Before I get into the last race updates of the season, I’d like to thank the veterans who have done so much for this country. Because of them, we have all our freedoms, and allows us to be a great nation. Please stop and consider all that they have sacrificed, especially today.
Sunday, November 2, Barry was flying solo at PRP. I went up to watch for a bit, before heading to a wedding reception… for Leigh and Scott! Congratulations to them, for wearing the ultimate Halloween costumes! It was a nice warm sunny Sunday, temps close to 70. For that reason, I didn’t mind too much missing the race day, since it would have made the car a little slow.
Barry’s first time trial, he had a .546 on the way to a 13.35 at 102. In the second, against Mark Brewer Jr in his awesome ’78 Mustang, he had a .540 to Mark’s .479. Mark leads all the way down, 13.01 at 104, to Barry’s 13.38 at 101. In the first round, he dialed 13.37 to a 13.27 for the other lane. It’s all over at the tree, .526 for Barry to a .629. At the top end, he almost took too much stripe, running 13.374 at 100, but the other guy was pushing hard, going under with a 13.21 at 103. In the second round, he matched up with Don in his 4 door Caprice, dialing 14.19 to Barry’s 13.35. Don was out first with a .580, but Barry banked .06 with an excellent .518. The stripe comes fast, and Barry lifts, slowing to 99mph, but still goes under with a 13.325 on the .35. Don goes under more, 14.159 on a .19. In the third, he paired up with Frank in his ’68 Cutlass. Frank dialed 14.92 to Barry’s 13.30, and was out with a solid .548. Barry was a hair better, .539, and was running him down when the shifter that he’s been having trouble with popped into neutral. Frank almost took too much stripe, 14.93, but Barry’s lost momentum cost him, 13.51 at 99.
Sunday, November 9 turned out to be the last race day of the year. It was nice and sunny, but it was cold, mid 40s. The car count was down considerably. Barry had a new shifter in, and I changed plugs. I had tried to take the tailpipes off, but they fought me, and I decided to leave them as a change to make next year.
Barry decided to run both Street and Slick, which was the combined Top and Modified classes. In Street, he and Mark Romeo lined up for the first time trial, and Mark bangs out an excellent .504. Barry was also excellent, .523, and runs a new best of 13.13 at 103.5 to Mark’s 12.73 at 105. In the second time trial, he had a .572, running a 13.16 at 103.2. In the first round, dialing 13.12 to a Firebird’s 13.73, neither was strong on the tree. The Poncho had a .658, and Barry took a slight advantage with a .626. The Dart is deadly consistent though, and the ‘Bird goes off his dial, 13.85, and Barry takes the win by .04. In the second round, paired up with a Camaro dialing 12.64, he dialed 13.14. Barry was out with a .575, and the Camaro took the advantage with a .525. At the stripe, they’re both full in the throttle, and it’s a double breakout. Barry goes under by .004, and the Chevy goes under worse, .013, to move Barry on to the next round. He matched up with last week’s Street winner, Steve Klacik, who runs another Mustang in IHRA Divisional events Stock class. Steve was out first with .573, and Barry picks up .028 with a .545. Barry lifts and taps, but it’s a hair too late. On the wrong side of a double breakout, Barry runs 13.101 at 101, on a 13.11, to Steve’s 14.253 on a 14.26, to give him the win by .002.
In Slick, he had a .578, 13.16 at 102.7, to an 11.44 at 114. In the second time trial, he had a .532, 13.13 at 103.5. In the first round, he drew a Demon dialing 10.92 to his 13.15. Barry smokes him on the tree, .538 to a 724, and even with the Demon going under by .08 with a 10.84, he still has room to lift and take the win by .07. In the second round, he and Russ Benish lined up. Russ is deadly in the ’84 Gran Prix, but popped a .490 red-eye to Barry’s .542. They run it out, and Barry goes 13.126 on a 13.13, at 104, to Russ’ 11.713 on a .73, at 115. In the third round, he dialed a 13.07, and drew a Top Sportsman style Camaro, dialing 5 seconds faster with an 8.08. Barry was out with a .565, and picked up the win when the Camaro let the button go long before his side of the tree started. Barry goes 13.04 at 104 to the losing 8.51 at 157. The fourth round, he dialed 13.00 against a ’69 Camaro from Quaker City dialed 10.75. Barry slipped a little too quick, so close to perfect but red with a .496, and then lost .05 in the 60 foot time when he spun the tires. The Camaro would have been tough to beat, .533, 10.737 at 125, to Barry’s 13.13 at 103.8.
