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Over the years HH has been very fortunate to have been be able to work with some fabulous musicians who have helped make our production videos so successful. Here are links to those who have web sites, please visit them to see and hear some great stuff, and while you're at it feel free to thank them via e-mail for their contributions to the HH video collection. Casey Binz |
The exclusive WA state
HH video dealer!
"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who
points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could
have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the
arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives
valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there
is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms,
the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at
the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who,
at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so
that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew
neither victory nor defeat."
-Theodore Roosevelt
"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who
points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could
have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the
arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives
valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there
is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms,
the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at
the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who,
at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so
that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew
neither victory nor defeat."
-Theodore Roosevelt
"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who
points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could
have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the
arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives
valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there
is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms,
the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at
the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who,
at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so
that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew
neither victory nor defeat."
-Theodore Roosevelt
"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who
points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could
have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the
arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives
valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there
is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms,
the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at
the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who,
at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so
that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew
neither victory nor defeat."
-Theodore Roosevelt
"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who
points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could
have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the
arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives
valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there
is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms,
the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at
the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who,
at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so
that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew
neither victory nor defeat."
-Theodore Roosevelt
"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who
points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could
have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the
arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives
valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there
is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms,
the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at
the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who,
at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so
that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew
neither victory nor defeat."
-Theodore Roosevelt
"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who
points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could
have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the
arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives
valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there
is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms,
the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at
the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who,
at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so
that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew
neither victory nor defeat."
-Theodore Roosevelt
"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who
points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could
have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the
arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives
valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there
is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms,
the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at
the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who,
at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so
that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew
neither victory nor defeat."
-Theodore Roosevelt
"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who
points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could
have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the
arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives
valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there
is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms,
the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at
the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who,
at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so
that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew
neither victory nor defeat."
-Theodore Roosevelt
"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who
points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could
have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the
arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives
valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there
is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms,
the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at
the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who,
at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so
that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew
neither victory nor defeat."
-Theodore Roosevelt
"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who
points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could
have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the
arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives
valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there
is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms,
the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at
the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who,
at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so
that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew
neither victory nor defeat."
-Theodore Roosevelt
"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who
points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could
have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the
arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives
valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there
is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms,
the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at
the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who,
at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so
that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew
neither victory nor defeat."
-Theodore Roosevelt
"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who
points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could
have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the
arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives
valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there
is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms,
the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at
the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who,
at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so
that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew
neither victory nor defeat."
-Theodore Roosevelt
"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who
points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could
have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the
arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives
valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there
is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms,
the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at
the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who,
at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so
that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew
neither victory nor defeat."
-Theodore Roosevelt
"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who
points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could
have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the
arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives
valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there
is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms,
the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at
the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who,
at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so
that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew
neither victory nor defeat."
-Theodore Roosevelt
"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who
points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could
have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the
arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives
valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there
is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms,
the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at
the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who,
at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so
that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew
neither victory nor defeat."
-Theodore Roosevelt
"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who
points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could
have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the
arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives
valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there
is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms,
the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at
the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who,
at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so
that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew
neither victory nor defeat."
-Theodore Roosevelt
--
--
NOW AVAILABLE FOR ONLINE
& MAIL ORDER
|
Saturday
February 28, 2009
|
Bad
news/good news out of Phoenix this night is word that Ken Tupper
had a scary fire in the turbo'd 50 Ford about the thousand foot
mark after kicking the rods out. Good news is he's ok other than
a singed boot, but the car is rough and will require some body work
along with a lot of rewiring. We understand he's on the way to Calgary
to pick up his spare engine and hopes to be back for the Vegas Lucas
in April. A number of NW racers are still in eliminations tomorrow.
All
the results are here.
I still have no words for this...
Blast from the past
Today it's difficult to imagine the web with little or no drag racing
content let alone no sites for the major groups who run the sport.
There was such a time, a time that if you were not an online part
of...well, you really missed something exciting.
I can recall a time when there were less than a dozen drag racing web sites, but I just knew that wouldn't last for long. It was mostly text with a few small, blurry photos while video was barely a dream. Broadband was not a term yet, and coverage of the sport was next day or next week.
So it was that at the final WDRS of 1996 at the Eagle Motorplex I decided to load up my Mac 6100AV desktop, 17 inch screen CRT, 56k modem and big Panasonic AG456 SVHS shoulder mount camcorder and haul it all up to the Eagle Motorplex to try something nobody had ever done before; do same day coverage...with photos.
With the 6100AV the first personal computer having a video capture card I had the latest, greatest technology that would actually allow me to play with the video software to get still frames off the tape. Not great, but at that time ground breaking. It was impossible to even attempt with a still cam as digital did not exist and there was no place to develop the film then scan eve if you wanted to.
I won't go too into the D6 website thing as it was well known, that while the racers loved it, Glendora did not for it was years before they got into the act. It was fun while it lasted though and I never got into too much trouble.
The coolest thing that weekend was not the web coverage, but the thrill of being shot for TV. With Bob Frey actually doing the interview then the late great Steve Evans adding his bit back at the TNN studios, I was totally blown away that it actually made it to air a few weeks later.
Yes, it was a very different era, but if you were a nerd as well as a drag racer in the mid 90s, you were witness to the very start of something that would go on to become the dominant force in communications the world over. After seeing this some 13 years later, I'm sure we can't even imagine where this will be in 2022!
Click here for the video of where it all began for Division Six
Paul
Grant's Arizona snippets |
Shawn Cowie (left), our only BC rep
ran 5.39/265 to end his day fourth in T/A Dragster. He said he
was happy with the run, had hoped to be a bit quicker but doesn't
expect more than a mid 30 at this track.
Calgary's Roger Bateman currently sits number two in T/A FC with a 5.69/257 and Oregon's Clint Thompson is 5th with a 5.74/252.
In Top Dragster Edmonton's Team Ace has Eddy Plaizier in 18th place and Olympia's Dustin Hentges is 33rd with brother-in-law Andy Morris number 40. |
|
Dave Parfett from Red Deer is number three in Motorcycle.
With good representation in both Stock and Super Stock there are NW runners knocking on the top ten door including Byron Setters and Tom Nolan 6th and 7th in SS.
