, and have a good baseline tune-up in the books.
The activity in the back yard actually ramped up quicker than I expected though, as Boone showed up fairly early, then Mom and Dad arrived. Dale also got around at a pretty good hour for him, and it looked like a productive day might be on tap.
"Did you get an order in?" I asked Dale, as he ambled over to help Boone with the Barnyard. Apparently breaking in the new cam was the first order of business.
"Yeah, finally", he shook his head.
"Did you get wheels?"
"Yep, rear wheels for the Dakota, and a new steering wheel on the way."
"What did he settle for?" I couldn't help myself, I had to know.
"15 X 14 Billet Specialties Double Bead Locks...to go with the 33 X 18.50 MT Et Streets we ordered last week." he laughed.
"Oh dear Lord!" I gasped, "He's going to have more in rolling stock than he paid for the whole dang truck!"
"Yeah, pretty much..." He cut off more comments as Dad walked over, and poking fun at his golden child would not put him in good mood.
"I guess Darren wants me to start on the interior", Dad gestured toward the Dakota, "He said something about some dynamat and carpet?"
"Dad, all Darren bought was some sound deadener, I think he's planning on using the dynamat and carpet you bought for your car!" Dale laughed.
"Sounds about right", Dad shook his head, "He's already got my billet torque converter, and my ignition box." He headed off towards his trailer to retrieve his parts to put in Darren's truck.
"Why is Darren using Dad's converter? I thought he pulled the 727 out of the Charger."
"Yeah", Dale looked at me sheepishly, "He didn't think the converter in the Charger would have worked behind that 499, so he begged Dad to let him use the billet 9 inch".

I went over and helped Dad, as the Barnyard's 508 fired to life for the first time. I didn't really want to work on the Dakota, but I figured if I wanted to visit with the old man, that was the price to pay. I sprayed the raw steel floor section with etching primer, as Dad tried to tape off the holes with some aluminum tape that looked thinner than foil.
"I've got some of the thick stuff in my truck Pops, let me bring that to you." I offered.
"Yeah, I guess, this junk has 3M written on it, but it's useless!"
As I walked by the Barnyard, Dale yelled at Boone to shut it down. "We've got one header turning red, before the rest".
"Did you ever dial in those twin 750s the way the Mopar Bible tells you to?" I poked Dale in the ribs.
"Someday, I'll get to that!" he smiled, then laughed.
Pops was happy with the tape I had and soon the floorboard started to come together, and he was ready to put down some dynamat. Boone and Dale had wrapped up the Barnyard break-in procedure, and took the truck for a test drive.
"There went my dynamat helper!" Dad exclaimed, "I'll wait until Boone gets back, he's real good at getting it to lay down smooth".
"Well then, what next?"
"Need to pull the pedals out, the chassis guy moved the throttle pedal over too far to clear that new tunnel, and now it's practically under the brake pedal."
"Geez, Dad", I shook my head, "That's going backwards, we're supposed to be putting the thing together not taking more stuff off!"
"Well", his face started turning red, "You can't drive the darn thing with both feet on top of each other!"
"Fine, fine, we'll pull the pedals out..." I resigned myself to the inevitable.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 09/28/14 10:32 AM

Dale and Boone took forever to return from their shakedown trip, and I sent Boone over to help Dad, while I cornered Dale. "How'd it go?"
"I like it", he nodded, "Definitely revs better now!"
"Sound's more docile, I think", I added.
"Yeah, 110 lobe center, still pings a bit on pump gas though, I can't figure that out, must be right on the edge."
"Speaking of that, why are you putting the Dakota on E-85?"
"Big compression race engine, we didn't really have a choice if he wants to drive it on the street".
"What was the cranking compression?"
"Don't know, never checked it".
"So you talked Darren into 1400 bucks worth of E-85 carbs, and never even checked it?"
Dale laughed, "Well...he wanted new carbs, and the guy he bought it from said it was like 13 to 1, so that's what we are doing."
"You've never ran anything on E-85 before have you?"
"Nope, I guess we'll all learn on the fly!"

I walked away muttering to myself, speaking of learning on the fly, I decided perhaps it was time for the 428 small block's maiden street voyage. I jumped in the Valiant, and fired it up, then eased out of the back yard and onto the street in front of Dale's house. It had been nearly 2 years, and you forget what a ladder bar, spool, bias tire car drives like on the open road. "This is not a street car", I spoke to myself, "This is an overgrown go-cart!"
It was roughly 4 1/2 miles and 3 4-way stops to the closest gas station, and by the time I arrived there she was already sitting at 210 degrees water temp. The return trip, after filling the cell, saw the gauge just off 250 by the time I was safely in the back yard.
Boone was the first to my door, "How was it?"
"Not worth a darn, can't control the water temp!"
"What's different?"
"Well, I have a bypass hose on this one...that's it, but I had problems keeping the other one cool also."
"How did it run?" Dale chimed in.
"Spongy at the bottom of each gear, and off idle, great once it gets in the rpm."
"That thing was a pain to set the idle, that timing curve sucks! We should just lock it out, that might help the cooling problem as well", he surmised.
"We've got to do something", I ran my fingers through my hair, "before I burn down a brand new engine!"

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 09/28/14 06:40 PM

We put Dad on the charcoal grille, since Mom had driven over to Darren's to pick up the pop-up camper.

I remounted the 750 holley on the Belvedere's M-1. The only real surprise I had found was a PV in the secondaries, which didn't correlate to the jet size back there. I was always accused of running the nitrous too rich because the car used to belch black smoke at the hit, but I think this was more likely the problem. I also dropped the N20 tune-up down about 8 sizes, figuring with the 3.55s in place of the 2.76s, it wouldn't need as much. A quick drive around the neighborhood was enjoyable, the gear change made it feel the part of a hotrod instead of a cruiser, and the 440 felt crisp and responsive.

When I returned, I pulled the MSD distributor out of the Valiant, and took it over to Dale, who had begun the process of the removing the old carbs from the Dakota's Zeeker tunnel ram. He gave me a quick review of what the process entailed to lock it out, and I took it over to the table on which I had went through both carbs, to take it apart. Boone came over and told both of us it was time to eat, so we dropped everything and had our Labor Day picnic and bull session.

By the time we ate, and I put the distributor back in, fired the engine, reset the timing, re-adjusted the idle settings, and topped off the trans fluid, it was getting dark. Last year, most of our activities were in Dale's shop, which Boone had cleaned out in order to get the Barnyard in. This year the shop was practically out of play with Michael Beeler's purple Duster taking up the space, parts scattered everywhere, and only half the lights working. So our cars were scattered over the back yard, and there seemed to be a marked shortage of drop cords and lights. As such Boone and I decided to call it an early night, sensing it might be our last full night of sleep anyway. I decided to spend the night at Boone's house, and as we headed to his car, Dale had a drop light under the hood of the Dakota and was bolting up the new E-85 carbs on the 499.

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Posted By: 1967dartgt

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 09/29/14 01:34 AM

Love living through your writing. Thanks

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 09/29/14 01:56 PM

Tuesday morning, 9/2, meant America was back to work, which in turn meant we could go buy parts, and the delivery trucks could drop off boxes at Dale's house again. From this point until registration, every day would be like Christmas and some credit cards would be smoldering!
Boone and I walked into Grand Prix Auto Sports in Tulsa, and tossed 2 bottles onto the counter. Monte Smith would once again be supplying free N20 refills during Drag Week, but I've always felt it's best form to show up with full bottles to start the event, and the Gremlin, as well as the Belvedere would be using plenty all week. While we waited for that, we grabbed some race fuel, a couple handfuls of various fittings, and a spare fuel regulator. Our next stop was Harbor Freight, for some more drop cords, an NPT tap set, and various other tools, then we hit Napa, Wal-Mart, O'Reilly's, and Denny's! We showed up at Dale's with the back of the poor Mazda 323 nearly dragging the ground, and looked like the ladies coming back from an all day Saturday shopping spree when we started emptying out the car.
Mom and Dad were setting up the camper in the corner of Dale's back yard, and Dale was working on installing the battery box in the back of Darren's Dakota. Mom immediately drafted Boone into helping them, so I walked over to see what Dale was involved with. In much the same way that he did the Barnyard, he was using a Taylor stainless steel battery box, and running the cables through the bottom. He also installs a weather proof relay in the box to run the electric fuel pump, with only the activation wire running forward to the cab.
"How did it go last night?"
"Didn't get to bed until around 2:30", he laughed, "The bottom of the linkages on those carbs hit the intake, so I had to cut them off, then modify the linkage and return spring to fit...it definitely wasn't a straight up bolt on deal!"
"So...you got your runs in on Friday, and your physical filled out..."
"Yeah, I sent all that stuff in by Fed-ex this morning, so it will be there tomorrow, and she will fax me a temporary license."
"What are you going to do about getting the car certed?" I shrugged, "Or do you plan to put on some roll bar padding and try to get by?"
"Not sure", he shook his head, as he put the finishing touches on the L-bracket that would hold the relay, "I called Division 5, and I'd have to tow it up to Wichita to get an inspector to do it up there. I haven't called Division 4 yet."
The big project of the evening became assembling an 8 3/4 third member for the Barnyard. After Boone, finished helping Mom, he dug a rusty 742 case and equally nasty 30 spline spool out of the back of Dale's shop, and headed off in the direction of the bearing press in the front garage. He cleaned everything up as best as he could, then came back frustrated, holding up the old bearing he'd pressed off and the new one, which was obviously the wrong inside diameter.
"This install kit we got from Summit last week has the wrong bearings", he handed them to Dale.
After about 20 minutes of smart phone research, and a couple of parts store calls, Boone was off in the Mazda for another run to O'Reilly's.

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Posted By: tboomer

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 09/29/14 02:16 PM

Great story Billy!

Posted By: J_BODY

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 09/29/14 04:13 PM

Bearings in the "kit" are often for a stock carrier.... spool requires different bearing, but you know this now...

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 09/30/14 03:57 AM

Dale and I made our way back to Darren's Dakota in Boone's absence.
"What's the deal with the back glass?" I asked.
"When Brian put the cage in, the area where it goes through the back of the cab is very close to the glass, and at the time he hadn't yet put solid mounts between the cab and frame. Then it went to the painter's shop, and he dropped the rear off a jack pretty fast and the glass shattered! He has a new one around here, I just don't know who is going to install it!"
"Not us!", I shook my head, "Had enough glass installs doing the Barnyard last year."
I pointed at the 4-link bars, "What's with all these bolts running in different directions?"
"Same kind of deal, the chassis guy built the 4-link, then the painter completely disassembled everything to paint it!"
"How do we know if he put it back together properly?" I shrugged, "The bars might not even be in the right places!"
Dale laughed, "Cross our fingers, I guess!"

Dale had started taping up a new wiring harness for the frame, against my argument to just use the stock one. I watched Dale wire the Barnyard from scratch last year, and I knew it was far too time consuming a project to go down that path with the Dakota. Luckily Darren made his appearance at that time, and bailed me out.
"The factory harness is too short", Dale complained.
"No, no it isn't", Darren pointed out, "You'll see when we get the bed sides back, the taillights have fairly long pigtails that make up the difference."

Darren spent the rest of his afternoon bending and installing new brake lines on the 8 3/4 housing, and taking inventory of what would be needed in the coming days if he had a prayer of getting the thing in one piece.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 09/30/14 04:24 AM

When Boone returned, Dale and Dad turned their attention to helping him finish up the 4.30 geared third member. In fact they basically took over, while Boone started the process of removing the 3.91s from the Barnyard.

I decided to take the Valiant out for another jaunt to see if the locked out distributor cured it's ails. This outing proved to be much better, only hitting 210, but on the way back, after ripping through 1st and 2nd, the trans seemed to flair up going into drive, just as I lifted. The 904 has been in the car through my two previous Drag Weeks, and I was concerned, but I simply brushed it aside, as darkness was closing in, and the guys were busy trying to finish up their own projects.

"Dang it", Boone exclaimed, as he rolled the 3.91s out from under his truck, "there's a pretty healthy chunk missing out of one ring gear tooth, and this thing's always been perfectly quiet!"

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Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 09/30/14 05:09 AM

Quote:

When Boone returned, Dale and Dad turned their attention to helping him finish up the 4.30 geared third member. In fact they basically took over, while Boone started the process of removing the 3.91s from the Barnyard.

I decided to take the Valiant out for another jaunt to see if the locked out distributor cured it's ails. This outing proved to be much better, only hitting 210, but on the way back, after ripping through 1st and 2nd, the trans seemed to flair up going into drive, just as I lifted. The 904 has been in the car through my two previous Drag Weeks, and I was concerned, but I simply brushed it aside, as darkness was closing in, and the guys were busy trying to finish up their own projects.

"Dang it", Boone exclaimed, as he rolled the 3.91s out from under his truck, "there's a pretty healthy chunk missing out of one ring gear tooth, and this thing's always been perfectly quiet!"

That be the family Enforcer on the left.Always cool to talk to him.

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/01/14 09:20 AM

I slept in Mom and Dad's pop-up camper Tuesday night, and Mom had breakfast ready for us by the time I had my shower.
Dad and I drove into town on a parts run which included a 4X8 sheet of lexan for the Gremlin, and a 180 degree t-stat for the Valiant.
By the time we returned, Dale was putting the day's parts deliveries to good use. He had already installed new QA-1 shocks and springs on the back of Darren's Dakota, and was working to get the second stage of nitrous on the Gremlin.
Boone rolled in a bit later with Dale's new kitchen stove ready to unload. He works for Whirlpool, and they have a great employee purchase deal, so any appliances for the family go through him!
Boone helped me with the lexan next. After we used the remaining side glass for two templates, we told Dale's stepson Cody to get the cracked back glass out of his Duster racecar, so we could cut that out too. I was pretty much in charge of fitting and finishing the two side windows for the gremlin after that, and it confirmed to me that every penny I paid on Lexan installs over the years, was money well spent! It was well into the afternoon by the time I got the one in the passenger's side done, and somehow I had managed to get a slight scratch in it. When Dale complained, I handed him back his original Driver's side glass and told him just re-install it. He grabbed the yellowed, dingy, scratched up piece and held it next to the freshly installed one, "Wow, I didn't realize how nasty these old ones really were! I think you need to finish them both!"
"Yeah, but I'm going to save the second for tomorrow", I begged off. Then went to put the t-stat in the Valiant. Boone dropped the Barnyard off the jack with the new/used 4.30s in place about the same time I fired up the Valiant to check for leaks, so we decided to run down to the car wash together, and give them both a thorough cleaning, probably the last they would get before Drag Week would begin in earnest. On the trip back, I ripped it pretty hard through all three gears, and the 2-3 shift was great, so that made me feel better.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/02/14 03:40 AM

Wednesday was really a nice, low key, no drama day, but you could see the metaphorical storm brewing in the sunset. Dale and Boone were definitely putting a concerted effort into finishing up their respective rides as soon as possible. Darren had to make a run to Dallas for work, so he was out of the picture all day, but he had been working Dad, Mom and Boone over on the phone to set up a last ditch effort on his Dakota, so I had a feeling things would get interesting the next day.
I overheard Boone complaining to Dale about the 4.30s in the Truck being particularly noisy, so I used that moment as an excuse to take a ride in it with him.
"Boone, I thought you had to run over to Darren's and do some laundry tonight?"
"Yeah, yeah I do, and I need to gather up some more of my tools over there as well", he mentioned.
Dale fired the Gremlin, brought it up to two grand, tickled the spray, and the 440 jumped. "That's two hundred" he smiled, then hit the other button, "and that's the hundred I'll stack on top!" The result was definitely milder than the first hit.
"I'll ride over in the Barnyard with you Boone, that way I can listen to that third member".
I realized as we drove over that it was my first ride in the truck. Last year had been so hectic at Drag Week that I
never even got the opportunity. "Boone, that's not any louder than the school busses we rode on as kids!" I laughed.
"Yeah, but those things were huge. Think it will last the week?
"Sure, no problem. It'll probably quiet down after a few miles anyway."

Once we were at Darren's, Boone started taking care of his errands, but I went right for the laptop on the counter! My internet withdrawals were reaching a near critical point, and I really needed a fix! Luckily, one of the first things I ran across was Bill Fowler explaining that he had a division inspector showing up at the track on Saturday to do chassis inspections! Seems Dale may be in luck, if the Gremlin could pass...

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Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/02/14 04:50 AM

Bill's a great guy.With a BIG hat. LOl.

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/02/14 04:57 AM

Thursday morning, I asked Dad to follow me to Robertson Tire in Owasso, and I took the 1 ton down for 4 new tires, because I knew I had no desire to drive that thing back to Phoenix at 50 mph!
We got back to the house just in time for breakfast, and that's when I gave Dale the news about chassis inspections at the Tulsa track on Saturday. That perked him up right away, "So, you're telling me there's a chance!" he did his best Jim Carrey impression.
"Yeah, a chance it'll have thin bars, the NHRA will black ball the car, and you won't be able to go on Drag Week at all." I shot back. Sometimes I simply can't help myself, why do I get such pleasure from watching my little brothers squirm?
As I expected, both Dale and Boone were on the Dakota almost from the onset, mainly working on wiring and plumbing. Soon, an older long bed pick-up rolled into the backyard, that none of us recognized. It was the painter, who, true to his word, hand delivered the bed sides and tailgate. Shortly after that the Fed-Ex truck dropped off the tires, and a huge fluidyne oil cooler. Darren showed up about an hour later, and it seemed as if he and Dale would spend most of the day plumbing and mounting the oil cooler and trans cooler in front of the radiator. I finished up Dale's lexan, and generally just milled about handing people tools and conversing, until I realized it was about thirty minutes until the tire shop closed, and I'd better go pick up the dually.

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Posted By: cudadoug

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/02/14 07:31 AM

Billy, I get tired just reading about your exploits.

It seems that the actual event of drag week is a freaking vacation compared to the thrash prior to. I love it!!!

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/02/14 12:43 PM

The bed sides, and tailgate on Darren's truck have precision, tapered pins which slide down in receivers to hold them in place, then the top pins have holes drilled to allow keeper pins to be installed. They worked great at the chassis shop, then the painter applied paint to both the pins and receivers, so adjustments were necessary. Taking files and sandpaper to brand new paint is so much fun, trial fitting and removing freshly painted, heavy steel parts, not so much.
Dale had the battery cable ran up to the front of the truck, only to discover the starter wasn't in the Dakota, and the converter bolts weren't in, much like the Charger in 2012, everything that was supposed to be already done, was going to have to be re-checked, re-tightened, or gone over! New project, same brother.
Darren left a little after sundown, and momentum waned from there, everyone was keenly self aware that this would be our last chance at a decent night's sleep, tomorrow everything would get ramped up...

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Posted By: Devilbrad

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/02/14 07:14 PM

Subscribed.

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/03/14 05:47 AM

Friday's parts delivery included 5 sets of Bosch plugs, various fittings, new shocks for Boone, Darren's new wheels, and his new steering wheel.
"Good grief Boone", I scolded, "You can't put those on a Gasser!"
He had just pulled a shiny new double adjustable aluminum QA-1 shock out of the package.
"Hey, that thing is for a coil-over application", I observed.
"Yeah, they didn't have anything long enough in the Stocker-Star front shock selection, so I ordered these".
"Those are not going to be Squirrel approved!" I continued to pick on him.
"I lost Squirrel's approval when I didn't paint my aluminum radiator black, so I'm not painting these either", he laughed.
Boone really struggled to keep the Barnyard in the groove last year, and it was a bit unwieldy on the street as well. Replacing the wore out 2800lb Super Gas A-body Super Stock leaf springs on the rear with a pair of brand new 3000lb 002/003 SS leafs had helped a great deal, but he still had to deal with excessive body roll on launch, and dive under braking in the front. I had recommended clamping the top two front leafs together, but he and Dale had decided to spend money on shocks instead.
Of course, as with everything, it wasn't a straight-up bolt on deal, and required yet another run to the parts store for adaptable hardware to make them fit. While I helped him, Dale was busy learning the ins and outs of mounting the ET. Streets on the new double beadlock wheels. In a word (or two), time consuming! The real fun was when he nearly had the second one done and couldn't find the last beadlock bolt, it was great theatre!

Boone and Dale disappeared for yet another test drive of the Barnyard, and came back with glowing remarks about the new additions.
"Wow", Boone shook his head, "I would've never believed a simple shock change could make that much difference!"
"Yeah", Dale agreed, "and the adjustments definitely make a difference, it changes the characteristics with just a few clicks."
"I think I can handle her at a buck-twenty now", Boone asserted.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/03/14 06:21 AM

Darren was working on Friday, and was once again working the phone for help. He had mom running all over town to get his insurance for the Dakota. Then he requested that Mom and Dad take it down to the DMV to get it registered! He's had the darn thing in Oklahoma for six months, has been planning to take it on Drag Week since pre-registering it the last of April, and now on the last possible day, he's asking other people to get the insurance and registration?
Then he started in on Boone about getting a glass guy out to install the back glass, and taking it to the muffler shop for exhaust! I overheard Boone telling him, "Let's just get the registration and go from there", then Boone laughed and hung up.
"What did he say?"
"He said he couldn't believe we were just blowing him off when all he needed was a little help to make this happen!"
"Good Lord!" I shook my head, "I don't know how you guys continue to put up with that!"

This meant everyone working on the Dakota had to shift gears, we had parts and people draped all over this thing on the trailer, so, now we had to clean up all the loose parts and tools, bolt the old slicks and wheels back on, and secure it to the trailer so it could make the trip to the DMV. Just before they fired the 1 ton to take it out of the yard, Dale decided the tailgate might not ride in place, so he and Boone removed it. Then I realized that Dad had removed the tank straps to paint them, and the aluminum gas tank was just sitting in the bed! I literally picked it up as Dad and Mom drove out from under it.

Twenty minutes later, Boone had a startled Dad on the phone trying to explain that he had somehow lost the tailgate and the fuel tank!

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/04/14 07:26 AM

I had planned to take the Belvedere out to the track Friday night for the test and tune, but Mother Nature had other ideas. Shortly after Mom and Dad returned with Darren's Dakota, dark clouds rolled in, and the wind kicked up considerably. We all went from thinking about the next project to cleaning up and putting away all the tools and parts. Rachael arrived from the airport Friday night, and James Gilliland, who rode with Dale last year, drove in from Caney Ks., so our band of Drag Weekers was complete.

I spent a fitful few hours in the pop-up with the thunder and lightning booming, but eventually fatigue took over, and I managed a good night's sleep. Once again, I was the first up, and moving around. Saturday proved to be one of those fall days in Oklahoma where grey skies and rain would hang around constantly. It would go from a drizzle, to a sprinkle, then a light mist, than back again. You know, perfect weather for an all day automotive thrash!

Rachael, Mom, and two of Dale's daughters decided to go visit my Grandmother in Broken Arrow, so they left fairly early. Dale and James got up, cleaned out the Gremlin, removed the nitrous bottle to make a little more room for a passenger, and headed off to the track in an attempt to get a chassis sticker. I went out to the Belvedere, grabbed a white scotch pad, and some purple power soap, and used the drizzle to go over the semi-flat black treatment on the hood and lower sides. Four months earlier I had waxed the entire car, and of course, now I had white swirl marks all over the organisol black. An hour of elbow grease in the rain, and it appeared that everyone on Drag Week might not know what an idiot I was!
Dale returned about an hour later, just as Boone showed up after a trip to Grand Prix with new lug nuts for Darren's fancy wheels.

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Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/04/14 07:51 AM

Getting close to Rachael showing her cousins how its done. LOL.

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/04/14 04:40 PM

We gathered around the Gremlin, as Dale pulled out a universal side door mirror that he had ordered previously. This was the last piece needed to make it DOT legal, and would basically mean our four vehicles were ready to go. Well, ready to go, in Gebhart parlance, I mean three of them hadn't been down a drag strip in four months or more, and the Valiant only had about 30 street miles under it's belt, but hey, we were confident in those, so now we just had the Dakota left in our sights.
"How did it go?" I questioned Dale as he showed off his new 8.50 cert.
"A little scary actually", he shook his head, "A couple bars were really close, and I was nervous!" "Steve's sisters were at the track, greeting everyone", Dale continued, "It was great getting to meet them, and they gave us these", he held out a grey and red plastic wrist band with the words "Good Luck From Steve" on it. I noticed that He, as well as Boone and James already had them on, so I did so as well. Steve's death at Drag Week 2013 was something most of us had not been able to resolve or come to grips with quite yet, and I was hoping that meeting the family, and getting together with all our fellow Drag Week buddies would help with that process.
"Well, dang, now I wish I had went with you."
"They are going to be out there tomorrow as well", Dale assured me, "They are excited to see you and Rachael, and thank you personally. They're excited to see his old 67 Valiant as well, I think it's going to be huge for them to see that car back on the racetrack."

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/06/14 12:02 AM

Around noon, we decided to unload the Dakota from the trailer, and push it onto the pad in front of the garage, where most of the work had been done on the Gremlin. Dad, Boone, Dale, James, and I wrestled it into position and then elevated it onto jack stands.
Boone removed the old Hoosiers and Super Tricks for the final time, and shoved them out of the way. The first time we mocked up one of the new wheels is was apparent that the rusty, unfinished drums on the 8 3/4 weren't going to work on the open 5 spoke wheel, so I took them into the shop, out of the rain, and gave them a nice gloss black bath.
Dale sat just under the bed, near the battery box, "I need to finish these cables, but we never had the right ends, despite Darren making at least two trips for them, this is frustrating as..."
"They, should have been in a Kimball Midwest box in the back of the trailer", Darren interrupted, finally making his entrance for the day. He peered into the trailer, then boomed out, "Where are all my parts! I had everything laid out right here in the..."
"We had a major storm last night, in case you didn't notice", it was my turn to jump into the conversation, "We had to put everything away!"
"Let's just dig up all the cable, and all the ends we can find, and get that part finished", Boone suggested.
The four of us, working together on one project, might get messy. Darren likes to bolt on major components, step back and look at them, but never tie up the loose ends. Boone likes to take one component or sub-system, and completely finish it before looking at anything else. Dale likes to work an area, such as back to front, and finish everything as he moves. I like to hand people stuff, laugh, joke, and tell great stories while everyone else does the heavy lifting. It's an imperfect system, so hopefully Dad and James could fill in the gaps!
"Where's Mom?" Darren asked, as he looked around realizing the PT Cruiser was gone.
"She took Rachael and the girls over to visit Grand Mother", I informed him.
"Huh, well...who am I going to send after parts?"
"And who are we going to get to fix us lunch?" Dad added.
I just shook my head and looked at both of them, "Some peoples kids!"
When the rear drums were back on, Boone pulled out the new lug nuts and hoisted the first billet specialties wheel into place. He dropped the third one he attempted to screw on, and it fell into the wheel with that signature aluminum on aluminum clack. The blood drained from Darren's face immediately and he lunged to the other side of the Dakota where Boone was kneeling.
"Get out of the way! I'll do that!"
"I got this", Boone growled
"They're MY wheels, I just spent a ton of money on them, if I want to put them on, I'll put them on!" Darren insisted
"If you can't trust me to put wheels on, then you can't trust me to do anything else, I'm done!" Boone countered
"Fine", Darren refused to back down.
"FINE", Boone shouted, then tossed the tools on the ground and walked away towards the Barnyard Viper.

Boone started sorting through all of his tools, and organizing everything that we planned to take in the trailer, I split off from the Dakota to help him, and make small talk. We decided it was a good time to swap in the new plugs while we were at it.
Darren's girlfriend Jamie must've been the parts runner, and when she showed up, she also brought Charlie's Chicken take out with her, so we all knocked off and ate picnic style, in the back yard. The time spent on the Barnyard, and a good lunch, seemed to take away Boone's anger and soon he was back on the Dakota.
Once Darren finished bolting the tires and wheels on, they stuck him under the 727 to finish up what he should have done three weeks earlier, namely the converter bolts.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/07/14 07:32 AM

Saturday afternoon saw the arrival of the Hindleys to Dale's back yard. John (Johnnyrotten, Moparts) was supposed to be my co-pilot for the 2013 edition of Drag Week, but work obligations had kept that from happening. In 2014 he purchased Steve Bowyer's 67 Valiant from his surviving siblings, and had talked enough about Drag Week that his wife Opal decided to make it happen.
She had contacted me early in the year, and I kept her up on all the info needed to plan the trip, and get them registered. She went to John's work and scheduled the vacation time, got the registration taken care of, all as a secret, so she could give it to him as an anniversary gift!
I had offered the opportunity to store their tow rig at Dale's so they could avoid trying to find parking at the Motel, then the impound thing at the track Monday morning. They rolled in with John's parents following them in a mini-van. All seemed in good spirits following their jaunt from Tucson, and excited about the adventure ahead. They unloaded the 67, and disconnected from the trailer, electing to leave the car, trailer, and most of their supplies and drive the empty truck to and from the Motel. I knew John had made all the necessary adjustments to his Valiant to handle the track portion, coming off his victory at MATS in the sportsman class, but was concerned about the street worthiness of the machine. He merely laughed, looked around at our motley assortment, and commented, "You're worried about mine?" He motioned at the Dakota, "Tell your brother that John Force wants his tires and wheels back!" It was good to see the long trip had not dampened his sense of humor!

Mom and the girls made their return, but Rachael only hung around about an hour or so before her cousins from her mom's side came by to pick her up. "Give me some money Dad, we're gonna hit a few clubs tonight", she smiled.
"Rachael, registration starts early tomorrow!"
"I know, don't worry, I'll be here in plenty of time!"
With that, she was off again, to who knows where.

John and I agreed to leave Dale's at 7:30 AM, so hopefully we could get in the Registration/Tech line early, as I explained to him that it usually took most of the day to get through, and this year would feature a third more cars than ever before. Once they left, I looked around, and realized Darren was still under the transmission...this was not going to end well!

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Posted By: Hemi_Joel

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/07/14 10:04 PM

When did Elvis get there? I see his Duster in the garage.

Posted By: rapom

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/07/14 10:44 PM

Love the detail and the back stories!

Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/07/14 11:36 PM

Quote:

When did Elvis get there? I see his Duster in the garage.

Wonder if he was there for the duration of the thrash.Maybe Billy will fill us in.

Posted By: clonestocker

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/08/14 01:15 AM

Quote:

"Tell your brother that John Force wants his tires and wheels back!

CLASSIC

Posted By: Chris'sBarracuda

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/08/14 01:51 AM

Quote:

When did Elvis get there? I see his Duster in the garage.

Wonder if he was there for the duration of the thrash.Maybe Billy will fill us in.

Um look here

Quote:

Last year, most of our activities were in Dale's shop, which Boone had cleaned out in order to get the Barnyard in. This year the shop was practically out of play with Michael Beeler's purple Duster taking up the space,

And there you have it..

Chris..

Posted By: moparmanjames

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/08/14 02:37 AM

That MATS photo looks familiar

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/08/14 08:36 AM

Boone and I scanned the top of Darren's aluminum tank looking for a place to put the fuel return Dale had just shoved through the bed. There was a washer with a bolt through it in the top right corner that appeared to be covering a hole. Boone removed the cap and tried to put his hand in, "Nope, we're going to have to pull it all off so I can get my arm in there".
"You mean those 15 little bolts, with the ring on the inside and the gasket, and the..."
"Exactly", he interrupted me.
I shook my head, "This thing is going to fight us every step of the way, isn't it?"
"Uh, Dale, do we have a bulkhead fitting?" Boone ignored me.
Dale went scrambling over to another car in the backyard, dug out a small plastic fuel cell, and started pulling a fitting off. That's where we were at this point, hours away from registration, no more parts runs, we would have to do with what we had on location.
After three hours of Darren cursing under the truck, Boone finally had to run him out of the way and put the bolts in the torque converter, one was cross threaded, and it wasn't clocked properly. Just as Boone was ripping Darren for his incompetence, the drama was deflected as a tall, lanky fellow none of us recognized entered the back yard, "Yeah, I'm the glass guy your girlfriend has been hounding all day..." he stuck out a hand.
"Wow! I am so glad you made it!" Darren greeted him, then showed him what we were up against with making the back glass work.
With Boone and Dale under the Dakota, the poor glass guy trying to install a back glass without access to the bed, and myself working near the tail, Darren and Dad turned their attention to installing the fancy new steering wheel. Boone yelled at him three times in a row, "The adapter you bought clearly says it's not for vehicles originally equipped with an airbag, so that horn is not going to work!"
Some how Darren managed to resign himself to the fact Boone was right without an argument, but we had plenty of time left in the week!

Dad and I wimped out at about 9:30 pm and headed off to bed, figuring sleep was a precious commodity at this point, and I was out by the time my head hit the pillow. I woke to the sound of Boone's Mazda firing up, and checked my cell phone, 3:30 AM. I pulled on my jeans, and shuffled out of the Pop-up camper, Dale and Darren were still draped over the Dakota.
"Was that Boone just leaving?"
"Yeah", Dale answered, "figured he'd better get home, and get a little sleep".
"Dave, can you fix the starter?" Darren asked, "Boone put it in crooked, the nose isn't in the tranny."
"Sure", I crawled under and looked up, and clearly it was not in the register, "He must've really been tired, he never makes mistakes like that!"
"Yeah", Dale laughed, "He was sleeping on the job, that's why we sent him home!"
I finished the starter, slid back to where Dale was working, and happened to look up at the silver third member, "Ok, I've seen 741s, 742s, and 489s...what the heck is a 985?"
I had to look it up, it's old, like late 50's, Dale commented.
I had been working with them for about an hour when Darren abruptly dropped his tools, turned to Dale and said, "I've been out here in this wet crap all day, my socks and shoes are soaked, I can't take it any more. I've got to get home, take a shower, put on some fresh clothes, and then come back."
Once he was gone, I turned to Dale and started leaning on him. "You need to go get some sleep, now!"
"If I sleep, this truck won't get done!"
"That's not on you, you've got your own Drag Week to think about, and if you don't get some sleep, it's not going to work out."
"I guess you're right", he ran his hands through his hair, crawled out from under the truck, and trudged off towards the house.
I shut off a few lights, closed the garage door, and decided to try and steal another hour or so of sleep myself if possible.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/09/14 07:01 AM

I woke up with a start at 6:45 AM, and headed off for the shower. I was dressed when I heard John and Opal's Cummins powered Dodge coming around the side of the house. I went out to greet them, and they were apologetic for making noise when it appeared everybody was still sleeping.
"Don't worry about it", I shrugged, "they probably didn't hear anything, and they need to be up anyway."
Both of our cars were covered in dew, so we wiped them down, and packed a few things before we decided to go ahead and leave. Dad was the only person moving around, and he was busy trying to clean up the hopelessly trashed yard. "You want to ride out with me?" I questioned him.
"Naw, I'm going to stay here and help Darren, until he misses the deadline and realizes he's not going this year."
"Yeah, I understand."
We fired the two white Valiants up, and drove out of the driveway. Our first turn to the right headed us directly into the morning sun, and my windshield was fogging up quicker than I could wipe it off! I had to hang my head out of the side glass just to see anything in front of me. The next right turn took the sun away, and I was able to see well enough to proceed cautiously. Two miles later the engine heat was sufficient to finally clear off the glass, and I could see John's bumper in the distance.
We literally drove less than 200 ft. through the gate, and right into a full fledged mess. We had pulled up to the back of what appeared to be two lanes, with a sign which pointed to the left lane for class cars, and the right lane for Daily Driver and Unlimited, so I pulled up to the left and motioned John to pull along side me on the right. The sign also had an arrow pointing to the staging lanes for "Wait List" cars who would be let in afterwards, but when I looked at the lanes, I realized they were full of cars, and some of those folks were giving me the evil eye!
A few guys came up and explained that the actual line wrapped into staging and out onto the track, and suggested that we back up, and drive through one small opening to get to the back. I declined that invitation, pointed at the sign and held my ground. Many of the faces waiting in staging were the same guys who had pushed their way into the lanes ahead of us in 2011 when Tulsa had no lane directors, so I felt no remorse. Once the line moved past the gore point, and I felt confident we wouldn't have to fight anyone to remain in our spot, I set out towards the front of the line to get our registration sheet, that you fill out, and get signed off to get through tech. The difficulty in that task was running into old Drag Week friends every two cars, and exchanging pleasantries and a few stories with each.
Opal came towards me with two ladies in tow, and said, "Billy, this is Joyce and Linda, Steve Bowyer's sisters..."
Joyce grabbed me in an embrace and said, "Thank you so much for what your family did for ours!"
So, I went from playing the tough guy, to hanging out with old friends, to tears running down my face in the span of about 30 minutes.
I was reminded of the Jimmy V quote, "If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special."
That's Drag Week boiled down to it's very essence, and I was thankful to be on the cusp of another one.
"We saw Dale yesterday", Joyce continued, "Where is Rachael, and the rest of them?"
"Hopefully they will be here soon", I shrugged, They'll probably be the last ones through the gate!"
"Okay, we are going to be here all day, so tell them to look for us!" Linda added.

Once I reigned in my wits, and emotions, I decided I had better check to see what was going on with everyone else. My first call was to Rachael, and I jumped her about where she was at.
"I'm still at Chad's...I got up and took a shower, and I'm ready to go, but I drank all these pansies under the table last night and they are still passed out!
"Good grief! Call your Aunt Kathy and see if she can give you a ride, you need to get the Belvedere out here!"

Next up, I called Dale and didn't get an answer. Then Darren.
"I'm out here working on the truck, James and Dad are helping me, but Dale isn't up yet", he complained.
I had this image of Dale's wife standing in front of the bedroom door with a shotgun in one hand, and his turned off cell phone in the other!