I wanted to go rounds, and try to make it to the final, so I decided to leave the mechanical fan on, to try to stay consistent. Temps were probably around 35 for the first time trial. Frank Crawford and I lined up, and we were virtually even off the tree, .557 to my .562. It felt like maybe I turned the tires once before it hooked up, and my 60’ was best ever, 1.912. I wasn’t too far behind Frank, as he went through with a 12.31 at 109. I was thinking I had a 12.90 or so. I got my slip, and was I surprised. 12.76 at 107.07! WOO HOO!!! Man, that felt good! And, it vaults me up over Shamus to #4 on the Brotherhood Racing quickest and fastest list, behind Ann, Doug, and Steve. Next year, I should be able to eclipse Steve’s 12.60. For the second time trial, Andrew in his Lightning pick up and I matched up. It was more of the normal temps, mid 40s, now. He got out first with a .531, and I was behind with a .579. I made up the difference by the 330’, and pulled ahead from there on. I tripped the beams with a 12.86 at 106.6 to his 13.08 at 103.7. I decided on a 12.83 for the first round, and drew Ron Pettigrew in his Motorworks built ’90 Mustang dialing 12.0. I slept to a .608, but the launch felt real good, 1.925, throwing stuff off the dash. I knew I was in trouble though, as Ron caught me and pedaled. His .534 allowed him to do that. I stayed in it, but Ron took the stripe by .08, 12.01 on the 12.00, to my 12.85 at 106.4. I bought back in, and lined up with the Firebird Barry beat in the first round. I hate the thermostat in my car, and can’t wait to change it. It wouldn’t pop and cool the engine off like I wanted, so I dialed up to a 12.86. The Firebird stayed with a 13.73, and was out first with a .548. My focus on the tree has not been as solid as I wanted, and I lost it again this round. My brain told my leg to go, and my leg listened, going way red, .326. I went 12.91 at 106.4, to a 13.77 at 97. I would have won with a light of .537. Oh well. Now it’s wait til next year.
So the season has come to a close. We’re looking forward to next year, when hopefully I can have a full season all in the Cutlass, with no problems. Check out updates on Pittsburgh Raceway’s site: www.pittsburghracewaypark.com. I’ve updated our site, adding a page of cool shots from the PRP photographer Pamela. There are a lot of cool shots on the PRP photos page, check it out too, she does a nice job. We’re at: https://www.angelfire.com/pa2/BrotherhoodRacing/frames.html Shots of Barry at Norwalk and PRP, Travis dirty, and Mike Egan on the “Friends of BR” have been added to their pages! Also, during the winter, if I’m online, chances are I’ll be in the chat room at www.mindsciencemotorsports.com. Stop by and chat! You’ll be hearing from me in a month or so probably. Thanks for reading!
Chuck T
NEW ALEXANDRIA PA
Saturday October 25, Ann and Steve came in to run at PRP’s test ‘n tune along with some of their friends from the AMC forum. I went up to run also, having had the governor gear replaced at World Class Transmissions during the week. The weather was nice for late October, 60 or so, with some humidity.
I got the car Saturday morning, and John had to jump it for me to go. I let it warm up, shut it off, and it started right back up again. So I figured I was good. I went to Sunoco up the road, and needed jumped after that. Hhhmmmm… bad trend. I went to Sheetz, and the car wouldn’t start there either. I tried to decide what to do. I called Mark & Kevin Romeo, who live in New Alex, and they were able to roll up to give me a jump. I called Rich, got his input, just as Ann and Steve pulled in, and the Romeos. The car barely wanted to take the jump. So I took Kevin to work at PRP, and Mark went home to get the battery out of Kevin’s Camaro to use. After all that, I stripped everything I could out of the car, and took the mechanical fan off, trying to hit the 12s. The first run was close, .552 light, good 1.962 60’, running out to a 13.06 at 104.7. The second pass, with the temperatures starting to rise, I went red with a .478, 1.997, but the heat slowed it down to 13.17 at 104.5. The car was not cooling off well, with just the electric fan to cool it down, and running the engine once in a while to circulate the water. The third pass was a .603, 2.022, 13.32 at 102.6. The 4th was about the same, .414, 2.019, 13.33 at 102.9. I lost probably 2 tenths due to the water temp. The air temp and quality was working against me too.