In Top Sportsman, Mike Strickland (in what looks like the Tamez Mustang from last year) is currently 2nd with a 6.93/201. Washington's Kurtis Tamez in 9th and Frank Nelson is 13th with Ken Tupper out of Spokane is 31st in his turbo banana. Look for all the results on this near live link at DRC and more on Zone. |
 Todd Hoerner (above)ended the day qualifying in sixth in Comp having run a 6.59/212 and then a 6.57/211 in the new Sonny's Racing Engines A/AA GXP. Calgary's Joe Delehay has made a rare southwest appearance puting his Pro Mod Camaro in the number one spot in Comp with a 6.13 while Pat Byron's C/D is 18th. |
|
Friday
February 27, 2009
|
First five
second turbo car this weekend?
It's been posted on YB that "Brad Personett just ran 6.06
at 242 in Valdosta". This is a new twin turbo Camaro. There are
said to be upwards of 50 IHRA Pro Stock and Pro Mod teams testing
there this weekend. It's rumored Moran will be in Houston testing,
so it could be a fun weekend.
More
here with photos.
Paul Grant's exclusive HH coverage of last weekend's Lucas Slick Mist
NHRA Nationals at Phoenix is now posted. Simply click the image above.
Sit back and prepare for an all new HH visual experience that'll blow
you away.
If yur in Vegas for the race this weekend make sure you stop by the Sahara for what could well be the 'show' of the weekend. I hereby pledge an HH video of choice to anybody who wins this and sends in photographic proof of getting off the coaster with your guts intact and your shorts clean. -LP
Latest SEMA Action Network News
|
Thursday
February 26, 2009
|
Stuff continues to come into HH at a rapid pace. Considering this is the off-season, imagine what it's gonna be like when racing starts!
Todd Hoerner hauls! Ran 6.630@ 211.26 first pass in 3000 ft air in Phoenix today!
Mike Rice
update
To confirm what has already been posted on some forums, Mike Rice
is back in hospital. He sent HH this e-mail last night:
"I went back in hospital this morning and think we've figured
out what happened. Hope to be out tomorrow and maybe in Phoenix on
Sunday. Tucson for sure."
Yellowstone
added to to Arm Drop Live Northwest Tour
Although it's not yet on the ADL
schedule, track manager Gordie Harthorn told HH yesterday that
his track Yellowstone
Dragstrip in Acton Montana, will be hosting the popular event
June 26, 27, 2009. "This is a Friday night-Saturday deal. Rich
Christensen and his entire crew will be here all weekend."
One of the main reasons is that NAPA is both a big supporter of the show and the track and with the company having a major distribution center in the state made for the perfect combination. Details are expected soon at the track site and ADL.
The Action Montana date comes one week before another at Woodburn while other northwest dates include Boise May 22/23, and Seattle Aug. 14/15.
Paul's
adventure about to begin
Paul Grant has sent us his images from last weekend's Phoenix National
Event and to say he lived up to his press clippings is an understatement.
Though we'd love to post a teaser, we're gonna make ya wait a day
or so before we lay on you a whole new photo essay package that is
unlike anything this site has ever done before.
You need to contact your Member of Parliament now!
Bill C273 – The Right to Repair Bill, will be debated in the House of Commons on March 5th, 2009…that’s less than two weeks from now. Every Member of Parliament must know about this issue and the Bill. AIA needs your help to make Parliamentarians aware of the issue and supportive of the Bill.
Go to www.righttorepair.ca now and click on the Take Action section. Click on the contact your MP and once you enter your postal code and your MP is located, there are two letters to choose from to send requesting a meeting with your MP as soon as possible. On the Grass Roots Section of the website, you will find the tools you need to communicate the issue. Make sure to bring a copy of Bill C273 with you when you meet your Member of Parliament!
We need you and everyone in your network to act now! Parliament is in recess next week and all Parliamentarians will be back in their ridings. Write, phone, email, fax…whatever it takes to get in and see them.
Please contact Scott.smith@aiacanada.com if you have any questions.
Right to Repair
Vehicle manufacturers are restricting access to tools, training and software to the aftermarket industry. Due to the increased sophistication of today’s vehicles, it is gradually becoming more difficult for independent repair facilities to access the information and develop the skills required to service vehicles. By reserving some of this information for dealership networks, vehicle manufacturers are putting the aftermarket industry at an unfair disadvantage.
AIA Canada has made significant efforts in recent years to negotiate with vehicle manufacturers in order to find a solution to this problem. Unfortunately, the majority of the vehicle manufacturers in Canada are unwilling to negotiate an industry-led solution and have little impetus to do so. AIA has exhausted industry-led solutions and is now requesting the Government of Canada to intervene in order to restore the balance between the dealership network and independent repair facilities.
So, What is the Problem?
Vehicle manufacturers are restricting access to the tools, training
and diagnostic and repair codes to independent installers, preventing
them from repairing late model vehicles. This effectively eliminates
consumer choice.
There are over 18 million vehicles on the road in Canada today. Approximately 59% of them are equipped with on-board diagnostic capabilities, referred to as OBD II. This ratio will increase over time. The number of vehicle components monitored by OBD II will also continue to increase. The tools and software required to access the computer control units on vehicles have become increasingly proprietary. Vehicle design process is also more sophisticated. The use of exotic materials and changes in welding and assembly technologies make it necessary for independent repair shops to access factory-specific training and tools.
Consumer choice is evaporating and the impact of the growing dealer monopoly is significant:
Fewer choices mean higher repair costs. Many repairs
will be delayed or ignored altogether, putting highway safety at risk
and increasing the risk of poor quality emissions.
Fewer choices mean lower productivity. The existing dealer network
does not have the capacity to repair all vehicles on the road today.
This means longer waiting times and increased travel distances for
consumers.
Fewer choices mean instability. Independent repair facilities are
primarily small enterprises. Found across Canada, many are located
in small towns and rural areas. If this problem is not solved, many
small businesses may be forced out of business in the next five years.
This affects a lot of different segments close to home;
Racers who are repair facility owners- Bruce Perkin, Mark Downing, Mike Shannon, Rob Harrison, Dave MacRitchie, etc, etc, etc,
Parts Suppliers who are sponsors- Lordco, Napa
Consumers- No choice but to service newer vehicles at the dealership.