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Posted By: Triple Threat

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/09/14 04:39 PM

I feel like I was there!

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/10/14 07:22 AM

Finally, I ran into a Tulsa Raceway Park tech guy, who had the proper registration sheets for us to fill out. Now, one of the reasons I started writing these tales back in 2011, was because many of the comments on this and other message boards made me feel like most racers and car guys didn't understand the feel, spirit, and sense of accomplishment that this event brings about, and simply look at the E.T. on the sheet as the only barometer of success. I'd like to think I've been able to convey the message somewhat, but there are still a few things that despite my best efforts haven't made it through.
#1 What class is my car legal for?
What class do you want to run. Read the rules, get close, enter that class on your pre-registration. A representative from the Hot Rod Drag Week staff is going to approach you in the lanes, and this is how it works:
HR Guy- "What class are you running?"
Me- "Modified NA"
HR Guy, looking under hood at clearly visible plate nitrous system, "NA, really?"
Me- "Yeah, no bottle in the car this year."
HR Guy, "Ok...modified is small tire right?"
Me- "Yeah".
The HR Guy looks at the tire and comments that he has seen that specific size pass the go-no go guage plenty of times, then he slaps my number and class designation on my window.

If that feels like it took all of 45 seconds, and was a simple exchange between one competitor and one official, you would be correct! See, no point in posting questions on three different websites, and sending out detailed pictures of every modification you've made all over social media! They've got 7 hours to do 310 cars, don't make it harder than it has to be!

#2 Can my street car pass tech.
I have posted a copy of the tech sheet we fill out to register for Drag Week. Most of you have filled out a tech sheet at a drag strip before, and you know how detailed they can be. I want you to look closely at the three sections, and pay attention to the part the track tech official is given to work with. Now, I want you to put yourself in the shoes of that official, and realize that he has 310 cars to do, and basically one multiple choice question to fill out. I'm not saying...I'm just saying!

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/10/14 08:14 AM

Hot Rod Drag Week is much like running a Marathon. For a first timer, it can be a daunting task. The trick is to cut it up into portions that you can master, then put behind you and move on to the next obstacle. For Drag Week, there are a set of "hard deadlines" that must be met to stay in the game. I also compare it to multi-day bike races such as the Tour-De-France, where the popular saying is "You can't win the race on the first day, but you can certainly lose it!"

The first hard deadline for Drag Week is that you must be in the back of the tech line, on registration day, by 1pm. They began making an announcement fairly early Sunday, that because of the huge car count, they were extending the deadline to 2pm, and in a moment of complete stupidity, I called Boone, and relayed that information to him! You have to understand that Dale has raced for twenty years, always asking when tech closes, or when the staging lanes close for time runs, never once asking when the gates open, and now I just gave away a nice one hour cushion! Another little tidbit that might not be considered, passing tech on Sunday is not a hard deadline, let's say your headlights or horn don't work, or your rear wheel is falling off...they will finish registering you, but require the items to be checked off by the official Monday, buying you another 12-14 hours to finish up. Screwed up paperwork however, and you are screwed, make sure all the numbers on your registration, V.I.N., and insurance match!

The line was moving slowly, but I didn't mind, as I spent most of the time just catching up, and bench racing with Moparts, and Bangshift guys. Ross had his Road Runner, with an added whiff of N20; Clark, and his Dad were ready in the blue barracuda; James (BBR), had his BBF Mudstang ready for another trip; Hemi Joel was in an Olds Convertible; Charley had his Challenger in line along with his brother's yellow Cuda that I was checking out for the first time; Scott and Kim were back for another go in the 70 Road Runner. I don't mean to beat the Marathon comparison to death, but I've stood in a staging area with nine thousand others waiting for the starting gun to go off, and the giddy anticipation is just as palpable as it was on Sunday at Tulsa Raceway Park!

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Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/10/14 01:12 PM

Love the engine pic of Jay Browns Mustang.The most EVIL sounding car I have ever heard.If it weren't for bad luck........

Posted By: 6pak2go

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/11/14 06:19 AM

I'll add a pic for emphasis. Great tale telling as usual, Billy. Carry on.

Posted By: 6pak2go

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/11/14 06:22 AM

Here's the oil trail the Shelby left, all the way down the return road.

Attached picture 8297102-DSC07530.JPG

Posted By: 6pak2go

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/11/14 06:23 AM

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/11/14 09:35 AM

Dang it Robert! Those are awesome pictures, I love it...but I wasn't quite ready for them within the context of my story! Anyway...the title of the thread is "THE experience", not MoparBilly's experience. So any of you guys who went, please, PLEASE feel free to add any anecdotes, examples, pictures, adventures, that you wish to share. That's why I prefer to write this story in a forum/thread format as opposed to a blog. I enjoy the feedback, and campfire feel of telling it like this.

Now, Jay's Mustang... When John cleared tech, he parked with Robert, on the return road, and I joined them when I got through. The Mustang was right across from us. I was explaining to John and his Dad, as they prepared to make their first time run, that I wasn't big on making runs on Sunday, and would probably not do it, even though the car had zero track time.
"Look guys, I'm a bit superstitious about it, I've seen too many cars out before the event even starts, especially guys who hammer their stuff hard on Sunday! Heck, they even have an award on the internet for the first guy to tear his stuff up!"
Just as I finished making that statement Jay's Mustang popped once or twice at the finish line. As it came back up the return road, I told the guys, "That's Jay Brown's Cammer Mustang, he's the 800 lb. Gorilla in my class, I'm sure he'll dominate it". When we saw the oil trail, John, who is the King of one liners, looked at me, smiled, and said, "Well, now you don't have to worry about the Gorilla, or being the first to break something, so get that Valiant ready to make a pass, and get your butt to the staging lanes!"

If you look closely at the pic of the oil trail up the return road, you will see the Olds convertible of our own Hemi Joel, and most of you know that he is a close friend of Jay Brown. So, when he followed the oil trail to Jay's car, he got a little excited and drove the Olds off the asphalt and onto the grass at a bad angle. I don't know if the asphalt or the full frame got the worst of it, but it was quite a spark show, and brakes weren't needed to slow it down!

Attached picture 8297152-jaybmustang_zps7747e8ee.jpg

Attached picture 8297152-jaybmustang_zps7747e8ee.jpg

Posted By: cudadoug

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/11/14 10:30 AM

That does it! I'm going next year as a spectator. I'll follow the trial in my rent a car darn it!

Wait. Has anyone done daily driver in a rental just to do it?

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/11/14 04:38 PM

Doug, Rental cars are not allowed, although plenty make the trip, following along every day.

Most of you know, I'm a N20 enthusiast, so I tend to root for fast nitrous cars over similar pro-charged or Turbo cars. The fastest N20 car the past few years has been Todd Maschmeier, and Travis Gilpin in their Modified Power Adder 68 Camaro with this engine combination:

Attached picture 8297291-100_0500-Copy(2).jpg

Attached picture 8297291-100_0500-Copy(2).jpg

Posted By: rt66jim

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/11/14 04:42 PM

Man there is a lot of stuff going on under that hood.

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/11/14 04:46 PM

This year they showed up with coil packs and EFI, but got the thing together at the last minute, and couldn't make it work, I'm not sure what the final straw was that prevented them from competing, but even though Monte tried to help, they withdrew from the 2014 edition of Drag Week without ever firing a shot after turning in the third quickest average last year, and taking home one of the guitars.

Attached picture 8297296-Tulsa_Monday_Pit_Prep_Drag_Week_2014-011.jpg

Attached picture 8297296-Tulsa_Monday_Pit_Prep_Drag_Week_2014-011.jpg

Posted By: rt66jim

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/11/14 04:54 PM

I understand some thrive on the thrill of the thrash. Hope I'm not wrong in my assumption. But seems to be the case with your family. All pulling together to make it happen as a family. I envy you that. My dad never went to one race with me or even inquired about it. I think what you do together as a family is great. That is why Fat Jack was like a brother I never had. Loved that man like he was my brother.

Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/11/14 06:55 PM

IIRC Todd told me only brought 2 spare pistons but due to the tune he should have brought 6.

Posted By: 6pak2go

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/12/14 08:28 AM

Sorry for de-railing your story line.

I saw the Mustang's engine pic in your post and remembered I had those.

Anyway, I think these are relevant now.

Here he his, the Master wordsmith, making mental notes for his tale.

Posted By: 6pak2go

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/12/14 08:34 AM

And since I didn't get my project 'Cuda finished in time, I drove my truck in DD. Not a contender by any means, but I learned a lot and had tons of fun anyway. Now back to Billy's story...

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/13/14 12:40 AM

I was about 15 cars from getting through the tech line, when Rachael called to tell me she made it to Dale's, was ready to come out in the Belvedere, and did I need anything.
"Food! Just bring me food." In my haste to get out to the track, there was no breakfast. "What are those idiots doing there," I questioned her before she hung up.
"Dale and James are changing tires on the Gremlin, and everyone else is scrambling around the Dakota", she was gone. Kids these days, send you a two paragraph text, and talk on the phone for 10 seconds!

Rachael had pulled up into the tech line and parked, then brought me food as you can see in Robert's pics. When I had finished tech and parked with Robert, and John, Robert brought me a big drink from the concession stand, so I was armed, for a brief time, with two huge sodas. I say brief because apparently all that time I spent in line, telling stories, had left me with a powerful thirst!

Every time I would return to check on Rachael in the tech line, she would have several guys standing around listening to her stories about Drag Week and the car. The story telling gene in her blood is two generations old from her Dad's side, the reason guys hang around and talk to her...all that came from her Mom's side!

John went up, and made the first time run in his 67 Valiant, which as expected, resulted in an emotional outpouring from Steve's family when he returned. Opal explained to me later, "I told John this Drag Week was about honoring Steve's memory, and his family's healing process, then after that, he could do whatever he wanted to make the car his." Watching Joyce, Linda, and Ken interact with John Sr., John Jr. and Opal, made me realize how fortunate Steve's family was that this little white Mopar brought them all together in this journey.
John and his dad didn't seem to be too happy with the mid 11 second time slip, and pulled a plug for a look, then immediately jumped the jets up front and rear.

It was 1:30 and I was beyond nervous at that point. I started blowing up my brothers' phones, finally reaching Boone. "We are on our way," he assured me, "We are pushing the Dakota on the trailer right now."
Fifteen minutes later, the Barnyard Viper Idled into the back of the tech line. "Where are YOUR brothers!" I jumped him as he shut the 508 off.
"They left ahead of me", he shook his head, "Maybe they went to the parts store first."
In typical Gebhart fashion Dale came through the gate at 1:56, with Darren following him in the 1 ton with the Dakota on the trailer...the exact same way he had entered the 2012 Tulsa tech line with the Charger! No sooner than they started exiting the truck and grabbing tools out of the bed, The Tech official walked up and wrote "LAST" on the back glass of the Dakota, and the 2014 Hot Rod Drag Week Tech Line was closed. There looked to be about 10 or 15 hardy souls waiting in the Wait List/ Walk Up lanes to see if they would be excepted after the final pre-registered car cleared tech.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/13/14 07:02 AM

As I walked back up through the lanes, someone (I should remember who, but I'm drawing a blank right now) told me in no uncertain terms, "You know that thing has to fire up on it's own in Tech, right?"
"Really?"
"Yeah, they call it the Gebhart rule!" He chuckled, and walked away, so I turned a 180, and told Dale about it has he stood in the driver's door of the Dakota with a fist full of wiring.
"Oh, it'll run when we get up there, count on it!" I wasn't sure if he was trying to convince me, or himself.

Scott Abbott (Scott58, Moparts) came over and offered his assistance. He helped Dale figure out the pesky Ford starter solenoid they had put on to wire through, it was a model Dale wasn't familiar with, and he ran down the ignition wires in the stock harness that was strewn about the cab, so that was a big help. James was busy under the hood, throwing rubber hoses on the aluminum supply and return fuel lines, to connect to the Moroso regulator, so they could get fuel to the new E-85 carbs for the first time. As I glanced in, I noticed there still were no pedals in the truck, so brakes, and throttle weren't going to be in play today!

Once Rachael cleared tech, she wasted no time getting on the track, although without N20. First pass was a disappointing 13.43-101, I was expecting more from the 3.55 gear swap, but she hadn't raced the car in a year, so we could work from there. Next run was a 13.095, which is the quickest ET for the car on motor since I've had it, but the MPH was only 100.14, and from my vantage point at the finish line I heard it pop once or twice at about 1100ft.
"What the heck happened up there", I questioned her as I looked over the time slip, "I heard a pop, and there should be more speed."
"Uhh...well, I may have waited too long to shift to drive, it happens quicker now than before."
"That is does, you need to work on that."
John had picked up two tenths with the jet change, and was feeling pretty good about where the car was at with the air. John, his Dad, and Rachael, then set out on their "Get Billy to Make a Pass" campaign, badgering me mercilessly.
"Just go up there and cruise down," John Sr. instructed, "short shift it, take it easy...it's no big deal, then we will know that everything at least works right!"
Finally, I dropped the tire pressure a few pounds, grabbed my helmet, jacket, and headed up through the lanes. When I rounded the corner, and pulled into the water box, John pulled alongside me in the opposing lane, "I knew it! that dirty dog" I shouted in my helmet, as we started our burnouts. The 62 popped the front-end a little, then lazed it's way down the track as John and the 67 sped away, I shifted at about 6K, but it didn't feel nearly as strong as it did previously on the street. John ran 7.055-96.46, and 11.175-118.09 to my 7.899-85.9, and 12.532-105.40.

Back at our pits, Steve's sister Linda, asked, "Did you guys enjoy that friendly competition?"
"I didn't", I boomed out, "He kicked my Tail!"
"No he didn't" John Sr. shook his head, "you were just cruising down there, I heard it when you went by!"
"That's all I had!"
"You're going to have to work on that poker face, Billy", John laughed, "That's just all you wanted to give it!"

Attached picture 8298683-025.JPG

Posted By: 1967dartgt

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/13/14 03:53 PM

Gebhart rule! lol love it.

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/15/14 05:38 AM

Rachael attempted another pass, and went 13.75-104, with a horrible 2.42 60ft time. When she returned, I called her on it, of course.
She put her face in her hands to cover the red creeping into her cheeks, "When I pulled into the water, I accidently shifted to neutral, and sat there at 4500rpm for a while, wondering why I didn't see smoke. I was so embarrassed when I realized what I had done, I just pulled up, staged, and went!"
"Good grief!" I laughed, "well, that's enough for today, tomorrow it's for real!"

Dale's daughter Kelly showed up at the track about 20 minutes before Boone and Dale went through tech, and she had Boone's insurance verification with her. In Boone's haste to get around that morning, he had left it on his kitchen table, and was pacing nervously until it showed up.
Boone and Dale's entries cleared tech/registration without a hitch, then it was on to the Dakota. Hot Rod had opened the tech lines to the wait-list, and drive up people who had stuck around all day in hopes of getting in, and a beautiful black Willys had pulled up behind the trailer. He had left what he thought was adequate room to unload the Dakota, but he was unaware that the truck didn't have working brakes as of yet. A fact my brothers really didn't want to share with those standing around in tech, so it was a balancing act of trying to muscle it off the trailer, as nonchalantly as possible, without wiping out a fiberglass masterpiece!
Once in place, the tech inspector looked at it dubiously, "Right turn, left turn, headlights", he worked his way through the list as Darren worked the hastily wired switches.
Finally he breathed hard, shook his head, and said, "You know what, Fire it up for me!"
Dale opened the hood, crossed the relay posts with a screwdriver, and thumbed the accelerator pumps, as the 499 thumped to life.
Still not completely happy, he came back with Tonya Turk. She put hands on hips, stared Dale in the eye, and said, "Look, we've got people on the wait list standing here to get in. I'd hate to turn someone away, if this truck isn't going to make it here tomorrow."
Dale returned the look, and stated, "Tonya, it'll be ready, it'll be here, and it'll make a pass!"
Darren got his credentials, and all those waiting were allowed in as well, including Dale's buddy Michael Beeler, with his purple 4 speed 70 Dart, and the father/son team of Ken and Wade Metzinger!

Once we got back to Dale's, he explained to me, "One of the guys that works at the track from time to time, offered us the use of his shop, and lift, to finish up Darren's truck, so we are going to take it over there."
"Cool, but can you help me a minute", I asked, You saw my 12.53?"
"Yeah, what was up with that?"
"Not exactly sure, but help me check WOT, I may have messed up the adjustment the other night."
I jumped behind the wheel of the Valiant, while he removed the breather, so he could check. I held the pedal against the positive stop in the floorboard, and he started laughing, "You barely even moved the secondaries!"
We adjusted it correctly, then he loaded up with Boone, Darren, James, and Dad, and they headed out in his 1 ton.

When I walked into Dale's house, Rachael had started cooking a huge supper for everyone.
"Why are you cooking so much?"
"They said they would all be right back".
"Yeah, sure," I laughed, "if midnight means right back!"

Another early casualty for the Mopar camp was Mike Chenoweth and his Hemi Road Runner that averaged 10.60's at 130 in 2010, but has suffered two early DNF's since then including no times recorded this year.

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Attached picture 8300762-Hot-Rod-Drag-Week-Tech-inspection-Tulsa-Raceway-2014-Cars-031.jpg

Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/15/14 06:20 AM

Tonya was channeling Keith. LOL.

Posted By: Monte_Smith

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/15/14 06:59 AM

Quote:

This year they showed up with coil packs and EFI, but got the thing together at the last minute, and couldn't make it work, I'm not sure what the final straw was that prevented them from competing, but even though Monte tried to help, they withdrew from the 2014 edition of Drag Week without ever firing a shot after turning in the third quickest average last year, and taking home one of the guitars.

Todd showed up untested, unfinished, not wired, not plumbed and a myriad of other things. First order was cam sensor that did not work. Got it wired, new bracket made and switched to flying magnet and got it working at track. I got the car fired, but his belt drive pump wouldn't work and the electric one wasn't big enough to race it on, but he did make a motor pass and it ran good. He finally got a pump to work and we had about 20 minutes to make a hit and of course he wanted 3 guns on the first hit. I talked him out of that but he wouldn't take no for an answer on two kits..........LOL!!!! In my haste to get everything going, I rushed through the program and setup. He had a 4,7 swap cam. He didn't say and I didn't think to ask, so the firing order was wrong. It torched 4 and 7........imagine that.......LOL!!!

Monte

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/15/14 07:06 AM

Chapter 3: Drag Week begins!
Well. Kinda. You see, when you have home track advantage, the line between the end of thrash week, and the beginning of Drag Week can definitely be blurred a bit. Last year, at Bowling Green, we were in a motel Sunday night, with our rigs sitting in impound. We only had until a few minutes after the Driver's Meeting on Monday morning to decide what to take and what to leave behind.
This year we had our shop, our tools, our rigs, all at our disposal only seven miles away, until we left for Topeka. It's a huge advantage, and one we've had to lean on quite heavily on the two Drag Weeks that have began and ended in Tulsa.

The guys surprised me by returning at around 10:30 PM, but there was still work to be done. Rachael and I had used what was left of our afternoon to pack up the stuff we intended to carry in our cars, and were ready to roll in the morning. Reports were swirling at the track earlier that the Driver's Meeting was scheduled for eight AM, instead of the usual 9, due to the large number of entries, so I called it a night at Midnight, set my alarm for 6:05 AM, and crashed as they continued to work on the Dakota.

At the track, Monday morning left to right: Robert (6pak2go) Dale, John SR., and Sam (Sam64)

Attached picture 8300812-029.JPG

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/15/14 07:55 AM

Monday morning was a real pain trying to get everyone around and moving. The main bone of contention settled around the fact that Darren's Dakota had to be trailered to the track. This meant we needed to get it there, get it unloaded, and get the truck and trailer out of the pits, before the driver's meeting. Otherwise it would end up in impound, or he could face disqualification, but they were all moving around with no urgency at all.
Rachael and I headed out first, and enjoyed the drive until we hit US169, and Owasso-Tulsa morning rush hour traffic. Have you noticed that when you are on vacation, you just assume the rest of the world is too? I was shocked at the sight of all those poor commuters on their way to work! When we arrived at Tulsa Raceway Park, John and Robert already had us a fairly decent swath of real estate carved out in the grass on the far side of the pits(away from the track), and that worked out perfectly.

Attached picture 8300827-210-Copy.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/15/14 09:28 AM

We pushed the Dakota off the trailer, and Darren started working on it. I reminded him several times that we needed to get everything out of the 1 ton, so it could be moved to the parking lot, but he just ignored me. I tried unloading stuff out onto the ground, only to get told to leave stuff alone, so finally I just went up in the stands to wait for the driver's meeting. Boone, Dale, James, and I were sitting there for not more than 10 minutes when I saw Dad and Darren walking up in the bleachers, I looked out at the pits, and the 1 ton with the trailer was still in front of the Dakota.
"Boone, apparently these guys just don't get it! You're going to have to go out there, unload the truck, and move it outside the gate into the parking lot!"
"Alright", he shook his head, "I'll handle it!"

The Ogle Brothers had their pair of E-bodies ready to battle Monday Morning!

Attached picture 8300841-drag-week-behind-the-scenes-day-63133.jpg

Attached picture 8300841-drag-week-behind-the-scenes-day-63133.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/15/14 09:55 AM

When the meeting was over, everyone dispersed to their vehicles, and the call to the lanes was made for the class cars. Dale had been working on the Dakota mostly, but now he turned his attention to his Gremlin. He had driven the car out to the track Saturday, and Sunday without a bottle in the car. His Nitrous bottle stands straight up, and attaches to the front cage down bar in the passenger's side foot well, basically directly under the dash, so he didn't want to advertise that going through tech and certification. Now he installed a fresh bottle, turned it on and decided to test both systems before heading to the lanes. He fired the engine, brought it up a little off idle, and tapped the button for the big hit, the motor jumped. Then he tapped the second small system, and the engine started screaming out of control, popping and banging! He cut the ignition and killed the engine but you could still hear the Nitrous spraying.
He then quickly turned the bottle off.
"Got some dirt in the solenoid?" Boone asked him.
"Yeah, Dang it, scared the crap out of me! I wonder how many valve springs I just broke! The playback on my Mega450 showed 8750".
"Plus you now have an engine full of nitrous!"
"Yeah", he ran his fingers over the back of his neck, "Guess I better get the plugs out of her".

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Attached picture 8300842-Hot-Rod-Drag-Week-Tech-inspection-Tulsa-Raceway-2014-Cars-046.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/15/14 10:13 AM

I was the first of our group into the lanes, I had dropped the exhaust, pulled the air cleaner off, and added a couple gallons of 110, just in case. I brought it up to about 2500 on the footbrake, then nailed it, and was rewarded with a brief stumble out of the gate. The only rpm module I had was 6200, so that was in the shift lite. It flashed, but I wound it out to around 6700, then it seemed to quit pulling and I hit second. Same thing, at about 6700, it really fell off and popped quite a bit before I could get it into drive. It really was a terrible pass, all the way around, but the slip said 10.979-123.42. My goal all along had been to go tens every day, so this would do for a start, I was done for the day!

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/15/14 10:24 AM

Twenty minutes later, Boone rolled the Barnyard Viper into the burnout box. When he launched, the truck moved nice and straight, and it seemed as if Boone shifted both times just as the engine started to pull off the converter, almost like he was just riding the torque curve for all it was worth.

Attached picture 8300845-Tulsa_Monday__Drag_Week_2014-112.jpg

Attached picture 8300845-Tulsa_Monday__Drag_Week_2014-112.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/15/14 10:31 AM

As we admired his 11.261-118.75, I looked at the numbers in the opposite lane, "Dang, Boone...Eddie and the purple Duster kicked your butt!"
"Yeah, I guess he did, at that!" he smiled.

Attached picture 8300846-033.JPG

Posted By: rebel

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/15/14 12:14 PM

dang! my junk can beat Eddie to 60 ft. shame it's all bad from there on.

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/15/14 03:52 PM

Even with a few small on track mishaps, Monday was moving along quite nicely, and there was a stream of guys coming out of the tower with route sheets in hand, having turned in their time slips and ready to hit the open road.

In this pic, Dale, Darren, Robert, and James (BBR), are waiting for their shot at the track.

Attached picture 8300970-Day-One-Drag-Week-2014-Racing-001.jpg

Attached picture 8300970-Day-One-Drag-Week-2014-Racing-001.jpg

Posted By: BBR

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/15/14 05:17 PM

Quote:

Even with a few small on track mishaps, Monday was moving along quite nicely, and there was a stream of guys coming out of the tower with route sheets in hand, having turned in their time slips and ready to hit the open road.

In this pic, Dale, Darren, Robert, and James (BBR), are waiting for their shot at the track.

And Casey Cunningham in his D100 right in front of me!

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/16/14 05:02 AM

Darren pulled into the water box about five minutes after Boone had ran, in fact Boone, John, and I were standing in our pit spot, checking out his time slip, when we heard them announce Darren's name. The Dakota left pretty hard, and ran strong through the eighth, but then started to lay over. It began to sound like those old injected alcohol engines that went fat on the big end, and didn't have a high speed lean out. He got in and out of the throttle several times, trying to get it to quit laboring, then lifted at about 1100ft and coasted through with an 11.070-109.38.
"That thing was so fat it had fuel dripping out of the pipes!", John shook his head.

Dale idled the Gremlin into the box, and struggled through a small burnout. He doesn't have an ignition retard for the nitrous, so he has to set the total he wants before the run, and the engine isn't really fond of trying to do a burnout at 18 degrees total!
When he launched out of the left lane the car made an uncharacteristic hard left toward the wall, he wrestled it back into the groove, but every time he tried the second nitrous stage, it would become ill handling again. The board lit up with a 9.54, but as soon as he lifted, blue smoke bellowed from the back of the car.
"Maybe his little nitrous mishap this morning wasn't harmless after all?" I questioned.
"Naw", Boone kept a close watch on Dale all the way to the return road, "Dissipated too quick for oil...tire rubbing maybe?

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Attached picture 8301747-Tulsa_Monday__Drag_Week_2014-135.jpg

Posted By: moparmanjames

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/16/14 06:22 AM

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/16/14 06:46 AM

Darren backed the Dakota into the pits, and Dale just nosed in beside him, jumped out and grabbed a jack. He stuck it under the rear, lifted the car up and crawled in front of the driver's side ET Street.
"Ripped the front ladder bar mount right out of the frame!" He exclaimed, "so it slid back, and kicked the passenger tire into the fender."
"So that's why it smoked at the finish line." I deduced.
"No, that's why it wouldn't stay in the groove all the way down the track! It broke at the hit, and made me work my tail off to get that pass in!"
"You...are an Idiot", I shook my head.
"Yeah, but I'm a fast idiot", he grinned.
"I've got to get this thing to the muffler shop, before he closes", Darren interrupted, "We need to get moving."
"Well, let's get our slips turned in, and get the route sheets", Boone suggested, and the four of us grabbed our time slips and headed toward the tower.

When we returned to our pit spot, John and James were under the Gremlin, with a ratchet strap. Dale joined them, and they decided to attach the strap to the broken ladder bar mount, then hook the other end to the trans mount and pull it back into place.
"That should get you home", John decided, "Then James can weld it up for you."

Attached picture 8301868-037.JPG

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/16/14 02:12 PM

One of these vehicles finished Drag Week, the other didn't even get started. Bryant Goldstone's beautiful Javelin barely missed completion in time for Drag Week 2013 so he had to bring his silver Chevelle for another trip. The excitement of having it ready for 2014 faded pretty quickly when it developed a rod knock in the BBC on Sunday.

Robert was the first in our group of Daily Driver competitors to get a shot at Tulsa Raceway Park in his Ram R/T, and went 15.11-88.9

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Posted By: WadeMetzinger

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/16/14 11:02 PM

Quote:

He fired the engine, brought it up a little off idle, and tapped the button for the big hit, the motor jumped. Then he tapped the second small system, and the engine started screaming out of control, popping and banging! He cut the ignition and killed the engine but you could still hear the Nitrous spraying.
He then quickly turned the bottle off.
"Got some dirt in the solenoid?" Boone asked him.
"Yeah, Dang it, scared the crap out of me! I wonder how many valve springs I just broke! The playback on my Mega450 showed 8750".

This is unbelievable!! No load 8,750 RPM in a stock 440 block with stock main caps, stock crank, Isky/Crane ductile iron rocker and ~$150 set of Howard Spring, Retainer and Lock kit.... And he's been beating on it since they got back from Drag Week 2013 throwing all he NOS at it he can and not a thing hurt or blew up.... he must be living right or something.

Posted By: Chris'sBarracuda

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/17/14 12:16 AM

Quote:

Even with a few small on track mishaps, Monday was moving along quite nicely, and there was a stream of guys coming out of the tower with route sheets in hand, having turned in their time slips and ready to hit the open road.

In this pic, Dale, Darren, Robert, and James (BBR), are waiting for their shot at the track.

Hey Billy..

The Green Demon in the top right..

They said it was a W2 410" small block.. True or Not.??

Beautiful and very fast car..

Chris..

Attached picture 8302519-8300970-Day-One-Drag-Week-2014-Racing-001.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/17/14 04:09 AM

Wade,
Everyone knows Isky ductiles are indestructible.

Chris,
Really didn't notice the Demon, after all it was just your typical 10.00 normally aspirated small block A-body...

Darren was the first one out the gate, headed to a muffler shop eight miles away, with a big block running straight out of the headers. Boone got a call about ten minutes later, Darren had made it about a mile, was out of fuel, all the water had puked out of it, and he couldn't get the trans in drive!
"Drag Week 2012 all over again? I questioned (that year he had made it four miles from TRP before burning up the starter on his Charger, and ending his trip).
Dale went to rescue him, in his wounded Gremlin, while Boone, Dad, and I loaded up the rest of our stuff, and prepared Rachael for her first run.

Attached picture 8302772-img_6609.jpg

Posted By: WadeMetzinger

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/17/14 04:10 AM

Close. I think it was like a 422 with 360-1 heads. Heads, cam and motor spec'd ported and bult by ShadyDell. He won his class, I think small block no power adder and ran some 9.80s maybe even a 9.70 on Hoosier drag redials. Here are a few pictures.

Attached picture 8302773-image.jpg

Posted By: WadeMetzinger

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/17/14 04:12 AM

Notice the custom bracket and engine mount/limiter he made

Attached picture 8302778-image.jpg

Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/17/14 04:15 AM

Chris that would be correct on the 410 W2 car.CLEAN car from the St Louis area IIRC.

Posted By: WadeMetzinger

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/17/14 04:15 AM

Dash

Posted By: WadeMetzinger

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/17/14 04:17 AM

Interior

Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/17/14 04:17 AM

Wade knows more about it than I do it seems

I kept trying to catch the guy and talk to him with no luck.One and done every day.

Posted By: WadeMetzinger

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/17/14 04:20 AM

This was one of my favorite cars,beautiful I side and out.

Attached picture 8302787-image.jpg

Posted By: Chris'sBarracuda

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/17/14 04:22 AM

It definitely caught my eye.. Especially when it went that fast..

Chris..

Posted By: GY3

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/17/14 06:30 AM

Impressive! I saw it at Great Bend.

Attached picture 8302949-20140911_095202.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/17/14 06:43 AM

The Ogle brothers ran a few minutes after Robert in Daily Driver. Ole Fratzog jumped out of the hole in his familiar Gold Challenger, then seemed to stall, or his foot slipped off the pedal. He recovered to a 12.77, but with a booming 120mph at the stripe. I was really looking forward to watching his brother's 73 Cuda this year, and he happened to be matched up with Clark, and his blue barracuda, so I crowded up in the lanes for a better vantage point. It was over way too soon as the big block broke something in between the 1-2 shift of the four speed, and Jason expertly pulled the yellow E-body over to the wall, while Clark went 11.73-115.3 and called it good for the day.

Rachael got her first attempt of 2014 Drag Week at 1:19 pm, and ran a 12.34-110. This did not leave me all warm and fuzzy inside. A few minutes later John ran an 11.19-118 in the 67 Valiant, and was ready to load up for Topeka. Boone and Dad left in the Barnyard Viper to go check on Darren and Dale, then get home to pack up the trailer, which he would pull for the trip. I sent Rachael and the Belvedere back around for another pass, and thirty minutes later she rewarded me with a 12.53-112.6. Both passes had high 1.90 60 foot times, that showed me she wasn't leaving hard, and certainly wasn't hitting the N20 early enough.

Attached picture 8302957-232.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/17/14 06:58 AM

Wade's Dad, Ken carded a 13.28-100.7 out of his early barracuda on the first day. I'm sure with some help from Wade, he could have coaxed a little more out of it, but apparently Wade was WAY too busy admiring a certain green Demon!

Attached picture 8302963-295.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/17/14 07:18 AM

Rachael's third attempt came fifteen minutes later than her second, and while it wasn't in the elevens, I felt compelled to just take it, and move on. She had a 1.82 60, and went 12.067-112.3. As we loaded up to head to Dale's house, Jason drove by with his Cuda on the trailer, headed back to the impound yard, not a fun sight on Monday afternoon.

Attached picture 8302973-040.JPG

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/17/14 07:33 AM

The Bowyer family had spent Monday at the track, but weren't following the circuit, so we said our goodbyes and loaded up.
"Well, at least we won't starve on this trip!" Rachael commented as we jumped in our respective rides.
"What do you mean?"
"Steve's sisters gave me two fifty dollar gift cards to McDonalds!"
Last year when we had brought Steve's rig back to Arizona, Joyce had questioned me several times about how much they owed us for diesel, and I had told her this was just what Drag Weekers do for each other. This year, it appeared, she was treating us in kind.

Attached picture 8302980-Larry_Chen_hotrod_drag_week_part2-12.jpg

Attached picture 8302980-Larry_Chen_hotrod_drag_week_part2-12.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/17/14 04:06 PM

We left Tulsa Raceway Park, and returned to Dale's back yard. Drag Week faded once again, and Thrash Week moved into the forefront. Rachael, John and I drove up into the far corner where we were storing our stuff and parked. James had the Gremlin back on the pad in front of the shop, on jack stands, and had the welder pulled out beside it. Sam Barker had also made the trip over, and was helping him with the ladder bar.

Opal, John, and his parents were arranging everything for their trip, sorting through what to take, and what to leave behind. John's mom and dad were going to follow the show in their mini-van, but they were also on an extended vacation which would include stops in Indiana, New York, and other points east, so obviously they didn't need to carry everything they had brought from Tucson. Once John felt comfortable that they were ready, he walked over to me, "Well, I think we are ready to roll, would you and Rachael like to go ahead with us?"
"Actually, I'd love to", I smiled, and shook my head, "But I better hang out here and see how this plays out!"
Robert had followed us over as well, and had his Ram parked out front, "I think I'm going to go with John", he decided, "do we need to go back to the track to catch this route?"
Dad explained to them that if they took a certain curvy, narrow, undulating, barely asphalted back road, It would bring them back to the course in around six miles, and they headed off on their adventure.

Attached picture 8303136-Wrenching-Road-Warriors-Day-One-Drag-Week-2014-080.jpg

Attached picture 8303136-Wrenching-Road-Warriors-Day-One-Drag-Week-2014-080.jpg

Posted By: Hemi_Joel

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/17/14 04:10 PM

Quote:

She put her face in her hands to cover the red creeping into her cheeks, "When I pulled into the water, I accidently shifted to neutral, and sat there at 4500rpm for a while, wondering why I didn't see smoke. I was so embarrassed when I realized what I had done, I just pulled up, staged, and went!"

Don't feel bad Rachel, we've all done worse stuff than that. But that is hilarious!

Posted By: dustergirl340

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/17/14 05:18 PM

Yeah, I've also seen way worse, but it's still funny. Crap happens. Loving this thread...I have it bookmarked and read it every day.

Posted By: clonestocker

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/17/14 08:52 PM

Quote:

Quote:

She put her face in her hands to cover the red creeping into her cheeks, "When I pulled into the water, I accidently shifted to neutral, and sat there at 4500rpm for a while, wondering why I didn't see smoke. I was so embarrassed when I realized what I had done, I just pulled up, staged, and went!"

Don't feel bad Rachel, we've all done worse stuff than that. But that is hilarious!

I will post mine. How about first time w/Trans Brake staring at the Green Light wondering why the car hasn't moved yet.

Posted By: 340Cuda

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/17/14 10:09 PM

Quote:

This was one of my favorite cars,beautiful I side and out.

Video of dyno pull:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1QUiEWF_VA

Interview by "Dinger" from TRP:
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152416404243063&set=vb.55548893062&type=3&theater

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/18/14 03:01 AM

Shady Dell Speed Shop 428" Engine 4.125" bore R3 48 degree race block, 4.0" stroke, INDY 360-1 245 CNC heads, 2.125"/1.60" valves, SDSS 272/275 @ .050" Solid Roller camshaft, 11.6:1 compression, pump gas, INDY 360-3R intake, 950 Holley ultra HP Carb. 712 HP @ 7000 RPM, 603 FT LBS TQ @ 5500 RPM.

So...this is the info you get when the engine builder is bragging.

Then, "It's just a 410 W-2" is what you get told when you are squaring off in the lanes! Gotta love street car guys!