Ann had a solo for her first pass ever at PRP. She cut a .800, but the tire spin off the launch might have hurt that some. She made a little error with her shift light, I think, not having the right rpm module in it. Whatever it was, Steve and I heard the stutter when she hit the rev limiter at the end of first gear. It didn’t hurt the run too much, 11.14 at 120. She paired up with Brad in his AMX for the second pass. She went red with a .490, while pulling the left front wheel up, to Brad’s .531. Ann goes through first with an 11.13 at 120 to an 11.76 at 114. They matched up again for the third pass, with Ann taking the tree, .564 to .682. Ann’s X launched towards the centerline as I watched her through the viewfinder of the camcorder. She lost traction, costing her at least 5 hundreths in the 60’. She finished her day with an 11.21 at 120, to Brad’s 11.77 at 114. The AMC folks had a good time, and Bill and Doug at PRP were able to line them up against each other.
The rain came on Sunday, so there was no bracket race. The schedule is now dependent upon the weather for the remaining 3 weeks. Saturdays are test ‘n tune, regular bracket racing Sundays through November 16, weather permitting. Get schedule and general information at www.pittsburghracewaypark.com. I’ve updated our site, adding a page of cool shots from the PRP photographer Pamela. There are a lot of cool shots on the PRP photos page, check it out too, she does a nice job.
Chuck T
NEW ALEXANDRIA PA
Sunday October 19, Barry and I were back at Pittsburgh Raceway, trying to get a win. Ann, Steve, Kathy, and Doug were there to cheer us on. Steve started as cameraman Marcel, and Doug took over. The temps were in high 50s, with some sun and occasional clouds.
Barry was fighting through a little bit of a carb problem. He checked float levels, to avoid stalling out at lower RPM, like last week. He put a piece of line on from vent to vent. Oh, and on the way to the track, the car wouldn’t shift right. So he had to adjust how he shifted. For the first time trial, he lined up with a ’98 or so Cavalier, spraying a little nitrous. Barry cut a decent .561, to the Cav’s .778. It is weird to see a front wheel drive car go up in tire smoke, but the hit of the nitrous must be too heavy right on the start. Barry runs through with a 13.21 at 102.5, to a 15.58 at 90. He lined up with Nick Esposito in his Subaru for the second time trial. Nick went red, .463, and Barry wasn’t good with a .637. Barry runs it out to a 13.26 at 102.5 (déjà vu), to Nick’s 16.08. He lined up with Mark Romeo in his ’70 Nova, dialing 13.06 to Barry’s 13.25. Barry was out first, but with another .630 light, and Mark banked .06 with a .570. Barry stayed on it through the stripe, running right on, 13.251 at 102, but Mark was able to pedal it at top end, and takes the win by .016.
I was all set to roll in Street for the first time trial, helmet on, buckled up…. I turned the key, and got nothing but a clicking sound. Aw, @##$%^&*!!! Battery need jumped… so I was pushed out of the way, and I borrowed Glenn’s jumpers and Steve gave me a jump. The car was now hotter than I usually run it, by about 20 degrees. I came back around and took my pass with Trophy, lining up with Mike in his ’71 LeMans with a 455. He got out with a sweet .518 to my pokey .611, and I followed him all the way down the track. He goes through first, 12.70 at 107.8, to my 13.28 at 104.2. I lined up with a Chevy truck for the second time trial. This time it was all business. I had a nice .529, running 13.06 at 106. I wasn’t expecting that! I didn’t think the air was good enough for that kind of pass. I was regretting not trying to monkey around to dip into the 12s. I dialed the 13.06, and drew a pretty Lighting dialing 13.12. That’s almost a heads up race, and it was over from the start. I left first with a .593, banking almost a full seven tenths (.70, not .07!) when the Ford woke up and cut a 1.291. I ran it out to the 1000’ mark, then coasted through the traps to take the win by 2.9 second, 13.36 to a 15.62. In the second round, I paired up with a ’71 Dart, dialing 14.37 to my 13.12. The Dart goes red, .472, giving me the win, good thing, because I was late with a .601. Running it out, the Dart goes 14.36 at 90, to my 13.24 at 105. I hit the return road, unbuckled, took off my helmet, and had a problem: the car would not leave first gear. I stopped, and tried shifting manually, and it still stayed in first. Doug and Barry came over, and we checked the cable. It was good. We took it for a ride, still did it. We went to see Rich Paton II and III, who suggested checking the vacuum line. It was good. We checked the kickdown. It was good. There was nothing I could do. So I left my dial alone and came out for the third round, hoping I could get a red light win. Nick Esposito was in the other lane, dialing 16.10. All he had to do was go green, and he did, .544. I knew it was over, but used the run for practice on the tree. I matched him, .547. We would have had a good race if I could have used all my gears. As it was, I puttered down the track, a blazing 44.19 ET at 22mph. I got my $15 and went to talk to John from World Class Transmissions on Route 66 in Delmont. His tower came and picked the car up, and Barry gave me a ride home. John found the problem, the governor gear was sheared off. It’s fixed, and I’ll be ready to go this weekend. Thanks go out to all the guys and girls in Street for their concern and offers of help, to the Patons, to Nick for being a good sportsman, and to Barry and Doug.