Washington
State Introduces Bill to Implement Vehicle Scrappage Program
|
Wednesday
February 25, 2009
|
Mega Ford 2008 DVD is ready to ship
Copies will be for sale at the BCCCA booth at this weekend's car show
in Abbotsford. I will have online order info up here asap, next Monday
at the latest, but if you want one asap, get
my mail address on the order page. Send check or money order.
US funds to US address, Canadian funds to Canadian address. Price
is $25 each. This is a full tilt HH production that runs one hour
55 minutes. Complete details and trailer soon.
Some very interesting articles on DRO regarding the Houston ADRL event and National Event Sportsman results.
The West
Coast Outlaw Pro Modified Association Launches New Website
by Steven Bunker
The West Coast Outlaw Pro Modified Association has launched a new and improved website. The new website, located at www.WestCoastOutlawProMods.com, is going to be ran by the association so it can be updated more frequently throughout the year.
After two seasons we decided it would be best for us to take matters into our own hands and make a website ourselves that we can update and change whenever needed. Therefore, the new website will be updated continuously throughout the year as we hope to draw more online traffic to our association and gain more publicity across the country. Also, Steven Bunker plans to do full "up to the minute" race results from qualifying and eliminations at each event complete with pictures so our fans all over the country can see what's happening as it happens and keep up with the action at each event.
This is just another stepping stone for the WCOPMA in becoming a better association and getting our loyal members and sponsors the publicity they deserve and the thanks for supporting our events. Without them we wouldn't be in our third season.
Also, the email address to contact the association has changed as well. If you would like to get on our e-mailing list please contact us and let us know. That way we can add you to the list so you can get the most recent newsletters and information for each event. The new email address is: wcopma@aol.com
Feel free to check it out and send us an email if you have any questions about the association or would like to be added to our e-mailing list. Also, you can contact Rod Burbage at (530) 243-8300 if you have any questions regarding the WCOPMA.
|
Tuesday
February 24, 2009
|
You should be aware of current Adobe Reader issues
that will not be corrected until March 11. [here]
[here]
Note HH does not often use pdf files, and most certainly will not
until this is resolved.
"Everything seems good at this point" -Mike Rice to HH today after health rumors started making the rounds yesterday. "I'm doing fine, docs can't figure out what is happening yet. I plan on being in Phoenix this week for our opening D7 event." That's the official word for now as we send our best to Mike, Beth and family.
Crane
Cams shuts down, workers laid off
Drags down Don
"That's another one of my sponsors and makes five that have not
renewed for 2009 making it all but impossible to race". Those
were the words of NW Pro Street standout 'Dragin' Don Murray today.
"It looks as if the Dragon is going to be on the sidelines unless
a sponsor can be found."
Not good news for the big, bad green Corvette out of
White Rock B.C. A crowd favorite for many seasons, it would be a shame
to see him parked just when he was getting the new turbo car sorted
out. If you can help check out his website at dragindon.com.
Martin's
M4 takes 'outlaw' to a new level
On a somewhat related subject rumors
among the Pro Mod ranks of an insanely illegal new car for Harold
Martin appear to be coming to a head today with
this word on Martin's site.
Drag Racers
Network attempts to match up racers who have job openings, with racers
who need jobs
A group of Oregon drag racers have set up a site in an effort to assist
members of the local racing community who are seeking work or advertising
their services. A nobel idea, that they have ambitions of the service
going all across Division Six. Have a look at http://www.dragracersnetwork.com
Check out some very nice Portland pics here.
Newest
NW 10.5 Outlaw Mustang hits the dyno [video]
Mike Dutchek tells HH "I just ran on the wastegate so was only
making 25 lbs boost. Had the timing set very conservative and only
ran it up to 7000 rpm so there's a bunch left, but on that run it
made 1146hp and 846 tq."
|
Monday
February 23, 2009
|
A BIG posting this day that I urge you to take some time to go through. Thanks to the many who contributed.
Realized this morning that I've missed a few submissions sent in, and darned if I can find them, so if that's you feel free to send them again, as I know I've missed a couple of good ones.
Blair
gets air
Chris
Blair's son Austin is a very up-and-coming open wheeler!
At
the biggest indoor race on the West Coast Austin went from 8th to
4th in Sr. Honda, got a 5th place finish in Light Mod and had an
interesting 7th place finish in Sr. Stock...2nd year in a row he's
flipped at Vallejo. We rolled the car back over and he limped to
a 7th place finish…most important fact is that he finished
the race. Each time he's flipped he's finished the show. -CB
Click the title for the video
Everett Herald
Appears we have a local newspaper guy with an interest in drag racing.
Carlson has already been on him [see
here], but it's just nice to know there's a real journalist
in the northwest who is at least trying...and doing a pretty good
job. I didn't find an e-mail for Scott Whitmore, but if you can
feel free to let him know you want more drag racing!
Stolen Trailer found...Ronny Mack is one his way to where it is, thanks to everyone. No idea what shape it's in, if Ron wants to share, I'm sure he'll do so on Team Mission forum.
240 responds
Our posting last week of that turbo Trans Am flopper was followed
by a pretty cool response from Gordie Bonin. It went out privately
to a few, so we asked the old fart (I luv that as I can still remember
him being the 'kid') himself if HH could put it up to which he replied:
"Are ya kidding me?? ABSOLUTELY you can use it Larry. I just hope Flyin' can maybe add to, or correct some of my recollections..?"
Yeah,
it was definitely a different breed. It was so quiet you could hear
the tires squeal in the burnouts. I'd put the top bulb on, foot off
the clutch, bring it up to X no. of pounds boost, and roll her in.
That bitch would roll out there, wheels up, and about 300 ft. BLOW
the tires right off the car (on 50%)! Totally uncontrollable HP.
Jerry was SO far ahead of his time. Crap - he was messing
with RR Merlin carbs (off the Miss Bud Hydros); thinking we'd go to
Denver (6000') and kill 'em up there 'cause, as you may or may not
know, the Germans had nitrous in their WW2 airplanes, and the carbs
did all the mixin' of fuel at altitude. Jerry thought of most everything;
and the stuff woulda worked had he stayed around to 'guide' us.