Attached picture 8303795-Larry_Chen_hotrod_drag_week_part5-27.jpg

Attached picture 8303795-Larry_Chen_hotrod_drag_week_part5-27.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/18/14 05:22 AM

James and Sam were pretty much done with the Gremlin by the time Boone showed up in the Barnyard Viper, I had sent Rachael after ice and more drinks, so we could split up the coolers for each vehicle.
"Where's Darren?" I shot out to him as he walked towards the Gremlin.
"Still at the muffler shop, he should be along in a bit", he shrugged his shoulders, "where's Dale?"
"Parts store, I think".
"I better call him, Darren's going to need a new water pump".
"Great, we are never going to get out of here!" I removed my hat and scratched my head, then pushed my hair back, "Mom didn't cut our hair this year."
"Yeah", he laughed, "and we needed it!"

We were gathering stuff to load into the trailer when Darren finally showed up. He climbed out of the Dakota, and addressed Boone straightaway, "I thought I heard something driving to the muffler shop, but with mufflers on, it's unmistakable, those 5.13 gears are toast!"
"How can you hear that with all that awful howling coming from the engine?" I interrupted.
"It's a gear drive, Dave, isn't it cool?"
"No, not cool...so, the third member is broke, that HAS to be the final straw, right?"

Attached picture 8303972-041.JPG

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/18/14 06:54 AM

After Dale returned, they decided Darren would drive across town to pick up a complete 8 3/4, that he had agreed to purchase previously, but for whatever reason had never picked up. While he was gone, Dale, Boone, James, and Dad would once again be doing all the manual labor to repair the truck.
Honestly, it was more than I could take. After Darren left, I addressed the guys and pretty much told them if they were going to let him ruin their Drag Week, it was on them, but I was heading for Topeka. Rachael and I loaded up our coolers, and left about twenty minutes later. We took the same road Dad had sent John on, and after about four miles of potholes, twists, and switchbacks, I started hearing a clanking sound in the front of the Valiant. I pulled off on a private driveway, and crawled under the front end, only to notice the adjustable aluminum shock was attached at the lower point, but had torn loose the upper mount. When the car was originally modified for a v-8, the shock mounts were recessed to allow the headers to go right over the top of the shock mounts. They had tacked it in place about ten times and never fully welded it, and after twenty years, it finally let go.
"Top shock mount is broken on the driver's side", I told Rachael as she walked up from behind the car.
"What does that mean?" She looked puzzled.
"It means I have to tuck my tail between my legs and go back to Dale's house!"
"Oh, this should be entertaining!" She laughed as she walked back to the Belvedere.
I called Dale and told him to move the Gremlin off the pad, and have James warm up the welder.

Attached picture 8304030-043.JPG

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/18/14 04:38 PM

When we returned to the yard and started working on the Valiant, Rachael disappeared into the house, and started throwing leftovers and whatever else she could find together for one more meal before our road trip began in earnest.
So, once again, we eventually found ourselves sitting around Dale's table discussing, what the evening had in store for us.
"We realized", Boone started, "after you guys took off, if the Dakota didn't make it, we had five guys for two cars!"
"Dad could've rode in the trailer!" I decided after careful consideration.
"Thanks Dave, thanks a lot! Nice to know who's on my side", Dad laughed and shook his head.
"So,...What's the plan, when do we know if the Dakota is going or not?" I was using all the brevity I could muster, but it was a subject that had to be broached.
Dale and Boone looked at each other a second, before Dale answered, "Midnight...I think we would have to pull the plug at midnight, and get moving".
"Yeah", that should probably be our line in the sand", Boone agreed.
Dale laughed, and jabbed me in the arm, "Did I tell you about the call I got earlier from Michael Beeler?"
"No, is he having problems with his Dart already?"
"No, he called to ask if they had to follow that stupid route sheet, or could he just drive straight to Topeka!"
Everyone around the table burst into laughter. "Drag Week newbies!" James shook his head.
"What did you tell him?" Dad asked.
"I told him, that's the way the game is played, if he didn't follow the route, why did he waste his time and money to even enter!"
After we finished eating, Dale and James flopped out into the living room floor, and were snoring heavily in unison within a matter of minutes. I told everyone to just leave them for a while as we had plenty to do outside.
James came back out about fifteen minutes later and said Dale's kids were messing with them and had woke him up. I went back in the house to confront them about it, and found Dale face planted across Kelly's bed, so I shut off the light, closed the door, and told everyone to leave him alone.

Attached picture 8304225-44A.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/18/14 04:55 PM

Boone tore into the back of the Dakota, while Dad worked on the water pump, and leaking t-stat housing.
"What was the deal with the water pump?"
"It was just pouring water out the weep hole, it was shot", Boone answered me.
"Can't believe Dale just passed out like that", Boone added.
Then he got pretty comfortable on the moving blanket under the Dakota, and I think he may have stolen a few winks himself.

Attached picture 8304247-042.JPG

Posted By: tsanchez

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/18/14 05:31 PM

So awesome!!!

What the hell would you guys do if nothing went wrong?

Posted By: Just-a-dart

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/18/14 07:22 PM

Billy as always this is another great read.

When you describe the thrash the week before Drag week I am reminded of something a old freind used to say "Why plan ahead, there is always the last minute"

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/18/14 10:54 PM

When I had parked on the pad, I immediately started removing the front tire, so James would have access to the shock and mount. I was surprised at how hot the aluminum Wilwood hub was when I touched it, after only about a 10 mile drive. It bothered me so much that after we ate, I went out and broke it down, checked and repacked the bearings, and reassembled it before replacing the tire. Dale finally walked back out into the yard, and started helping Dad at the front of the Dakota, so when I dropped the Valiant back off the jack, I went to see what was going on.
Dale was wiring up the electric fan.
"That wasn't working?" I looked at them incredulously.
"No, we mounted the fan, but hadn't wired it yet"
"Well...what did you guys do last night at Robert Cowden's shop?"
"Good grief man! We re-wired the whole back of the truck, plumbed the tranny cooler lines, hooked up the shifter, mounted the seat, and the seat belts, hooked up the water and oil gauges..."
"None of that was done when you went through tech?"
"Uh...well..." he looked at Dad and they both starting laughing.
"Why did you re-wire the back of the truck? We had cobbled the stock harness back together..."
Now it was his turn to cut me off, "You KNEW I wasn't going to leave it like that! I wanted to tie in the fuel pump wiring and I also wired in a flat plug, so he can pull a trailer".
"Priorities, I suppose. So what did you do when you brought it back here?"
That's when Pops and James modified and re-hung the pedals, then we had to hook up the linkages and bleed the brakes."
"It just never ends", I sighed.
"Nope, not with this truck it doesn't, he still has a box with over eight hundred dollars of new Autometer gauges in it, and they aren't even going to make the trip!"

Attached picture 8304598-43A.jpg

Posted By: OUTLAWD

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/19/14 12:55 AM

Quote:

Gotta love street car guys!

If it were mine it would have been a 318 truck motor with a purple shaft...

Great read as always!

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/19/14 01:12 AM

Darren returned roughly three hours after he left, and upon questioning they learned he had swung by his house to grab some things and do some of his laundry. Needless to say, since that was time that could have been spent with the new rear in hand, it didn't go over extremely well.
Once torn apart on the tailgate of Dale's 1 ton, it became apparent we were in for a long night. We had a 742 style case with ate up 5.13 gears on a 35 spline spool, and we had a 489 case with good 4.56 gears on a 30 spline locker. After disassembly of both diffs, it was discovered that someone had badly botched adding MW caps on the 489 case, and it had shims made to go between the case and caps, not good!

Darryl called me for the tenth time that day, asking me if we were rolling yet. He was on vacation in Michigan, and it sounded as though he had spent all day watching the live feed, and following all the message boards. I just had this image of him sitting there swaying back and forth like a drug addict needing his next fix. I knew, after participating the last two years, this was going to be rough on him to miss it.
"You need to get somebody rolling towards Topeka", he reasoned.
"Yeah, I know, this is crazy!"
"Have you heard from Robert or John?"
"Yeah, a text from Opal at 4:50, that they were stopped and eating dinner, nothing since."

Finally after talking it over, we decided to send Dad with Rachael, in the Belvedere. The hope was they would get to Topeka and secure our motel rooms, then we could get there later, and already be checked in. A second benefit would be that Dad would be gone, and wouldn't have to get upset if his four boys had a battle royal in the backyard...or somewhere on a back road between Tulsa and Topeka. Once that decision was made, I gave Rachael one of my credit cards, and went to bed in the pop-up one more time, figuring I might need anything I could get at this point.

Attached picture 8304722-044.JPG

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/19/14 01:30 AM

Rachael and Pops made checkpoint #2, roughly forty miles into the 257 mile trip at 9:35pm. Charged with navigator duties, his seventy year old eyes and the Belvedere's forty seven year old dome light, made reading the route sheet a struggle for the patriarch!

Attached picture 8304733-48A.jpg

Posted By: mprhound

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/19/14 04:26 AM

Quote:

The Ogle brothers ran a few minutes after Robert in Daily Driver. Ole Fratzog jumped out of the hole in his familiar Gold Challenger, then seemed to stall, or his foot slipped off the pedal. He recovered to a 12.77, but with a booming 120mph at the stripe. I was really looking forward to watching his brother's 73 Cuda this year, and he happened to be matched up with Clark, and his blue barracuda, so I crowded up in the lanes for a better vantage point. It was over way too soon as the big block broke something in between the 1-2 shift of the four speed, and Jason expertly pulled the yellow E-body over to the wall, while Clark went 11.73-115.3 and called it good for the day.

that is when I discovered that the timing was set at 24 degrees total!!!!

Great read Billy!!!!!!!

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/19/14 06:47 AM

I stumbled out of the pop-up, grabbed my cap, and my cell phone from my pocket, 10:45pm splashed across the screen. I went out to check on the guys. Darren was tucked up under the Dakota cleaning out the housing, or taking a nap, or both, it was unclear at that moment. They had a battery charger hooked to the Dakota as well, so I bent down to see if Darren's eyes were open, and asked him, "What's the charger for?"
"We haven't hooked up the alternator yet, it's some denso unit with like six wires coming out of it."
"Wow, so you're gonna just charge it and go?"
"Guess we'll see how far it takes us!"
"You have the whole E-85 thing figured out?
"Doesn't look good in Kansas, probably going to take every jug we can find with us and just load up as much as we can!"
"Optimism, in the hands of certain people, is a very dangerous thing", I thought to myself...in my best Rocko the Wallaby impression.

Attached picture 8305130-046.JPG

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/19/14 07:19 AM

I crowded up to the tailgate, as Boone and Dale were trying to put the finishing touches on the bright yellow third member, that was going into the bright silver housing. As I write this I'm cursing at myself for not getting a picture of that handsome combo!
"Where's James?" I asked, as I pulled a drop light closer to see what they were doing.
"He's taking a nap like you were, someone has to be ready to drive when we leave here!" Dale answered.
"Every time you torque the caps, we lose our backlash", Boone shook his head.
"Guys, you are going to have to set it loose, and let it tighten up when you torque the caps! Those stupid shims are a bad bandaid!" I insisted.
"One complete hole?" Dale asked.
"Two", it was obvious these guys were into the red on this deal, and not quite as sharp as usual. Boone took it over to Darren after they finished it up, and the two of them stabbed it in and started bolting it down.
"Dale, we agreed on Midnight...it's 11:25, and this doesn't look good. I'm going to go ahead and leave now, and let you guys sort this out."
"That's cool, go ahead, we'll be along shortly!"
"Alright then." I fired up the Valiant, and slowly eased out of Dale's neighborhood. Drag Week protocol is that you gas up as quickly as you can when you leave the track. That way you can use the route sheet to track your mileage, and know when to stop for gas next. Well, that's if you have no fuel gauge or speedometer anyway, so seven miles later I was topping off the fifteen gallon fuel cell.

Attached picture 8305160-045.JPG

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/19/14 07:43 AM

I pulled into checkpoint #2 at 12:40 AM, so I was about three hours behind Rachael and Dad, I figured. I called Boone, to see how things were going. That's when he explained to me that the yoke on the new third member was a 7290, not a 1350 like Darren's driveshaft, and because they were switching from a 742 style to a 489, the old one wouldn't work either. Luckily, Dale had a 1350-489 yoke available, but it was under another car in his yard, so they were in the process of removing it as we spoke!
"Alright", I grimaced, "give me a call when you guys are moving!"

Attached picture 8305169-051.JPG

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/19/14 08:45 AM

I was cruising along pretty good, enjoying the cool night breeze in my face, and wondering why that, in such air, the engine temp was hanging right at 210. It didn't seem to matter if I was driving through a small town at 35 mph, or cruising down a skinny two lane at 3200 RPM, still the same. The route took us through Welch Oklahoma, which was home for my Wife from the time she was three, until she was fourteen. I fired off a text to let her know, along with the obligatory, "Wish you were here". I really meant it this time though, as this was my first Drag Week leg, that I was solo in the car, and I was missing having someone to share the drive with. I drove into Oswego Kansas at around two in the morning, and located checkpoint #3. It was a corner park, with a rail car parked in it, but the driveway into the park was gravel, and ran literally beside a residence. I decided to pull off on the shoulder of the road to take my picture, rather than have the exhaust from my side pipes reverberating off the side of some one's house! I stepped out in the middle of the street to take my picture just as the local sheriff came around the corner in his police issue SUV. He stopped in the road beside me, checked out the Valiant, and said, "You must be one of the stragglers, everyone else came through yesterday".
"Yeah, I'm running a little late." I agreed.
He wished me luck, and drove on, so I decided to call Boone again and check on their progress.
"We are at the station, filling up all the jugs with E-85, then we will meet Darren at the first checkpoint. He went by his house to finish packing his clothes, and take another shower."
"So, you got the trailer all packed up and ready to roll?"
"Yeah, everything but the kitchen sink. It's going OK with you?"
"So far, but still 153 miles to go!"

Attached picture 8305192-052.JPG

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/19/14 04:36 PM

Twenty-five minutes later, I was rolling through Parsons Kansas when I happened to look left and saw a bright red fox body Mustang with a trailer attached sitting in a grocery store parking lot with several guys working on it. There was a pickup shining it's lights on the situation, so I figured they had plenty of help, waved, and kept rolling. It was the first Drag Week vehicle I had seen on this trip since I left Dale's place. I stopped at the edge of town for gas, figuring I was 115 or so miles into the trip, and the Mustang growled by as I was pumping gas. Fifteen minutes further up the road, I noticed four way flashers on the right shoulder, sure enough, the Mustang again. I slowed as I pulled up on them, but they gave me the thumbs up and waved, so I continued.
Another 30 minutes down US59 North, and I was starting to feel the night close in on me, I had downed two sodas in the last fifteen miles trying to keep myself alert. I was driving towards a small hole in the wall town, and considered pulling over to rest when I saw the typical road sign with "welcome to Moran Kansas" on it, but at the bottom, hastily scrawled in red paint it said, "where stoker Big Block Fords come to die!" I got a shiver down my spine, in a "High Plains Drifter" sort of way, and decided to ease my way through town only looking at the dotted white line in the center of the road to guide me through. I dismissed it as a fatigued mind playing tricks on me until I talked to James (BBR,Moparts) the next day and he told me he had blown up the MudStang on the drive.
"Where did that happen?"
"Some little wide spot in the road called Mor.."
"Don't tell me anything else James", I plugged my ears, "I don't want to know!"

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/19/14 05:23 PM

I pulled into Princeton Kansas, just short of four in the morning, and found a gas station. I had received a text from Rachael a few minutes earlier, that stated they had the rooms, and I should park in the Denny's parking lot, and call her when I arrived. Just knowing we had one of the five cars safely in Topeka, made me breathe easier.
I called Boone to check on the rest of the group.
"Where are you guys?"
"We just finished taking pictures at checkpoint #2 in Chelsea."
"Boone! that's like only forty miles in!"
"I know, and it's been a rough forty! Darren took about thirty minutes longer than us to get to checkpoint #1, then when he finally showed up, he realized that he lost his cell phone, and wanted to go back home to find it. We told him if he turned back for his phone, we were leaving him!"
"Then why did it take so long to get to Chelsea?"
"The Dakota is using battery up like crazy, the lights were going dim really quick, so we pulled over and tried to wire up the alternator, by looking up details on Dale's smartphone. We figured out enough to full-field it, and hooked it in with his electric fan toggle."
"Alright, well, I'm about an hour or so out, Rachael and Dad are already at the motel, so I'm going to try and join them. Call if things go sideways on you!"
"Like it can get any more sideways?"
"C-mon Boone, this is Drag Week, you know it can!"

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/19/14 06:30 PM

Rachael let me into the motel room, and I dropped my bag in the floor, undressed, and pulled the covers over me.
"What time do you want to set the alarm for?" she asked.
"10", I don't know if she said anything else, I was completely out in two breaths.

The alarm went off five minutes later, or so it seemed, but it was ten according to the clock...and my cell phone.
I took a shower, got dressed, then forced Rachael to get out of bed. When she went to shower, I sat down on the bed, gathered my wits, and called Boone.
"Where are you guys at?"
"Uh...we're about twenty miles from the track...I think. We'll just meet you there, we aren't going to bother trying to find the motel."
"Alright...be careful", I hung up. "Wow, he sounded completely wrung out", I thought to myself.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/19/14 07:51 PM

Rachael came out of the bathroom, fully dressed, but still using a towel on her hair and mumbled, "Mike Crow hit a deer last night."
"WHAT?"
"Yeah, Pops and I drove by this white car sitting on the shoulder, and I told him it was a Drag Week car. We stopped and I jumped out, and walked back to check on them. The front of the car was mangled, then Mike stepped out and said they were Ok, they just hit a deer. I offered to get them drinks, but he said they were fine and had someone coming to get them."
"Wow, it's the curse of KSJ..."
"What are you talking about?"
"KSJ, from Moparts, you know, Donnie, uh Don McGinnis, he had a new Challenger..."
She looked at me like I had two heads, tossed her hands in the air, shrugged her shoulders, and shook her head, "DAD, I don't get on Moparts!"
"Ok, fine, never mind!"

We met Dad in the lobby, grabbed a little bit off the continental breakfast, and headed to the track. Two miles later the Belvedere coughed a few times, died, and Rachael coasted to the side of the road. "Guess I cut that gas thing a little too close", she laughed as she grabbed a can out of the trunk. We had just cleared an entrance ramp, and she headed down it backwards at a good jog towards the station at the base of the ramp.
I looked at Dad, "Bet she doesn't come back up that ramp nearly as fast!"
He smiled, "I doubt it! Guess the boys will get to the track before we do."
"I hope so, Dad, I hope so."

I called Boone when we entered the gates at Heartland Park, and he told me they were pitted down by the garages, where we were in 2011, that made it easier to find them, as they were away from everyone else. We found out later that Hot Rod had purposely asked everyone to pit in the same general area, to make it a better experience for the spectators, but by rolling in late we missed that memo.

I decided to concentrate on getting Rachael and the Belvedere ready to run first, since the session of class cars had already finished, and the rest of us would have to wait for the open session. With three passes on Monday, I figured a fresh bottle of N20 may be in order, so I swapped them out, tightened everything up, and turned on the bottle. I heard a weird sound, and it stopped when I turned the bottle back off. "What was that?" I asked from the trunk, where I was still bent over the bottle.
"Don't know", James commented as he looked under the hood, "I didn't see any leaks."
"Trade me places, you turn it on, and I'll watch under the hood." The sound of the plate spraying for all it was worth was unmistakable, and cold, white vapor rolled out of the breather, "Shut it off, we just filled the engine with nitrous!"

Dale shook his head as we started pulling the plugs out of the Belvedere, "I'm going to go on up, and get my run out of the way, then I can concentrate on helping everyone else."
"Sounds like a plan", I agreed.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/19/14 11:09 PM

Three Mopar guys
All from the Tulsa area
All in Daily Driver.
What are the chances they know each other, or just pitted next to each other out of pure happenstance?

They had their runs in pretty early, in fact Clark squared off with Ross in the second pair of DDs down the track, but he came back for another pass a little later.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/19/14 11:18 PM

The gremlin belched black smoke everywhere on the launch, but I think it was more a product of the drive, than a bad tune-up. It launched hard and went straight, resulting in a 9.28-141.02 best numbers ever for the car.

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Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/19/14 11:26 PM

Something about white Dodges and deer in Kansas.Blame me.

2014 has not been nice to Mike.He bought a newer work truck and go t-boned 6 hours after buying it by an uninsured driver.Then 3 weeks before DW he destroys the "good" motor and then the deer.I don't think his Cuda likes sharing the shop with the Dart.Cuda Karma.At least he and Vic were not hurt.Bad thing was he had his vent window open and got deer crap,fur etc all over the inside of the car.$$$$hitty deal all the way around.

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/19/14 11:47 PM

Twelve minutes after Dale's run, Boone rolled into the water box in the Barnyard Viper, and staged up beside Brian Kohlmann's 31 Coupe, with it's blown early Hemi. The visual feast of the run was such fun that Hot Rod went to an instant replay of it on the Pep Boy's live feed! He managed an 11.402-115.8 in the soupy Topeka air, most of the NA cars were running a good bit slower than Tulsa.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/19/14 11:56 PM

Full, tilt, Boogie! Hard to hide the concentration level when you wear an open face helmet!

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/20/14 03:39 AM

Unfortunately, Tuesday was the last day for the coupe, as he didn't record a time in Noble the next day. Second DNF in a row, for such a neat, violent little stick car!

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/20/14 03:59 AM

Five minutes after Boone's run, I got a text from Opal, reporting that John was ready to roll out for Noble, and asking how close we were. I sent back that we would be a while, as we had two down, three to go!
Watching the live feed I've seen he had a nice heads-up race beside Scott Abbott, and his 70 Road Runner. One and done, on their way. It was good see John and Opal had their sea legs under them already, and had this whole drag week thing figured out!

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/20/14 04:07 AM

Kieron Kohlmann was out after recording an E.T. on day two as well in this slick Super Bee. Same last name as the coupe, both retired from the event on the same day, I don't know the story though, wish I did, wonder if one broke, and the other just decided to help get the car back to Tulsa?

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/20/14 04:10 AM

The Super Bee recorded a 12.93-107 at Tulsa, and a 12.54-113 at Topeka.

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Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/20/14 04:33 AM

Quote:

Kieron Kohlmann was out after recording an E.T. on day two as well in this slick Super Bee. Same last name as the coupe, both retired from the event on the same day, I don't know the story though, wish I did, wonder if one broke, and the other just decided to help get the car back to Tulsa?

IIRC The Bee broke but I "think" the coupe made the rest of the week and made passes.Week was a blur. LOL.

Posted By: squirrel

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/20/14 04:48 AM

hi Billy!

The coupe broke, had valvetrain problems, they decided to head home.

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/20/14 05:03 AM

"Remember last year, when I was having trouble with that nitrous solenoid on the Satellite, so I stole the one off the Belvedere?"
"Yeah, I do recall that", Dale nodded his head.
"Well", I pointed to the solenoid at the back of the Belvedere engine bay, "That's the one I took off, I just put it back on this car after we got home".
"Brilliant, now what's the plan?"
"We'll have to swap the one off the Valiant, I left my spares at your house, I'm afraid!"

We made the necessary repairs, and Rachael's N20 was ready to go, she drove over to the onsite Sunoco pumps, and tossed in some race fuel and headed to the line. With an hour left of track time in the day, she laid down a 13.67-101...in her rush to get ready under the tower, no one had turned on the bottle!

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Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/20/14 05:15 AM

Thanks squirrel for the clarification.

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/20/14 05:34 AM

I purchased a few gallons of race gas myself and headed up to the lanes, which is quite a long drive at Heartland Park. Just as I cleared the pits, and headed through the narrow opening in the fence to get on the road to the back of the tower, I looked over, saw Eli and Austin Gould working on their 80 Trans Am, and gave them a friendly wave. When my eyes returned to the road, I realized I was on the left side, and had a Red 76 Gran Torino with a white stripe on the side heading straight at me. I hastily scooted back over to my side of the lane, as the driver in the Ford flew me the bird as he drove by.
I shook my head, laughed, and told myself, "You nearly had a head-on collision with a pair of TV detectives...and Starsky just flipped you off!" Only on Drag Week!

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/20/14 05:44 AM

Fratzog doin' work.
Charley rowed the gears to an 11.533-119.02 at Topeka!

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/20/14 06:08 AM

I staged in the left lane, had a decent launch, went ahead and hit second at 6200 and was whooping up on Matt Koetting's blue 11 second 68 Camaro. At the shift to drive the trans felt as if it went to neutral, and the engine hit the 7200 chip, I lifted, stabbed it again, and it pulled hard to the stripe. 11.30-119.44 on the ticket, what was that? I remembered my first pass on the street when it seemed to flair up, then I thought about yesterday when it broke up going into drive, and I was questioning the beehive springs. What is going on with this 904?

Then I was back in the pits, and Rachael was showing me the 12.43-109 she had ran right behind me. "We need better than that if you are going to stay in the hunt for the quick 32", I explained, "and that 2.12 sixty foot time is where you gave it away".

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/20/14 06:32 AM

Eighteen minutes later, I was staging up in the right lane at Heartland Park, and clearly, the Chevy boys weren't happy with me outrunning that Camaro earlier, so they sent up reinforcements! Jeff Lutz and the Evil Twin 57 were bumped in on the top bulb, and bringing up the boost. His 6.789-215.41 lit up the boards before I hit the eighth mile cones! The 904 did the exactly the same thing on the shift to drive. 11.289-119.77, I'm not the smartest driver, not by a long shot, but after two identical runs, I was sensing there may be a problem here.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/20/14 06:43 AM

At 1:42 pm, Darren finally got his chance, running an 11.421-117.35 to stay in the hunt, apparently, the 4.56s and the mufflers weren't moves the Dakota was happy with yet, but it completed day two and was moving on.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/20/14 07:20 AM

Back in the pits, I cornered Boone, our trans whisperer, and told him what was going on.
"Have you checked the fluid today?"
"No", I popped the hood, "Dang it, I left the air cleaner on, no wonder it only went 119!"
He pulled the stick as I started removing the breather, "This stick is bone dry, did you bring any fluid?"
I handed him a quart, then we fired it up and checked it, then a second quart, then a third, and finally he was happy.

At 1:53 Rachael made another run, 12.135-110.27, and I went up at 2:00 on the nose and promptly left in second gear and ran 12.54 at 77mph! I was completely disgusted.

"Well that's it, I'll just turn in the 11.28".
"They extended it until 2:15", Dale explained, "You have time for another run."
"Nope, I'm done, that's it for today", I threw up my hands.
"I'll run you in the Barnyard", Boone offered.
"Want someone to show you the way to the tens?" I smiled.
"Sure, you've got a .28 today, I've got a .40, maybe the old truck has something for you!"
"OK then, lets do it!"

Dale, Darren, James, and Rachael were loading up in the Belvedere.
"Where are you guys going", I questioned.
"Got two empty bottles to drop off at Monte's trailer, then we will go to the tower and turn in our slips."

I followed Boone to the lanes, and noticed Larry was prepping the S-10 for a last attempt. "Well, they didn't extend this session just for me", was the first thought through my head.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/20/14 07:40 AM

Boone and I staged, and I put a healthy hole shot on him, but the Valiant stumbled badly, and I knew the sixty foot was garbage, then I slowly pulled away from him, as the small block ran great, and the 904 did it's job. 10.937-121.33, so my dream of tens all week would survive another day.
We were both talking about our run with Dad, when Rachael came running up with her helmet still on.
"Woohoo, back in the 11s!" she shoved a time slip in my face.
"What did you do?"
"Well, I dropped them off at the tower, watched you guys in the burnout box, then looked around and realized I was right there, why not go again?"
"11.806, at 113.27, great, now you're really in the hunt again!"

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Posted By: Chris'sBarracuda

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/20/14 08:52 AM

Nice R/T Billy..

Oh wait.. It was a .400 pro tree.. You're excused..

Chris..

Posted By: BBR

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/20/14 04:06 PM

Quote:

"Well, they didn't extend this session just for me", was the first thought through my head.

Not the first time nor the last I would guess..... Dallas 2012, for example, when Larson was having issues and they bumped the cutoff time twice....

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/21/14 07:33 AM

Since Dale has raced Nationals and Divisionals at Heartland Park many times, the guys know exactly where the shower facilties are, so Boone and Dale headed that way immediately. Darren decided to drive his Dakota over instead of walking, and as he opened the door to get in, I noticed that he had his license plate in the back window.
"When did you put that up there?" I asked, gesturing at the tag.
He laughed, "Well, that's another story...we came down the off ramp from 59 this morning and turned left on 56."
"Yeah, I remember the spot".
"This thing was overheating, so we pulled over on a wide spot just after driving under the bridge, and a Kansas Highway Patrol pulls up right behind me and turned on his lights. He walked up and asked why I had no visible license plate on the vehicle, and since I was about half asleep, I reached over in the floorboard, dug the plate out, and handed it to him!"
"Oh boy, I bet that went over well!"
"Yeah...not really! He wanted my license, the registration, the insurance verification and he wanted to compare it all to the V.I.N.! Luckily everything was in order, so he relaxed and just talked to Boone and I until we had it cooled down and were ready to roll again".

Darren parked in front of the building, and went in to get his shower, Boone and Dale came out a few minutes later and walked back over to our pit area, to finish packing up.
"Boone, you don't look any better, you look plum wore out!"
"James drove the Gremlin while Dale slept a little, then Dale had to spell Darren in the Dakota, then Dale drove the Gremlin while James slept. I've been up since we showed up at TRP Monday morning!"
"That...is not good!" I stared at the route sheet. 320 miles away from the two pre-paid motel rooms I had in Norman OK. Those rooms might as well be on the moon for all the good they were going to do us!

We were packed up and ready to roll when Darren came out. He fired up the Dakota, then shut it off twice in a row, then got out and walked over to us.
He stroked both hands through his hair and said, "She's got no oil pressure..."

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/21/14 03:17 PM

If the Dakota had any number of engines in it, Darren's statement would have been met with "you're done", but since it's a 440 with a milodon external dual line oil system, a remote filter, and an oil cooler, Dale just gave a flat, "probably just need to prime the pump".

I decided to spring my plan on them at that moment, "Why don't we send Pops and Rachael back down to the motel we stayed at last night, get some rooms, find some food, and head out for Noble around midnight?"
They only took a moment to consider it, and Dale said, "Sounds good, let's do it!"

It only took two attempts at dumping oil in the line to his pump to restore the pressure needle to it's proper place, and we headed out about 10 minutes after Rachael left. I was leading our group, and immediately took a wrong turn out of the Heartland Park gate and had us out in the sticks in 4 miles before I pulled over, got out, and tossed my hands up.
"We just HAD to follow you, just to see what you were up to", Boone laughed.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/22/14 06:00 AM

The trip to the motel included pulling the Valiant to the shoulder on I-75 to allow it to cool down from 240. Of course, Boone and Dale both hassled me about it, constantly reminding me that they run without t-stats, and never overheat.

We checked into the motel, then walked over to the Golden Corral. It was nice just to all sit down together and decompress a bit.
"So Dale, heard you spent some seat time in the Dakota last night. Are those front shocks as bad as Darren claims?"
"Yeah, it's got those drop spindles on the front, and when you add in those dead shocks, it's a miracle it still has an oil pan!" He smiled, knowing I was working Darren.
"Why did you have to drive?"
"Boone begged me to, he was following Darren, and called me because he was swerving all over the road!"
"Dang near went head on with a truck!" Boone chimed in.
"Guy hits the rumble strips once or twice, and everybody freaks out!" Darren smiled, refusing to be ruffled with a full plate of food in front of him.
I hastily grabbed my phone and sent a text to all the interested parties that our plan was to sleep here and head out later. The text I got back from Darryl simply said, "You need to pick up the pace to catch that Falcon."
I hadn't even thought about checking the results up to this point, but now I was curious.

We agreed to leave the motel at midnight, and I was up and had a shower at Eleven, but it was tough to get Rachael, Dale and James up and moving. I decided to take my bag out to the car, and see if the other guys were moving around yet. Dad and Boone were moving, but Darren was still in their room. When we walked outside a light flashed several times in the sky.
"Was that lightning?"
"Yes! I told these guys there is a storm coming in, and nobody wants to move!" Dad was clearly perturbed.
Four of our five cars are wearing M/T ET Streets, and hard rain is kryptonite to those tires.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/22/14 02:31 PM

One lessoned learned with a group this size, is that a caravan style of traveling doesn't really work, if you are constantly waiting for the slowest person in each situation, it just chews up too much time. So, it's better to concentrate on your own car, and keep moving forward if possible in a leap frog type fashion. The key to making this work is staying in contact by phone with everyone in the group, and letting them know as quickly as possible if there is a problem.

"Dad, did Rachael buy fuel yet?"
"Yeah, she filled the tank on the way here to the motel yesterday...last night, whatever it was!"
"Ok", I addressed Boone as well, "I'm going to go fill up the Valiant, and come back to see if everyone is ready to go, but if they get around before then, go on without me and I'll catch up".
The station across from the motel apparently closed at midnight. I pulled in and all the lights were on, so I ran my card and started pumping, I had about 75 cents in the tank when all the lights shut off, the pump stopped, and the clerk walked out the front door, turned around and locked it, then headed towards his car.
"Where the heck does a person find a gas station around here!" I yelled at him.
He looked over at me, startled, and stammered out, "Uh...go under the freeway, then about a mile up and on your left..."
I hung up the pump, and crawled back in the Valiant. Halfway to the next station, the sky opened up and it was raining buckets.
When I returned to the motel, Darren had the Dakota up under the lobby portico, and was once again priming the oil pump. It was 1:00AM by the time we ventured out on a rain soaked US-75. Darren in the lead with Rachael and Pops behind him, then I was a half mile back, then Boone and Dale quickly faded back behind us. With the ET Streets, If you feed too much power to it, you break traction, and the rear feels like it is on ice. When you lift, for that little bit of time the converter allows deceleration, you still have no traction, then when the engine falls below stall speed, and the rear is freewheeling, you can gather it up again. So the tendency is to drive along, just barely into the converter, with an eggshell under your throttle. For most of us that equates to 25-35 mph, but Dale's Gremlin is light in the back and has a 95 inch wheelbase, and Boone was pulling a trailer, so they were having more difficulties. It's really not horrible on a backwoods two lane, but it doesn't really work on a major highway, and the worst case scenario is a Turnpike, or toll road, because these usually have a higher minimum speed limit, and a bunch of people in a big hurry! Our route for the next 100 miles or so, however, was exactly that, the I335/I35 Kansas Turnpike, so it was with a little trepidation that I pulled up to the toll booth at the entrance and grabbed my ticket from the machine.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/25/14 07:22 AM

Darren was about 3/4 of a mile ahead of me, and Rachael was following him with her four-way flashers on. The rain was fairly mild for the first five miles or so, and I was steadily gaining on them, then we hit a stretch where I could barely make out the road, it was raining so hard (yeah, no wipers either). I don't know if the truckers we were sharing this early morning jaunt with were being duly cautious, given the conditions, or if they were simply checking out our rides, but all of them seemed to slow when they passed us, making it considerably less harrowing than some of our past experiences.
Finally I caught up with them, and Rachael let me pass, so she could follow both of us with her warning lights. I found that Darren's 33 X 18.50 Et Streets were cutting a great path in the water for my 30 X 13.50s to follow, so the only time I felt the back kicking around after that was when we would hit pools of water in the roadway, or streams of water running across the road.
Boone called me, and we figured out they were about 6 miles behind us, and he was complaining about both Dale and him getting crossed up on several of the bridges. "We are gun shy now, we slow every time we approach a bridge, regardless of how short it is", he explained.
We covered forty miles in a little over an hour, then Darren made a hasty exit to the shoulder with the Dakota. I pulled over ahead of him, and Rachael stopped behind him. I called Boone to tell him we were stopped before I even got out of the Valiant to check on the problem.
"My headlights went out...apparently I've cooked the battery", Darren exclaimed. He yanked his hand back from the hot stainless lid on his Taylor battery box. The acrid sulfur smell, and the tea kettle sound should have been warning enough, but Darren prefers a three senses kind of approach, I suppose. Once Boone and Dale arrived, they formulated a plan to steal one of the Barnyard Viper's batteries to replace the one Darren had fried. I was walking around snapping a few pictures, and basically staying out of the way, so I wasn't privy to the conversation, but I believe they were leaning on Darren pretty hard for not monitoring the charging situation properly. The fact that they expected him to take responsibility for damaging his own equipment didn't set very well with him, so no sooner than they had the battery swapped in, he fired the Dakota, spun out into the highway, and fishtailed away from us in a huff. Everyone else was standing around the trailer, putting the tools away, and I was right next to the Valiant, so I jumped in, and took off after him.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/25/14 08:48 AM

Three miles down the road, he was pulled over on the shoulder at an odd angle with his lights shut off. "Why in the heck would he pull over to wait on us, when he is the one constantly slowing us down", I asked myself as I simply drove on by. As I expected, his headlights came on, and he pulled out to follow me. I kept looking in the mirror, and he continued to maintain my pace, but about a half a mile behind me.
Ten miles or so later we passed a well lit service area in the center, with a gas station, and a McDonalds, but I had the bit in my teeth now, and wasn't about to stop. Five miles later, I was climbing a long hill, and glanced in the rear view mirror to see nothing but pitch darkness, not a single set of headlights behind me for miles.
I pulled out my cell phone, 3:02 AM, "Boone, where are you guys?"
They had all stopped in the service area, Dale needed fuel, and they were searching for E-85, as the jugs they filled when they left Tulsa were all but empty, and the Dakota continued to guzzle it at an alarming rate.
I successfully navigated my way off the Turnpike at exit 71 and onto Kansas 254 West. I drove about 8 miles looking for the next turn to the left on Chico street, but according to the route sheet I should have been there already, so I pulled over, shut the car off and dug out my free Harbor Freight flash light. I swear it was "Chico" driving down the road at forty, holding the sheet up next to the fifty-two year old dome light, but now, on the side of the road in good light, I realized I was looking for "Ohio" Street, which I found easily after back tracking three miles!