Pittsburgh Raceway Park: Thursday test n tunes are finished, and they will now be on Saturdays. This Saturday, I’ll be there trying to crack into the 12s. And, Ann will be there with the AMX! She and Steve are coming in, along with some of their friends from the AMC Forum. Regular bracket racing will be on Sundays through November 16, weather permitting. Get schedule and general information at www.pittsburghracewaypark.com. I’ve updated our site, adding a page of cool shots from the PRP photographer Pamela. There are a lot of cool shots on the PRP photos page, check it out too, she does a nice job. We’re at: https://www.angelfire.com/pa2/BrotherhoodRacing/frames.html Shots of the derby couple, John and Renee, have been added to their pages!
Chuck T
NEW ALEXANDRIA PA
Sunday October 12, Barry and I were back at our home sweet home track, Pittsburgh Raceway Park. It felt so good to be back… Norwalk was fun, but it was great to be home, and racing in daylight hours. It was awesome to be driving to PRP in the cooler morning sun, through rolling hills filled with wonderful colors of fall. The only downside was we had to stop cheering for each like we did at Norwalk, and now had to go back to competing against each other. The weather was pretty nice, right around 70, with some humidity.
Barry lined up against me in the first time trial. It was bad enough we were 200 miles away and got 3 straight against each other, and here we were again. I think Barry just wanted to not see my bumper again, because he was dark red with a .434, to my .591. With a tenth and a half difference on the reaction times, he barely crosses first by .034 with a 13.42 at 100.8 to my quicker and faster 13.29 at 103.3. He got another Olds in the second time trial, only this was Joe Tharp’s ’72 4 door. Barry cut a real nice .524 to Joe’s .577, and found a little extra, going 13.36 at 101.6 to a 16.75 at 81. He dialed 13.35 and matched up with Tony Casini in the first round, dialing 14.85. Barry stalled coming out of the burnout, like he had the previous run. Barry stalled again just as he clicked in to fully stage, and luckily got the car started again. Tony was out with a nice .537, but the stall cost Barry, throwing him off to a .605. The car ran normal, but being in the hole .068 is hard to overcome. Tony, in his ’97 Camaro, crosses first by .03, 14.91 at 93 to Barry’s 13.37 at 101.7.
Rick Clay and I lined up for the second time trial. Rick was out first in his ’01 Trans Am, .549, and I poked out behind him at .602. I was around him by the 330’ mark, and ran 13.28 at 103.6 to Rick’s 14.04 at 99. Dick Gumbert, longtime motorcycle racer, decided to race on 4 wheels this Sunday, and left the 10 second bike at home. He was in his Chevy truck, dialing 17.26, to my 13.27. Dick was away first but not well, .686, and I put him in the hole with a .561. It took awhile to catch him, somewhere around 1200 feet, but I did, and was able to lift and coast through to take the win by a tenth, 13.38 at 99 to a 17.35 at 79. A shower moved in just after the second round of Modified started, and looked like it would hang around. PRP management made the decision to call the race after looking at the radar. While waiting for my check, the skies cleared, and stayed clear the whole ride home. Oh well. It still felt good to turn the win light on and bring home a check.
Pittsburgh Raceway Park: Thursday test n tunes are finished, and they will now be on Saturdays. Regular bracket racing will be on Sundays through November 16, weather permitting. Get schedule and general information at www.pittsburghracewaypark.com. I’ve updated our site, adding a page of cool shots from the PRP photographer Pamela. There are a lot of cool shots on the PRP photos page, check it out too, she does a nice job. We’re at: https://www.angelfire.com/pa2/BrotherhoodRacing/frames.html Shots of the derby couple, John and Renee, have been added to their pages!