We went to the Sacramento WWCS in '80 (I think) with
this same car (Flyin' or Steve H.could help here with all this stuff)
we had the whole pit area comin' over to see WTF we had. First qualifying
pass, she stumbled a little on the way out, then all hell would break
loose! (Think about driving on the Calgary-Edmonton highway in the
dead of winter and mashing the pedal with a 500HP Hemi Charger at
80 MPH; and trying to keep her outa the ditch.)
Second qualifying pass, Jer says put 90% in this bitch;
she's either gonna haul-ass or blow up. We were both OVER the 50%
save the engine/money deal. Needless to say, at half track, after
pedaling it several times, she still had the wheels in the air blazing
the tires when she threw up! Qualified 2nd or 3rd on that half-pass...
Went back to the pits, threw in the conventional KB, and won the race.
The end. (Until Flyin' Phil or Steve Hutcheson adds to this) Larry,
thanks for the photo.
Talk about FUN back in the day...
I did a World of Wheels show in Calgary last weekend
with author Dick McDonell in the 'Save Motorsports at Race City'
fund raising booth. Had a GREAT response from a huge crowd. They were
playing some of our wins from the 70/80's; and also a really cool
slide show from the Labor Day Reunion that you attended. Almost everyone
that watched the stuff, including this little muffin, Jenna; LOVED
the dry-hops; and said that's what's missing today!
I totally agree.
Thanks for all you do for our sport Larry. We've got to save Race
City!
-240
Flyn Phil fills in the blanks
Hi Gordie,
I was only able to find a couple pertinent pix yesterday after seeing
this correspondence.
Let me try to fill in a few blanks.
You alluded to it but the main point of this exercise was one of cost saving. Nitro had increased in cost by 100% and Jerry V figured he could build a turbo’d engine that would produce the same power on about 50%.
I talked to Jerry at the shop early in the development. He was great with me. He would let me yammer and then poke in a really thought-provoking question. I had always been a lover of turbos, I guess because of airplanes and the turbocharging for more horsepower at elevation. But also from Hot Rod. There was a Chrysler powered 55 T-bird streeter covered in about 1964 that sounded like a dream. Also, work by the Mallicoat Bros in B/GS and (later) Comp which led to Ohio George Montgomery’s work with the hairdryers. I felt pretty proud of myself when I suggested to Jerry that considering all of the givens, IF a pair of duplicate engines could be produced — one with current tech for TF (484, 8-71, etc.) and one without the supercharger, that sitting on the starting line ready to go, the normally aspirated engine would be producing the most horsepower. So, the horror stories of no-power-before-spool-up with a turbo could be squelched. He agreed. To a point. Please don’t get the idea that I think I in any way helped Jerry Verheul with any ideas. He was just feeling me out to see if I was a blowhard know-it-all like most writers. When he found out that I was a deeper thinker mechanically than most, our conversations went deeper.
The turbocharged nitro engine took time to develop and had a number of phases. It had different intake manifolds, different plenum designs, different headers, different turbo mounting points, and several different waste gate configurations. I believe Dave Benjamin was machinist and welder on most of the many pieces. The engine was based around a 180-degree crankshaft because Jerry felt its pulses were better suited to the task. He would later confide that he wished he’d tried it with a more normal set-up.
I went to several early testing sessions, all sans body
and with Frank Hall in the seat as I recall. They were among the most
boring of all, start the engine, short burnout, back up, launch, back
up, shut off. The engine was very quiet, and due to the header configuration,
spit unburned fuel straight out, and sometimes even puddled under
the tires. Each time, Jerry learned and changed things around until
they suited him. One of the things that continued to impress him was
the amount of boost the engine produced just before the tires came
loose.
The trip to Sacramento was in 1980, and I didn’t go. Word had gotten around and Dave Smith requested the turbo car and was willing to pay (most nitro cars were bought in to the points races at the time). So to Sacto they went. As I recall, there were three Q passes. The first was a stumbling shut-off, the second similar but better, and the third a tire-roasting, piston-melting deal that qualified the car. I cannot confirm the 90% that GB claims, I would say it was less because JV was such a conservative tuner. I can say that it rained, the Pacemaker group made an I-5 blast back to Seattle, and returned with conventional setup to win the race the following Saturday. Did I forget to mention that the turbo engine was complicated and almost impossible to work on away from the Pacemaker shop?
It was a month or so later that the Turbo car made its biggest impression on me.
It was at Portland, at 32FC easily the biggest one-day motorsports events in Oregon. And Gordie was among the top-five favorites of all time there. I say that because of his competitive spirit. Although he was smiley and fun to be around to the fans, he wanted to WIN every match race and national event he entered. But that day, he was ruffled. He had made it known that he did NOT like the turbo car, and until it showed more controllability, he felt the conventional engine was the better choice. After all, he knew he could win with that, and the Pacemaker team was remarkable at Portland. But, Jerry knew it was a perfect opportunity to test on a well-prep’d track AND get paid for it. There were even words between Jerry and promoter Bill Doner, but Verheul assured him the package was ready.
So it was that the first round progressed. I have always been skeptical that the pairings were coincidental, for there came the Hawaiian to face Pacemaker.
Earlier
that season, my magazine had debuted at one of the radio station-backed
extravaganzas that were the norm — probably 16 nitro and 16 alky
funny cars, headed by a half-dozen touring Pros. Rich Carlson hauled
us there in his Chevy wagon, loaded down with plenty of DRNWs to pass
around. I was so busy a hardly remember a thing. But on the way back
north, Larry Pfister described a pic he’d shot of Gordie looking
at a copy with “one of the most beautiful girls” he’d
ever seen. Later, I used the photo as a subscription ad.
The girl was Karen Minick, daughter of Pat Minick, part owner and driver of arguably the most famous funny car in history, the Chi-town Hustler. It seems that Gordie was in the process of stealing her away from Ron Colsen, who had driven Chi-town but was then in the seat of Roland Leong’s Hawaiian.
So it was a rather distraught Gordie Bonin that strapped in behind Jerry’s turbo-charged hemi that night. He was fighting for the heart of a fair maiden on a horse with weak legs.