Ohio street led me into the town of Augusta Kansas around seven miles later, and according to the route sheet we had covered 125 miles at this point, which is nearing the end of my comfort zone on fuel range, so I found a gas station in a large grocery store parking lot and pulled in to fill up. I had a couple of gallons in the cell when a young police officer pulled up next to the pump beside me. The next instructions on the sheet were a bit cryptic, so I just asked him how to catch US-77 south from where we were.
"Uhh, yeah, just go down here until you see the car wash on the left, and then turn right. That's main street, then go a couple of blocks to Osage, turn left on that, then right on seventh, and you will run right into it!"
I thanked him, finished pumping my 91, and headed off in that direction. I was glad to have the help, because "Main Street" wasn't at all what I expected. I turned right onto a wide street made up of massive concrete slabs, cracked, sealed, and re-sealed, driving across them felt like they were surely several feet thick, the side walks were elevated above the road level, and the yards rolled up towards the houses which were elevated even more. The large, ancient homes were dwarfed by the huge trees that lined the roadway, their canopies nearly touching above me as I idled by. "Great place for a horror movie", I thought to myself, and was much happier when I emerged onto 77 and wound the small block back up to cruising speed.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/25/14 02:22 PM

Boone called, and explained that the E85 situation was becoming a problem, "The E85 finder on Dale's phone says there is a station in Ark City, that has it, so can you check when you go through there?"
"Sure, I'm going by a sign right now that says Arkansas City twenty-four miles, so I'll give you a call when I get there".

I cruised through Arkansas City rather slowly, checking each station I passed along the route, none had any mention of E85 that I could see. I called Boone when I had cleared any vestiges of town and was cruising once more on a dark lonely two lane.
"I didn't see anything Boone, E10 or E15 I think, but no E85."
"Alright, well, we just passed that Ark City twenty-four mile sign, so I guess we will check it out soon enough".

By my math, I figured I had about 30 miles on them at that point, not bad, and I had the bit in my teeth again, as I was only 25 miles from our single checkpoint on this leg at Ponca City, Ok. The photo in the post above was my checkpoint picture, I took it at 6:20AM, and I still had a hundred and thirty miles to cover before I would be in the pits at Thunder Valley Raceway Park. Luckily, most of it was straight down I-35, and the rain was gone, so hopefully I could make decent time. I stopped and fueled at a station right before I jumped on the interstate.

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Posted By: tsanchez

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/25/14 04:09 PM

Awesome

Posted By: wyoming

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/26/14 12:11 AM

Id agree, once Billy starts the dragweek tale, I look for it first everytime I log on, and long on more often to check, its allways quite the story

Posted By: tsanchez

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/26/14 01:24 AM

All that goes through my mind is does the dakota make it will the arguing continue, or will dale go off . Imagine a tv narrator like from the tv show soap hahahaha

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/26/14 08:11 AM

I'm going to tell this next part of the story in third person, because, well, all I was doing was driving down I-35. Everyone else was having all the fun!

The group moved their way down 77 South into Winfield Kansas, and spotted a Wal-Mart, with a McDonalds in the parking lot, and decided to pull in. Rachael went into the McDonalds to grab breakfast for everyone, while Dale went to Wal-Mart, namely for everything to change his trans fluid. The Power Glide is what ended his trip last year, this year it is a different transmission and converter, but the same problem. He was thinking the problem was with the engine tune at this point. The Gremlin has 2 1/4 header pipes that snake between the engine and the stock frame rails, then join into four inch collectors that basically bracket the trans on each side, and run headlong into four inch bullet mufflers with turndowns in front of the ladder bar brackets. considering the Gremlin's wheelbase that should give you an idea how packed in all that stuff is.
"When we run down the road at 27-2800 rpm, there isn't a problem, the floorboard doesn't even get hot. We kick it up to 3-3200 area to make up time, that's when it starts building heat in the floorboard and starts killing the trans fluid."
"Yeah", James agreed, "It's like it starts building a ton of heat in the exhaust at that rpm...like it's lean".
"Or extremely rich, and burning it in the pipes, crazy thing is, it doesn't affect the water temp, or oil pressure at all. Obviously we beat up the fluid yesterday, trying to hustle into Heartland Park, and even though we've kept the temps down tonight, the shifts are noticeably softer!"
By the time they finished with shopping and breakfast, they had a plan to make the final ten miles into Arkansas City, then they would be in all out search mode for E85.
Darren took off first, with Dale in close pursuit. Rachael tried to start the Belvedere, but it wouldn't turn over, so Dad flagged down Boone before he headed out of the parking lot. Boone played with the shifter, and it seemed to be moving through the gears, so finally he grabbed a screwdriver, and crossed over the solenoid. Two miles down the road she pulled into a medical complex parking lot, and Boone followed her.
"It's stuck in second gear", she reported when Boone parked the Barnyard next to her.

Dale and Darren drove into the fourth gas station in Arkansas City, and it was clearly desperation time for them at this time. The town was alive with early morning business, as people swarmed the small convenience store, on their way to work. The Gremlin, and the Dakota were clearly causing a stir with the locals, so Dale used it to his advantage, and boomed out, "Does anyone here, know anyplace in this town, where we can get some E85?"
One guy was halfway to his truck, coffee in hand, and he spun around and addressed Dale, "Got a Friend here in town, Jim Childs...races a 66 Fairlane on E85. We can give him a call!"

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/26/14 08:45 AM

Jim Childs agreed to meet them at the station, with ten gallons of E85, but warned them that five gallons had been sitting for a while and may not be good. When he arrived, Dale agreed that the second jug seemed to have taken on water, and he didn't want to send it through Darren's system. While purchasing the fuel, Dale got the call from Boone that Rachael's cable was burnt beyond repair.
Mr. Childs had overheard the conversation, and had already explained to the guys that the only E85 was back in Wellington Ks, which was thirty-three miles away, in the wrong direction. As he listened to Dale, James, and Darren discuss possible solutions to both problems, he offered up his own.
"I've got a brand new five foot B&M cable at the house, I'll take seventy bucks for..."
"Done deal, we'll take it" Dale interrupted
"Ok, here's what we are going to do. Darren and I are going to drive my truck back to my house, and I'll give him the cable. Then he can take my truck to Wellington to get all the E85 he needs, when he gets back here to get his Dakota, just park my truck in that spot, lock the door, and throw the keys under the floor mat, I'll pick it up later. Now, if you guys need to work on the Gremlin, or install that cable, here is the number for my buddy Rod Mills, he operates Mills Automotive Repair here in town, has a lift, and will help you out, just tell him Jim sent you."
All the guys just stood there slack jawed, "Are you sure about this?" Dale finally stammered.
"C'mon let's go, we've got to get these cars to Noble so you boys can run, and time is wasting!" Jim smiled.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/26/14 09:37 AM

Boone had the Belvedere on jack stands with the old cable removed, when Dale called to tell him they had a cable, and a place to use to install it. He pushed the trans lever into drive, dropped it on the ground, crossed over the solenoid to start it, and followed Rachael to Arkansas City. They met Darren on the outskirts of town, and he gave them the cable, while he grabbed all the gas jugs from Boone's trailer.

Rod Mills graciously worked his schedule around so that Dale pulled the Gremlin directly on the lift, and dropped the trans fluid straightaway.
"Dang it James. We should have bought oil, and done an oil change also!"
"What do you need", Rod offered, "I'll call in an order, and O'Reilly will bring it right out!"
Dale had everything done except the trans fluid when he heard Boone and Rachael coming up the drive, so he lowered the lift, and pushed the Gremlin out, so she could get the Belvedere in place. With the cable on, they were ready to roll, and Mr. Mills refused any compensation for the lift time. The Gremlin and the Belvedere headed off towards Ponca City, and the checkpoint, while Boone decided to take the Barnyard back to the station where the Dakota was left, and wait on Darren.

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Posted By: cudadon

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/26/14 04:15 PM

Wow those some nice people/hotrodders!!

They sure ran into the right person at the gas station.

Great story Billy!!!

Don

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Posted By: sam64

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/26/14 04:36 PM

Quote:

Boone had the Belvedere on jack stands with the old cable removed, when Dale called to tell him they had a cable, and a place to use to install it. He pushed the trans lever into drive, dropped it on the ground, crossed over the solenoid to start it, and followed Rachael to Arkansas City. They met Darren on the outskirts of town, and he gave them the cable, while he grabbed all the gas jugs from Boone's trailer.

Rod Mills graciously worked his schedule around so that Dale pulled the Gremlin directly on the lift, and dropped the trans fluid straightaway.
"Dang it James. We should have bought oil, and done an oil change also!"
"What do you need", Rod offered, "I'll call in an order, and O'Reilly will bring it right out!"
Dale had everything done except the trans fluid when he heard Boone and Rachael coming up the drive, so he lowered the lift, and pushed the Gremlin out, so she could get the Belvedere in place. With the cable on, they were ready to roll, and Mr. Mills refused any compensation for the lift time. The Gremlin and the Belvedere headed off towards Ponca City, and the checkpoint, while Boone decided to take the Barnyard back to the station where the Dakota was left, and wait on Darren.

both Jim and Rod were regular racers at mid America dragway in ark city Kansas and that's just the way things are done up there.i raced with them for a lot of years,then track got shut down.also goes to show they aren't prejudice,they both race fords.lol

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/26/14 05:01 PM

I had been clipping along with no issues until I started into traffic on the north side of OKC, by this time the sun was up, and the temp was rapidly rising, so once I started running behind other cars, the water temp gauge started to creep up above 210. The traffic was moving along at 45-55, but was pretty thick, after about six miles, the temp climbed above 230, so I hit the shoulder, to let it cool off. Andy Bashford drove by in his 69 Plum Crazy Charger, and gave me a toot of the horn, I gave him a thumbs up to let him know I was OK, and he waved as he continued on to the track.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/26/14 07:31 PM

Dale and Rachael pulled up to the mural on the Bumper to Bumper parts store wall, and shot their checkpoint pictures at 9:46 AM. They noticed immediately that the locals appeared to be using the gravel lot as a shortcut of sorts around some railroad track construction, so backing away from the cars to get a good picture was a bit risky!

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/26/14 09:09 PM

Boone walked into the station where Darren's Dakota was parked, grabbed a drink, and some snacks. He glanced down on a newspaper rack at the Winfield Daily Courier newspaper, the front page read "Drag Week comes through Winfield", with a picture of a 70 El Camino on it.
"Wow, It's pretty bad when the newspaper is running the story the next day, and we are just getting here!" Boone thought to himself.
He decided to make a run to a Napa and grab some oil for oil changes later. The clerk went in the back, and managed to round up 9 quarts of Valvoline 50wt.
"That's all you have"?
"Yeah."
"How 'bout 60wt?"
"I think there are 6 back there..,"
"Ok, I'll take them."
The clerk started picking up the 50wt to return it.
"No, I want all of it...both!"
Darren showed up about fifteen minutes after Boone returned to the station, and they headed out towards Ponca City.

I pulled into Rudy's Country Store and BBQ, basically directly across from the OU campus, to cool the thing off once again, and grab a couple gallons of fuel. When the Volumax 250 Dominator fuel pump starts changing pitch on occasion, it's a pretty good indication that you are nearing the last of your tank, and it's much cooler than looking for a stupid red light on the dash! My phone rang as I stepped back in the car to make my last six miles to Thunder Valley Raceway Park.
"Dad, your stupid brother didn't get this new cable far enough from the header, and it burned up by the time I got here to the checkpoint!" It was Rachael, and she was nearly in tears by the sound of it.
"The rest of the drive is highway, just put it in Drive, and get here! I'll buy a new cable at the Pep Boy's Speed Shop trailer, but you have to get here in time so we can install it before your run! Who is there with you?"
"It's just Pops and I, we sent Dale and James on because we were afraid all of us were going to miss the deadline, and not get a pass. We are going to wait here for Boone and Darren!"
"OK, just tell them NOT to try and fix it, just put it in drive and GET HERE!" I fired the Valiant, stuck my phone in the passenger seat, and fought my way back into traffic leaving a Drag Week competitor in a third gen Camaro on the parking lot who was apparently struggling with overheating just as much as I was.

Rachael hung up the phone, and told Pops what I said. They sat there, in the shade of the mural wall for about five minutes when another Drag Week competitor entered the gravel parking lot, pulled ahead of them, and hastily jumped out to take a pic at the checkpoint. It was none other than five time champ Larry Larson in his new S-10 truck. Dad noted to Rachael how haggard and beat up Larry looked when he slowly, methodically folded himself back into the truck. He fired it up, and made his way towards the end of the building as he started a gentle arc of a U-turn in the gravel to head out back onto the course. A harried soccer mom came screaming around the blind corner of the building in a large SUV, undoubtedly late for something, and using the parking lot as a shortcut as Pops and Rachael had witnessed twenty times already. Larry locked up all four tires and slid about a foot and a half as the SUV swerved just enough to avoid his carbon fiber front clip by mere inches! He sat there for what seemed like minutes before the S-10 continued to the exit, and idled off in search of Thunder Valley.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/26/14 11:06 PM

I stopped at the Noble O'Reilly's, and picked up some trans fluid, I hadn't taken the time to find where it was leaking, but the driveshaft, floor pan, ladder bars, and rear end were in no danger of rusting any time soon! As I made my into Thunder Valley Raceway Park, I noticed all the Daily Driver cars were in the lanes, so I knew it was time to switch sessions from the class cars to them, so I wasn't going to be able to run until the open session at Noon. That actually relaxed me a bit, since I didn't have to rush around to get the car ready. I chose a pit spot close to the Falcon wagon that I was apparently very close to for fourth in my class, as I had no idea where Robert and John were pitted.
I backed in, shut off the car, and slowly started to unload the trunk. John Sr. walked up and started helping me , "Well, one of you made it, where's the rest of the clan?"
"Scattered between here and Ponca City, I suppose", I smiled, "it's going to be close for a few of them!"

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/27/14 03:37 AM

John was doing his burn out, and staging the 67 Valiant for his first run down Thunder Valley Raceway Park, when Darren and Boone pulled into checkpoint 1 to re-unite with Pops and Rachael. He ran 11.255-117.32, while they were snapping pictures, with 130 miles left to travel.

John Sr. jumped down beside the car on the blanket I had tossed out, and removed the pipes for me, while I pulled off the air cleaner, and continued removing all my junk from the interior of the Valiant. It was 10:30 AM, three hours and forty minutes until the lanes were closed!

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/27/14 04:20 AM

Robert staged his Ram R/T, as Drag Week announcer Brian Lohnes commented on the popularity of the black vehicles and red butt stripes, with the Mopar crowd. A scheme that was shared by his truck, Rodney's Dart GTS, and Rick Callahan's 68 Dodge Superbee which was ably representing the F.A.S.T. series cars at this year's event.

Robert's Hemi Ram went 15.18-87
Rick's Hemi Super Bee went 10.94-126

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/27/14 07:13 AM

Boone and Rachael fueled right before they jumped on I-35 South, and with the Dakota leading the way, headed towards OKC. Forty miles into their trip, they saw Larson's S-10 pulled over in a parking lot, with the front clip removed.

Dale and James were making good time in the Gremlin, but the floorboard was feeling hot, and they had a feeling the fresh trans fluid was going to be cooked by the time they made it to the track.

I purchased the new cable for the Belvedere, and also bought five gallons of C-12, dumping about two in the Valiant.

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Posted By: J_BODY

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/27/14 07:29 AM

7 million posts on fried shifter cables at moparts over the years and you never bought a simple piece of Aerosleave to keep a shifter cable safe? Billy.....Billy.....Billy.

Posted By: BBR

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/27/14 03:37 PM

lol In 2011, Casey Cunningham melted one down in his 63 Fury! Luckily he had a spare.

Posted By: MRMOPAR

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/27/14 05:04 PM

Quote:

7 million posts on fried shifter cables at moparts over the years and you never bought a simple piece of Aerosleave to keep a shifter cable safe? Billy.....Billy.....Billy.

Well that or a shifter with the cable at the back of the trans instead of the front (PPP)

Posted By: 6pak2go

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/28/14 05:44 PM

Here's a few more shots of the trip from Topeka to Thunder Valley. When I got up in the morning and looked in the parking lot and only saw two of the five cars, I knew they had a rough night.

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Posted By: 6pak2go

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/28/14 05:45 PM

John and I in the pits.

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Posted By: 6pak2go

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/28/14 05:48 PM

Just passing Winfield KS. I hear they have a great yearly Bluegrass music festival.

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Posted By: 6pak2go

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/28/14 05:50 PM

John following me and other Drag Weekers passing us.

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Posted By: 6pak2go

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/28/14 05:57 PM

Waiting in line for my run. The truck has run 14.80's in the cool air in Pheonix, but so far I could only manage low 15's in the heat. That would change though at Great Bend.

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Posted By: moparmanjames

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/29/14 03:28 AM

Quote:

7 million posts on fried shifter cables at moparts over the years and you never bought a simple piece of Aerosleave to keep a shifter cable safe? Billy.....Billy.....Billy.

I know you're just teasing but in Billy's defense, he's got five cars in Drag Week while you and I have none, so it's easy to be the arm chair quarterback with hindsight aplenty from our vantage point.

Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/29/14 05:27 AM

He can take it.LOL.And Id venture to say all of the cars will have aerosleeve next year.When Tulsa was announced as the host track I told him how this year would play out on getting all the cars ready.He agreed.We were right. LOL.One day they want to kill one another and the next its singing Kumbaya at a check point.

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/29/14 05:32 AM

Cool pics Robert! I knew you were holding out on us, that mirror shot is awesome.

Jay/James,
There was a protective heat sleeve on the cable that a previous owner had installed, and Boone re-installed it. Apparently those things, when exposed to heat regularly, break down. When I took it apart in Noble, I noticed the sleeve was falling apart, and the inside had been burned away leaving only the thin aluminized outer shell.

Don/Sam,
No doubt about it Jim Childs and Rod Mills saved our hides with their timely help, and generosity!

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Posted By: tsanchez

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/29/14 05:52 AM

Mine is sleeved with 1/2 ac hose.

Posted By: J_BODY

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/29/14 06:44 AM

http://www.firesleeve.com/intro.html?sessid=e9de77d77baa25506db58bbc4fada1ea

from the department of "been there...done that". They have this stuff in bulk at most A&P shops. I melted a cable in the Mirada back in the mid 90's. A friend of mine who was an airplane mechanic gave me a 3ft section of this stuff. That cable is still in use on my old car. I use it to shield wiring, and even my fuel line. You won't kill a cable using this stuff!

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/29/14 07:02 AM

I dumped in another quart of tranny fluid, and at John Sr.'s insistence pulled a plug, they continued to beat me up for running the thing terribly lean, commenting that it sounded like it quit pulling and flattened out at eight hundred feet.
"This thing has no color anywhere, not on the plug, and not in the pipes!" he shook his head.
John looked at the plug and then stared at the hole I pulled it from, "Are you sure this plug is right for this head?"
"Sure, it's a .750 reach, like I run in all Mopar aluminum heads!"
He showed me the threads on the plug, and it looked as though a few were hanging into the chamber, "now look at the head, does that look like your typical Indy plug hole?"
I had to admit, it looked pretty shallow, "Hmm, something I'll have to look into further when I get home."
I could tell they were less than impressed with the amount of effort I was willing to put forth to pick up the pace, but my head just wasn't in the game at that point!

While going through everything I visited with Moparts member moparpollack, and I'm sure I struck him as a little disengaged as well, I would have enjoyed the opportunity to have an extended bench racing session, but I was worried about the rest of our cars making it. Freiburger and Lohnes were working the microphones in the tower and commenting on Larson's progression towards the track, and all the while I knew he was in close proximity to my brothers. Every time I called them to get an update, I implored them, "Just stay ahead of Larry!"

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/29/14 08:45 AM

At 12.35pm Addie Ross pulled up for her second or third run of the day, and squeezed a 10.950-123.35 out of her Dad's 63 Falcon Wagon. They ran a solid 10.819-125.31 to cover me by more than a tenth in Tulsa, but were struggling to keep it in the tens since then, wrenching on it, and making several passes both days. Their 10.969-123.16 at Topeka gave them a three day average of 10.912-123.94

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/29/14 09:00 AM

I made my run at 12:45pm, it still hesitated at the hit resulting in a 1.61 60ft., but pulled good afterward, and I had no complaint about the 10.932-122.68. My 3 day average was 10.949-122.47, so the battle for 4th place in Modified NA was close! Actually, I think we both wanted the same thing...tens all week!

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/30/14 04:04 AM

When I returned to the pits, I noticed Dale and James finally made it with the Gremlin, and were pitted behind John and Robert. Dale was busy unloading their junk, and James was already installing the lexan windows in the doors.

Brian Lohnes was in the tower explaining that they were changing the end of day procedures, because Larry had hung out in the lanes quite a bit past 2:00 pm yesterday just working on the truck, and they felt like he held them hostage, so the new deal was, once the lanes closed at 2:15, and you were the next car in line, you had five minutes to make the call, or you were done. Great time to change it when we still had 3 people on the road!

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/30/14 05:24 AM

I looked at my phone, it was nearly 1pm, "James, you texted me at twelve, and said you guys were twenty minutes out?"
"Thing started getting hot, and traffic was crazy over by the college..." he shook his head.
Dale's daughter Kelly, made the trip down from Tulsa, and she questioned me about the whereabouts of everyone else.
"Not sure, at this point, Rachael hasn't answered her phone the last two times I've called!"

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/30/14 05:51 AM

We concentrated our effort on preparing the Gremlin, figuring we couldn't help the other three until they arrived, and if Dale already had his pass done, we could all gang up on the stragglers.
"Trans is really soft, hopefully it'll be fine if it cools off enough sitting here", Dale surmised.
"Gonna take it easy, just to keep it going?"
Dale smiled and laughed, "NOT A CHANCE!"

Pops called me and asked where we were in the pits, a few minutes later The Belvedere rolled up in the general area of Dale's Gremlin, and the thrash to put on a new cable began in earnest.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/30/14 07:17 AM

About five minutes after Rachael arrived, Larry Larson rolled in with the S-10, and the place went nuts. Larry was thrashing to get the truck in race mode, Lutz was putting the head back on his, and what Lohnes later called "The craziest half hour in ten years of Drag Week" was about to commence, and we were right smack dab in the middle of it...not that anyone actually noticed...but it was real enough to us!

The Belvedere, in addition to needing the trans cable changed, seemed to be leaking water from several different hose clamps, and locations.
"What's the deal with the water leaks, Rachael?"
"Well, we overheated it pretty bad, back when we were with Boone and Darren. They pulled over to add fuel, and charge the battery on the Dakota, and I stopped behind them, but left the Belvedere running, because it was stuck in Drive. Then after a while, steam started coming out of the hood!"
"Great, then what happened..."
"Boone had me shut it off, then he added water, then he told us to go on without them...that was about fifty miles ago!"
"And she drove it like she stole it all the rest of the way here!" Dad added, as he shook his head.

Attached picture 8315866-DSC05998.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/31/14 06:43 AM

I finally talked to Boone, and he told me they were really close, but Darren's Dakota was overheated to the point of trying to die at every stoplight by OU. I told him to park as close to the lanes as he could, so they could get in at the deadline.
Dale and I had the new cable in place, but we were struggling to get it routed away from the headers, and Rachael was yelling at him that she didn't want to burn up another one.
"Do you want to worry about the darn cable, or get a pass in before they close down?" He snapped at her, then frustrated, removed himself from under the car, "I've got to go run the Gremlin, so I can concentrate on all this other stuff!"
With that, he jumped into the Gremlin, fired it up, tested the nitrous, and was off towards the lanes, while we continued on the Belvedere.

Attached picture 8316744-345.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/31/14 07:11 AM

Dale staged at 1:46pm, with Larry Armstrong's yellow 39 Ford Coupe beside him. He left with the wheels up, in a cloud of black smoke as the nitrous did it's best liquid drano impression and flushed all the carbon that had collected during the drive, right out of the engine and exhaust! 9.30-141 lit up on the scoreboard, and the coupe's engine expired as he cleared the traps some two and a half seconds later.

He parked the Gremlin, and jumped out, then looked around, as if to gain his bearings, "Why is it so quiet?
"Your partner in the other lane broke, and is still on the track." I informed him.
"Well crap, that's not good!"
"Might be good, if it's a long clean-up, maybe they will extend the cutoff time", I speculated.

Attached picture 8316752-ResizedImage951410389269880.jpg

Attached picture 8316752-ResizedImage951410389269880.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/31/14 08:03 AM

While the track was quiet, the pits were anything but. Boone and Darren found a spot near the head of the lanes, and started the process of preparing to run down the track. As soon as Darren shut off the 499, the radiator started hemoraging water all over their pit area. Boone stepped out of the Barnyard, and immediately got an offer of help from someone he'd never even met before. He handed him the tire guage, and put him to work. Jeff Lutz and crew were finishing up a major head repair in the hopes of improving on the 7.70 pass from earlier in the day, and Larry Larson was in an epic struggle to get his S-10 down the track, and had captured the attention of the entire pit area.

Attached picture 8316772-Larry-Larson-Takes-20-second-Drag-Week-2014-1-650x433.jpg

Attached picture 8316772-Larry-Larson-Takes-20-second-Drag-Week-2014-1-650x433.jpg

Posted By: drag345

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 10/31/14 12:09 PM

Awesome job again Billy!!!!!!

Keep up the great work so I can keep following along.

drag345

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/01/14 05:30 AM

The track clean-up, and removal of the coupe took a grand total of eighteen minutes. At 2:04 pm, 9 more cars made their runs down the track, of that group five of them either made the only, or their best run of the day, the passes they would turn in for their official run, so clearly we were down to "Make it or break it" time.

Dale had taken a fuel jug to get fuel for Boone, and didn't return, so I figured he was up there helping with both trucks. I finished up the Belvedere, dropped it off the jack stands, and told James to go up there with her to get in the lanes. I walked over to the fence to watch the show. I'd done my part, now they had to do the rest.

The nine cars finished their runs at 2:09pm, and the next car to push up to the head of the lanes was Jeff Lutz in the Evil Twin, that seemed to send shock waves through the entire place. John Gatliff, who had been hot-lapping his Mustang into oblivion, pulled alongside, but the lane director cut him off. Boone in the Barnyard Viper was the next vehicle to pull up. I watched him get out of the truck, walk around, then ask John what was going on. It was as if everyone had stopped what they were doing, and were just watching the staging lanes to see who would jump in before the 2:15 deadline.

Attached picture 8317748-DSC05996.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/01/14 06:16 AM

Darren joined Boone in the lanes, followed closely by Rachael. Nick Plewniak in the Stretchy Truck S-10 rolled in at about 2:12. Walt Reynolds brought up his Daily Driver class Silverado truck next, followed by his wife Daphne in her Chevy wagon and finally, with about 30 seconds to spare Larry Larson in his S-10.

Brian Lohnes, and David Freiburger had been working the microphones during this entire six minute span, and suddenly as the deadline passed, looked around as if released from a mesmerizing spell and asked, "Why aren't we running anyone down the track?"

Gatliff made his twentieth or so pass, then the collective held it's breath as Lutz did his burnout. Better the 7.70, or another opportunity at a Drag Week overall win would slip through his fingers. The 57 left soft, then he corrected it once as the power came on. The crowd roared approval as 6.94-213 lit up on the board, his last ditch effort was two tenths off his pace, but it kept him in the hunt. Walt and Nick ran next, and the Stretchy Truck ran a soft 9.36 at 153, three tenths off what he had shown so far, but happy to be moving on.

Attached picture 8317790-287.jpg

Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/01/14 06:21 AM

No games were played this year. LOL.NOT!

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/01/14 07:48 AM

Dale turned on the nitrous bottle, walked up to the Belvedere's open passenger's side door, and told Rachael to test it. She hit the button several times, and nothing happened. In their haste to change the cable, they had disconnected the ground side of the button. Dale grabbed it quickly, tore off the eyelet, and wrapped the bare wire around one of the bolts holding the shifter to the floor. The engine responded with a healthy roar the next time she tried it, he slammed the door, and motioned her towards the water.

I was standing on the fence with John when she started her burn out. "She's on the quick 32 bump right now...think she can improve?"
"Nope", I shook my head, "It's taken her three passes each day to get it right, so I'm not expecting a good run right off the bat".

She was a hundred feet out before the car responded to the juice, and I winced, "That's not going to do it". 12.75-110.6, was enough to sink any chances of bracket racing on Friday.

I gave her the bad news when she came back to the pits, but she took it all in stride, with a smile. "Dad...I love the drives, and I love making passes on the nitrous, I could care less about the quick 32!"
Well...ok then, I shouldn't try to shove my competitiveness off on her, as long as she is having fun...who am I to decide what's important to accomplish?

Attached picture 8317840-347-Copy.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/01/14 08:47 AM

The next pair up was Boone and Darren. Darren had changed the oil on the Dakota, filled it with water, dumped water over everything, but it was just so heat soaked, that it still seemed to be running hot. When they completed their burn outs, and the Dakota lurched forward, both the starter, and the water box guy ran out beside the truck and did the dreaded kneel down to look under it.
Dale reacted just as quickly and addressed the starter immediately.

Now...you guys know I'm going to tell you what happened, how it happened, but I feel it may be necessary to put this in it's proper context. This is one Okie, making a point to another Okie, as urgently as possible. You've all seen Street Outlaws right? You've seen how those 405 guys talk to each other, and you thought it was just TV drama? You know those Roy D. Mercer "How big an ole' boy are ya" prank calls originated in Tulsa right? OK...so this is how it played out...

Dale walked out to the starter, pointed at the Dakota, and said, "This truck is going to make this pass!"
"I can't let him run, it's dumping water out!"
"Then we are going to blows", Dale paused for effect, "'cause I'm punching you square in the mouth if you back him off!"
The starter looked him in the eye, sized him up, as if to decide if this guy was bluffing, or had just pushed all his chips in the middle. "If he knocks the wall down, it's on YOUR head!"
"I'm good with that!" Dale spun around and removed himself from the situation as his brothers turned on the stage bulbs. The race was neither truck's best effort, but they got numbers, and Boone had bragging rights. Now it was time to move on to the next challenge.

They were picking up their time slips and returning to the pits, but every eye was on the last truck in the lanes, and a good burn out brought everyone to their feet, but a rolled sprag in the Gear Vendors unit was Larson's undoing, and he was saddled with a 20 second time effectively ending his chances to place in Drag Week 2014.

Attached picture 8317850-boonevsdarren.JPG

Attached picture 8317850-boonevsdarren.JPG

Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/01/14 04:34 PM

Small error.Daphne is Chads wife.Walt is her father in law.Carry on. BTW I was wondering what Dale said to the starter.Now I know.

Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/01/14 05:27 PM

BTW Happy number FIFTY Billy.

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/01/14 06:06 PM

Thanks Don.

Dale called this morning and was discussing his projects for about thirty minutes, finally he asked what I was doing this weekend.
"Sitting around the house in my rocking chair, read the newspaper, maybe have a bowl of oatmeal", I responded.
"You sound like Dad!"
"Why shouldn't I. Think about it!"
"Ha...it's your birthday today! You're fifty, ha...dang what's it feel like to be that OLD!"
Every once in a while, he enjoys being the baby brother!

Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/01/14 06:20 PM

I can relate.LOL.

Posted By: SCATPACK 1

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/01/14 08:51 PM

Billy
Every time you write, you paint the experience so well, I feel like I was there. Thanks for taking your time to share the experience for those of us that will never get to make it.
thanks
Jerry

Posted By: Hemi_Joel

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/01/14 09:23 PM

Oh to be 50 again, what I wouldn't do...

I hope you have a good one Billy! Keep up the good work on the story telling.

Posted By: G_bob

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/01/14 10:09 PM

Quote:

Oh to be 50 again, what I wouldn't do...

I hope you have a good one Billy! Keep up the good work on the story telling.

Agreed and agreed.
Happy birthday Billy, love the story telling.

Posted By: Twostick

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/01/14 11:26 PM

Ahh yes. The first half of your sixth decade....

Happy Birthday

Keep the installments coming.

You really should write a book. From Derelict to Dragweek in a Week and a Half.

Kevin

Posted By: moparpollack

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/02/14 01:45 AM

Quote:

While the track was quiet, the pits were anything but. Boone and Darren found a spot near the head of the lanes, and started the process of preparing to run down the track. As soon as Darren shut off the 499, the radiator started hemoraging water all over their pit area. Boone stepped out of the Barnyard, and immediately got an offer of help from someone he'd never even met before. He handed him the tire guage, and put him to work. Jeff Lutz and crew were finishing up a major head repair in the hopes of improving on the 7.70 pass from earlier in the day, and Larry Larson was in an epic struggle to get his S-10 down the track, and had captured the attention of the entire pit area.

I helped Boone with the tires and it was amazing to see the change from street truck to track truck happen so fast. After Boone made his pass we chatted about a trip he made to visit you and his stay at Stan's house.

And you were right things weren't going so good early that morning but they ended well on Saturday!

Posted By: moparmanjames

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/02/14 05:38 PM

Quote:

Thanks Don.

Dale called this morning and was discussing his projects for about thirty minutes, finally he asked what I was doing this weekend.
"Sitting around the house in my rocking chair, read the newspaper, maybe have a bowl of oatmeal", I responded.
"You sound like Dad!"
"Why shouldn't I. Think about it!"
"Ha...it's your birthday today! You're fifty, ha...dang what's it feel like to be that OLD!"
Every once in a while, he enjoys being the baby brother!

Happy Birthday Billy, my 50th was last year.

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/02/14 05:57 PM

As I've said before, with the series of deadlines that Drag Week throws at you, there isn't much time to champion your victories, before your attention must be firmly affixed to the next one in line. Darren tried unsuccessfully in Tulsa and Topeka to get his huge ET Streets balanced, and the vibration was driving him crazy, so as soon as his slip was turned in, he started calling shops in the OKC area. He was in the Dakota and out the gate fairly early in the process of preparing to begin our journey to Great Bend Kansas. I can't even remember when Robert, and John left Thunder Valley Raceway Park, it's a surreal scene every time it's played out. A slow procession of Hot Rods driving out of the facility, guys relaxingly packing up, chatting with their buddies, a few cars that are the hubs of furious activity, and a few that you can just tell, aren't leaving under their own power.

Noble marked the end of Drag Week for 2.3 Ford 4 cylinder turbo powered cars. Jon Huber's familiar high flying 79 Mustang burned a piston on his very first pass, an impressive 9.07-151, at Tulsa. Then Dale Knapke's awesome little Triumph TR6, after running 11.42-122.41 on the first day, limped to a 12.73-90 at Topeka, and a 12.67-93 at Noble, before calling it done.

Attached picture 8319170-Drag-Week-2014-Day-Two-Race-Results-30.jpg

Attached picture 8319170-Drag-Week-2014-Day-Two-Race-Results-30.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/02/14 07:39 PM

The shifter cable in the Belvedere, had already started burning in just one pass, so we took the time to get the big jack from Boone's trailer, get it further off the ground, and go after it with a handful of wire ties to lock it down in the perfect position...hopefully. Rachael had pretty much lost all faith in our abilities to accomplish this, so she took a much more "hands on" approach this time!
We were pushing 5:15pm by the time we had our four car flotilla, ready to roll out the gates of Thunder Valley.

Attached picture 8319255-068.JPG

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/02/14 08:20 PM

Fifteen cars that turned in time slips at Thunder Valley in OKC, didn't at Great Bend. Obviously, I'm not sure whether we lost them at the track, on the drive, or they couldn't make the call once they made it to Kansas, but I have to suspect that our relative close proximity to Tulsa influenced some of those decisions. You've got a route sheet in your hand that spells out a 307 mile trek to S.C.R.A. Dragstrip in Great Bend, or 95 miles to Tulsa, lick your wounds, and call it done. A mile out of the gate, and I was ready to take option B myself!!

Attached picture 8319291-DW-2014-Noble-15-685x433.jpg

Attached picture 8319291-DW-2014-Noble-15-685x433.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/03/14 04:48 AM

We pulled out of the track entrance, with Rachael leading the group. She drove about a half mile and pulled over on the shoulder. I was next in line, and as I stopped behind the Belvedere, I noticed my voltmeter was on eleven volts.
As I opened the hood to check out the problem, Rachael walked up behind me and announced, "I don't have drive!"
"Great! Just great", I swore as I looked at my alternator.
The large battery wire was burnt for about four inches, and had melted itself to the field and sense wires.
"What's going on?" Boone asked as both he and Dale approached.
I pointed at the wires, and said, "She can't find drive, either. Just call mom, and have her bring the two car trailer down, and I'll load these two junkers up and head back to Phoenix!"
"Yeah right", Boone smiled, "You know that's not how the game is played!"
We decided to limp our way to the O'Reilly's parking lot, and re-evaluate our situation once we got there.

Attached picture 8319723-350.jpg

Posted By: J_BODY

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/03/14 05:02 AM

If you drank beer like me you'd know that you can even take pieces of cans and loosely wrap those new cables and it'll keep the heat off em.

Posted By: J_BODY

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/03/14 05:10 AM

you gotta try that Aerosleave!