Remembering the crewman of the USS Cole. Never forget.
Chuck T
NORWALK OH
After a long season’s work of acquiring points, going rounds, fighting through various problems, last Wednesday finally came, and it was time for Barry and me to head to the IHRA Division 3 Bracket Finals at Norwalk. Barry was solidly in as a member of the team, finishing 7th in Street points. I was in as 1 of 2 alternates, covering Street and Modified. Now, those who know me know that when it comes to a big event, I usually do something noteworthy. This would be no exception. After getting home from work Wednesday, I checked in with everyone to confirm our departure plan of 2AM from Harmarville. I went out and changed the oil, and came in and went to bed, setting the alarm for 1AM. When I woke up, I knew right away that I was way too rested to have had only a few hours of sleep. I looked at the clock… 3:56… DOH!!! Making matters worse, I had my phone turned off as it charged, so I missed the 8 voicemails as they were being left. Barry and his dad, Mike Egan, Mark and Kevin Romeo, and Dave Stuckey all took off after waiting until 3AM for me. DOH!!! But all was good, they made it with no problems, and I loaded up the car and rolled out around 4:45AM. It was a cold clear morning, until I got a little past Lordstown, then it started to drizzle. I took the heater out last year to drop weight out of the car, so it was a bit nippy. I thought my eyes were deceiving me, but nope, I went through some snow flurries. It figures I was around Cleveland. Everything went well, and I was in and unloaded around 10.
Thursday (all time trials) Barry rolled off the trailer, and was one of the first pairs out. The light was awesome, .511, but then he blew the tires off, 2.695 in the 60’, running a 14.65 at 101.6. The Firebird next to him had a .524, 15,57 at 89. My first time trial, the car was still hot from its 200 mile ride. I felt it slip in a little deep, and I think that’s why I went red with a .480. The 60’ was good though, 1.982, and the car ran well, 13.17 at 104, running away from a Z24 Cavalier’s .545, 15.99 at 82. Barry and I were paired up for the next 2 runs. I jumped out on him with a .547, and a new best 60’ of 1.930, but I was actually behind at that point, to his .602, 1.850. I was around him by the 330’, on the way to a new personal best elapsed time, 13.02 at 104.37, almost 3 tenths ahead of Barry’s 13.27 at 101.67. I had the car a little too warm for the next pass, and I think I may have spun the tires once. Barry was out first, .584 to my .643, and his 60’ is off a little too, 1.899 to 1.965 for me. It wasn’t until after the 1000’ mark that I got around the Dart, crossing first by just .0742, 13.17 at 103.8 to 13.30 at 101.5. Our day was done, and it was on to Ponderosa for some sustenance.
Friday (1 time trial, gambler’s race) After a rather chilly night sleeping in Dave’s trailer, while Barry was nice and toasty in AJ’s trailer with a heater, we paired up again for the time trial. I think he had the better reaction time because he was warmer, .571 to my .582. We were decent in the 60’, 1.897 for the lighter Dart, 1.980 for the big Olds. We were door to door for most of the track, and then my top end took over. We were both aided by a decent tailwind, pushing me in front by .0984, to a 13.06 at a new best mph of 105.74, to Barry’s new bests on his current engine combo, 13.16 at 104.
Barry dialed 13.13 for the first round of the gambler’s race. He paired up with a Chevelle dialing 11.80. Barry knocked the tree down with a .505, and picks up the win when the Chevelle red lit with a .490. The Chevelle went under, 11.76 at 110, and Barry goes a hair slow, 13.21 at 103.67. I had a ’64 Malibu dialing 9.62 to my 13.07. I was away with an average .573, and I think I may have turned the tires once, going 1.995 in the 60’. It was moot, the ‘Bu sees red with a .481 to give me the win. FINALLY!!! After 3 tries in an elimination round at Bracket Finals, my win light comes on! Woo hoo! Running it out, I knew it was on a pretty good pass, and it was: 13.03 at a new best mph of 106.65. That tailwind was really giving me a push! After my experiences with tire spin at US 13, my philosophy this year was to make sure the tranny and rear have some heat in them. I took the car down the road a few miles, and came back. Just as I did, they were calling for second round, when I was expecting them to do buy backs first. I was hoping that I would have enough time to cool down, but by the time I realized it wouldn’t, I didn’t have time to change my dial. I was paired up with a ’55 Chevy, and I knew I would have to nail the tree to be close to covering the dial of 13.07. The ’55 left first with a .599, and an impressive 1.816 60’. I jumped way too early, .262 red light. The Chevy runs 13.288 on a .24 dial at 99mph, to my 13.18 at 105.27. The rain came after, washing out the rest of the gambler’s race, and sending us to find wings and beer. Mmmmmmmmmm.