The crowd reacted negatively to the Pacemaker’s nearly silent burnout, although from a smoke standpoint, it was in the A category. There were a couple dryhops — Verheul gave Gordie every chance he had, then the two drivers staged. Both left well but the turbo’d Firebird pulled two open on the stout Corvette. My heart leaped with the thought that maybe, finally, the car was going to perform up to Jerry’s expectations. But alas, just past the transition from concrete to asphalt, probably at the shift point, the big M&H’s churned and the Hawaiian moved around for the easy win.
Still, for about a two-second moment in history, it all looked right.
Jerry never gave up on his dream. The engine continued to evolve and was eventually tried in a TF chassis. He was never quite right about the balance of the car with all of the weight of the turbos moved forward. In retrospect, two things would have helped immensely in Jerry’s development of the turbocharged nitro powerplant — a computer and clutch management. Today, such technology is commonplace, but alas, rules have tightened to a point where Jerry Verheul’s forward thinking wouldn’t be allowed.
Phil
Thanks very much to Phil Elliott for taking the time to put this wonderful tale together. This guy holds more Northwest drag racing knowledge between his ears than all the rest of us combined. His valuable historical contributions are much missed by this webmaster. It's so great when he does stuff like this.
|
Saturday
February 21, 2009
|
Interesting D6 look at the 55 Super Stock entries in Phoenix shows two from Saskatchewan, three out of Washington, zero B.C. runners and a whopping six from Alberta...
Since this is Hockey Day in Canada, (and we're on the eve of what is usually the most boring left turn event of the season) have a boo at the good ole boyz trying their best to be puck headz...
Work on the Mission and Ashcroft posters came to an end this week, both projects now in the capable hands of the staff at Whalley Printers in Surrey. With that behind me work on the Mega Ford video moves into the final stages with copies to be available at next week's car show in Abbotsford. Hopefully from the MRP booth - where they'll also have copies of the new poster and fold out schedules in both Lordco and Mopac editions.
Though we jumped the gun on the announcement last week of the D7 Lucas event date and location change, it's now official.
Our southwest coverage by Paul Grant will not be coming in any hurry. With more than enough of the same day, same old, same old all over the web, HH instructed Paul to take his time and get it to us when it's done.
Todd Hoerner inks sponsorship with Sonny's Racing Engines of Lynchburg Virginia
"I'm elated to get hooked up with Sonny, and look forward to a long and successful partnership" told HH last week.
"Sonny not only makes BIG power, but he's a great guy to work with, and bounce ideas off of. He has so many years of experience, and knowledge of these engines. Sonny is the ultimate innovator, his constant research and development is second to none."
Once known mainly in the south, the noted builder's logo is being seen more in the northwest. "Sonny's has come up with many different engine combinations over the years. Whether its a 975 H.P. 565 bracket engine for Super Gas, or Super Comp, or an all out 2000 + H.P. 5.300 bore center 932 c.i. monster motor, Sonny has all the engines for all the different classes, the customer is looking for."
"He has a first class facility, and a great bunch of employees, who are all dedicated to putting out the very best product possible! I look forward to getting this Sonny powered GXP to the race track."
Todd's debut with his new 09 Jerry Bickel Pontiac GXP will be next weekend at the Phoenix divisional in Comp Eliminator running A/AA, then off to Tucson the following week, with future dates to be announced.
PSCA
ads so many new sponsors so fast, we can barely keep up!
Omond shoots for sevens with new sponsor Comp Turbo
Al
Omond has just announced that Comp Turbo based in San Dimas California
has signed on to sponsor the Kamakaze Racing Dragbike for the 2009
season with product and R&D support.
"We are hoping that the triple ceramic turbo unit from Comp Turbo will get the Kawasaki into the 7's this year."
Comp Turbo was founded in 2007 with the intent to build the highest quality turbochargers with the best customer service in the industry. [more]
The Kamakaze Racing turbo dragbike will be competing at all the Mission Raceway Summit events, select Division 6 Lucas Oil Series and National Open Series.
Its Muscle
Car Glory Faded, Pontiac Shrivels Up
DETROIT — With its history of building muscle cars like the GTO
and the low-slung Firebird, Pontiac had good reason to take pride
in its best-known marketing slogan from the 1980s, “We Build
Excitement.” [more]
GM disbands
unit that creates high-performance vehicles
General Motors, focusing on mainstream products in a battle to survive,
has scrapped a unit that produced high-performance vehicles. [more]
|
Friday
February 20, 2009
|
Lucas Oil and Evans Racing renew for 2009
John
and Darlene Evans are pleased to announce that Lucas Oil will continue
to be the main sponsor for Evans Racing two methanol burning supercharged
rear engined dragsters.
“Lucas Oil is such a big part of racing in general and drag racing in particular” said John. “Without their support, we simply would not be racing at the level that we do.We applaud Forrest and Charlotte Lucas for continually stepping up to sponsor both racers and events in such difficult economic times and couldn’t be happier to represent them in Division six. With the six second chassis changes made to my brother George's car we both will be strong contenders for the National Open title.” George finished second and John third in 2008 NHRA Division Six National Open Top Comp standings.
The Evans Racing 2009 season will open with the crew
and both dragsters appearing at the Lucas Oil sponsored BC Classic
& Custom Car Show at TRADEX April 26th and then will start their
racing season at the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at Mission Raceways
May 22.
|
Thursday
February 19, 2009
|
2009
NHRA Division Six Summit ET Series Rules INCLUDING Sport Compact
Pre-enter now for the D6 Lucas Oil Series event at Firebird Raceway
The Camaro yo mama warned you about [pics] [video]
While scanning a thread on Mater I recalled a very rare photo I recently ran across. Shot in 1970something at Portland it's Gordie Bonin at the wheel of the turbocharged Pacemaker Trans Am. I don't think I have any other shots of the car, but am sure ole Flyin' Phil Elliott has somewhere.
I also have some shots of a very trick, very-ahead-of-it's-time early turbo'd 70s street Camaro owned by a Roy Vessy. I did a complete feature on it about 1976 with burnouts, underhood, etc. One day when I retire (lol), I'll get into that old stuff. As well, pics of a very clean silver Victoria '70 Z-28 that had a rat motor in it...Frank Zupank I think.
While on the subject of old local Funny Cars Chris 'Mr Buffy' Eggen says the the 'Action Man' Kenny Goodell is rumored to be coming to the Mission Open with a nostalgia flopper this coming July. In fact it's said that Eggen's current chassis is a former Goodell & Chuck Bird car. Wish I had more time to work on stuff like this, but I'm still busy as heck with all kinds of other pressing projects. A few of which will hopefully result in some major new sponsors showing up here on HH.