Posted By: 1967dartgt

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/03/14 05:15 AM

Quote:

you gotta try that Aerosleave!

Stuff works awesome!

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/03/14 05:33 AM

We pulled into O'Reilly's, and turned it into a concrete version of Dale's back yard. With Dale in charge of triage, we began so sort through our problems. Boone diagnosed the problem with the Belvedere as a misadjusted shifter, explaining to Dale that the mega shifter is designed to ratchet four times, so he went to work on that, once we had it in the air. We couldn't locate a replacement alternator in OKC, but after Dale looked over the problem, he decided it might not be bad.
"You lost the nut that held the cable tight to the alternator, so every time it wasn't making good contact, the energy produced by the alternator has to jump across, and that creates tremendous heat. We might get lucky, splice all the wires, and give it a shot."

Rachael, was already on a recon mission to replenish our refreshments, and provide sustenance. Nothing in this world like a woman who understands priorities! She raided the grocery store in the adjoining parking lot, and filled our coolers with soda, water, and plenty of ice. Then, she found a Pizza Hut, and came back with three boxes that she laid out in the trunk of the Belvedere. The fact that this young lady is still single gives me serious concern for this young generation of gearheads!

The food and drink went a long way towards lightening the mood, and helping us regroup. We decided to use this spot to our advantage, and changed the oil on the Belvedere, Gremlin, and Barnyard, as well as the transmission fluid on the Gremlin. Of course, the best moment was when I fired the Valiant, and the voltmeter jumped to 13.5! As darkness closed in we all began to summon our fire jackets, and it became obvious that the warm weather we had enjoyed the first three days was about to take a turn to the colder side.

Attached picture 8319778-351.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/03/14 05:59 AM

Boone took the lead of the group as we left Noble, and I noticed Dad was riding shotgun with him in the Barnyard. I'm guessing two days in the Belvedere with his headstrong granddaughter was enough for the old guy!
We jumped off the freeway about five miles later, and he drug us through six or seven miles of stoplight to stoplight action until we finally pulled into a station to buy gas.
"Geez, Boone, we passed four other stations, why did you drag us all the way down here?" I asked.
"Well, we have to load up on E-85 for Darren..."
"So you decided we all needed to follow you for that?"
He shrugged his shoulders, "Well, I didn't think it was this far out of route..."
I spun around, finished pumping my gas, and "waited" in my car for everyone else to get ready to roll.

Attached picture 8319803-368.jpg

Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/03/14 07:12 AM

From here to GB is my backyard.I love towns that Main Street is mostly brick.Makes a different sound.Pratt America FTW.

Posted By: 6pak2go

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/03/14 06:38 PM

This was the first check point on the way to Great Bend.

Attached picture 8320147-DSC07575.JPG

Posted By: BBR

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/03/14 08:14 PM

Those Rocket stickers ended up in some interesting places all week.

Posted By: 6pak2go

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/03/14 09:32 PM

ROFL! Didn't they?!

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/04/14 07:10 AM

We found ourselves on I-40 West, headed towards Amarillo, and the cool night air had the small block purring along comfortably at 3 grand, and 190 degrees. Exiting onto US-281 North found us at the Indian Trading Post, AKA checkpoint #1. We were 73.2 miles into our journey, and it was 10:20pm, but everyone was of the same mind, and same goal: we must get to Great Bend, no matter what.

Attached picture 8320791-SAM_2246-Copy.JPG

Attached picture 8320791-SAM_2246-Copy.JPG

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/04/14 07:49 AM

"Darren called, he's broke down up the road", Boone informed me before we left the checkpoint.
We hadn't heard from Darren in about five hours, so I was hoping that meant he was well out in front of us, and having a trouble free run to Great Bend. "What'd he say the problem was?"
"Said all the lights went really super bright, then went out, so I guess we'll figure it out when we find him."

We found him, only about ten miles up the road, and it took quite a while to diagnose the problem in the pitch dark, especially since Darren wasn't going to admit to any wrong doing. First things first, he had melted down battery #2 with his use of the full field toggle switch. In fact, the toggle switch itself was melted, and the headlight and taillight bulbs were all blown!
Apparently Darren found the time to get his tires balanced, but replacing Boone's battery, wasn't on his list of priorities, so now Boone didn't have a second one to loan him. The Belvedere has a single battery. The Gremlin has twin batteries, but they built the battery boxes behind the wheel tubs, installed the batteries, and then riveted in all the interior aluminum above them, so it would be major surgery to retrieve one of them. That left everyone looking at me and the Valiant.
"I'm not loaning him a battery as long as that stupid alternator is hooked up...period!" I named my terms
Dale looked at Darren, and he nodded, "Alright, we'll disconnect it, and we'll just have to stop and charge it when it runs down."
We managed to get the truck running once again, and decided to put him in between us and limp to the next town to attempt repairing the lights. We headed out at Midnight, so most of us had been awake for 24 hours at this point, since we left the motel in Topeka.

Attached picture 8320802-072-Copy.JPG

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/04/14 08:30 AM

We limped in to Watonga Oklahoma, and pulled into a well lit Truck Stop/Convenience Store parking lot. Rachael and I parked at the pumps, and went ahead and filled up our rides. The rest of the guys gathered around the Dakota, which Darren had parked under the biggest pole light he could find.

We were at the intersection of US-270/US-281/OK-8, and OK-3/OK-33, there was another Truck Stop across the street. James made his way over there, and he managed to come back with two headlight bulbs and two taillight bulbs...what are the odds? Rachael and I were in the Belvedere, with the front buckets reclined against the back seat, when Boone tapped on the window.
"Why don't you guys go ahead to the next checkpoint, then sleep there and wait for us."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, we've got some wiring left to do, then we'll be along, but at least you can get those miles behind you".
I was groggy from my little nap, and nearly missed the left turn on OK-51A three and half miles later.

Attached picture 8320814-071-Copy.JPG

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/04/14 09:08 AM

With 182 miles under our belt, Rachael and I took our picture at the Visitors Center in Alva Ok at 3:20AM, which was checkpoint two. We backed our cars into a couple of parking spots along the fence, and jumped back into the Belvedere for a nap. I'd like to tell you more about the drive from Watonga to Alva, but it was all I could manage to stay between the white and yellow lines.

Attached picture 8320821-078.JPG

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/04/14 09:18 AM

Five minutes later, I heard The Barnyard drive into the parking lot, and stage for his picture.
"Dang it! I thought we were further ahead of them than that", I exclaimed, bringing the passenger seat to the upright position.
Rachael rubbed her face, and brought her cell phone up in front of her, "We've been asleep for two hours, Dad."
"Oh, Ok...well, it sure didn't feel like it!"

Attached picture 8320827-SAM_2250.JPG

Posted By: 6pak2go

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/04/14 04:54 PM

Here's what it looked like in the daylight.

Great job writing Billy. I can feel the exhaustion and fatigue!

Attached picture 8320984-DSC07576.JPG

Posted By: Hemi_Joel

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/04/14 08:18 PM

I made a new friend there:

Attached picture 8321170-newfreind.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/05/14 06:10 AM

John and Opal said it was their favorite drive of Drag Week, I don't even really remember it, and BangShift Chad called it the most dangerous drive on Drag Week ever! Guess it really depends on your perspective, your state of awareness, and what time you made it!

Dale and James backed the Gremlin up next to us, and basically fell asleep where they sat. Boone and Darren pulled out the generator and the battery charger, and hooked it up to the Dakota.
"We must've eliminated a short of some kind", Darren explained to me, "Before, without the alternator, the lights were always dim, and got worse pretty quick. Now, I can run a long time, and they are steady, and bright".
"So, you guys are going to catch a nap, while it charges?"
"Yeah, you and Rachael go ahead, we'll probably get moving in an hour or so."
Darren curled up with a blanket in his Kirkey seat, but Boone grabbed one of the Harbor Freight moving blankets, wrapped himself up in it, and slept on the concrete parking lot beside the trailer.

Attached picture 8321866-SAM_2251-Copy.JPG

Attached picture 8321866-SAM_2251-Copy.JPG

Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/05/14 06:37 AM

Most dangerous? Chad likes to embellish.

When the track were announced I knew most of the route was going to be on 281.Maybe its because I grew up in that area I didn't notice.I thought the worst would be the brick streets and deer.LOL.

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/05/14 07:08 AM

The seventy or so miles to Checkpoint Three was pretty uneventful for Rachael and I, except for a little problem I was having with the Valiant. The night air was cold, so I closed up all the windows, but there is a small hole or two in the firewall, and one header tube has an annoying habit of blowing out it's gasket halfway through each Drag Week, so about the time the cabin was getting warm and cozy, I'd start feeling nauseous, and a little less than coherent! I'd roll down the window and get a blast of fresh cold air, which would revive me, and freeze me at the same time. After experimenting over the hour and half jaunt, I found that the driver's side window opened about three inches provided a happy medium.

Attached picture 8321905-362-Copy.jpg

Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/05/14 07:24 AM

WW2 Veterans Memorial at the Pratt airport.Doug Reh with the Unlimited Buick has a GM dealership there and also my hometown.We thought the Memorial might be a check point.Only because the Hot and Cold Water towers don't have lights.Honest to God Ive had people ask if indeed one tower had hot water and the other cold water.http://www.kwch.com/fetchtoto/Business-Directory/cityofpratt/hot-and-cold-running-water-towers/22112826

Posted By: moparmanjames

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/05/14 08:42 AM

Quote:

WW2 Veterans Memorial at the Pratt airport.Doug Reh with the Unlimited Buick has a GM dealership there and also my hometown.We thought the Memorial might be a check point.Only because the Hot and Cold Water towers don't have lights.Honest to God Ive had people ask if indeed one tower had hot water and the other cold water.http://www.kwch.com/fetchtoto/Business-Directory/cityofpratt/hot-and-cold-running-water-towers/22112826

Just a slight correction, It's the Pratt All Veterans Memorial.
http://www.prattveteransmemorial.org/

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/06/14 05:03 AM

"Rather than wait for the brothers here", I told Rachael, "let's drive to the next Truck Stop, so we can freshen up a little, then we will let them know where we are".
"OK, sounds good to me!" She nodded.
She took the lead in the Belvedere, and I followed her. Ten miles later we passed a fairly large convenience store on the right, and if anything, she sped up.
I called her on the phone, "Why didn't you stop"?
"You said a truck stop...that was a hole in the wall."
"Which part of I need a bathroom did you not understand."
"You should've been clear, I'll stop at the next one."
I guess she was getting even for all those family vacations when I used to tell the kids, "Hold it, we are making good time". There was literally nothing for the next forty miles until we entered Great Bend. A semblance of daylight was sneaking though the clouds, and it was spitting rain, so the race track wasn't a big priority at the moment. I slid the Valiant up to the curb at the first Casey's we saw, and burst through the door sending early morning commuters scrambling to protect their cups of coffee from being knocked out of their hands as I lumbered towards the bathroom.

Boone and Dale arrived at the checkpoint to get their picture at nearly the same time. Darren was ahead of them, because Dale had missed the turns on the route several times, and Boone felt compelled to wait for him, considering what happened last year after he screwed up the directions.

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Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/06/14 05:19 AM

I saw that checkpoint in the late afternoon.3 Gebharts saw it in the a.m.the next day.

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/06/14 05:35 AM

I was pretty sure checking on our unused pre-paid motel rooms would be a waste of time, at this juncture. I considered calling John and Opal, to see if they had checked out yet, but I really wasn't worried about a shower, just more sleep! So I drove into the edge of the Wal-Mart parking lot, jumped back in the Belvedere with my pillow, and managed another hour and a half of pure bliss before Rachael talking to Boone on her cell woke me up.

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Posted By: WadeMetzinger

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/07/14 12:28 AM

Quote:

Rachael, was already on a recon mission to replenish our refreshments, and provide sustenance. Nothing in this world like a woman who understands priorities! She raided the grocery store in the adjoining parking lot, and filled our coolers with soda, water, and plenty of ice. Then, she found a Pizza Hut, and came back with three boxes that she laid out in the trunk of the Belvedere. The fact that this young lady is still single gives me serious concern for this young generation of gearheads!

Maybe that's the problem, she's looking for a gearhead like her father that also possesses many of your other "qualities" and those are some pretty big shoes to fill.... (she has pretty high standards, doesn't settle and expects a lot just like...)

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/07/14 02:31 PM

The clouds were just as ominous, but the rain was gone, and the parking lot was nearly dry.
"Where are they?" I asked Rachael
"Still a little ways out, twenty or thirty minutes."
After a brief shopping trip at Wal-Mart, we headed out to the track, and watched several Drag Week competitors turn into the airport, even though the route sheet clearly said turn left AFTER the airport entrance.
I made the 975 mile trek to S.C.R.A. Dragstrip from Phoenix three times in the previous decade to race NHRA division 5 races, so I was pretty familiar with the layout of the facility. The pits/return road is a WWII era expanse of broken, cracked concrete wide enough to handle The B-29 Superfortress in it's former glory, and home to the 1955 NHRA Nationals. Rachael and I drove four or five pit spots past the last people in line hoping to be able to hold spots for the other guys, but there were still a large number of racers just rolling in, and we were barely able to hold onto enough real estate for all five of us.

I went to grab a couple of gallons of race fuel for Rachael, and on my way back to our pit got a text from Opal, "Left a cup of Hot Chocolate in your trunk on the fuel cell." Ever had somebody give you something you didn't even know you needed? Dang, that hit the spot!
Everywhere you looked, the t-shirts of the previous three days were replaced with fire jackets and hoodies, for a desert dweller, I could feel it to my bones.

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Posted By: tboomer

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/07/14 02:52 PM

Great story as always Billy! You folks are sure a dedicated bunch!!

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/08/14 03:54 PM

Boone and Dale arrived twenty minutes or so after we did, and settled into our pit spot. Then Darren rolled in a little later, and drove by, acting disgusted that we didn't have a spot roped off especially for him, and parked two spots down. The spots are marked out long enough for a semi and as wide as three lanes, so we had to convince him there was plenty of room after a little re-arrangement.
It became apparent rather quickly that the track prep was going to take a little longer, despite our late arrival, so we sent Rachael back into town to burn up some more of the McDonalds gift card.
"I didn't eat anything, all night" I admitted, "Too concerned with just getting here!" Dale and James both agreed.
"Dad and I stopped at some small convenience store, and they had hot biscuits and gravy of all things! Wasn't great, but wasn't bad either", Boone added.

One of the families we had spent a large amount of time racing with when Dale, Dad, and I were chasing the NHRA SST Divisional trail in division four, five and seven, were the Lacys from McPherson Kansas. The Patriarch, Terry, decided to make the one hour jaunt over to Great Bend to take in the Drag Week action, hang out with us, and do some quality bench racing. We haven't been Super Street racing since 2008, and it was great to touch base with an old friend.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/09/14 06:09 PM

They started sending class cars down the race track at 10:30AM with mixed results, the cool track, combined with far better air than we had seen all week meant more than a few were struggling with traction, or their tune up. I was the first of our group to make my way to the lanes. The staging lanes at Great Bend are unique in that they are just an extension of the strip, so they are long, straight and narrow, and we were only using two lanes. This means you have to stick close to your car, because the line is constantly moving forward, ordinarily that would seriously cut into my social and spectator time, but with the current weather I was happy to sit in the car and fire it up to move three or four car lengths at a time. Boone brought the Barnyard up next, and was around 15 cars of so behind me. Rain started speckling my windshield at 11:15, about the same time Rachael showed up with breakfast, she gave Boone and I ours in the lanes so we just sat in the Valiant and ate as we watched just enough moisture landing on the car to keep us from racing.
After we finished off our food, and it became apparent that the rain wasn't letting up, we decided to abandon our vehicles in the lanes, and walk over to the pit to grab some drinks and see what everyone else was doing.

Dale had the distributor out of the Dakota after another failed attempt to set the timing and idle, and had locked out the timing curve.
"I told Darren we had to lock it out because it had like fifty degrees of swing, and he swore it should only have twenty. We re-installed it and still had like twenty or thirty, so I pulled it again...look at that intermediate shaft".
I bent over and peered inside the engine. The bronze gear, and the cam gear looked fine, no excessive wear or slop, but the slot in the middle that actually drives the distributor had a huge section broken out and gone on one side!
"Wow, I've never seen a failure or problem there in any of the big blocks we've ever had."
"Nope, I haven't either", Dale agreed, "But the guy who owned this previously had an ancient magneto in it when Darren first brought it home".

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/09/14 07:02 PM

At 12:45, the track was once again ready to race on, but Drag Week Race Director Lonnie Grimm decided to bring Daily Driver to the lanes, figuring the 10.80 and up crowd might be able to put some heat and grip back in the surface before the faster cars were turned loose again. Lohnes made it clear over the loud speaker that this was to be a one hit session, as they wanted everyone to get a shot at the track, and didn't know if the weather would hold.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/09/14 11:04 PM

Since the first Drag Week in 2005 with forty cars, the event has grown into this year's 310 first day count. I was convinced in 2011 that two hundred would be unmanageable, but they have made the necessary adjustments in track personnel, event personnel, and procedures to keep up with the demand. Thursday at Great Bend was a shining example of this, when the call was made for Daily Driver. In the first forty-five minutes before the rain, they had been running cars all the way to the finish line before the next set even hit the water box, but now they went double time with one set staging and the next set in the water ready to start their burnout as soon as the first guys cleared 60ft., and they put a hundred cars down the track in just over forty minutes!
Most of the DD guys, knowing this was a one shot deal, then the class cars would finish up, and a clean up, open session would only be ran as weather permitted, made this one count and called it a day! The pits cleared out pretty quickly after 1:20PM.
Ken Metzinger's red 66 Barracuda(pictured in above post) ran 13.45-99, right in line with where he was at Topeka and Thunder Valley. Mr. Ogle blew the tires off his big gold Challenger at the launch and moved hard right out of the groove, but stayed with it, and wrestled the E-body back to the meat of the track with an 11.78-120.1. Robert's big black Ram R/T responded to the great air with a 14.70-91, while Rachael put down a disappointing 12.60-108.8, she was clearly back to her three runs a day routine!

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Posted By: 6pak2go

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/10/14 01:14 AM

John and I pitted together. I was napping in my truck trying to stay warm when John tapped on the window to go get our runs about 12:40pm. I hadn't had a good nights sleep because the hotel screwed my reservations up and I had to drive over 40 miles out of town to find a room at midnight. Not fun. Of course I had it much better than these guys, so they probably thought I was whining for no reason, lol. The truck definitely liked the cooler air running a new best for me.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/10/14 02:23 AM

Boone and I watched from the lanes as Clark, Ross, Mike, Scott, Clark, and the rest of the Mopars in DD made their one hit count for Great Bend.
"This Valiant is averaging 11.28 for the week, and he just ran 11.29! That kind of consistency is going to play well for him in the bracket race". Freiburger's call on John's run was definitely foreshadowing, or just a good observation, one or the other.

At 1:15PM, I found myself in the water box, directly behind Addie Ross in the Falcon Wagon. I was determined to watch her pass, but they waved at me to start my burn-out when the Falcon was at half track, and I completely missed the numbers on the scoreboard.
The Valiant yanked the front end up hard and the engine was at full song immediately, I hit second a little early at around 6400, and it ripped through the middle of the track, the bottom of drive felt good, then it started to struggle to pull rpm up top, and I was rewarded with a 10.781 at only 122.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/10/14 04:02 AM

Back in the pits, I questioned Rachael about her pass, "Were you imitating the turbo cars up there? Why did you take so long to launch after the tree came down?"
"James and Dale were on me to hit the N20 early...so I staged...then accidently hit the button early, and it died on the line, so I had to put it in neutral, start it, then go", she explained.
I didn't say it, but I was actually impressed that she pulled it together and saved the run! I've seen quite a few veteran drivers get totally shaken up when they have a similar problem.
I texted Darryl, and asked him what the Falcon ran, and he texted back 11.13 almost immediately, as he had basically been glued to the live feed every single day, going through massive withdrawals!
Boone was up next, about thirteen minutes after my run, and the Barnyard responded with it's best ever Drag Week run, an 11.242-118.74, that left him smiling, and ready to call it a day.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/10/14 05:09 AM

Dale idled the Gremlin into the water box at 2:00pm, about ten minutes after they announced that the lanes would close at 3:30, He launched at bit crooked, and the Gremlin moved out of the groove, fighting for traction, and basically throwing away a full tenth by the 330ft clocks compared to earlier passes. He held on for a 9.41-141.16.
Rachael ran just behind him, and carded another 12.614-109.53, the last bottle Monte had filled for us only had 6lbs. in it, and I was beginning to wonder if we had enough nitrous left to get an eleven second run in the Belvedere today. Addie Ross made her third pass of the day just behind Rachael, the little gold Falcon wagon went 11.06-122, and I could tell by her dad's body language on the starting line, that it was their last shot of the day, and the dream of an all ten second Drag Week had slipped through their fingers. As happy as I was to move past them in our class at that point, I would've preferred seeing them get a 10.99.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/10/14 06:15 AM

Darren finally made it to the lanes for his run at 2:15, losing to Boone yesterday had clearly stuck in his craw, and he took the extra time to make sure he felt the Dakota was dialed in for this run. The truck left soft, but pulled hard in the middle before showing a combination of blue and black smoke as it ran the last 320 feet. The 11.133-120.94 was an improvement, and he seemed satisfied enough.

We decided to open up the headers on the Belvedere, and Dale coached her up on the importance of getting on the bottle right away, since I hadn't returned the Valiant to street trim yet, I decided to drive up with her for a just for kicks pass as well. I ended up ahead of her in the lanes, and spun hard off the line for a 10.91-122.97, exact same MPH as the earlier pass. Rachael nailed the nitrous right at the hit, and blew the drag radials off, fish tailing three times before grabbing second. The 12.37-111.6 was pretty good considering the spinning 2.064 sixty foot time!
When she returned to the pit, she jumped out and said, "The back end got all wiggly in first gear, but I stayed in it!"
Clearly, we need to work on her drag racing slang!

Ten minutes later, as the day was winding down, I was shocked to see Hemi Joel pull his Olds convertible into the water for another pass, as I figured he'd be 100 miles out of town by that time, he laid down a 13.85-95 that was the pass he claimed for Great Bend, but I have no idea why he ran so late in the day.

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Posted By: 1967dartgt

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/10/14 06:35 AM

Thanks Billy and Rachael needed a good laugh after my day at work, and when it got all wiggly that brought a smile to my face.

Posted By: ross

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/10/14 04:27 PM

Maybe we should use Rachael's terminology. I kinda like it!

Posted By: Hemi_Joel

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/10/14 09:48 PM

Billy, you are doing a great job with the story. You are filling in so many details that to me all seem a blur if I try to remember without looking at your story. I find myself checking in here several times a day, hoping for another segment of the story.

At Great Bend, I ran a late pass because on the prior 2 passes, the 455 was breaking up at the top of 3rd and 4th gear. I did not know why, and didn't have much time for thorough diagnostics, so I drove to town and bought a set of new spark plugs, since the plugs in the car were 3 years old. My car was too slow to be in the running for the quick 32, so I was just running against my own goals, and I wanted to get kicked off the track for running too fast for my tech. (13.50 in a convert with no roll bar) Well, the plug change did me no good, the car performed the same on the last pass. This Olds was my last minute, "Drag Week plan C", after my "plan A" Mopar and my "plan B" Mopar projects didn't get done in time. The car had never been raced on the track before, and the last time I had the 800 spread bore Holley apart for a jet change was 1986, so I didn't have a clue anymore how the carb was set up.
As it turned out, the carb was jetted way too lean. It still ran clean when we were in the 90 degree air at the previous tracks, but now with the cold air at great bend, it went way lean and couldn't keep pulling. But I didn't figure that out till the next day, when jetting way up solved it. There' a story on the Olds for anyone interested: http://www.bangshift.com/forum/forum/ban...ernation-update

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/11/14 05:59 AM

Rachael, Boone, and I decided to take advantage of the on-site shower facilities at the track while the drama of the last ten minutes of runs played out without us for a change. Both Lutz and Cline made last ditch runs that greatly improved their positions, and set them up for a showdown in Tulsa with the overall win hanging in the balance. By the time we were organized, and ready to leave, we were still among the very last cars to leave SRCA Dragstrip.

Traditionally, when we raced Divisionals in Great Bend, we always visited the local Great Wall Buffet, so we stopped there once again, and celebrated Rachael's 25th birthday as well. There was actually a pretty large contingent of Drag Weekers already on location when we arrived, so it was quite enjoyable.

I didn't make it two miles from the restaurant, before my electric fuel pump sounded like it was starving for fuel...that's when I remembered that I hadn't added race fuel at the track, and had simply ran on 91. I bailed into a Casey's General Store only to realize they only had 87! Oh well, I had to put fuel in, so I went with seven gallons and hoped for the best. I passed the rest of our group at another station two miles down the road, but figuring I would have to stop again at the next town to add 91, I just kept motoring. Five miles out of Great Bend, it was dark enough that I turned on my lights. Lyons Kansas was 31 miles down US-56/KS-96, and thankfully KDOT had outfitted the road with centerline rumble strips, as I was clearly in "driving by braille" mode at this time. I'd attempted to get the guys to hole up in Great Bend for the night, as Friday's race in Tulsa was scheduled for the afternoon, but they were so gun shy from our Topeka-OKC debacle, that they all vetoed the notion.

If you look closely at the pic, you will see a fender skirted 53 Chevy still in the nearly deserted pits with us as we were ready to leave. They were changing out a piston/rod on a junkyard 5.3 LS, and yes, they made it to Tulsa!

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Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/11/14 06:53 AM

Cant believe Scott found what he needed to fix the 53.LOL.Even funnier was who gave him a ride to get what he needed.Chinese food in Kansas?Might have been one of my cats. Just saying.

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/11/14 06:53 AM

In Lyons, I stopped and topped off the fuel cell with 91 octane, and was quite pleased that the 428 didn't complain about the 87 for the first leg of the drive, I'm sure the cool night air probably helped get us through that little experiment as well.
Just as I was exiting the station, Darren drove by in the Dakota, so I jumped out and followed him. With a cold soda in my hand, and the excitement of watching Darren weaving all over the road, I didn't struggle at all to stay awake for the next 20 miles until we drove into the small town of Nickerson Kansas.
He hastily whipped the Dakota into an empty parking lot to the left of the road, and nosed the truck up to the sidewalk, so we could see traffic coming down the road. I parked right beside him, and jumped out to ask him what the problem was.
"The battery is pretty much dead, Boone's going to have to pull over and we'll have to charge it with the generator."
His miscalculation was parking on the left, within a mile or two of a right turn on the route sheet. Boone, Dale, and Rachael all blew right by us, intently looking at the other side of the road.
"Dang it!" he hollered, throwing his hands in the air, then reaching for Dad's cell phone in his pocket.
"Don't worry about it, Darren, we can handle this", I interrupted him.
"How? Boone's got all the stuff in the trailer!"
"We'll just swap batteries, my alternator works, so my car will charge that battery, while you use up my fresh one, that way we can keep going instead of sitting around waiting on a charge."
"Why didn't we think of that before?"
"You didn't ask!"
He muttered something under his breath, and we finished the deal in ten minutes and were on our way.

Boone called a short time later, "We are shot, this is getting ugly, you guys need to look for a motel in the next town".
"You passed us in the last town, so YOU need to find one!"
"OK, I think it's Hutchinson..."

Did you know Hutchinson is the Home of the Kansas State Fair? We didn't either.

Did you know the Motel rooms are about double the rate when the Fair is in town? We didn't either, until we asked for two rooms!

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Posted By: BBR

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/11/14 03:42 PM

I was a total slave driver all week with our gang. They were probably all tired of me saying "We gotta go!" by the end of the week. We're definitely going to run in smaller groups next time. It's just too hard to have a travel group of 5+ cars.

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/12/14 05:16 AM

Since I'd already showered at the track, I walked in the room, dropped my bag, piled my clothes on top, pulled on my shorts and crashed in the bed. According to reports, I was snoring 2 minutes after we slid our key card and opened the door.

I awoke with a start at 4:30AM, took a shower, and got dressed. Rachael was next up, and I told her to get Dale in the shower after she was done. I stepped out of the room to check on the other guys, and found Dad ready to get moving, but he said he was having difficulty getting the other two around. I went out to put my bag in the Valiant and walked straight into a bad case of deja vu. The lightning flashes showed off the thunderhead cloud that was rolling over us, and it was obvious that rain was imminent. Apparently the Drag Week Gods had decided to punish us with driving in rain for every decent amount of sleep we took this year!

Rachael brought back breakfast from McDonalds at about the same time the Motel breakfast room opened, so we doubled up! Just as we fired up our cars to leave, the rain stepped up it's tempo considerably. I followed Rachael out onto KS-14, and it wasn't bad for the first five or six miles, then we transitioned onto US-50, and it was a completely different road surface that definitely didn't agree with the M/Ts and the rain, it was white knuckle time until we jumped back on 14 a few miles down the road. The few minutes head start we had on the brothers stretched with every phone call I made to Boone, as it sounded as though they were getting more rain than we were. With the storm traveling the same direction we were, Rachael and I cleared the leading edge a good ten miles earlier than they did. By the time we drove through Haven Kansas on KS-96, the roads were pretty much dry. KS-96 dumped us off on I-235 so we could skirt around the southwest edge of Wichita, then the route sheet called for us to exit onto US-81 South, which is a small two lane that basically runs parallel with I-35 Kansas Turnpike. Rachael and I pulled into a gas station just after exiting, and I called Boone. We decided they would stay on I-35 to Wellington, so they could get Darren's E-85, since the only station was on the turnpike, and then they would re-join us in Wellington.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/12/14 05:45 AM

She pulled out of the station, and continued in the direction we'd been traveling, and three miles later we ran into a t, with still no US-81 in sight. I pointed to a parking lot across the road, and motioned for her to park there, then I pulled alongside and parked the Valiant. I could tell by the way she way looking at the route sheet, and not meeting my eyes that she was steeling herself to get yelled at for getting us lost. Every Drag Week, the brothers and I tease her unmercifully every time she has missed a turn. Instead I grabbed my camera, backed up away from both cars, and shot a picture.
"What did you do that for"? she looked at me from the drivers window.
"Look at the sign!" I pointed.
She turned, and laid over into the passenger seat to look up at it, "We are at a strip club aren't we."
"Sure are, Rachael, way to go!"

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Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/12/14 06:19 AM

LMAO!.Since we didnt enter we drove the the quickest way.Closest we ran to the route was from Noble to GB. Got a taste of KS Hwy 50?.I hate that road rain or shine.

Posted By: GY3

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/12/14 06:22 AM

Quote:

She pulled out of the station, and continued in the direction we'd been traveling, and three miles later we ran into a t, with still no US-81 in sight. I pointed to a parking lot across the road, and motioned for her to park there, then I pulled alongside and parked the Valiant. I could tell by the way she way looking at the route sheet, and not meeting my eyes that she was steeling herself to get yelled at for getting us lost. Every Drag Week, the brothers and I tease her unmercifully every time she has missed a turn. Instead I grabbed my camera, backed up away from both cars, and shot a picture.
"What did you do that for"? she looked at me from the drivers window.
"Look at the sign!" I pointed.
She turned, and laid over into the passenger seat to look up at it, "We are at a strip club aren't we."
"Sure are, Rachael, way to go!"

Hey, I know EXACTLY where that is!

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/12/14 06:40 AM

"I'm pretty sure we were supposed to go left at the intersection we bought gas at, but we drove through the light to get to the station."
"So", she dropped her hands in her lap and her voice softened, "we just turn around and drive back to the station?"
"Naw", I laughed, "Where's the fun in that, have you ever been down this road?" I pointed to the right.
"No"
"Me neither...this is supposed to be an adventure, so let's try it out. It should run parallel to 81, so we'll cut back in a few miles and see what there is to see."
"Sounds good, let's do it, but you lead, that way it'll be your fault if we get lost again!"

What the road we chose ran parallel to was the Wichita Valley center Floodway, so when it next hit an intersection at an odd angle, I lost my bearings. Eventually we ended up at a lonely farm road four way, in which the three choices in front of us were all dirt road.
"We have to go back to that last place I turned left, I'm not trusting these ET Streets on a dirt road", I told her.
Finally I got us back to civilization, then I pulled into a convenience store and told Rachael to go in and ask for directions, "I can't do it, I'm a man!"
She laughed, and ran in the store with her route sheet. I could see her through the big front glass looking out on the pumps. The two girls behind the counter were close to her age, and they were very excited to look at the sheet, and I could tell Rachael was having a good time explaining to them what we were doing. She came out with a big smile on her face, "One more mile, then turn right on US-81!"
"You lead the way!" I told her. There are certain opportunities in life where you have the chance to make a positive memory with a loved one, that will stick with them after you are gone. I've learned not to pass those up. We'd just spent 20 minutes and a couple of gallons of gas wondering around aimlessly in a pair of old hotrods, and I figured it was worth every second.

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Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/12/14 06:47 AM

Why worry about the tires?Those roads are mostly sandy dirt not gravel.I said "Mostly" lol.

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/13/14 07:16 AM

The 191 mile leg from Haysville to Tulsa Raceway Park was easily the most enjoyable road trip for us, for several different reasons. It was daylight, we were awake, and heading home were just a few of those, but it was also some of the roughest road we ran on all trip as well. US-177 South from South Haven Kansas to Blackwell OK was a stretch of road that was definitely noteworthy for it's ability to punish the kidneys! Which must've been why Rachael pulled into the gravel lot in front of a rundown automotive/farm implement shop just after we crossed the state line, and ran towards the open sliding door to the surprise of a couple of old mechanics hanging around the place. I pulled in beside the abandoned Belvedere, shut off the Valiant, and waited for her to emerge from the building a few minutes later.
"I had to find a bathroom bad!" she laughed, and waved at the group gathered at the shop entrance.
The Dakota drove by just as we were firing up to leave, so we gave chase. Ten or fifteen miles later, I could see the Barnyard Viper gaining ground behind us.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/13/14 07:29 AM

The four of us stopped in Blackwell for fuel, and to cool the Dakota off.

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Posted By: StealthWedge67

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/13/14 07:40 AM

"There are certain opportunities in life where you have the chance to make a positive memory with a loved one, that will stick with them after you are gone. I've learned not to pass those up. We'd just spent 20 minutes and a couple of gallons of gas wondering around aimlessly in a pair of old hotrods, and I figured it was worth every second."

That right there is the coolest thing I've read from you yet, Billy. And that, my friend, is saying something. So cool how you guys operate as a family. Even cooler yet that your daughter has become part of this family tradition. Well done, good man!

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/13/14 07:50 AM

"Where is Dale and James?" I asked Boone.
"They're out in front of us a little, said they'd wait in Pawnee, if they get to the checkpoint before we catch them."
"Alright, everything ok so far?"
"Yeah, pretty much, Dale is complaining that the Dana 60 is starting to make some gear noise."
"I was thinking you might be ahead also, until I saw you catching us back there."
"Dad and I were laughing back in those rolling hills. Every time you guys would crest a hill we would see Red, then White, then Blue, for about ten miles across there!"

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/16/14 02:32 PM

We entered Pawnee Oklahoma an hour and a half later, then parked in front of our 8th and final checkpoint of Drag Week 2014. This was only the second checkpoint where we had all five cars together at the same time, and definitely the first that we were all coherent!

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/16/14 09:59 PM

Once we got everyone's pictures taken, and the cars parked, we wondered around the town square, and had a little lunch, while Dale jacked up the rear of the Gremlin and had a look.
"It's full of lube", he reported, "but it has plenty of shiny metal flakes in what ran out as well!"

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/16/14 10:12 PM

This is a picture of a dude taking a picture of a dude on a wall, taken by another dude without the knowledge of the dudes in the picture...now my head hurts.

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Posted By: 6pak2go

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/17/14 04:24 AM

This was one of our gas stops on the OK/KS border. Check out the sign, lol.

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Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/17/14 06:31 AM

Truth in advertising.Theres a bar on the east said of Pratt Kansas that has a sign that says "Hot Beer and Poor Service".

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/17/14 07:22 AM

We ran the next fifty miles into Tulsa pretty much nose to tail, until we arrived in town, then Dale split off to run by Grand Prix Auto Sports, and the two trucks jumped off early to swing by Darren's house. Rachael and I headed straight for the track but the closer we came, the worse the weather turned. We drove through the gate at around 1:30pm, and it was already spitting rain.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/17/14 07:35 AM

Even though the official gate time was supposed to be two in the afternoon, the TRP pits were absolutely packed, so much so that we basically had to start our own line of pits spots in what had previously been a very wide drive through area.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/17/14 07:40 AM

At the mercy of the weather, a large three hour bench racing session ensued, in which everyone made their way around the pits, congratulating other competitors upon a safe return to the home track.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/17/14 08:50 AM

As the evening wore on, and the temperature started to plummet, pressure was mounting on the Drag Week crew to make a decision. Finally they decided to send the class cars home, with the intent of running them Saturday morning before the heads-up shootout. They asked Daily Drivers to stick around, because they desperately wanted to get the Quick 32 bracket race in the books. We loaded up and headed to Dale's house around 5:30pm or so. John and his family were going to stick around, so I told him to text me if anything developed, but both of us agreed that it looked like a lost cause!

Picture below shows John, and Hemi Joel preparing for their final time run of Drag Week 2014.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/18/14 05:03 AM

We were all sitting at Dale's house preparing to eat a large spaghetti dinner when I received a text from John at 6:58pm that read, "They're saying this is going to happen tonight! Is Rachael coming back to make a pass?"
I relayed the message, and told Rachael we better eat quick!