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Tuesday
February 16, 2009
|
It's official
The rumors are true. MRP weather permitting will re -surface
from the 1/8th mile to the 1/4 mile in March.
"Still, if you will not fight for the right
when you can easily win without bloodshed; if you will not fight when
your victory will be sure and not too costly; you may come to the
moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and
only a precarious chance of survival. There may even be a worse case.
You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it
is better to perish than live as slaves".
- Churchill, Winston
Sorry about the down time last evening, it may happen again over the next couple of days as our host makes some changes.
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Monday
February 15, 2009
|
Mega Ford
video
Am still editing and hope to be done later this week. It will then
take another few days to have it gone through by the Ford people as
I design some case art. Hopefully look for it for sale in a couple
of weeks or so.
330 does
HH
He has quickly emerged as one of the finest photographers in the sport,
and over the next few weeks HH is fortunate to have him submitting
imagery from three major southwest races. From a growing website dubbed
330images.com, Paul Grant
showcases drag racing in a way you must see to appreciate and HH is
thrilled to have him shooting at three major drag races over the next
three weeks.
Starting in Phoenix for the NHRA Arizona Nationals, followed by the Lucas race there the following weekend and culminating at the famed March Meet in Bakersfield, Grant will be working his magic behind the lens. A magic few others have mastered.
Don't look for galleries of dozens of 3/4 front uncaptioned photos, all shot from the same spot at a fast shutter that shows no sense of speed whatsoever with enough depth-of-field to have everything in focus from three feet to infinity. Look for a series of photo essays that will feature Grant's talent with light, perspective and feeling that nobody does better. All we've asked is for a slant towards the northwest racer.
We thank Paul for his efforts and look forward to seeing what he'll have for us very soon.
Daytona
vs Pomona...NHRA vs NASCAR
All I can say is, for once "we kicked their ass".
Yesterday's cancellation of the Daytona 500 due to rain was a kick
in the teeth to fans everywhere. I know it's difficult to compare
how rain and TV effects each sport, but with today being a U.S. holiday,
and the fact this morning is perfect sunny weather in Daytona, they
could easily have finished this race today. It's not like they didn't
know what today's weather was gonna be like.
Ya I know there's a bad economy and that a speedway like Daytona has far bigger costs than the Fairplex, but they pull in way more money too. I'm guessing it has more to do with TV time and sponsors than anything else, but this is a perfect example of how big money can create big problems, and screw it up for the little people.
Bottom line for fans is that it makes the efforts NHRA look better than NASCAR. And ya, I know the Pomona TV show got all screwed up (wonder how that went over with sponsors?), but at least we got the race done. NHRA can plan in advance for rain, NASCAR can't?? This was their Super Bowl and they called it at the end of the third quarter.
....and how 'bout that Jr eh? Kinda reminds this writer of a certain dragster star and a non-call at the World Finals a couple of years ago...for more go here.
|
Friday
February 13, 2009
|
What should be the final MRP schedule is now posted and includes booking dates for Test n Tune Fridays. Next up are the printed versions for both MRP and Ashcroft that are hoped to be done by months end.
URGENT
LEGISLATIVE ALERT
Oregon Introduces Bill to Prohibit Sale of Aftermarket Parts
Send Martin your own birthday wishes with a string on the Team
Mission forum. And yes...he really was born on a Friday the
13th!
The 2008 Shakedown at E'Town is supposed to be on Speed TV tomorrow as part of 'On The Edge". That show on my local listings says 1:30 pm TODAY and 10:30 am tomorrow. Who really knows as this is Canada - the country of government 'protected' sports television. And don't ask about Pomona, Canuck Sports TV is in Daytona mode all frikn weekend.
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Thursday
February 12, 2009
|
Tonight all thoughts are with the Lang family as we mourn the sudden loss of one of the finest ladies this sport has ever known - Janet Lang. (more)
Maybe
the best drag racing television commercials ever.
We've come a long way from the days of those 1970s screamer ads
eh?
The Pacific Northwest Super Comp Assc. has an all new website for 2009 http://pnsca.com and are happy to announce an expanded eleven-race schedule for 2009.
- Bremerton Raceway will start the season with a double header on (May
9-10) and a second double header on (Aug.15-16).
-
Woodburn will have the two traditional weekends starting with their Season Opener (May 16-17) and ending the season at the Fall Classic (Sept 12-13).
-
Spokane County Raceway, for the first time, will host the PNSCA June 6-7.
-
Mission Raceway at the D6 National Open sees a single race on Saturday (July 25).
Chris Williams is in charge of the PNSCA website, and is doing a great job.
Our friends at Freeway Trailer
in Tacoma have just announced an pre-race-season service special that'll
get ya 15% parts if you mention you saw this on HH. Just go on in and
see Jack Stutler. Russell Stevenson also says he's got some killer pricing
and is ready to deal. Make him an offer he can't refuse!
|
Wednesday
February 11, 2009
|
The Calgary Drag Racing Association and Race City Motorsports Inc. have reached an agreement in principle to use Race City Motorsport Park for the 2009 drag racing season. (more)
Top-Eliminator Edmonton 2009 schedule includes $15,000 race June 13/14
UglyNats
finally done
One look at the sportsman round one no-shows begins an ugly trail
of attrition as one of the longest national events on record finally
ended today after six days of competition in Pomona. Of particular
interest is ole' Tom Gaynor coming oh so close in the
Stock final won by the
popular John Calvert in one of those new Cobra Jet Mustangs -
a
combo that has been the subject of some fascinating discussion.
|
Tuesday
February 10, 2009
|
Tuesday
Tuesday Tuesday!
10:55am - audiocast is now working.
Winternats
scheduled to start around 10:30 am
If yur having problems getting the Pomona audio feed try
this link.
HH EXCLUSIVE
First Interview with new Acton Track Operator
"Everybody here is just so supportive" says newly announced Yellowstone Dragstrip manager Gordy Harthorn to HH by phone this morning. "From the sponsors, to the racers who have businesses here to the general public. They all ask me what I'm doing here and they're all very happy when I tell them."
Currently living in Yakima, Harthorn and his family plan to move to Billings "as soon as possible". With the Yellowstone season set to kick off May 9 with a Test & Tune, he realizes just how much work he has to do, but is very enthusiastic. "I'm not going into this as a tire kicker" he said firmly. "Some people, were worried about the track staying open. Talk like that can end right now."
Harthorn has already met with a number of track sponsors and is very happy to announce many of them will continue their support. "I talked to Denny Menholt and his sons. "These guys are Top Dragster and Top Sportsman racers and they are adamant that their dealership Menholt Chevrolet will stay on as a major track sponsor." He added that "there will be very little sponsorship changes" for 2009.
He also mentioned that the NAPA people "have been unbelievably supportive". Harthorn simply cannot get over how welcoming everybody he's talked to has been - especially Molly Omo, wife of the late track owner/manager Ron. "She has been wonderful to work with. Just a pleasure." He went on to mention there will be a Ron Omo Memorial Race August 29/30 with a $15,000 purse.
While there is a schedule out now, it will be official very soon and Harthorn was quick to dispel any rumors that the Lucas race was in any danger of being taken away or canceled."That race isn't going anywhere" he said with conviction.
He also told us they have booked a National Hot Rod Diesel event for the weekend of June 13/14, and there will also be a pre-season racers meeting, the date of which will be announced soon.
Although he has basically been away from the sport since 1997, Harthorn is looking forward to 2009 and beyond. "This is gonna be fun. And it's really nice to be back." While looking forward to seeing some of his old racing friends, he made a particular point of inviting the Canadians. "Tell all those Alberta racers they are very welcome down here!"
This is just the latest major move involving 'eastern' D6 strips. With Boise coming off of a Track-of-the-Year season, plus the fact the News and Harthorn are good friends, and the emergence of Spokane, the so-called I-5 strips will have more competition than ever in the great Pacific Northwest. And that's something that cannot help but benefit all the racers and fans.
It's basically the biggest year of change Division 6 has ever seen, other than the crazy years when D6 & D7 were combined back in the 80s. To say this is going to be an interesting year is an understatement of major proportions. Stay tuned right here to HH as we follow what is going to be perhaps the greatest year of drag racing we've seen around here in a very long time.
Edmonton
Nitro Ace to run jet car in '09
He's one of the most talented drivers in the country and in 2009 Edmonton's
Andy Beauchemin will move into the seat of a 300+ mph jet dragster!
Here it is in his own words:
"Chuck Haynes asked me to drive the Gravity Storm jet car this season at some events. I will be driving at the Hot August Nights in Edmonton, the Mission race at the end of August, and in Australia for December 2009. I will be doing some other races before these but we haven't figured out which ones yet."
Andy will license during the first part of the year, and we're not sure how much time he'll spend on his nitro hog or the Tachman Mustang nitro nostalgia funny car.
In other exhibition car news, HH has learned of a new wheelstander here in B.C. and once we get the official word will pass along more info.
Tim Hortons Top Fuel Dragster pics from Pomona courtesy dragnuts.com
50 years of drag racing in Edmonton
2009 NHRA Northwest Division Chassis Inspection Schedule - as of 2/9/09
(Date, City, Location, Contact, Number)
1- Feb. 14th- Butte MT- Silver Bow Truck Center- Bill Biggers- 406-533-0912
2- Feb. 14th- Kent WA- Kent Perf. Auto Center- Dennis Boley- 253-446-6594
3- Feb. 21st- Wilsonville OR- Jackson Automotive- Steve Jackson- 503-682-2165
4- Feb. 21st- Spokane WA- Dealers Auto Auction- Jay Livingston- 509-244-3333
5- Feb. 28th- Yorkton SK- Dream Rides & Fabrication- Chad Waloschuk- 306-782-4133
6- Mar. 14th- Boise ID- Boise Roadster Show- Scott New- 208-938-8986
7- Mar. 14th- Billings MT- J & B Automotive- Dennis McKnire- 406-670-5704
8- Mar. 28th- Woodburn OR- Woodburn Dragstrip- Elvon Kaufman- 503-982-4461
9- Mar. 28th- Calgary AB- Unlimited Performance- Andy Scheu- 403-243-4949
10- Mar. 28th- Port Orchard WA- Grey Chevrolet- Dennis Boley- 253-446-6594
11- Mar. 28th- Dawson Creek BC- Inland Auto Center- Dale Pedersen- 250-782-1062
12- April 4th- Medicine Hat- Flint Energy- Jim Burden- 403-526-1044
13- April 4th- Yakima WA- Renegade Raceway- Troy Adams-
509-877-7888
14- April 18th- Edmonton AB- Y Welding- Wade Sjostrom- 780-477-7354
15- April 25th- Eagle Point OR- Champion Raceway- Jim Taylor- 541-830-3724
Please note: Racers must call and book appointment with contact prior to any inspection dates.
Once
again those Maters get it right
|
Sunday
February 8, 2009
|
Former
DD takes over Yellowstone
Yellowstone Drag Strip has now been leased to and will be operated
by Gordon and Dorothy Harthorn of Yakima, Washington. (link)
Official 2009 Eagle Motorplex schedule just posted tonight
Exclusive HH Winternationals video report!!
Those darn Maters have welcomed the new season in typical style and are at it already.
Kent Performance Auto Center to host chassis inspection seminar
You won't find honest opinions like this anywhere else - kid caution - dirt alert - string about Ashley's pussy
Maybe watch Pomona live online today 4pm local time...
No rest for the Wicked as they say. We thrash on the MRP poster and schedule this weekend before getting back into full time editing of the Mega Ford video Monday.
|
Friday
February 6, 2009
|
2009 Pacific Raceways Schedule is up
2009
Mission Raceway Park Schedule now posted here
There are a still a few details to ad, and if you have any
questions please e-mail the
office.
BAKERSFIELD,
Calif. – Tickets to nostalgia drag racing’s premier event,
the 2009 March Meet, Mar. 6-8 at Auto Club Famoso Raceway, are now
on sale at www.autoclubfamosoraceway.com. According to Blake Bowser,
vice president and general manager of the Kern County Racing Association,
operators of Auto Club Famoso and producers of the fabled March Meet,
race fans can purchase a Super 3-Day Pass for $75 online now and pick
them up at the track the week of the event. Bowser said there are
no service charges for tickets purchased online.