At 7:37pm, John called, and told me they had turned on all the lights at TRP, and were spraying the track, so Rachael and I jumped in the Belvedere and headed out there.

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Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/18/14 05:32 AM

Cracked a few ribs the Sat before DW started.(long story,dont ask deal)LOL.
Left around noon on Friday to get back home before it got dark.something about Dodge Darts and deer.

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/18/14 02:43 PM

^^^Don(KSJ) wasn't the only person who had to bail early. I don't think we've had a truly successful late start Friday at Drag Week yet. It's simple really, they would like it to work out because having the final day in the afternoon is all about driving spectator count, but as the car counts have grown, it just doesn't leave enough time to do everything. Many of the competitors who travel long distances simply can't stay for Saturday, and make it back to work Monday.

One such competitor is Keith Harrison, who brought his 55 Chevy to Tulsa all the way from Virginia despite not being pre-registered. A mainstay in the Gasser class, like Boone, he was pushing for a ten second pass this year and went 11.013-120 at Great Bend. I was disappointed when we arrived in the Belvedere to see him loading it on his open trailer for the long tow back home especially when the killer Tulsa air would have certainly gave him the number he wanted!

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/18/14 02:54 PM

I'm also pretty sure that is what happened to our pair of 68 black beauties from Michigan, since both Rodney and Rick went home after Friday rained out at Tulsa in the 2012 edition of Drag Week as well.

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Posted By: BBR

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/18/14 05:03 PM

All three years I have gone, Friday has been jacked because of weather.

2011 - cancelled
2012 - unprecedented postponement until Saturday
2014 - postponed until Saturday

Posted By: Bad340fish

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/18/14 10:26 PM

Quote:

^^^Don(KSJ) wasn't the only person who had to bail early. I don't think we've had a truly successful late start Friday at Drag Week yet. It's simple really, they would like it to work out because having the final day in the afternoon is all about driving spectator count, but as the car counts have grown, it just doesn't leave enough time to do everything. Many of the competitors who travel long distances simply can't stay for Saturday, and make it back to work Monday.

One such competitor is Keith Harrison, who brought his 55 Chevy to Tulsa all the way from Virginia despite not being pre-registered. A mainstay in the Gasser class, like Boone, he was pushing for a ten second pass this year and went 11.013-120 at Great Bend. I was disappointed when we arrived in the Belvedere to see him loading it on his open trailer for the long tow back home especially when the killer Tulsa air would have certainly gave him the number he wanted!

He was crazy busy with work. At the turnpike Mcdonalds in Kansas he whipped out his laptop, put on his glasses, got on the phone and was actually WORKING like job type working lol.

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/19/14 06:22 AM

In our discussions earlier on Friday, John had proposed the possibility of adding timing and race gas to his 67 Valiant in order to cover the tenth that Hot Rod Drag Week subtracts from your five day average, to come up with your dial-in for the Daily Driver Quick 32 bracket race. The postponement of the final qualifying session until 8:00pm took care of any need for that, as the 440 churned out an 11.046-119.51, giving him an 11.22 average for the week, fourth quickest in the class, and an 11.12 dial for the remainder of the night.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/19/14 06:40 AM

The officials had backed Ross and his yellow Road Runner off the starting line in the previous pair, to wipe the rain off his roof and deck lid, so he actually ran side by side with John in the last session. Ross' 11.67-115 put him and the 'Runner solidly in the field as the 15th qualifier and an 11.52 dial.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/19/14 07:01 AM

Charley ran a clutch destroying 12.34-109.5 in his Gold Challenger, and while it was still enough to qualify him in the 29th spot(11.933 average), he was unable to make the bracket race, opening up that spot for the 33rd car.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/19/14 07:29 AM

The guy in this CTS-V Wagon (Greg Pecoraro) was hovering right at 11.50 all week, as that was all he could turn in due to no bar. His lust for a ten second time slip was apparently stronger than his desire to compete in the bracket race. He took advantage of the crisp night air to run 11.02, 11.01, and 11.02 in his three attempts during the final hour and a half session. He couldn't turn any of them in, and had to take a default 20-50, which destroyed his average, and knocked him out of the Quick 32!

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Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/19/14 07:48 AM

Followed Keith with the 55 Gasser one year from Memphis back to Tulsa.He hadn't thought about adjusting his headlights and had his head hanging out the drivers side window.That car scared me.

Posted By: mprhound

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/20/14 08:00 AM

Quote:

Charley ran a clutch destroying 12.34-109.5 in his Gold Challenger, and while it was still enough to qualify him in the 29th spot(11.933 average), he was unable to make the bracket race, opening up that spot for the 33rd car.

Actually I bent and cracked the clutch fork on the last run.

Fought clutch linkage problems all week with my new QuickTime bell housing (all kinds of alignment issues) welded up the bracket three times then bent and cracked the fork because of poor geometry! The lake wood is going back in for next year!

Posted By: SCATPACK 1

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/23/14 01:56 AM

Bill Are you done with this story.... OR is ther emore ot the story??? Inquiring minds want to know.

Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/23/14 02:27 AM

LOL.Pretty sure there is more

Posted By: 6pak2go

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/23/14 04:10 AM

I'll bet he's away from the computer this weekend for the SCSN in Las Vegas. He was talking about going.

Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/23/14 06:29 AM

FAIL Gebhart. LOL. Wish I was in Vegas.

Posted By: squirrel

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/24/14 01:16 AM

huh...I drove up to Phx to go racing this weekend. I guess I missed the boat.

But yeah, there is definitely more to the story!

Posted By: WadeMetzinger

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/24/14 03:07 AM

I think he is in Oklahoma for Thanksgiving with his family.

Posted By: J_BODY

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/24/14 05:50 AM

pretty sure he was in Vegas this weekend....

Posted By: Triple Threat

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/25/14 03:26 AM

I can vouch that he was in Vegas. Nice to meet you this weekend Billy!

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/25/14 05:14 AM

Sorry guys, just spent three days in Vegas, and got falling down drunk on five second passes, they were handing them out like Halloween candy at SCSN X!
Great meeting Dustin, Andrew, and the whole NW crew, as well as Curtis for the first time, and enjoyed touching base with many old friends. Awesome watching Go Green and Dean sorting out the new BAE Hemi, I believe the 6.58 was a new best for the Barracuda on 10.5s!

Now, where was I? Oh yeah, Friday night time run session for the Daily Driver class. Rachael and the Belvedere managed an 11.967-111.64. We decided that was good enough to put a bow on her second completed Drag Week. When she came back from the tower with her final slips, she threw her hands up and said, "Yeah, we did it! Now let's get back to Dale's house!"
"Don't think so", I shook my head, "we have friends in the quick 32 bracket race, and we have to stay here to cheer and support them."
"You're kidding...it's cold out here!"
"Then bundle up and get us some hot chocolate from the concession stand!"

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/25/14 05:44 AM

Our own Clark Lamb put his Blue Barracuda into the quick 32 bracket race with a 24th qualifying effort, as the small block cranked out an 11.701-115.83, giving him a mandatory dial-in of 11.67.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/25/14 05:56 AM

Defending Daily Driver Champ Scott Abbott finished up his Drag Week with a stout 11.528-120.06 to massage his dial in to 11.56, and lock his familiar 70 Road Runner into the 19th qualifying spot. As happy as I was to see Scott, Kim, and the Road Runner, I was hoping to see the big Hemi in his 67 Plymouth.
"We were probably about 6 to 10 hours short of having it here", he had told me wistfully on Sunday at registration.

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Posted By: Bad340fish

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/25/14 03:07 PM

Quote:

Our own Clark Lamb put his Blue Barracuda into the quick 32 bracket race with a 24th qualifying effort, as the small block cranked out an 11.701-115.83, giving him a mandatory dial-in of 11.67.

I did my usual "find a few tenths and few mph after dragweek" routine again this year.

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/26/14 06:47 AM

There were three things that played heavily on the outcome, and the running of the Quick 32 Daily Driver bracket race for 2014. First, it was on a .4 pro tree for the first time, that's pretty tough for a seasoned racer used to a sportsman tree, but for a novice, it's even worse. Second, the tenth is subtracted from your average to come up with your mandatory dial-in to prevent sandbagging, brake lights at the stripe, and double breakouts, but the killer night air at Tulsa negated that attempt and then some, so everyone was holding, even if they didn't know it! Third, night bracket racing on a track with less than stellar lighting, is a completely different experience, and perception at the stripe is definitely compromised.

The first pair out was Scott and his 70 Road Runner, up against the third qualifier in a 10.92 dialed LS powered Corvair. Scott won on a double breakout, with a far better light. He went .16 under to his opponents .29 under attempt to run him down.
When you consider all 32 Cars are dialed between 10.83-11.98, it's really a good show!

John scrubbed off about eight mph to cover the 69 GTO of Chris Mosely with an 11.192 on the Valiant's 11.12 dial.
Ross took his Road Runner to the second round when the number 32 qualifier turned on the red bulb with his 72 Chevelle.
Clark treed his opponent by over two tenths in the first round, then worked the brakes to an 11.73 win.

John was in the first pair for the second round, matched against Jason Pipkin's V-8 powered Mazda RX-7. Jason cut an other worldly .016 tree that welded John and the Valiant to the starting line. The Mazda had bus lengths by the eighth mile, and John just cut him loose at 1100ft, braking to a safe 11.325-100 on his 11.12. Jason had won the first round by backing into his opponent and taking the stripe by a scant .0015, so I guess that left him a little gun shy of the brake pedal in round two, as he screamed across the stripe to a full tenth breakout, 11.39 on an 11.49 dial handing John the win!

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Attached picture 8342248-Picture099_zpsf0384684-Copy.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/26/14 07:27 AM

The elation of watching John get by the second round was quickly tempered when Ross broke out by .02 against Chad Addison's 70 Chevelle, and then Clark used a little too much brake pedal, and gave back the stripe in his match with a 2012 Mustang.
Then the Corvair rounded the corner for second round, and I looked at Rachael, "Didn't Scott beat him?"
"Yeah...I thought so", she answered.
I happened to look over and see Scott in the bleachers at that very moment, so I had to go over for an explanation.
"What happened?" I threw up my hands as I approached him.
"I went an 11.40, and I'm only legal to 11.50 without a bar", Scott explained.
"But you got the win light...and he went under 10.80, which is supposed to be the bottom of the class!"
"Yeah, but mine is a safety issue, and I wouldn't feel right about that, so I went up and told them to give him the round", he shrugged.
I admire Scott's sportsmanship...he's a better man than I am, I'll just leave it at that!

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Posted By: topfueldart

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/26/14 05:30 PM

It was nice to meet you as well this weekend, Billy! I will be checking DW off my bucket list.

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/27/14 06:23 AM

As in the second round, John and the Valiant were once again the first back to the lanes, and ended up paired on the ladder with the Mustang that took out Clark. This time it was John's turn to figure out what to do with a huge lead at half track, and he scrubbed .25 and 17 mph for the win. Geoff Dugopolski is a two-time winner of the Daily Driver class, and he was working his 66 Malibu through the field on what appeared to be a destined semi-final battle with John, but his car died when he stomped the loud pedal in the third round, sending Steve Lyon and his primered 70 Olds 442 into that position. They would be joined in the semi's by Chad Addison's 70 Chevelle, and Waco Davis' crazy blown 65 Bel Air, the number one qualifier.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/27/14 06:45 AM

John's talent was clearly on display in the semi-final round, as he eased 4mph off at the top end, to run a safe 11.142 while easily pushing the Olds out the back door a full seven hundredths under his dial.
He wheeled the Valiant back into the lanes just in time to watch all the drama unfold in the Chevy side of that round. The 65 had the trunk open, and a generator hooked to the battery, while the Chevelle was jacked up in a mad scramble to re-connect a wire to the starter. The pair didn't make their run for a full thirteen minutes after John had dispatched the Olds!

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Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/27/14 06:47 AM

Waco is from my hometown.Steve and his dad stayed in the same hotels that we did.Him and his dad reminded me of the Gebhart clan.

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/27/14 07:27 AM

Personally, I was rooting for the 65, and Waco Davis, because Chad Addison has been killing the tree in his pretty black Chevelle all night, and I figured he would be the bigger threat to John in the final. Unfortunately, the quickest car in the class couldn't quite get the grip of the cold track he needed, and the big red beast could only muster an 11.01 on it's 10.83 dial.
"At least the Valiant is faster than the Chevelle", Rachael offered.
"Yeah, but is John faster on the tree than Chad? That's what I'm worried about!"

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/27/14 08:08 AM

As we waited in the bleachers for the final, Brian Lohnes, NHRA Announcer, Official DW Announcer, and BangShift.com co-owner was explaining over the speakers, how John was driving the car previously owned by Steve Bowyer, who had passed last year during the event. His voice cracked several times, and it was clear that the emotion of the moment was pushing his considerable professionalism to the limit. It occurred to me at that time that I was wrong in thinking Steve's siblings were the only ones who were drawing healing and closure from John bringing the Valiant on Drag Week 2014. It was, in fact, providing the same for the entire Drag Week family, and all the participants who had seen Steve at Checkpoint #1 in 2013, sitting in the Valiant, and had never seen him again. It also occurred to me that it was a fact not lost on John at all this week, and that has to carry a little pressure all it's own. The aplomb with which he handled every facet of Drag Week, and the panache he has raced with for some time, gave me comfort that the situation was not beyond his reach.

It's quite easy to spot who has the best light in a pro tree heads-up race. It's more difficult to determine when the tree is staggered, and one competitor is in deep, but it appeared from my vantage point that John gave up a little at the hit. When they drove by us at half track he appeared to be in a good position to make up the two tenths head start he had given with the dial-ins. It looked for all the world like both guys just decided to let their big blocks do the talking in the last 320 feet, as both cars ran within a couple tenths of their best MPH for the whole event. John and the Valiant carded a .002 over 11.122 on an 11.12 dial to take the measure of Chad and the Chevelle's 11.37 on an 11.35 for the win!

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/27/14 08:26 AM

It was well after midnight as we celebrated in the TRP winner's circle, and my cheap camera struggled with the multiple light sources, so this is the closest to a focused picture I took. I called Boone to give him the good news, and only got a "Huh? Oh...good...I'll see you in the morning", then a click of the phone shutting off, so I decided not to inform the rest of our guys, and let sleeping dogs lie!

I don't really remember the drive back to Dale's, or where I slept Friday night, or what we did the next morning before we headed back out to the track. All I remember was when we arrived, everyone was clamoring about the great air, the low DA, and how some killer numbers were getting ready to be thrown down!

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Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/27/14 09:01 AM

Met Steve in 07 when Cordova was the host track and he had his red dually with spare transmissions in the bed.And he used them.To say he had a impact on my life? Yes he did.The Valiant was his CAR.Cant script this poooop.

Posted By: 6pak2go

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/27/14 07:57 PM

I may have posted this before, but here it is again. You couldn't have scripted a better ending, it was meant to be. Awesome job John!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMl1G5hC-Bs

Posted By: UOP

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/28/14 12:41 AM

Quote:

John was in the first pair for the second round, matched against Jason Pipkin's V-8 powered Mazda RX-7. Jason cut an other worldly .016 tree that welded John and the Valiant to the starting line. The Mazda had bus lengths by the eighth mile, and John just cut him loose at 1100ft, braking to a safe 11.325-100 on his 11.12. Jason had won the first round by backing into his opponent and taking the stripe by a scant .0015, so I guess that left him a little gun shy of the brake pedal in round two, as he screamed across the stripe to a full tenth breakout, 11.39 on an 11.49 dial handing John the win!

Ugh, that was me. How embarrassing. In my defense though, I was having to scrub 7 tenths to run my required 11.49, as it went 10.78 in the final round of qualifying. I had no idea how to handle something like that, and ultimately that's what I get for not thoroughly testing the new combo before the start of Drag Week. It's first 1/4 mile pass was at Tulsa Raceway Park on Saturday night. I managed to squeak by the first round by drawing my competitor in close (a little too close) but I was chasing so I knew where he was the whole time. In the race against John I was supposedly the slower car so I didn't know where he was at any point of the race. I let off early and coasted but didn't scrub enough time. Lesson learned.

Huge congrats to John for pulling it off though. I was in the stands cheering him on like everyone else. Very cool.

Also, loving the read Billy. I was pitted across the way from you guys at Great Bend and walked over to say hi, but everyone looked wore out and busy so I dropped it. Now I know why. Rough week for you guys.

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/28/14 02:31 AM

Great video Robert!

Jason,
My greatest regret from DW14 was just that we were behind all week, and it didn't allow for much interaction with other Drag Weekers. I told John he cut you loose too soon, and his comment was "I was just hoping I was so far back he couldn't find me!" Sounds like the car is coming along nicely, congrats!

When I walked outside Saturday morning, I decided to take a picture of the mess we had left on Dale's tailgate after we finished up the gear swap in the Dakota Monday night, and I noticed an orange square in the corner of the bed, when I picked it up, it was Darren's phone! Guess it was a good thing the brothers talked him out of going back home to get it, because he would have never found it there!

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Posted By: MR_P_BODY

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/28/14 04:16 AM

Great read Billy and congrats to all the contestants
of DW.. hope to see you guys next year if its closer

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/28/14 04:48 AM

Right before we drove out to the track, Dale begged to borrow my NOS Double Cross plate that I had brought along to show off, apparently 300hp through one bar just wasn't whetting his appetite for nitrous enhancement.
"I need it for the Heads-Up Shootout, I really want to do well in that deal!"
I relented, shaking my head, "You aren't going to be happy until it's scattered all over the track!"

We were still in the pits, prepping our cars, when the time runs started, and the excitement was palpable as in the first 15 minutes several cars had already laid down best numbers of the week by more than a tenth! Sheldon Hefler pulled his green 32 Roadster into the water, and did a burnout with his tall skinny tires, it's a legit old school Hot Rod with a flat head and a stick. He started out the week at 15.53, and had whittled it down to 15.18, now in the splendid conditions, he ended his Drag Week with a 14.98-86.5! These are the victories that some might over look, but they are an integral part of what makes this event special!

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/28/14 06:52 AM

Boone was the first of us to head to the lanes, and I followed him up about ten minutes later, once we figured out how they were pulling the cars out, it was apparent we were going to be there for a while, so we walked up to watch cars run.
"The DA was only 20 feet when they started, but it has crept up to about 60 now!" We overheard a conversation at the head of the lanes.
Boone looked at me, "Maybe I will get my ten after all!"
I had jetted up four sizes in the front over anything I had ran all week, and now I was hoping it was enough!
Addie Ross, in the gold Falcon Wagon, that I had been close in times all week with pulled up at 10:05AM, and went 10.68-127, and that was 13 hundredths and two mph faster than she had went all week!
Squirrel pulled up twenty minutes later in his Altered Wheel Base 62 Chevy II, and ran 9.96-134, and both Boone and I let out a whoop and a fist pump. Then I looked over at Boone and asked, "Wait a minute, doesn't he just have a bar?"
"Yeah, he can't turn it in!"
"That's Okay", I laughed, it will be framed and hanging on his wall!"

Attached picture 8344232-img_8386-copy.jpg

Attached picture 8344232-img_8386-copy.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/28/14 07:33 AM

Boone and I finally made it to the head of the lanes about twenty-five minutes later, and the word was we were near 200 feet on the Density Altitude and climbing. Boone was fidgeting around like an early morning stock eliminator racer with a R on his window, dying to get a shot at the track.
David and Tina Pierce, who spent one season on Street Outlaws were both doing Drag Week, with her in the slammed S-10, and him in the Orange/Black 68 Camaro. He had been a couple of a tenths slower than Dale in the Modified Power Adder class all week, and they must've decided to step on it big time Friday, he was hauling until about 1100ft. then there was a large flash of flame, and steam boiling from the front of the car. The word from the top end was anti-freeze!
Boone jumped from the Barnyard, took his helmet off, and slammed the door. "Really? You have got to be kidding me!"
The clean-up took about thirty minutes, and it took another ten or so before Boone and I approached the water box. So all in all we ran nearly and hour after we had watched Squirrel's big nine second run.

Attached picture 8344247-Picture138_zpse95662bb-Copy.jpg

Attached picture 8344247-Picture138_zpse95662bb-Copy.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/28/14 05:34 PM

For the first time on Drag Week, the Valiant left hard with no issues, front end in the air, and when I clicked second at 6400, the Barnyard was well behind me. I was in third around 6700, and had time to look around for Boone, and he was actually hanging around better than I had hoped!
The time slip was obviously best numbers for both of us, but Boone was left wondering what if. He came back after hunting someone down with a weather station.
"600 feet! My chance was there, if only we had ran earlier!"
"Well, you need to get out the Direct Connection Bible and put the super tune on that Weiand Hi-Ram and twin 750s!"
"Never have time to work on my truck, too busy baby sitting you three", He smiled.
"Let's head to the tower, and turn in one of these slips, I guess", I suggested.

Attached picture 8344425-121.JPG

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/28/14 06:21 PM

We were in the tower, showing our pictures to Tara Fling, and getting our official day 5 and Final Average time slips from Tonya Turk, when Dale entered the water box with the Gremlin, beside Casey Cunningham and his long bed D-100.
Dale went his best numbers of the week, 9.217-142.03, while Casey ended his DW14 with a 12.41-107.

Attached picture 8344469-Picture145_zps0f151e36-Copy.jpg

Attached picture 8344469-Picture145_zps0f151e36-Copy.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/29/14 07:21 AM

"You guys going to race the Heads-up Shootout?" Tonya asked as she handed us our final time slips.
"Yes, absolutely!" I assured her
"Just the two of you, or the whole crew?"
"No, all five cars, we are looking forward to it!"

Andy Reynolds pulled his wheel standing Malibu wagon up next. He had been making two or three runs per track, with at least one on the bumper at each facility. He currently had 3rd place in the most competitive Street Race Small Block Power Adder class nailed down, with bracket like 9.0 runs all four days. The car barely moved at the launch, then spit the drive shaft out on the pavement. He was unable to get it repaired in time for another shot, and had to take a 20-50 for the last day, destroying his average, and dropping him from 3rd to 21st in one fell swoop. Just another example of what a cruel mistress Drag Week can be, one minute you're up on the tight rope looking down at your admiring fans, the next step, falling through the air screaming like a little girl!

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Attached picture 8345197-drag-week-2014-day-1-trp-raw-150.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/29/14 08:04 AM

Darren ran the Dakota ten minutes after Dale's run, and ran a fat, black smoke rolling, 11.09-121.38, to finish up his first complete drag week. As soon as he returned to the pits it was up on jack stands, and the guys all went to wrenching on it. They tried to replace the bad intermediate shaft in the morning, but discovered that it had to be modified to fit, so they decided to try and get it in before the Heads-up Shootout.

Attached picture 8345216-DSC06047_-_Copy_(7)_-_Copy.jpg

Attached picture 8345216-DSC06047_-_Copy_(7)_-_Copy.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/29/14 08:07 AM

While we put "all of our best minds" on the Dakota, Rachael fired up the grille for some lunchtime brats.

Attached picture 8345217-DSC06049_-_Copy_(7)_-_Copy.jpg

Attached picture 8345217-DSC06049_-_Copy_(7)_-_Copy.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/29/14 08:12 AM

Professionally clearancing the oil pump shaft.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/29/14 08:17 AM

Lunch is served.

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Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/29/14 08:25 AM

Your 60 foots are better than Crows.Kudos.

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/29/14 08:30 AM

Like the five of us, John also stuck around for the Heads-up Shootout, and for his troubles was pitted against Jeff Lutz, the overall Champion, driving his old 57 Chevy, in the second pair of cars down the track!

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/29/14 05:37 PM

There were around 90 cars that decided to stick around and partake in the Heads-up Shootout. Plenty of people had speculated that it would end up being 200 cars, and some thought they'd be lucky to get 20 cars, because street car guys don't like getting whooped by someone obviously faster.
I was actually surprised that with it happening so late in the day, that so many stuck around. They built the ladder based on everyone's quickest pass, and put us on a sportsman ladder. Dale's 9.21 and my 10.49 meant we were on the fast side of the ladder. John's 11.04 must've been near breaking point for the slow side, as he was paired with the number 2 car in the shootout, while Darren's 11.07 left him with number 3, and Boone's 11.11 moved him into the spot facing the number 4 car in the shootout, all unlimited rides.
They brought all the cars to the lanes and parked us on an angle at each side, then started pulling pairs into the middle. At first the lane directors attempted to do this on their own, but eventually asked us to come and find our pair on the sheet, and try to find who we were racing and fall in line.

Attached picture 8345380-drag-week-heads-up-63522.jpg

Attached picture 8345380-drag-week-heads-up-63522.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/29/14 05:43 PM

Rachael decided to uncork the Belvedere, and try to run her best pass ever regardless of who she had to race.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/29/14 06:36 PM

The crisp morning air and cloud cover was gone, and as the shootout started in the afternoon sun, we wondered how much everyone would slow down. Boone and Barnyard managed an 11.185-118.95 while getting outrun by the unlimited Vega.

Attached picture 8345434-drag-week-heads-up-63578.jpg

Attached picture 8345434-drag-week-heads-up-63578.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/29/14 06:54 PM

After changing out the shaft, resetting the timing, and dropping the jets four sizes all the way around on the Dakota, John, Dale and company felt like they finally had the thing ready to make a representative pass. Darren had nothing for Tina Pierce and her twin turbo S-10 of Street Outlaws fame, but ran a best ever 10.490-126.9 in taking his beating.

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Attached picture 8345451-drag-week-heads-up-63564.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/29/14 07:23 PM

As I was pairing up with my first round opponent, Jerry Lambertz, and his 12 second DD 86 Monte Carlo, Rachael walked up to me with her shoulders slumped down.
"What's going on?"
"I've walked the entire lanes twice", she explained, pointing back at the other cars, "And I can't find the car I'm supposed to race."
"That's alright, maybe he's broke. Just wait until the end, and pull up behind the last car, if he doesn't show up, you will get a competition single, because we are already on a ladder."
"Ok, I'll do that", she smiled and headed back to the Belvedere.

Even though Drag Week was over, and the Averages were final, I was still interested in how the Ross family's gold Falcon wagon ran, and was surprised when Addie went 10.63-127 a few cars in front of me. The Valiant answered with a 10.628 at only 123.88 to make it past the first round.

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Attached picture 8345488-drag-week-heads-up-63571.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/29/14 07:33 PM

To their credit, most of the Mopar contingent stuck around for the Shootout, Ross and his yellow Road Runner went 11's in the first round, Eddie and the Duster broke and lost in the first round, and Paul Cornman's Street Race Small Block NA winning Demon advanced with a single.

Mitch and Brian Horn's SS Small Block NA Winning Challenger also advanced in the first round with a 10.62-124.76

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Attached picture 8345494-drag-week-2014-day-6-tulsa-final-day-11.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/29/14 08:18 PM

Rachael took her first round single, and ran 11.743-113.8, her opponent was scheduled to be a blue 86 Mustang with a 9.50-144 best, but he didn't show for some reason.

Dale's first round opponent was Clark, and his blue Barracuda. Dale decided the proper thing to do would be to run Clark without his N20. It nearly bit him, as he had already retarded the timing to 18 degrees total for the big hit! The Gremlin labored out of the hole, and didn't really start pulling away from the small block until the eighth mile. Below is Dale and Clark's run, as well as Boone's.

Attached picture 8345529-shootrd1.JPG

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/29/14 08:46 PM

Rachael's second round opponent was another of the slower half of the field who had advanced on a single, Paul Nichols and his "drug it out of a forest 8 months ago" low-buck 55 Nomad Gasser. She advanced to the third round on the strength of a 12.172-111 to Paul's 13.72-97.6!

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/29/14 09:05 PM

The rules for the 2014 Hot Rod Drag Week Heads Up Shootout featured a little blurb that basically read, "Cars that ran in an NA class during Drag Week, can't add a power adder for the shootout", even though in the next line they encouraged All the power adder guys to "Turn it up!"
That seemed unfair to me, and I had been quite vocal that heads-up to me meant run what you brung. Since my Valiant has a plate, I fully intended to use it! So, knowing I going to be outmatched in the second round I put the bottle in, and turned it on! There was a slight problem in that I had never used nitrous on this engine, and had never used it since I re-wired the car and moved the buttons around!

In the picture below, you can see me approaching the beams, while trying to find the nitrous button with my helmet on!

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Attached picture 8345596-drag-week-heads-up-63607.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/29/14 10:24 PM

The Valiant had been begging for a squirter change in the front all week long, I just didn't have the size I needed. With the warmer air, and a little more heat in the engine, it once again hesitated at the hit, killing the 60ft time. when I grabbed the nitrous, the shift light, which was set at 6200 (I didn't bring any higher RPM modules either), came on instantly, I banged second immediately, and the shift light stayed on! With the terrible 60ft, all the nitrous did was even up the 330ft to my better NA runs. The stretchy truck with it's twin turbo BBC drove by me as I clicked it in drive with the shift light still shining in my face. At 1100, it popped back against the 7200 top end chip a couple of times, so I lifted off the nitrous and drove through the traps on motor. That ended Drag Week 2014 for the Valiant, with the disappointing realization that my little JW 8" converter that works so well on the street, and strip, was definitely NOT a nitrous converter!

My Shootout passes are in the picture below.

Attached picture 8345726-ValShoot.JPG

Posted By: ProSport

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/29/14 11:54 PM

Billy I've really enjoyed reading this thread, as I do all your threads.

2 questions.... What mufflers are on the Valiant? Sounded kinda like Borla XR1's.

Also, I see several cars with headers exiting the side of the front fenders, how do they muffle those cars to drive on the street?

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/30/14 12:04 AM

Dale got lucky in the second round, but not in his actual race, he only needed another NA eleven second run to advance, the luck he needed came in the form of the second round race to determine his third round opponent.
Glenn Hunter's killer blown 56 Chevy had just wrapped up a runner-up spot in Pro Street Power Adder on the strength of an 8.20-166 run earlier in the day, and he was matched with Jim Forbes' 62 Chevy II AWB which was coming off best of 9.96. The 56 faltered at the hit, and Squirrel took the win to battle the Gremlin in the third round.

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Attached picture 8345831-drag-week-2014-day-3-tvrp-raw-550_0.jpg

Posted By: Bad340fish

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/30/14 12:14 AM

Quote:

Billy I've really enjoyed reading this thread, as I do all your threads.

2 questions.... What mufflers are on the Valiant? Sounded kinda like Borla XR1's.

Also, I see several cars with headers exiting the side of the front fenders, how do they muffle those cars to drive on the street?

Turbos, or some of them were just nasty loud.

I am sure there was some coffee spilled at some of the gas stations when some of the cars started up lol.

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/30/14 12:16 AM

Bob,
The Valiant has Stainless Steel Pypes mufflers, 3 inch center inlet, 3 inch offset outlet.

Most of the fender exit group are turbo, and are quiet enough in street cruise mode.

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Attached picture 8345836-10623454_570252496435651_1995781977756335381_o.jpg

Posted By: ProSport

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/30/14 12:45 AM

Ok I figured some of them were turbo cars but didn't think all of them were.

I ran the Pypes mufflers on my 69 Dart and loved them, I'm gonna have to buy them for my Duster.

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/30/14 01:59 AM

Addie Ross and the gold Falcon wagon ended their day in the second round, but ran a personal best of 10.527-128.24, so clearly they were figuring out that car as the week progressed, like many of us!
Paul Cornman and his green Demon had been on the same plan as Dale in the first two rounds, running in the elevens without hitting the finish line stripe at full song. In round three he was racing the Stretchy Truck, that had already feasted on my small block NA Mopar, and did pretty much the same to Paul's! 588 with twin turbos had us a little outclassed!

Attached picture 8345936-drag-week-heads-up-63587.jpg

Attached picture 8345936-drag-week-heads-up-63587.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/30/14 02:55 AM

Dale, with all due respect to the AWB Chevy II, brought the house in round three, with a full 300 shot out of the hole, and bumping the second system in the middle of the track. When he returned to the pits, his hand was shaking when he read the slip, "9.14-141.8, whew! It makes a wild sound in the engine when I grab the second one!"
"I call it a wail, myself, I know exactly what you're talking about!" I added. John took on the unenviable task of cleaning up the engine, and engine bay. The Gremlin doesn't have a vacuum system, and on a hard bottle pass pushes oil out of almost every crevice on the 440, Dale likes to refer to it as "horsepower sweat".

Attached picture 8345990-drag-week-heads-up-63581.jpg

Attached picture 8345990-drag-week-heads-up-63581.jpg

Posted By: squirrel

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/30/14 03:13 AM

neat pic of my last race of Drag Week! Here's the slip...he had me from the get go. But it was my second quickest run in the Chevy II.

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/30/14 06:38 AM

Another surprise of the third round was that the Heavy Twin 57 Chevy had a bye on the ladder, and the Lutz family decided to switch drivers in mid-stream. Jeff had ran the car in the first two rounds, but when they came around for the bye Jeffrey, his son who had driven the car during DW, was again behind the wheel, and put down an easy 7.77-150 to show why they were still the dominant favorite of the shootout.
Rachael pulled around in the third round, fully expecting to face off with Carl Stancil's wicked little flat black 84 Blazer, which had ran 8.53-156 earlier in the day, but he was a no-show, and once again, she got a competiton single. She ran an NA 13.21-107.5 to move into the final 12 cars.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/30/14 07:03 AM

For round four, they threw the ladder in the trash, and parked the six fastest cars on one side of the staging area, and the six slower cars on the other side. Then, starting with the #1 car, allowed the faster guys to personally choose their opponents. Freiburger and Lohnes made a big production of it, bringing their mics down and talking with all the participants left. As you can imagine, Rachael was basking in all the attention. This picture shows her, and Alex Taylor, two of the three women still left in the final dozen.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/30/14 07:21 AM

Jeffrey Lutz chose to race a 93 Firebird called Nanner, out of the Eric Yost camp, wheeled by Andy Williams, that had finished third in Street Race small block power adder with a best of 9.00-150.
I was worried when Jeffrey turned on both bulbs before spooling up, and sure enough he pushed through the beams, handing the win to the wheel standing 4th gen F-body.

Attached picture 8346235-drag-week-heads-up-63539.jpg

Attached picture 8346235-drag-week-heads-up-63539.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/30/14 07:34 AM

The second choice went to Shane McClelland and his 64 Chevy II, known as the "Crusty Nova", and the crew of the big GMC 1500 extended cab truck known as the "White Rhino", didn't look too happy when he picked them.

The BBC digesting huge gulps of N20, got the tree, and held off ole Crusty to about 500ft., then it was all turbo LS to the stripe 8.38-167.4 to 9.03-152.6

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Attached picture 8346239-drag-week-2014-day-3-tvrp-raw-830.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/30/14 08:00 AM

The next choice went to Clark Rosenstengel, whose 95 Camaro with twin turbo LS had finished 2nd in Modified Power Adder with a best of 8.84-155. He decided to race Rachael in the Belvedere. She courtesy staged, then lit her second bulb as soon as he turned on his first, so as a turbo guy he should have been pleased with that arrangement. He spooled up, then promptly bumped through to a red light, and Rachael ran a personal best for both her and the Belvedere, an 11.54-110! When she got to the pits she jumped from the car and yelled, "I kicked his A....", then she was immediately embarrassed when she realized he had followed her through the pits to congratulate her! We first met Clark on DW06, and he handled it with a laugh, a smile, and just added, "That's racing, you just never know!"

Attached picture 8346257-drag-week-heads-up-63532.jpg

Attached picture 8346257-drag-week-heads-up-63532.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/30/14 08:19 AM

Apparently this is enough of a burn out on a Drag Radial? I don't know, seems conservative, but she has done more of them on these tires than I have.

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Attached picture 8346264-111_zpsb748412f-Copy.jpg

Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/30/14 04:09 PM

Clark and I go round and round about the Chebbie Mopar debate.

Cant wait to see him in person and ask him how he did in the shootout

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/30/14 04:55 PM

Tina Pierce had the next choice, and decided to take on her fellow female competitor, and fellow twin turbo LS competitor in the form of Alex Taylor and her orange 68 Camaro.
Alex had been struggling to put the power down early in the small tire cal-trac Camaro all day, and that was the 17 year-old's down fall in this match against the tube chassis S-10 in an 8.88-153 to 9.51-152 contest.

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Attached picture 8346384-drag-week-2014-day-3-tvrp-raw-884_0.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/30/14 05:05 PM

Dale had the 5th choice, and he chose to race the heavyweight nitrous 70 Pontiac Grand Prix of Randy Belehar.

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Attached picture 8346392-118_zps2b394ab8-Copy.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/30/14 05:20 PM

Randy got him on the tree, but in the end it was just too difficult to overcome the 850lb deficit!

Attached picture 8346408-GremvsPont.JPG

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/30/14 05:31 PM

The final pair was Nick Plewniak and the Stretchy Truck against Scott Klepinger's 3rd gen Camaro with turbo LS power. On paper, the mid-engine S-10 had a two tenths advantage, but Nick pushed the tree and just barely went red, handing the win to the traction limited small tire Camaro.

Attached picture 8346422-drag-week-2014-day-3-tvrp-raw-938.jpg

Attached picture 8346422-drag-week-2014-day-3-tvrp-raw-938.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/30/14 06:01 PM

So, when the smoke cleared, there were six left, four turbo LS entries, and two stock stroke nitrous 440s! Rachael was the first of the six back to the lanes, and Dale was nearly the last, as John was once again trying to remove enough of the oil sprayed everywhere to keep it off the track, and James was swapping in a new nitrous bottle.