Individual day tickets for the event will go on sale Mar.2, but will be available only at the track. Ticket prices are $25 for Fri., Mar. 6; $30 for Sat., Mar. 7; and $30 for Sun., Mar. 8. Auto Club members also receive a $ 2 discount off daily admission tickets by showing their cards when they purchase tickets at the track. Daily tickets for children ages 7 to 12 are $10 and kids 6 and under are free when accompanied by an adult with paid admission.
Also available online are downloadable forms for race entries, car show registration and camping, but according to Bowser, space is limited and starting to “fill up.”
Now celebrating 51 years of racing, the March Meet is a three-day speedfest that enthusiasts call ‘the jewel of Nostalgia Racing.’ It attracts drag racers and spectators from around the world and also includes a hot rod car show, swap meet and a vendors’ midway.
The 2009 March Meet is also the first race of the Hot Rod Heritage Series, the NHRA’s 8-race nostalgia racing series.
The Kern County Racing Association (KCRA) operates historic
Auto Club Famoso Raceway (just north of Bakersfield, Calif.) and promotes
a full schedule of races year round, including the world famous March
Meet, Mar. 6-8, 2009, is the recognized Mecca of nostalgia drag racing.
For more details, visit www.autoclubfamosoraceway.com.
|
Thursday
February 5, 2009
|
I am on my way home but cannot get my e-mail to work. A bunch of people are trying to contact me, but I'm sorry I will not be available until late tonight or tomorrow morning. I was able to make one error fix here and will get more into it tomorrow.-LP
|
Tuesday
February 3, 2009
|
New Top Fuel video from yesterday and one of Kalitta today including a top end view of his 3.874/313.29 blast from 2:00 p.m. today.
Pro Stock vid from yesterday here.
Late yesterday Clint Thompson managed a nice 5.67/251 after a few aborted attempts, while Keeter Ray never made it down the track despite a number of attempts. We didn't get it on video as we are testing too. Manzo never ran and pulled out this morning. Bob Marshall headed to Pomona after no runs yesterday chasing a bug in the electrical system, that they hope to sort out in California. The new car is beautiful, but all we have are a few pit clips with the front end off...sorry Marcy.
We'll report back later this afternoon.
|
Monday
February 2, 2009
|
4:00 p.m. Format ok now, other vid links deleted. Go HERE for Pro Stock and HERE for Top Fuel
I'll be re-doing these in HD once I get home.
10:45 a.m.
We have arrived at LVMS. Not a big field on hand including a Kalitta
Top Fuel Dragster, Urs Erbacher's dragster, a bunch of Pro Stockers,
many of which have been running awhile already including a 6.66 track
record by Allan Johnson - first car down the track and a 6.68 by Johnny
Gray. Manzo is still in the pits, and Bob Marshall of TCS is ready
to try out his new ride. Northwest cars include Brandon Johnson and
Clint Thompson. More later as we do a real laid back deal here today.
PS to everybody back home, it's awesome here, all sun and mid 60s...!
Services for Roy Carr will be on Feb. 3 (tomorrow) at
2:00 p.m. at Ocean View Funeral Home, 4000 Imperial Street in Burnaby
B.C. Obit here here:
http://www.legacy.com/can-vancouver/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=123633873
PLEASE NOTE: Like usual here at the track I can reply
to some e-mails, but others don't work, so I if it's important, I'll
do what I can.
|
Sunday
February 1, 2009
|
We attended a big surprise 50th birthday party for Speedzone's Dean 'The F'ing Legend' (ya had to be there) Murdoch last evening in Mission. His lady Lisa did a great job putting it all together with help of many friends and family. The old fart was definitely surprised and looked to be on his way to a 'mellow' super Bowl Sunday...his actual b'day is tomorrow so feel free to send him a greeting via e-mail to speedzone@telus.net
Round-by-round DRC Vegas coverage Natl Open -- Pro Stock Showdown -- Testing
DRC Note: Testing will continue Sunday morning and there is also a bracket race, but the activities will conclude by 2:00 pm, so everyone can get home to watch some football game.
One of the very few drag racing shooters who actually works with light and perspective (and has a zillion dollars worth of equipment...), Mark Rebilas shows once again why a giant gallery of unedited, uncaptioned images is getting very tired. HERE.
Links/Tracks/
Contacts /Groups
Indivdual
racer HH/MRP
photo/video price list
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HH
clip TOPS CLICK HERE
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Drag Race Video Sites |
Life is not
a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty
and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used
up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -
"Wow! What a ride!"
|
Drag Race Video Sites |
Life is not
a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty
and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used
up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -
"Wow! What a ride!"
|
Drag Race Video Sites |
Life is not
a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty
and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used
up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -
"Wow! What a ride!"
|
Drag Race Video Sites |
Life is not
a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty
and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used
up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -
"Wow! What a ride!"
|
Drag Race Video Sites |
Life is not
a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty
and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used
up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -
"Wow! What a ride!"
|
Drag Race Video Sites |
Life is not
a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty
and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used
up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -
"Wow! What a ride!"
|
Drag Race Video Sites |
Life is not
a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty
and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used
up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -
"Wow! What a ride!"
|
Drag Race Video Sites |
Life is not
a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty
and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used
up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -
"Wow! What a ride!"
|
Drag Race Video Sites |
Life is not
a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty
and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used
up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -
"Wow! What a ride!"
|
Drag Race Video Sites |
Life is not
a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty
and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used
up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -
"Wow! What a ride!"
|
Drag Race Video Sites |
Life is not
a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty
and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used
up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -
"Wow! What a ride!"
|
Drag Race Video Sites |
Life is not
a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty
and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used
up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -
"Wow! What a ride!"
|
Drag Race Video Sites |
Life is not
a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty
and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used
up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -
"Wow! What a ride!"
|
Drag Race Video Sites |
Life is not
a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty
and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used
up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -
"Wow! What a ride!"
|
Drag Race Video Sites |
Life is not
a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty
and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used
up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -
"Wow! What a ride!"
|
Drag Race Video Sites |
Life is not
a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty
and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used
up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -
"Wow! What a ride!"
|
Drag Race Video Sites |
Life is not
a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty
and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used
up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -
"Wow! What a ride!"