The last one back was Tina, with her S-10, and her husband was fussing over the truck trying to make sure it was ready for the next run.
Freiburger took the mic to Shane McClelland, as the fastest in the previous round and asked him who he wanted to race. He gazed across the lanes and answered "I'd like to race Mrs. Pierce". That got a raise from everyone, as she had been the second fastest, and had ran faster than him earlier in the day during Drag Week. I don't know if he felt they were vulnerable with the hot lapping, or if it was personal, but it was an interesting choice!

Attached picture 8346445-120_zpsafbf8bfa-Copy.jpg

Attached picture 8346445-120_zpsafbf8bfa-Copy.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/30/14 06:20 PM

The Crusty Nova was up to the task, running a best of the week 8.36-167.43 to handle Tina's off the mark 8.79-156.75.

Scott Klepinger chose to race Rachael, and drove a sensible easy pass to end her fairy tale day. Figured you guys would think it was a nice touch that she left her wipers at half mast all day!

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/30/14 06:38 PM

So, all in all Rachael put twenty passes on the Belvedere in a week, drove it every inch of the Drag Week course herself, and seemed to be the happiest I've seen her in a while! The win/win of course, was that through all that the car was still running!

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/30/14 06:59 PM

That left Dale and the Gremlin known as "Spike" (evidently your car has to have a nickname if you want to be a famous, big time street or grudge racer? Not very original, and I suppose The Gremlin, or Gremmie would work, but I didn't have a say in the matter) up against the 93 Firebird they call "Nanner" (Ok, on second thought maybe Spike isn't so bad!).

Based on previous rounds, this should have been very close as their bests matched up as 9.00 to 9.12, but as soon as the tree came down, and the Firebird's nose didn't reach for the sky, it was over.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/30/14 08:05 PM

The run was not only an all time best for the Gremlin, it was personal best for Dale. Yep, his street car had just outran his race car! He's been faster than the 142.9, (the Gremlin is really gear limited on the nitrous) but the 9.081 was one tic better than the old AMX's 9.09!

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/30/14 08:37 PM

While all this racing was going on, the Gasser class was continuing their tradition of staging all the cars together for pictures at the end of the event, all were still present except for the previously mentioned early departure of Keith's 55. I had to take a photo from each end to get them all!

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/30/14 08:42 PM

The other side.

Jeffrey Lutz brought the Heavy Twin back and ran his first ever 200 mph lap, a 7.31-203. John Faraone had also been making time runs in his Valiant Charger all day after each round of competition, and had lowered his new best down to 7.66-184, If I remember correctly.

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Posted By: Monte_Smith

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 11/30/14 09:28 PM

Quote:

So, when the smoke cleared, there were six left, four turbo LS entries, and two stock stroke nitrous 440s! Rachael was the first of the six back to the lanes, and Dale was nearly the last, as John was once again trying to remove enough of the oil sprayed everywhere to keep it off the track, and James was swapping in a new nitrous bottle.

The last one back was Tina, with her S-10, and her husband was fussing over the truck trying to make sure it was ready for the next run.
Freiburger took the mic to Shane McClelland, as the fastest in the previous round and asked him who he wanted to race. He gazed across the lanes and answered "I'd like to race Mrs. Pierce". That got a raise from everyone, as she had been the second fastest, and had ran faster than him earlier in the day during Drag Week. I don't know if he felt they were vulnerable with the hot lapping, or if it was personal, but it was an interesting choice!

No, nothing personal, just Shane showing the "class" guy he is. In a deal like this, even though I know it is about winning, choosing the "slowest" car is lame. I thought it was weak of the Camaro guy to choose Rachel and in my mind he got what he deserved........LOL!!! If you noticed, Lutz and a couple others also chose the "fastest" car on the "slow" side..........Classy, as most of these guys truly are

Monte

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/01/14 04:22 AM

When we were prepping Dale for the semi-final, I had to run gas out of the Valiant for him, as the fuel depot was closed and he was running on fumes. The poor 440 clearly had it's tongue hanging out, with the last three runs in just over an hour, but Dale is one of those guys that will burn a car to the ground to keep collecting win lights.
"The trans-brake is going away", he shook his head, "it lurched that time, and I can hear a couple of the clutches rattling around in the case."
Anyone who has ran a p-glide for a long time is familiar with the sensation, it breaks the clutch plates into two or three pieces so that they push away from the splines, then eventually enough break that the brake won't hold and you lose reverse.
"Maybe just foot brake it and hold the button just to activate the nitrous?" I suggested.
"Naw, I need the tree against these guys...besides, it's time to poor the coals to her and get my eight!"

In the semis, Scott Klepinger's Turbo Camaro shoved through the beams, and Dale lifted at the 330ft mark, since he knew they were going to hot lap him back against Shane's Nova who only had to break the beam, and back up on his bye.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/01/14 04:42 AM

The final, unfortunately, was just as anti-climatic as the semi. Dale staged at about half-throttle on the trans-brake, refusing to take my advise, and when he matted it, the Gremlin lurched through the beams handing the win to Shane and the Crusty Nova. A very disappointing end to a very fun day.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/01/14 05:04 AM

With the event in the books, it was time to head to the awards tent, so all the class winners could be announced. The only problem was that TRP was trying to have a team bracket race at the same time, so all the locals were trying to pit in our spots, we moved all of our cars nose to tail in a single long line to make room for a gentleman with a diesel pusher motorhome and a stacker trailer. Talk about getting back to reality, we had just spent a week watching 6,7, and 8 second cars pull their own trailers and drive through the gate under their own power, and now we stared in disbelief as this guy unloaded four junior dragsters out of a 250,000 dollar rig!

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Posted By: GY3

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/01/14 05:06 AM

I gotta say, I went to Great Bend in person and watched the rest of the week on the live feed but your view from the inside is like I was experiencing it for the first time.

I'm really wanting to do Dragweek next year!

Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/01/14 05:46 AM

Rachael make that guy next to here look better.At least Scott didn't photo bomb. LOl.

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/01/14 06:21 AM

The awards ceremony seems to take longer every year, and with a third more entries this year I could only imagine how long this one was going to be, but with the sun descending before we even got started, Dave and Brian ran the program pretty efficiently this time curtailing much of the hijinks that have made previous editions legendary.
They started with Daily Driver, and it was great watching John get his accolades for winning the bracket race and his class on his first attempt.
Next up from the Mopar perspective was Paul Cornman accepting the win in Street Race Small Block NA, besting twenty-three other entries with his green Demon.
Shane McClelland gladly accepted his third place plaque for Super Street Power Adder, but was clearly still basking in the glow of his Heads-up win.
Mitch Horn accepted the class win in Super Street Small Block NA in his Challenger.
Darren got the call next accepting the plaque for third place in Pro-Street NA, the class that Eddie and his Purple Duster dominated for the second year in a row. If we could have just managed to squeak another second and a half out of the old Dakota, maybe we could have pushed him a little bit!

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Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/01/14 06:26 AM

Efficient because because they didn't let Miller have the michrophone give a 30 minute tribute to his sponsors.JFC he has a lot of air.

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/01/14 07:36 AM

It was great watching Jeff Lutz, Doug Cline, and Joe Barry accept their awards and guitars for being the top three overall averages on Drag Week. All of these gentleman have worked very hard, and suffered incredible heartbreak on previous Drag Weeks, so it was great to see it finally pay off as all three met incredible personal goals on Drag Week 2014.

They gave plaques back to 6th place for the Heads-up Race, so both Rachael and Dale received one, then Dale was given the "Fastest AMC" award and all I could think was that Tony wouldn't be pleased with that!

Finally it came time to give out the "Spirit of Drag Week" award, which personally, as I've seen four of them handed out, I hold in high regard. David Freiburger started the presentation by saying they were doing something different this year for the first time, awarding a group instead of an individual by naming the Gebhart Family as the winners of the 2014 Spirit of Drag Week. He went on to explain how we always brought new particpants to the event, and were great ambassadors for Drag Week, but I can't really remember everything he said as I was just blown away that someone would think a band of quarreling brothers and their slow Mopars represented the spirit of such a cool event!

I ended up with the mic as we were presented, and rambled aimlessly, about stuff that probably didn't make any sense for a few minutes. I apologize to any of you who were subjected to that, as I was so humbled and honored to receive it that I can't even remember what I said.

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Posted By: topfueldart

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/01/14 07:43 AM

Bravo!!

Posted By: 1967dartgt

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/01/14 07:54 AM

Wow, congrats what a accomplishment.

Posted By: BBR

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/01/14 08:03 AM

Billy, you did great at the awards ceremony. I was super excited that they chose your entire family for the award. Came as no surprise though, you guys are top notch and talking with you is one of my favorite things to do during Drag Week. Hope to see y'all there again.

-James

Posted By: StealthWedge67

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/01/14 08:59 AM

A better choice they could not have made! Do they even know that each year, you relay this entire week to thousands here at Moparts, so we can live vicariously through you? Thanks for bringing us along for the ride, ONCE AGAIN, Billy! I hope like heck that someday I have the opportunity to make this trip.

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/01/14 09:09 AM

We made our way out of the tent to our cars, and John made a comment that the cruise back to Dale's house would be the first time he had the opportunity to run with us all of Drag Week. Then as Boone, Darren and I exited TRP, I found it odd that it didn't look like anyone else was following us. John finally showed up at Dale's about ten minutes after we arrived and got out of his Valiant shaking his head, "We need to take a truck and trailer back to the track to get Dale and the Gremlin, something broke in the front suspension!"

The next morning when we were checking it out on the trailer, Dale explained to me, "I just backed into a little pothole, and the next thing I knew the front tire was rubbing on the fender."

Much in the same way he had ripped the welded on ladder bar bracket out of the stock frame on day one, now he had done the same thing with the strut rod on the lower arm. Guess it might not have been such a terrible thing that he didn't get to launch with the front end in the air and try to go 140+ in the final of the shootout!

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Posted By: 69B3GT

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/01/14 11:18 AM

Even though I dont post too much, I always love coming on here and reading the expirence. Thank you for sharing, and congrats on the award.

Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/01/14 02:18 PM

Kudos to the whole clan receiving the "Spirit Award".Mike Crow has 3 class wins and also is the only one to win class and spirit in the same year.Mike will tell you that the class jackets don't have quite the same meaning that the Spirit one does.

Posted By: rt66jim

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/01/14 03:56 PM

Once again a great read and story. Congrats on your accomplishments.

Posted By: tsanchez

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/01/14 04:33 PM

Quote:

Dale was given the "Fastest AMC" award and all I could think was that Tony wouldn't be pleased with that!

Finally it came time to give out the "Spirit of Drag Week" award, which personally, as I've seen four of them handed out, I hold in high regard. David Freiburger started the presentation by saying they were doing something different this year for the first time, awarding a group instead of an individual by naming the Gebhart Family as the winners of the 2014 Spirit of Drag Week. He went on to explain how we always brought new particpants to the event, and were great ambassadors for Drag Week, but I can't really remember everything he said as I was just blown away that someone would think a band of quarreling brothers and their slow Mopars represented the spirit of such a cool event!

I ended up with the mic as we were presented, and rambled aimlessly, about stuff that probably didn't make any sense for a few minutes. I apologize to any of you who were subjected to that, as I was so humbled and honored to receive it that I can't even remember what I said.

You are right Billy, I am happy for Dale to represent AMC, and also happy you all received the award this year, greatly deserving. To me you guys represent the spirit of drag week, the perseverance, the no giving up attitude, the help anyone and sacrifice your trip for them if need be. Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!

Now if we can get Dale to put an AMC engine in that gremmie....

Posted By: dannysbee

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/01/14 04:45 PM

I can see a compromise here. He could always install Brewer heads on what he has. Lol. Good job guys. Hopefully I don't kick the bucket before I get to do this.

Posted By: cudadon

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/01/14 06:27 PM

Congrats to you and your family!

Great story again!!!!

Don

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Posted By: stockerbill

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/01/14 11:55 PM

Thank You Old Friend!!! only you can make it feel real, Merry Christmas to you and the Family

Posted By: wyoming

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/02/14 12:19 AM

I have never been to drag week, but I'd sure like to participate one day, if I do make it I think I'll just tell everyone I'm part of the Gebhart team, couldnt be a bad thing, congrats on the award, thanks for sharing the adventure.

Posted By: MRMOPAR

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/02/14 01:07 AM

Congratulations Billy, to you and your family for winning the "Spirit of Drag Week" award.

Not only do you represent what drag racing is all (or should be) about, but your telling of the tale every year allows us all to be there with you.

Thank You Very much...

Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/02/14 01:21 AM

Billy did HotRod rename the Spirit Award in Steve name?There were those that had suggested it but I never heard if they did or not.

Posted By: ross

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/02/14 01:33 AM

Billy
Thanks for another great write up. Now I know the rest of the story. Your family was very deserving of the spirit award and I am proud to say I know you.
Now that the drag week saga has been told I think you should just switch over to some good old Mopar stories to keep us entertained through the long winter months that us northern folk have to endure. I am sure no one would object to that. If you are busy, a couple a week would get us by.
Ross

Posted By: J_BODY

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/02/14 03:08 AM

http://www.silverstateclassic.com/event_description.aspx

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/02/14 03:40 AM

Guys,
Thanks for the compliments and congrats!
Ross,
As you know, the event grew by a third this year, and I like to try and tell the tale in chronological order, so it makes if difficult to expand on some of the happenings within Drag Week that shape the event, but don't necessarily effect our own little group. I've still got plenty to write about!
ksj,
No mention of changing the name of the Spirit Award...but it is in our possession...and I know a few good trophy shops!

Plus...I still have a ton of good pictures I haven't been able to work in...media attention on Drag Week has expanded nearly as much as participation.

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Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/02/14 04:40 AM

Bad pic.Cant see if its red or not.LOL.Sorry about that.

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/02/14 05:04 AM

We were so exhausted Saturday night that it was agreed to just get some sleep, and take pictures/get loaded up to leave Sunday morning.
John and Opal came over to Dale's to join us for breakfast then we took a bunch of group and individual pictures with all the hardware we had collected. With that done, we started loading up to prepare for the long trip back to Arizona.
"Dave, where did you put the trophy from Rockett racing fuel?"
I turned to see Mom standing behind me, "It's in the Valiant, already packed up...why?"
"I wanted to get some pictures too..."
"Mom! We were out here for thirty minutes, we took pictures of all the cars and all the people with about three different cameras, we can send you all the copies you could possibly want!"
"Well, I just wanted to get some..."
"Ok, fine, where is your camera?"
"Its broken, it's not working right now..."
"Then how were you going to take more pictures?"
"I was in the kitchen, cleaning up after breakfast, I didn't realize you guys were taking them", her pitch was rising, and I suddenly realized she was getting upset, "oh just never mind!" She turned to walk away, shoulders slumped.
I looked over at John and Opal, who were loading their stuff, and both were looking at me like I was the most evil person on earth!
"I totally blew that, didn't I?"
"Yes", Opal answered, with her hand on her neck, "Yes, you did!"
"She didn't want to take pictures, she wanted to be IN them!"
"Exactly!" John shook his head, "and you completely missed it!"
"Dang it!, I hate when I'm an idiot!"

It only took a few minutes to fix my blunder, and of course, she wanted the pictures in front of Darren's Dakota! I knew he was Dad's favorite, but Mom Too?

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/02/14 05:39 AM

Every year, I like to spell out where all the Mopars finished up. With this being the tenth running, many people were also looking back at the history of the event and the cars as well. Boone has taken on the mantle of sorts as a record keeper of the event and compiled all the records, making all types of interesting lists out of them, and finding some weird trends hidden inside.

2014 Mopar Finishers:

The number one quickest five day average was once again Eddie Miller and his purple 73 Duster. He has now amassed 1 overall win, 1 Pro Street Power Adder class win, 2 Pro Street NA class wins, and only one DNF in his five attempts.

An interesting fact is, that despite his four wins, his average has slowed down on every subsequent visit to the event!

2006 Pro Street, and Overall Champ. 8.508-159.27 Average
2008 Pro Street PA Champ 8.673-149.80 Average
2010 Broke-DNF
2013 Pro Street NA Champ 8.688-155.97
2014 Pro Street NA Champ 9.305-144.99

This year's runs 8.81-153.67, 9.04-151.73, 9.62-138.65, 9.66-138.98, 9.37-141.95

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/02/14 05:50 AM

Dale was #2 in the Gremlin. He finished fourth in the Modified Power Adder class for his troubles!

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Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/02/14 06:01 AM

Kudos to Dale.In my mind he was the fastest Mopar this year.

Midget Elvis and I don't exchange Christmas cards.

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/02/14 06:43 AM

#3 Paul Cornman green 71 Dodge Demon
Day 1: 9.97-134.71
Day 2: 10.03-133.82
Day 3: 10.11-133.15
Day 4: 10.05-134.46
Day 5: 9.96-135.85
Final Average: 10.029-134.39

Third quickest Mopar average, for 2014 and winner of the Street Race Small Block NA class. Surprisingly, other than Eddie's Duster (four years), and Dale's run this year, this also makes Paul's Demon the third quickest average for a Mopar in all 10 events held! Amazing for an NA small block!

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Posted By: Bad340fish

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/02/14 02:58 PM

Quote:

#3 Paul Cornman green 71 Dodge Demon
Day 1: 9.97-134.71
Day 2: 10.03-133.82
Day 3: 10.11-133.15
Day 4: 10.05-134.46
Day 5: 9.96-135.85
Final Average: 10.029-134.39

Third quickest Mopar average, for 2014 and winner of the Street Race Small Block NA class. Surprisingly, other than Eddie's Duster (four years), and Dale's run this year, this also makes Paul's Demon the third quickest average for a Mopar in all 10 events held! Amazing for an NA small block!

That is such an awesome car, glad to see him take his class win. I eventually want to be able to swim in the small block NA class.

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/02/14 03:19 PM

#4 Randy Heinselman 70 Plum Crazy Plymouth Barracuda
Day 1: 10.663-125.45
Day 2: 10.743-123.26
Day 3: 10.719-124.39
Day 4: 10.615-126.55
Day 5: 10.369-128.37
Final Average: 10.621-125.60

Tonight, I will give you the inside story on Randy's epic battle to hold onto second place in SS BB NA.

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Posted By: Bad340fish

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/02/14 03:59 PM

Quote:

#4 Randy Heinselman 70 Plum Crazy Plymouth Barracuda
Day 1: 10.663-125.45
Day 2: 10.743-123.26
Day 3: 10.719-124.39
Day 4: 10.615-126.55
Day 5: 10.369-128.37
Final Average: 10.621-125.60

Tonight, I will give you the inside story on Randy's epic battle to hold onto second place in SS BB NA.

Fun Fact, that is an Oklahoma car, Randy got it out of Pryor.

Posted By: ross

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/02/14 11:29 PM

Quote:

Bad pic.Cant see if its red or not.LOL.Sorry about that.

Don I must be getting old. It just kicked in. lol

Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/03/14 12:56 AM

You have company.I scrolled back twice to make sure I was seeing what I thought I was seeing.LOL.

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/04/14 04:46 AM

To explain how a tight rivalry can up the stakes at Drag Week, I have to go back to DW13. Randy ran his AAR appearing, but big block powered 70 Barracuda in the shark tank that is Super Street Power Adder in Drag Week 2012, and finished a distant 6th, two seconds back from the hitters!

So, in 2013, he abandoned the N20, and ran in Street Race Big Block Normally Aspirated.
After the smoke cleared on the first day, his 10.77-124.64 left him in third place, two tenths behind a black 65 GTO, and 15 hundredths up on a 70 Buick's 10.93-119.93.
The next day in Indy, the GTO stretched him by three tenths, but his 10.868-123.21 was only a thou up on the Buick's 10.869-120.62.
Wednesday, at St. Louis, The Barracuda's 10.884-123.97, gave up time to the Buick's 10.878-121.08. Ok, he had Randy's attention, so he walked around the blue 70, noticing the GS and Stage-1 badges prominently displayed.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/04/14 05:12 AM

The Hemi vs Stage1 magazine wars of yesteryear did much to move the Buick up the list of preferred targets for any Mopar guy, and Randy was no different.

Thursday, at Memphis his 10.866-124.6 stemmed the tide, as the Buick went 10.884-120.37. Back at Bowling Green, Randy closed it out with his best run of DW13, a 10.720-124.25 to the Buick's 10.778-120.97. So, Randy accepted his third place plaque, with a 10.81-124 average over the Buick's 10.86-120, and probably never gave it another thought.

For Drag Week 2014, Randy had a whole new plan, and not only decided to move his Barracuda into the Super Street Big Block NA category, he brought his wife Connie to run her 69 Camaro in the Super Street Small Block NA class!

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/04/14 05:34 AM

The first day in Tulsa, the Barracuda recorded a 10.663-125.45, and Randy immediately noticed that Mark Covey, and the blue Buick GS 455 Stage-1, was on his heels, and in the same class as well, with a 10.719-123.28.

Tuesday at Topeka, Randy was only a thou quicker.
Wednesday at Thunder Valley, Mark was a thou quicker.

This is a battle for 2nd and 3rd in class, but really, it's a two year, 10 day slugfest between a pair of proud muscle cars, and proud muscle car owners!

By the time we rolled into Great Bend, Covey was willing to try any thing he could to close the gap on the Mopar, so he put his head together with other guys, and they used every devious, underhanded, GM speed secret they could think of. When that didn't work, they grabbed a hack saw, and cut the exhaust out from under the GS!

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/04/14 05:43 AM

The Buick used a 10.595-124.91 at Great Bend to pull back two of the precious 5 hundredths they had given away on day one. Randy's 10.615-126.55, while a best of the week, left him with a razor thin margin going into the finale in Tulsa.

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Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/04/14 06:17 AM

The sensational Saturday morning air at Tulsa gave Randy and the Barracuda a stout 10.52-126.9, that he felt pretty confident in. Meanwhile Mark and his buddies were busy fashioning an air pan out of a trash can lid and sealing the carb to the hood scoop. The big Stage 1 responded with a huge 10.364-126.99!

Randy pulled back into the staging lanes with a bit of desperation, how was he going to magically muster up nearly two tenths? He struck up a conversation with Dale Gebhart as they waited, and the Q and A session turned to launching technique.
"I've got a fairly tight converter so I stall it up pretty hard before I leave", Randy explained.
"Doesn't this thing have a big arm in it?" Dale asked.
"Yeah, sure does."
"If it will launch clean, I'd leave at idle, and let that stroker get a run at the converter", Dale advised.

As thrilled as Randy was with the result, a 10.39-127.86, a quick look at his calculator confirmed he needed a little more.

In another conference with Dale, they decided to pull out some timing. The back of the lanes were closed, so he would only get one more shot at it, and the E body gave him the goods with a 10.369-128.37. The final average was Purple Barracuda 10.621-125.6 to Blue GS 10.628-124.0!

Attached picture 8350851-237.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/04/14 06:36 AM

#5 Mitch and Brian Horn Cream 70 Dodge Challenger
Day 1: 10.662 124.51
Day 2: 10.753 122.42
Day 3: 10.699 123.60
Day 4: 10.737 122.77
Day 5: 10.572 125.26
Final Average: 10.684-123.71

Freiburger on the mic: "This car has a healthy dose of Dick Landy attitude, and I mean that as a sincere compliment!"

SS SB NA class winner!

Attached picture 8350875-great-bend-srca-drag-week-2014-006.jpg

Attached picture 8350875-great-bend-srca-drag-week-2014-006.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/04/14 06:51 AM

#6 Billy Gebhart White 62 Plymouth Valiant
Day 1: 10.979 123.42
Day 2: 10.937 121.33
Day 3: 10.932 122.68
Day 4: 10.781 122.97
Day 5: 10.497 124.87
Final Average: 10.825-123.05

Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda,
Someday, I'll show up for Drag Week with a tested, sorted out combination...Nah, never gonna happen!

Top 3 in each class gets an award, 4th place Modified NA, story of my life!

Attached picture 8350884-drag-week-2014-great-bend-kansas-018.jpg

Attached picture 8350884-drag-week-2014-great-bend-kansas-018.jpg

Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/04/14 07:12 AM

GS owner is from around here.Doesnt mean I like him. LOL.I did help him and Sean Fling change out a ring and pinion in a Kroger parking lot in Bowling Green a few yeasr back.

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/04/14 03:15 PM

#7 John and Opal Hindley White 67 Plymouth Valiant
Day 1: 11.199 118.57
Day 2: 11.305 116.12
Day 3: 11.255 117.32
Day 4: 11.298 118.31
Day 5: 11.046 119.51
Final Average: 11.220-117.96

Daily Driver Class Winner.

Attached picture 8350982-img_7029-copy.jpg

Attached picture 8350982-img_7029-copy.jpg

Posted By: BBR

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/04/14 06:32 PM

Wasn't Mark Covey's car (the Buick) the one that was eating valvesprings like they were Lay's potato chips?

nom nom nom

Posted By: Polarapete

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/04/14 11:28 PM

Quote:

#5 Mitch and Brian Horn Cream 70 Dodge Challenger
Day 1: 10.662 124.51
Day 2: 10.753 122.42
Day 3: 10.699 123.60
Day 4: 10.737 122.77
Day 5: 10.572 125.26
Final Average: 10.684-123.71

Freiburger on the mic: "This car has a healthy dose of Dick Landy attitude, and I mean that as a sincere compliment!"

SS SB NA class winner!

This car looks a lot like a Challenger that runs at Pacific Raceways in Kent, WA and the owners name is also Horn. Just for the record I bought the Hoosiers that are on my Ramcharger from that racer. Could it be the same guys?

Attached picture 8351351-RamchargerProgress004.JPG

Attached picture 8351351-RamchargerProgress004.JPG

Posted By: Triple Threat

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/04/14 11:54 PM

Same guy Pete.

Posted By: Bad340fish

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/05/14 12:17 AM

They were cool guys, drove the whole thing on race fuel!

Posted By: Bad340fish

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/05/14 12:18 AM

Quote:

Wasn't Mark Covey's car (the Buick) the one that was eating valvesprings like they were Lay's potato chips?

nom nom nom

I think so, my dad and I were parked next to them on friday, they had a pile of broken valve springs setting on a tool box.

Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/05/14 03:39 AM

Apparently valve springs on a Buick are a fusible link.

Posted By: moparpollack

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/05/14 03:52 AM

Quote:

They were cool guys, drove the whole thing on race fuel!

Nothing like a trailer with two 55 gallon barrels of race fuel running down the road on a trailer.

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/05/14 04:49 AM

#8 Darren Gebhart Red 96 Dodge Dakota
Day 1: 11.070 109.38
Day 2: 11.421 117.35
Day 3: 11.583 116.27
Day 4: 11.133 120.94
Day 5: 11.098 121.38
Final Average: 11.261-117.06

3rd Place, Pro Street NA.

When Darren and I were comparing notes Sunday after the event he immediately jumped me with, "My 10.49 was with an 0, what was yours?"
"Mine was during Drag Week, it counted. Yours was during the shootout, so it didn't count!"
"Yeah, right! What was it?
"10.497!"
"I kicked your butt!"

After all the hoopla made over Larry Larson's 6.16 during the shootout, maybe Darren was right, maybe driving the entire route, and having a faster average doesn't mean anything...maybe just one killer run is all you need?

Attached picture 8351685-drag-week-2014-tulsa-wheelie-wheelstand-103.jpg

Attached picture 8351685-drag-week-2014-tulsa-wheelie-wheelstand-103.jpg

Posted By: squirrel

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/05/14 05:08 AM

I'm with Darren!

btw fantastic write up, Billy... thanks!

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/05/14 05:13 AM

#9 Brian Gebhart Barnyard Viper 65 Dodge D-100 Utiline
Day 1: 11.261 118.75
Day 2: 11.402 115.89
Day 3: 11.312 116.55
Day 4: 11.242 118.74
Day 5: 11.115 118.86

Final Average: 11.266-117.75

5th place Gasser class.

Boone attended the Tulsa Mopar race later this year, and ran two 11.12s one at 119.57, and one at 119.96, then he blew the tires off, tossed the fan belt and trapped 121.25. The ten is there, just going to require a little more coaxing! A tighter converter to better manage the torque down low, and accelerate the truck quicker in the first 330ft. is the key in my opinion.

Attached picture 8351711-DSC09579_edited-1-X2.jpg

Attached picture 8351711-DSC09579_edited-1-X2.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/05/14 03:38 PM

#10 Ross Dudley Yellow 68 Plymouth Road Runner
Day 1: 11.550 115.54
Day 2: 11.571 114.89
Day 3: 11.609 115.31
Day 4: 11.723 114.78
Day 5: 11.679 115.00
Final Average: 11.626-115.10

At Bowling Green, on the final day of Drag Week 2013, Ross found himself in a hard fought battle of hundredths to barely secure the 32nd qualifying spot in the Daily Driver quick 32.

So like thousands of men with performance anxiety, he turned to the little blue pill...whoa, wait a minute...wrong thread.
So like thousands of hot rodders looking for a couple of tenths just to make sure, he turned to the little blue bottle!

The three tenths, and three mph improvement locked him solidly into the 15th spot in the Daily Driver field!

Attached picture 8351918-img_7753-copy.jpg

Attached picture 8351918-img_7753-copy.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/05/14 03:57 PM

#11 Scott and Kim Abbott Orange 70 Plymouth Road Runner
Day 1: 11.717 119.37
Day 2: 11.734 118.69
Day 3: 11.534 120.54
Day 4: 11.826 117.74
Day 5: 11.528 120.06
Final Average: 11.667-119.28

If the numbers look a little out of sorts, that's because this couple from Indiana bring a 10 second street car with no roll bar, and then devise ways to keep it above the 11.50 NHRA mandated ET restriction. That left them qualified 19th in the Daily Driver class. Hopefully, next year, we will see a Hemi powered 67 in place of the 70!

Attached picture 8351933-on-the-road-day-3-drag-week-2014-14.jpg

Attached picture 8351933-on-the-road-day-3-drag-week-2014-14.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/06/14 04:07 AM

#12 Clark and Bill Lamb Blue 68 Plymouth Barracuda
Day 1: 11.736 115.39
Day 2: 11.820 113.30
Day 3: 11.780 114.05
Day 4: 11.819 113.82
Day 5: 11.701 115.83
Final Average:11.771-114.47

Clark and his pretty little A Body have successfully completed three Drag Weeks in a row, and have been in the quick 32 all three times. This year he was the number 24 qualifier.

Attached picture 8352625-img_7713-copy.jpg

Attached picture 8352625-img_7713-copy.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/06/14 04:22 PM

#13 Charley Ogle Gold 72 Dodge Challenger
Day 1: 12.391 114.43
Day 2: 11.533 119.02
Day 3: 11.614 118.14
Day 4: 11.785 120.19
Day 5: 12.344 109.54

Final Average: 11.933-116.26

Charley was the 29th qualifier in Daily Driver. The four speed car is a pleasure to watch attack a drag strip.

Attached picture 8352986-234-Copy.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/06/14 04:46 PM

#14 Rachael Gebhart Blue 67 Plymouth Belvedere
Day 1: 12.067 112.53
Day 2: 11.806 113.27
Day 3: 12.756 110.67
Day 4: 12.377 111.60
Day 5: 11.967 111.64
Final Average: 12.194-111.94

Rachael ended up in the 36th qualifying spot, and was very happy with her DW14 outing. I wasn't happy with the Belvedere's performance however, as it is my car, and I've thrown quite a few parts at it without a noticeable improvement. I'd like it to be more like Scott's 70, or Ross' 68, where I can dial it real close to that 11.50 number on a regular basis.

Attached picture 8353019-145-Copy.JPG

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/06/14 05:06 PM

#15 Clark Strong Yellow 69 Plymouth Road Runner
Day 1: 13.118 99.80
Day 2: 12.041 108.91
Day 3: 12.006 110.18
Day 4: 12.231 95.82
Day 5: 11.894 115.44
Final Average: 12.258-106.03

This was the Ninja Mopar of Drag Week 2014!

I say this because I never had the opportunity to talk with him or even check the car out up close, and when I looked through all the pictures on the internet, I couldn't find a single one of this car on any of the tracks!
With the ETs and speeds all over the place, I would speculate it either has nitrous like the Belvedere, or is a 4 speed car, but honestly I have no idea! He was the 38th qualifier in Daily Driver.

Attached picture 8353037-DSC_0898.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/07/14 05:37 PM

#16 Casey Cunningham White 72 Dodge D-100
Day 1: 12.566 107.28
Day 2: 12.714 105.84
Day 3: 12.416 107.62
Day 4: 12.415 107.27
Day 5: 12.411 107.10
Final Average: 12.504-107.022

Casey's big long bed hauler was making it's second go at Drag Week, in 2012 it was wheeled by his brother Clay, while he drove his 63 Plymouth.

Attached picture 8354219-img_8351-copy.jpg

Attached picture 8354219-img_8351-copy.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/07/14 05:45 PM

Curing the truck's propensity to snap axles with alarming regularity, Casey was able to bring a 200 shot to bear on the mild, stock stroke 400.
Like most Amarillo hot rodders I've met, Casey is a bit of an anti-conformist, so he entered his Dodge in the Unlimited class, finishing 13th.

Attached picture 8354228-faces-of-drag-week-2014-hot-rod-magazine-005.jpg

Attached picture 8354228-faces-of-drag-week-2014-hot-rod-magazine-005.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/07/14 06:30 PM

#17 Michael Beeler Purple 70 Dodge Dart Swinger
Day 1: 12.525 111.65
Day 2: 12.422 108.52
Day 3: 12.747 110.40
Day 4: 12.941 108.66
Day 5: 12.141 111.66
Final Average 12.555-110.17

With a stroker 408, 4 speed, drag radials, and very little seat time before the trip, DW14 was a learn as you go proposition for Michael. The Dart finished 47th in DD.

On day one, he was questioning whether we needed to follow the route. On day five, he had left the track when the rain-out was imminent, was at his son's high school football game, then came back to finish up when they started racing again.
"I didn't think I'd see you back!" I questioned him late Friday night.
"Are you kidding? I put way too much into this week not to finish the deal!" he exclaimed.
Ok, he's a Drag Weeker now!

Attached picture 8354308-drag-week-2014-great-bend-kansas-013.jpg

Attached picture 8354308-drag-week-2014-great-bend-kansas-013.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/07/14 06:53 PM

#18 Dustin Hasse White 68 Plymouth Barracuda
Day 1: 12.548 109.01
Day 2: 12.956 99.22
Day 3: 14.066 98.66
Day 4: 12.457 111.00
Day 5: 12.110 112.67
Final Average: 12.827-106.11

My brothers and I were describing this entry as "the old guy in the barracuda with the 3rd gen hemi, who has been helping Larry all week"!

You can imagine our surprise when we figured out it was Dustin, Moparts' own mcat4321! We last saw him on Drag Week 2006, and he's aged a bunch in the last eight years, while we all look exactly the same, how does that happen?

The car was super clean, well done, and understated to perfection! Dustin and the Barracuda finished 16th out of the 24 entered in Street Race Small block NA.

Attached picture 8354356-DSC_0892.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/07/14 07:21 PM

#19 Ken and Wade Metzinger Red 66 Plymouth Barracuda
Day 1: 13.285 100.73
Day 2: 13.511 98.36
Day 3: 13.487 99.25
Day 4: 13.459 99.52
Day 5: 13.254 101.28
Final Average: 13.399-99.82

The curse of Drag Week is two fold, first off, you want to check it off our list, but it's very difficult to be satisfied with only doing it once! The second part is, it leaves you desperately wanting to improve things on the car that never bothered you before!

"We thought this was a nice little car when we left on this trip! Now we've got a big list of things to do to it!" I overheard Wade explain about his Dad's A-body. All in all, though, I think they had an adventure they will never forget!

Ken was #61 of the 119 Daily Driver entries

Attached picture 8354393-219.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/08/14 06:30 AM

#20 Jess Neal Yellow 73 Dodge Challenger
Day 1: 13.716 101.34
Day 2: 13.770 99.11
Day 3: 13.807 99.54
Day 4: 13.606 101.14
Day 5: 14.172 101.00
Final Average: 13.814-100.42

When your idea of automotive nirvana is taking a vintage E-body Mopar and hurdling though the twisties, curves, and around the sheer drop-offs that make up an ascent of Pikes Peak, what do you do for a relaxing vacation? Take a vintage Mopar E-body on Drag Week, of course!

Attached picture 8355152-faces-of-drag-week-2014-hot-rod-magazine-028.jpg

Attached picture 8355152-faces-of-drag-week-2014-hot-rod-magazine-028.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/08/14 06:35 AM

This is Jess' other ride. Was this year's Drag Week enough to scratch the itch, or was he just dipping a toe in the water? Guess we will find out next year.

Attached picture 8355154-ppihc3-mr.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/08/14 07:11 AM

#22 Robert Reynolds Black 2012 Dodge Ram R/T
Day 1: 15.116 88.91
Day 2: 15.233 87.03
Day 3: 15.183 87.85
Day 4: 14.706 91.73
Day 5: 14.880 90.99
Final Average: 15.023-89.30

Robert's Ram was pressed into duty this year for Drag Week, because his stunning 67 Barracuda just quite didn't make the deadline for completion. Personally, I can't wait for this beautiful machine to debut on the street and strip, out here in the desert.

Attached picture 8355170-15798809112_3c6d482b32_o.jpg

Attached picture 8355170-15798809112_3c6d482b32_o.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/08/14 07:35 AM

#23 Ryan Anderson Red 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Day 1: 12.094 112.19
Day 2: 12.227 108.07
Day 3: 12.307 108.68
Day 4: 12.079 110.07
Day 5: 31.603 61.73
Final Average: 16.062-100.14

Last year, Ryan's SRT8 ran low 12s all week, and narrowly missed making the quick 32 DD field. This year was shaping up exactly the same, but a bizarre final pass on Friday night destroyed his average. The Jeep launched, and ran had through the eighth, then he braked hard and pulled next to the wall like something was broke. After sitting at a dead stop for a few seconds, he then accelerated hard to the lights for a 31 second pass at 61mph? I never saw him again, and he apparently turned in the run, even though it was fairly early in the session. I don't have a clue what exactly happened!

Attached picture 8355177-img_7720-copy.jpg

Attached picture 8355177-img_7720-copy.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/08/14 07:46 AM

#21 "Hemi" Joel Nystrom Maroon 67 Oldsmobile
Day 1: 14.061 98.74
Day 2: 14.235 98.24
Day 3: 14.053 99.94
Day 4: 13.854 95.92
Day 5: 14.002 88.09
Final Average: 14.041-96.18

OOPS! I knew I was going to get ahead of myself, and forget our own Hemi Joel. I was working off my brother's list that only included the Mopars! I really enjoyed what little time I got to spend talking to Joel, and hope for some more extended bench racing sessions in the future!

Attached picture 8355179-img_6964-copy.jpg

Attached picture 8355179-img_6964-copy.jpg

Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/08/14 08:10 AM

Never had the chance to talk to Jays Trunk Monkey Joel this year.A good year would be both of them in their primary rides being there on Friday.

Posted By: BBR

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/08/14 08:08 PM

Quote:

Like most Amarillo hot rodders I've met, Casey is a bit of an anti-conformist, so he entered his Dodge in the Unlimited class, finishing 13th.

Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/09/14 12:18 AM

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/10/14 06:06 AM

#24 Derek Bashford White 67 Plymouth Barracuda
Day 1: 17.184 80.20
Day 2: 16.608 82.33
Day 3: 16.442 80.35
Day 4: 16.223 84.31
Day 5: 16.196 84.65
Final Average: 16.53-82.36

Attached picture 8357173-321.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/10/14 06:14 AM

#25 Andy Bashford Purple 69 Dodge Charger
Day 1: 16.682 82.37
Day 2: 16.630 81.90
Day 3: 17.096 76.93
Day 4: 16.406 83.17
Day 5: 22.302 51.64

Final Average: 17.823-75.20

Attached picture 8357183-img_8250-copy.jpg

Attached picture 8357183-img_8250-copy.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/10/14 06:22 AM

Rick Callahan and Dave Dudek Black 68 Dodge Hemi Super Bee
Day 1: 11.027 127.90
Day 2: 11.165 123.94
Day 3: 10.944 126.12
Day 4: 11.088 126.77

Attached picture 8357188-DSC09309_edited-1-X2.jpg

Attached picture 8357188-DSC09309_edited-1-X2.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/10/14 06:24 AM

IMHO: The baddest, most awesome Mopar on DW14.

Attached picture 8357190-DSC09313_edited-1-X2.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/10/14 06:35 AM

Working over the redlines...

Attached picture 8357203-img_7928-copy.jpg

Posted By: ksj

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/10/14 07:19 AM

Looked like a Gasser going down the track without a straight axle.LOL.Gone 6 times and competed 4 times.Not in the cards to compete unless I win the lottery.LOL.My first time was in 07.RR wasn't done so took the DD.Crow said you are going.Thats when the addiction started.Wasnt in the cards for08 and 09.Watching Kyles coverage my wife said no matter what you are going.Something about me being an a hole watching the 1320 coverage.

2010 I rode with someone else and we broke the second day.I hitched rides the rest of the week.2011 started at HPT.My brother who I had tried to go since 2007 finally went.Hes gone every year since.On Saturday this year I asked if he was going in 2015.He said no.Hot Rod issue came out and he said yes hes going no matter where it is.Not entering just going.Made too many friends not to.To watch you and your families struggles,fights,laughs is what DW is about.Your Spirit Award could NOT have gone to anyone else.Kudos.

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/11/14 03:57 AM

John Faraone Silver 72 Valiant Charger

I'm sure more than a few read this entire story and thought, "hey what about the Aussie Twin Turbo Charger?"

In John's three years of attendance, I doubt anyone would say they've ever had good luck on Drag Week. Despite jackknifing the trailer into the quarterpanel on a rain slicked highway, going through Powerglides like underwear, and all the rest of their mis-adventures, they were able to make the whole trip both times. 2014 was the worst luck by far, they torched the head and block just three days before the event started, and were unable to get it back together in time to start the event. Hot Rod graciously allowed them to make exhibition runs at Thunder Valley, Great Bend, and Tulsa once they got it back running, but officially they'd be scored as a no-show!

Attached picture 8358092-10628742_909413432419406_3905758761034860459_o.jpg

Attached picture 8358092-10628742_909413432419406_3905758761034860459_o.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/11/14 04:25 AM

When it comes to the quickest and fastest single passes made on Drag Week, by guys who finished the week, John and his Charger are at the top of the heap for Mopars, even though he's well down the list on best five day averages.

This is a list of the best single runs, made by Mopars in the ten Drag Weeks to date:

7's
1 JOHN FARAONE 1972 VALIANT CHARGER SILVER 7.855 182.21 2013 PRO ST PA
2 EDDIE MILLER 1973 PLYMOUTH DUSTER PURPLE 7.973 173.23 2008 PRO ST PA
9's
3 DALE GEBHART 1976 AMC GREMLIN WHITE 9.217 142.03 2014 MODIFIED PA
4 MIKE WALSH 1966 DODGE CORONET RED 9.848 136.17 2006 ST RACE BB PA
5 PAUL CORNMAN 1971 DODGE DEMON GREEN 9.965 135.85 2014 ST RACE SB NA
10's
6 RAY MEYERS 1967 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA BLACK 10.017 124.05 2012 MODIFIED NA
7 MIKE CROW 1969 DODGE DART WHITE 10.100 135.20 2012 ST RACE SB NA
8 RANDY HEINSELMAN 1970 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA PLUM 10.247 130.87 2012 SS PA
9 MIKE CROW 1973 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA RED / BLACK 10.368 131.61 2010 ST RACE SB NA
10 BILLY GEBHART 1962 PLYMOUTH VALIANT WHITE 10.497 124.87 2014 MODIFIED NA
11 TONY SANCHEZ 1969 AMC JAVELIN AQUA 10.539 126.06 2013 MODIFIED NA
12 MITCH HORN 1970 DODGE CHALLENGER CREAM 10.572 125.26 2014 SS SB NA
13 MIKE CHENOWETH 1970 PLYMOUTH ROADRUNNER GREEN 10.637 130.40 2010 ST RACE BB NA
14 STEVE ATWELL 1968 DODGE DART WHITE 10.678 125.60 2005 BB NA
11's
15 JOHN HINDLEY JR 1967 PLYMOUTH VALIANT WHITE 11.046 119.51 2014 DAILY DRIVER
16 DARREN GEBHART 1996 DODGE DAKOTA RED 11.070 109.38 2014 PRO STREET NA
17 DARRYL FRARY 1969 DODGE DART TEAL 11.096 117.15 2013 ST RACE SB NA
18 BRIAN GEBHART 1965 DODGE D100 WHITE 11.115 118.86 2014 GASSER / AFX
19 JASON ROBERTS 1983 PLYMOUTH K CAR SILVER 11.148 121.85 2007 UNLIMITED
20 CASEY CUNNINGHAM 1963 PLYMOUTH FURY WHITE 11.196 119.54 2011 DAILY DRIVER
21 DUSTIN HASSE 1972 PLYMOUTH CUDA BLUE 11.273 119.43 2005 SB NA
22 PETE MUHM 1965 DODGE CORONET DEAD SALMON 11.295 116.89 2008 ST RACE BB NA
23 JAMES REEVES 1986 DODGE OMNI GLH BLACK 11.429 117.50 2013 DALY DRIVER
24 GREG HOGUE 2003 DODGE 2500 RED 11.450 123.19 2007 DAILY DRIVER
25 RICK CALLAHAN 1968 PLYMOUTH ROADRUNNER MAROON 11.509 118.30 2010 DAILY DRIVER
26 SCOTT ABBOTT 1970 PLYMOUTH ROADRUNNER ORANGE 11.514 118.71 2011 DAILY DRIVER
27 CHARLEY OGLE 1972 DODGE CHALLENGER GOLD 11.533 119.02 2014 DAILY DRIVER
28 CLARK LAMB 1968 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA BLUE 11.538 116.61 2013 DALY DRIVER
29 KODY KELLER 1994 DODGE 2500 RED / SILVER 11.540 115.62 2009 DIESEL
30 ROSS DUDLEY 1968 PLYMOUTH ROADRUNNER YELLOW 11.550 115.54 2014 DAILY DRIVER
31 RICK CALLAHAN 1969 PLYMOUTH ROADRUNNER BLACK 11.579 118.20 2012 DAILY DRIVER
32 RACHAEL GEBHART 1967 PLYMOUTH BELVEDERE BLUE 11.582 116.28 2012 DAILY DRIVER
33 BILLY GEBHART 1966 PLYMOUTH SATELLITE YELLOW 11.634 114.76 2013 DALY DRIVER
34 ANDREW MCLELLAN 1964 DODGE 440 WHITE 11.642 115.06 2009 ST RACE BB NA
35 PATRICK CULKIN 1990 DODGE SHADOW SILVER 11.643 115.91 2013 DALY DRIVER
36 R. LOYD CHURCH 1968 PLYMOUTH ROADRUNNER BLUE 11.649 116.7 2012 ST RACE BB NA
37 RODNEY MUNCHIANDO 1968 DODGE DART BLACK 11.725 115.61 2013 DALY DRIVER
38 JEFF PETERSON 1968 DODGE CORONET GOLD 11.761 113.49 2007 DAILY DRIVER
39 BRIAN GEBHART 1978 DODGE D100 BLACK 11.818 111.12 2006 12.0 DAILY DR
40 GREG HOGUE 2003 DODGE 2500 GRAY 11.846 110.05 2006 12.0 DAILY DR
41 CLARK STRONG 1969 PLYMOUTH ROADRUNNER YELLOW 11.894 115.44 2014 DAILY DRIVER
42 JEFF MASS 1985 DODGE OMNI BLUE 11.978 113.47 2011 DAILY DRIVER
12's
43 DANIEL BRANDT 1963 DODGE 330 BLACK 12.012 111.34 2011 ST RACE BB NA
44 RADAR WATKINS 1970 PLYMOUTH FURY PURPLE 12.014 114.06 2007 PRO ST NA
45 DONNA PEDERSON 2008 DODGE CHALLENGER ORANGE 12.034 116.30 2009 DAILY DRIVER
46 ANDY THOMAS 1998 DODGE 2500 SILVER 12.061 111.36 2007 DAILY DRIVER
47 RYAN ANDERSON 2008 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE RED 12.079 110.07 2014 DAILY DRIVER
48 DUSTIN HASSE 1968 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA WHITE 12.110 112.67 2014 ST RACE SB NA
49 BOB SCHULTZ 1970 AMC AMX PINK 12.137 108.67 2006 12.0 DAILY DR
50 MICHEAL BEELER 1970 DODGE DART PURPLE 12.141 111.66 2014 DAILY DRIVER
51 MICHAEL LINBURG 2004 DODGE NEON BLACK 12.154 117.18 2007 DAILY DRIVER
52 JASON ROBERTS 1971 PLYMOUTH ROADRUNNER ORANGE 12.161 111.29 2008 DAILY DRIVER
53 BRUCE COOKE 1971 DODGE CHARGER BLUE 12.281 109.94 2010 DAILY DRIVER
54 DAVID KORTH 1964 PLYMOUTH SPORT FURY BLUE 12.289 111.15 2007 DAILY DRIVER
55 CASEY CUNNINGHAM 1972 DODGE D100 WHITE 12.411 107.10 2014 UNLIMITED
56 JASON TROTTER 1995 EAGLE TALON TSI BLUE 12.450 111.94 2013 DALY DRIVER
57 GEORGE BROWNING 1979 DODGE COLT PINK/ BLK 12.638 111.81 2013 DALY DRIVER
58 BRYAN DUNAWAY 1966 PLYMOUTH BELVEDERE WHITE 12.755 108.19 2013 DALY DRIVER
59 GREG ORR 2009 DODGE CHALLENGER PURPLE 12.821 112.70 2011 DAILY DRIVER
60 ANDREW MCLELLAN 1970 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA ORANGE 12.995 103.99 2007 DAILY DRIVER
13's
61 DON MCGINNIS 2013 DODGE CHALLENGER BLACK 13.009 109.23 2013 DALY DRIVER
62 DUSTIN HASSE 1971 DODGE DART BLUE 13.031 100.58 2007 DAILY DRIVER
63 BOB LARSON 1938 DODGE COUPE GREEN 13.129 104.78 2011 DAILY DRIVER
64 KENNETH LAUGHLIN 2007 DODGE 3500 4X4 WHITE 13.182 102.64 2008 DIESEL
65 KEN METZINGER 1966 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA RED 13.254 101.28 2014 DAILY DRIVER
66 STEVE ATWELL 1966 PLYMOUTH BELVEDERE SILVER 13.500 105.04 2006 12.0 DAILY DR
67 BRIAN NELSON 1964 DODGE POLARA YELLOW 13.515 86.57 2006 12.0 DAILY DR
68 JESS NEAL 1973 DODGE CHALLENGER YELLOW 13.606 101.14 2014 DAILY DRIVER
69 DALE CHENOWETH 1935 PLYMOUTH COUPE RED 13.763 97.50 2007 DAILY DRIVER
70 SEYMOUR PEDERSON 1962 PLYMOUTH VALIANT WHITE 13.900 98.16 2005 DAILY DRIVER
71 JEFF PETERSON 2010 DODGE CHALLENGER PLUM 13.911 101.38 2011 DAILY DRIVER
72 JEREMY HAMMAR 1985 DODGE D100 YELLOW 13.942 97.17 2006 12.0 DAILY DR
14's
73 DON MCGINNIS 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER RED 14.069 101.51 2012 DAILY DRIVER
74 ED KELLY 1991 DODGE SPIRIT RED 14.070 100.63 2013 DALY DRIVER
75 ED KELLY 1987 DODGE SHADOW BLACK 14.130 98.70 2012 DAILY DRIVER
76 MICHAEL BAKER 2007 DODGE 3500 BLACK 14.163 97.93 2009 DIESEL
77 PAUL HENDRICKSON 1973 AMC GREMLIN GREEN 14.237 97.02 2012 ST RACE SB PA
78 SHAUN BRACKETT 2011 DODGE CHALLENGER BLACK 14.271 100.73 2012 DAILY DRIVER
79 JASON ROBERTS 2007 DODGE CHARGER GREEN 14.434 96.33 2009 DAILY DRIVER
80 MIKE HOELSCHER 1967 PLYMOUTH SATELLITE BLUE 14.559 93.82 2013 ST RACE BB NA
81 ROBERT REYNOLDS 2012 DODGE RAM 1500 BLACK 14.706 91.73 2014 DAILY DRIVER
82 GORDON BOLDT 1969 PLYMOUTH ROADRUNNER GREEN 14.836 92.20 2006 12.0 DAILY DR

Attached picture 8358121-10680001_909413992419350_2681349967874559006_o.jpg

Attached picture 8358121-10680001_909413992419350_2681349967874559006_o.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/11/14 04:30 AM

The Twin Turbo 572 powered beast laid waste to that 7.85 this year, with this group of runs John made in between rounds of the Heads-up Shootout. Great for bragging rights, just not official Drag Week runs.

Attached picture 8358131-10424308_909412445752838_8192161104222854433_n.jpg

Attached picture 8358131-10424308_909412445752838_8192161104222854433_n.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/11/14 06:54 AM

The best five day averages for Mopars look like this for the ten events so far...so pick a goal, and decide who you are going to shoot for next year!

1 EDDIE MILLER 1970 PLYMOUTH DUSTER PURPLE 8.50 159.27 2006 PRO STREET
2 EDDIE MILLER 1973 PLYMOUTH DUSTER PURPLE 8.67 149.80 2008 PRO ST PA
3 EDDIE MILLER 1970 PLYMOUTH DUSTER PURPLE 8.68 155.97 2013 PRO ST NA
4 EDDIE MILLER 1973 PLYMOUTH DUSTER PURPLE 9.30 144.99 2014 PRO STREET NA

5 DALE GEBHART 1976 AMC GREMLIN WHITE 9.35 141.49 2014 MODIFIED PA

6 PAUL CORNMAN 1971 DODGE DEMON GREEN 10.02 134.39 2014 ST RACE SB NA

7 MIKE CROW 1969 DODGE DART WHITE 10.17 134.16 2012 ST RACE SB NA

8 RAY MEYERS 1967 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA BLACK 10.18 127.34 2012 MODIFIED NA

9 MIKE CROW 1969 DODGE DART WHITE 10.19 133.80 2013 ST RACE SB NA

10 RANDY HEINSELMAN 1970 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA PLUM 10.35 130.46 2012 SS PA

11 MIKE WALSH 1966 DODGE CORONET RED 10.36 129.38 2006 ST RACE BB PA

12 MIKE CROW 1973 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA RED 10.47 130.91 2010 ST RACE SB NA
13 MIKE CROW 1973 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA RED 10.54 128.09 2009 ST RACE SB NA

14 RAY MEYERS 1967 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA BLACK 10.57 127.61 2013 MODIFIED NA

15 MIKE CROW 1973 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA RED 10.60 129.35 2008 ST RACE SB NA
16 MIKE CROW 1973 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA RED 10.61 128.03 2007 ST RACE SB NA

17 RANDY HEINSELMAN 1970 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA PLUM CRAZY 10.62 125.60 2014 SS BB NA

18 MITCH HORN 1970 DODGE CHALLENGER CREAM 10.68 123.71 2014 SS SB NA

19 TONY SANCHEZ 1969 AMC JAVELIN AQUA 10.70 125.31 2013 MODIFIED NA

20 JOHN FARAONE 1972 VALIANT CHARGER SILVER 10.71 143.80 2013 PRO ST PA

21 MIKE CROW 1973 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA RED 10.71 126.49 2006 ST RACE SB NA

22 MIKE CHENOWETH 1970 PLYMOUTH ROADRUNNER GREEN 10.71 129.33 2010 ST RACE BB NA

23 RANDY HEINSELMAN 1970 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA PLUM CRAZY 10.81 124.25 2013 ST RACE BB NA

24 BILLY GEBHART 1962 PLYMOUTH VALIANT WHITE 10.82 123.05 2014 MODIFIED NA

25 MIKE WALSH 1966 DODGE CORONET RED 10.85 122.22 2007 DAILY DRIVER

26 STEVE ATWELL 1968 DODGE DART WHITE 11.01 122.59 2005 BB NA

27 DARRYL FRARY 1969 DODGE DART TEAL 11.18 117.15 2013 ST RACE SB NA

28 JOHN HINDLEY JR 1967 PLYMOUTH VALIANT WHITE 11.22 117.96 2014 DAILY DRIVER

29 DARREN GEBHART 1996 DODGE DAKOTA RED 11.26 117.06 2014 PRO STREET NA

30 BRIAN GEBHART 1965 DODGE D100 WHITE 11.26 117.75 2014 GASSER / AFX

31 JASON ROBERTS 1983 PLYMOUTH K CAR SILVER 11.29 120.03 2007 UNLIMITED

32 DARRYL FRARY 1969 DODGE DART TEAL 11.34 118.20 2012 ST RACE SB NA

33 CASEY CUNNINGHAM 1963 PLYMOUTH FURY WHITE 11.40 118.23 2011 DAILY DRIVER

34 DUSTIN HASSE 1972 PLYMOUTH CUDA BLUE 11.44 118.32 2005 SB NA

35 BILLY GEBHART 1962 PLYMOUTH VALIANT WHITE 11.44 115.90 2012 MODIFIED NA

36 CASEY CUNNINGHAM 1963 PLYMOUTH FURY WHITE 11.49 116.66 2012 DAILY DRIVER

37 BRIAN GEBHART 1965 DODGE D100 WHITE 11.50 115.41 2013 GASSER / AFX

38 JAMES REEVES 1986 DODGE OMNI GLH BLACK 11.56 117.10 2013 DALY DRIVER

39 SCOTT ABBOTT 1970 PLYMOUTH ROADRUNNER ORANGE 11.59 119.67 2013 DALY DRIVER

40 CLARK LAMB 1968 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA BLUE 11.59 116.37 2013 DALY DRIVER

41 JASON ROBERTS 1983 PLYMOUTH RELIANT SILVER 11.60 118.21 2010 DAILY DRIVER

42 KODY KELLER 1994 DODGE 2500 RED / SILVER 11.60 115.77 2009 DIESEL

43 SCOTT ABBOTT 1970 PLYMOUTH ROADRUNNER ORANGE 11.60 120.09 2012 DAILY DRIVER

44 RICK CALLAHAN 1968 PLYMOUTH ROADRUNNER MAROON 11.61 113.00 2010 DAILY DRIVER

45 GREG HOGUE 2003 DODGE 2500 RED 11.61 121.57 2007 DAILY DRIVER

46 ROSS DUDLEY 1968 PLYMOUTH ROADRUNNER YELLOW 11.62 115.10 2014 DAILY DRIVER

47 SCOTT ABBOTT 1970 PLYMOUTH ROADRUNNER ORANGE 11.64 118.52 2011 DAILY DRIVER
48 SCOTT ABBOTT 1970 PLYMOUTH ROADRUNNER ORANGE 11.66 119.28 2014 DAILY DRIVER

49 RICK CALLAHAN 1969 PLYMOUTH ROADRUNNER BLACK 11.68 117.25 2012 DAILY DRIVER

50 R. LOYD CHURCH 1968 PLYMOUTH ROADRUNNER BLUE 11.75 114.83 2012 ST RACE BB NA

51 CLARK LAMB 1968 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA BLUE 11.77 114.47 2014 DAILY DRIVER

52 RICK CALLAHAN 1969 PLYMOUTH ROADRUNNER BLACK 11.79 112.56 2013 DALY DRIVER

53 PATRICK CULKIN 1990 DODGE SHADOW SILVER 11.83 114.92 2013 DALY DRIVER

54 MIKE CROW 1973 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA RED 11.84 109.57 2011 DAILY DRIVER

55 RODNEY MUNCHIANDO 1968 DODGE DART BLACK 11.84 114.01 2013 DALY DRIVER

56 ANDREW MCLELLAN 1964 DODGE 440 WHITE 11.85 112.79 2009 ST RACE BB NA

57 PETE MUHM 1965 DODGE CORONET DEAD SALMON 11.85 111.14 2008 ST RACE BB NA

58 RUSSELL BRODIE 1963 DODGE 440 WHITE 11.86 109.20 2012 ST RACE BB NA

59 ROSS DUDLEY 1968 PLYMOUTH ROADRUNNER YELLOW 11.86 113.00 2010 DAILY DRIVER

60 STEVE REIMANN 1963 DODGE 440 WHITE 11.86 112.21 2008 ST RACE BB NA

61 CLARK LAMB 1968 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA BLUE 11.88 109.70 2012 DAILY DRIVER

62 ROSS DUDLEY 1968 PLYMOUTH ROADRUNNER YELLOW 11.89 112.35 2012 DAILY DRIVER
63 ROSS DUDLEY 1968 PLYMOUTH ROADRUNNER YELLOW 11.90 112.11 2013 DALY DRIVER

64 STEVE REIMANN 1963 DODGE 440 WHITE 11.90 111.22 2010 ST RACE BB NA

65 CHARLEY OGLE 1972 DODGE CHALLENGER GOLD 11.93 116.26 2014 DAILY DRIVER

66 JEFF PETERSON 1968 DODGE CORONET GOLD 11.93 112.18 2007 DAILY DRIVER

67 RACHAEL GEBHART 1967 PLYMOUTH BELVEDERE BLUE 11.96 108.70 2012 DAILY DRIVER

68 GREG MASON 1963 DODGE 440 WHITE 11.99 112.74 2011 ST RACE BB NA

69 BRIAN GEBHART 1978 DODGE D100 BLACK 12.00 108.22 2006 12.0 DAILY DR
70 BRIAN GEBHART 1967 PLYMOUTH BELVEDERE BLUE 12.01 107.70 2011 DAILY DRIVER

71 ROSS DUDLEY 1968 PLYMOUTH ROADRUNNER YELLOW 12.01 111.01 2007 DAILY DRIVER

72 GREG HOGUE 2003 DODGE 2500 GRAY 12.03 109.30 2006 12.0 DAILY DR

73 ROSS DUDLEY 1968 PLYMOUTH ROADRUNNER YELLOW 12.05 110.34 2011 DAILY DRIVER

74 DONNA PEDERSON 2008 DODGE CHALLENGER ORANGE 12.07 115.43 2009 DAILY DRIVER

75 DANIEL BRANDT 1963 DODGE 330 BLACK 12.17 109.64 2011 ST RACE BB NA

76 RACHAEL GEBHART 1967 PLYMOUTH BELVEDERE BLUE 12.19 111.94 2014 DAILY DRIVER

77 BOB SCHULTZ 1970 AMC AMX PINK 12.20 108.34 2006 12.0 DAILY DR

78 JEFF MASS 1985 DODGE OMNI BLUE 12.20 111.71 2011 DAILY DRIVER

79 RADAR WATKINS 1970 PLYMOUTH FURY PURPLE 12.20 112.93 2007 PRO ST NA

80 RYAN ANDERSON 2008 JEEP GR CHEROKEE RED 12.21 111.20 2013 DALY DRIVER

81 SCOTT ABBOTT 1970 PLYMOUTH ROADRUNNER ORANGE 12.21 114.31 2010 DAILY DRIVER

82 CLARK STRONG 1969 PLYMOUTH ROADRUNNER YELLOW 12.25 106.03 2014 DAILY DRIVER

83 ROSS DUDLEY 1968 PLYMOUTH ROADRUNNER YELLOW 12.26 107.62 2008 DAILY DRIVER

84 BILLY GEBHART 1966 PLYMOUTH SATELLITE YELLOW 12.28 108.64 2013 DALY DRIVER

85 ANDY THOMAS 1998 DODGE 2500 SILVER 12.28 109.63 2007 DAILY DRIVER

86 RODNEY MUNCHIANDO 1968 DODGE DART BLACK 12.28 110.59 2012 DAILY DRIVER

87 RADAR WATKINS 1970 PLYMOUTH SPORT FURY PURPLE 12.31 112.15 2010 PRO ST NA

88 JASON ROBERTS 1971 PLYMOUTH ROADRUNNER ORANGE 12.31 110.62 2008 DAILY DRIVER

89 MICHAEL LINBURG 2004 DODGE NEON BLACK 12.34 114.88 2007 DAILY DRIVER

90 DAVID KORTH 1964 PLYMOUTH SPORT FURY BLUE 12.35 111.30 2007 DAILY DRIVER

91 RADAR WATKINS 1970 PLYMOUTH FURY PURPLE 12.39 110.97 2009 PRO ST NA
92 RADAR WATKINS 1970 PLYMOUTH FURY PURPLE 12.39 110.64 2006 12.0 DAILY DR

93 DAVID KORTH 1964 PLYMOUTH SPORT FURY BLUE 12.41 110.23 2006 12.0 DAILY DR

94 JOHN FARAONE 1972 VALIANT CHARGER SILVER 12.490 119.37 2012 PRO ST PA

95 CASEY CUNNINGHAM 1972 DODGE D100 WHITE 12.50 107.02 2014 UNLIMITED

96 CHARLEY OGLE 1972 DODGE CHALLENGER GOLD 12.52 112.69 2013 DALY DRIVER

97 BRUCE COOKE 1971 DODGE CHARGER BLUE 12.53 100.11 2009 DAILY DRIVER
98 BRUCE COOKE 1971 DODGE CHARGER BLUE 12.54 103.99 2010 DAILY DRIVER

99 MICHEAL BEELER 1970 DODGE DART PURPLE 12.55 110.17 2014 DAILY DRIVER

100 RADAR WATKINS 1970 PLYMOUTH SPORT FURY PURPLE 12.58 110.90 2011 PRO ST NA

101 RODNEY MUNCHIANDO 1968 DODGE DART BLACK 12.59 108.12 2010 DAILY DRIVER

102 DAVID KORTH 1964 PLYMOUTH SPORT FURY BLUE 12.61 109.77 2008 DAILY DRIVER
103 DAVID KORTH 1964 PLYMOUTH SPORT FURY BLUE 12.64 108.90 2011 DAILY DRIVER

104 RODNEY MUNCHIANDO 1968 DODGE DART BLACK 12.71 105.29 2009 DAILY DRIVER

105 BILLY GEBHART 1962 PLYMOUTH VALIANT WHITE 12.72 106.55 2011 MODIFIED PA

106 DALE GEBHART 1966 PLYMOUTH SATELLITE YELLOW 12.72 107.23 2011 DAILY DRIVER

107 MIKE LINBURG 2004 DODGE NEON BLACK 12.74 107.93 2006 12.0 DAILY DR

108 RICK CALLAHAN 1968 PLYMOUTH ROADRUNNER MAROON 12.79 106.23 2008 DAILY DRIVER

109 DUSTIN HASSE 1968 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA WHITE 12.82 106.11 2014 ST RACE SB NA

110 JASON TROTTER 1995 EAGLE TALON TSI BLUE 12.82 110.00 2013 DALY DRIVER

111 GEORGE BROWNING 1979 DODGE COLT PINK/ BLK 12.84 109.47 2013 DALY DRIVER

112 ROSS DUDLEY 1968 PLYMOUTH ROADRUNNER YELLOW 12.93 106.42 2006 12.0 DAILY DR

113 MICHAEL LINBURG 2004 DODGE NEON BLACK 13.03 105.74 2005 DAILY DRIVER

114 RODNEY MUNCHIANDO 1968 DODGE DART BLACK 13.084 102.12 2011 DAILY DRIVER

115 DON MCGINNIS 2013 DODGE CHALLENGER BLACK 13.19 107.74 2013 DALY DRIVER

116 BRYAN DUNAWAY 1966 PLYMOUTH BELVEDERE WHITE 13.24 105.31 2013 DALY DRIVER

117 ANDREW MCLELLAN 1970 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA ORANGE 13.29 99.35 2007 DAILY DRIVER

118 GREG ORR 2009 DODGE CHALLENGER PURPLE 13.34 112.20 2011 DAILY DRIVER

119 KEN METZINGER 1966 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA RED 13.39 99.82 2014 DAILY DRIVER

120 KENNETH LAUGHLIN 2007 DODGE 3500 4X4 WHITE 13.46 100.49 2008 DIESEL

121 RICK CALLAHAN 1968 PLYMOUTH ROADRUNNER MAROON 13.56 103.83 2007 DAILY DRIVER

122 STEVE ATWELL 1966 PLYMOUTH BELVEDERE SILVER 13.65 103.29 2006 12.0 DAILY DR

123 BOB LARSON 1938 DODGE COUPE GREEN 13.67 99.86 2011 DAILY DRIVER

124 JESS NEAL 1973 DODGE CHALLENGER YELLOW 13.81 100.42 2014 DAILY DRIVER

125 DUSTIN HAASE 1971 DODGE DART BLUE 13.86 99.03 2007 DAILY DRIVER

126 GEORGE BROWNING 1979 DODGE COLT PINK/ BLK 13.87 100.02 2012 DAILY DRIVER

127 BRIAN NELSON 1964 DODGE POLARA YELLOW 13.91 78.70 2006 12.0 DAILY DR

128 JEREMY HAMMAR 1985 DODGE D100 YELLOW 13.99 97.62 2006 12.0 DAILY DR

129 SEYMOUR PEDERSON 1962 PLYMOUTH VALIANT WHITE 13.996 96.84 2005 DAILY DRIVER

130 DALE CHENOWETH 1935 PLYMOUTH COUPE RED 14.04 98.67 2007 DAILY DRIVER

131 RODNEY MUNCHIANDO 1968 DODGE DART BLACK 14.10 98.72 2007 DAILY DRIVER

132 GREG HOGUE 2003 DODGE 2500 GRAY 14.22 113.13 2008 DIESEL

133 JEFF PETERSON 2010 DODGE CHALLENGER PLUM 14.28 99.30 2011 DAILY DRIVER

134 ED KELLY 1987 DODGE SHADOW BLACK 14.37 98.89 2012 DAILY DRIVER
135 ED KELLY 1991 DODGE SPIRIT RED 14.41 99.61 2013 DAILY DRIVER

136 ROD MUNCHIANDO 1968 DODGE DART BLACK 14.44 98.36 2008 DAILY DRIVER

137 SHAUN BRACKETT 2011 DODGE CHALLENGER BLACK 14.47 98.99 2012 DAILY DRIVER

138 DON MCGINNIS 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER RED 14.59 96.10 2012 DAILY DRIVER

139 JASON ROBERTS 2007 DODGE CHARGER GREEN 14.60 95.81 2009 DAILY DRIVER

140 CLAY CUNNINGHAM 1972 DODGE PICK UP WHITE 14.71 89.89 2012 ST RACE SB PA

141 MICHAEL BAKER 2007 DODGE 3500 BLACK 14.82 91.33 2009 DIESEL

142 MIKE HOELSCHER 1967 PLYMOUTH SATELLITE BLUE 14.95 93.82 2013 ST RACE BB NA

143 ROBERT REYNOLDS 2012 DODGE RAM 1500 BLACK 15.02 89.30 2014 DAILY DRIVER

144 BOB LARSON 1938 DODGE COUPE GREEN 15.28 85.25 2013 HOT ROD

145 PAUL HENDRICKSON 1973 AMC GREMLIN GREEN 15.44 89.94 2012 ST RACE SB PA

146 ED KELLY 1987 DODGE SHADOW BLACK 15.57 89.06 2011 UNLIMITED

147 GORDON BOLDT 1969 PLYMOUTH ROADRUNNER GREEN 15.74 90.39 2006 12.0 DAILY DR

148 KRIS BURNHAM 2010 DODGE CHARGER GRAY 16.01 87.21 2010 DAILY DRIVER

149 STEVE BOWYER 2006 DODGE 2500 RED 16.0512 85.430 2007 DAILY DRIVER

150 RYAN ANDERSON 2008 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE RED 16.0620 100.148 2014 DAILY DRIVER

151 DON MCGINNIS 2002 DODGE STRATUS RED 16.2376 85.402 2007 DAILY DRIVER

152 DEREK BASHFORD 1967 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA WHITE 16.53 82.36 2014 DAILY DRIVER

153 WALTER BASHFORD 1969 DODGE CHARGER PLUM 16.88 83.04 2012 DAILY DRIVER

154 JOHN VAN HESSELL 2003 DODGE 3500 WHITE 16.97 80.21 2009 DIESEL

155 CHRIS BOWEN 1966 DODGE DART BLUE 17.24 77.98 2008 DAILY DRIVER

156 DON MCGINNIS 1968 PLYMOUTH ROADRUNNER BRONZE 17.26 72.78 2011 DAILY DRIVER

157 STEVE BOWYER 2006 DODGE RAM 3500 RED 17.41 81.96 2011 DAILY DRIVER

158 JAMES PRINGLE 1998 DODGE DURANGO WHITE 17.6020 75.970 2011 DAILY DRIVER

159 ANDY BASHFORD 1969 DODGE CHARGER PLUM 17.82 75.202 2014 DAILY DRIVER

160 EDWARD FRAZIER 1990 CHRYSLER TC RED 17.94 75.62 2011 DAILY DRIVER

Attached picture 8358250-img_7255-copy.jpg

Attached picture 8358250-img_7255-copy.jpg

Posted By: MoparBilly

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/11/14 07:08 AM

After Dale's string of 9.14-9.12-9.08 during the shootout, the itch to get an Eight was more than he could stand. So he had James weld up the front end, rebuilt the powerglide, and bolted on the taller 33 X 10.5 slicks, drove to the track, ran his first eight, and drove home(and got his tail handed to him in the process)!

Attached picture 8358266-10665092_297447543779096_1251026938978052164_n.jpg

Attached picture 8358266-10665092_297447543779096_1251026938978052164_n.jpg

Posted By: tsanchez

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/11/14 06:17 PM

So cool, thanks for doing this, last two years I have gone and loved reading about it here to reminisce but this year I didnt make it and reading about it made me appreciate how much I love the torture.

I guess we are sorta masochistic haha

Posted By: BBR

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/11/14 09:58 PM

Whoo hoo I'm not last!!

Posted By: Hemi_Joel

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/11/14 10:00 PM

Very fine job on the write up, Billy. I don't know where you find the time. We all appreciate it a lot.

The one chance I got to talk to you at Great Bend, I had no idea how beat you were from the non stop, 24 hour per day action. I just thought you were really laid back!

And congrats on the award, you and your family really deserved it!

Posted By: crazytrain

Re: Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience - 12/15/14 01:07 PM

Billy, I really enjoying reading about the adventure of drag week. I am looking forward to meeting you and your family next year as I am currently finishing up my Drag Week 2015 contender, and I am going to attend, whether I manage to get registered or not, no matter where they are running, so I may be in touch with a few questions. You make it sound like the adventure of a life time.

Congratulations to you and your family for winning the award.

Hot Rod Drag Week 2014: The Experience