Saturday (1 time trial and eliminations) Saturday morning was my last time trial, since everyone in Mod and Street were running able to make eliminations. I was up with an AMC Spirit, and we both cut identical .557 lights. The air was bad, and I knew it wasn’t going to be a good pass. It was the slowest of the weekend, 13.27 at 103.3 to a 12.53 at 107. Barry was matched up with a Lightning, and they were about even off the line, .537 to a .531. Barry had a 1.925 60’, and the truck is quicker, 1.860. Barry runs slow too, 13.48 at 100.7, to the Ford’s 12.88 at 105. Round 1 of Street eliminations was later in the afternoon. Barry was paired up with a mid 80s Firebird, dialing 13.59 to his 13.36. The Poncho poked out to a .616, and Barry lays another nice light down, .526, banking .09. The Firebird had problems, running way off at 15.79 giving Barry an easy win, coasting to a 13.57 at 88.
Sunday (1 time trial, finish eliminations) Barry had a 13.24 after a .560 light in the only time trial Sunday morning. In the second round, he matched up with a ’71 Nova dialing 12.90 to his 13.27. I was watching through the viewfinder, and to my surprise, the red light came on for Evil… a heartbreaking .498. Adding insult to injury, the Nova slept to a .702. But that’s all part of the game. We watched Mike Egan, Allison, and Rick all advance to the 4th round before being knocked out. Once our Street friends were knocked out, we loaded up and headed for home. It was nice to be back in a warm bed!
Pittsburgh Raceway Park starts new schedule this weekend: Thursday test n tunes are finished, and they will now be on Saturdays. Regular bracket racing will be on Sundays through November 16, weather permitting. Get schedule and general information at www.pittsburghracewaypark.com. I’ve updated our site, adding a page of cool shots from the PRP photographer Pamela. There are a lot of cool shots on the PRP photos page, check it out too, she does a nice job. We’re at: https://www.angelfire.com/pa2/BrotherhoodRacing/frames.html Shots of the derby couple, John and Renee, have been added to their pages!
Chuck T
NEW ALEXANDRIA PA
Saturday September 20, Barry and I were back at PRP, the last day of track points. It was the IHRA Divisional race, so we got up there early to watch the time trials and qualifying. The weather was sunny and awesome, around 72 degrees.
I was feeling really good Saturday, very confident. In the first time trial I cut a .530, had one of my best 60’ with a 1.995, and ran 13.138 @ 104.83. I thought it would run a 13.11 in the second time trial, so I was real happy when I had a great .506, another nice 60’ 1.993, and ran 13.126 @ 104.94, a package of .022. First round was 2 hours 20 minutes later. Dew had started and settled in on the cars. I wiped my windows off before I got in the car to make the run, but they were fogging up again quick. I was matched up with Kara Jo dialing 15.79 to my 13.10. I pulled up to stage, and I couldn't see 3rd bulb at all, which is the one I focus on. I tried counting after the first one came on, but it was too late, I was a bulb behind: .952, giving the win to Kara Jo right there, as she had a .616. The pass was worth it though, all new bests: 1.982 60', 10.908 at 1000', 13.048 @ 105.39! I ended up tied for 14th.
Barry was ready too. In the first time trial, he cut a .529, and his car likes the air, running 13.29 at 102.5. He would have dialed a 13.26 when we made the second time trial, and the light is the bad side of the package, but he runs right on, 13.261 at 102.3. He matched up with a ’68 Cutlass in the first round, dialing 14.77 to Barry’s 13.23. It leaves first with a .578, but Barry picks up .04 advantage with a .537. They’re both on it through the traps, and the Cutlass breaks out with a 14.69 at 90mph, to Barry’s 13.25 at 102.2. In the second round, he drew Joey Seneca, who was running Street in addition to Modified. Barry stayed with the 13.23 dial, to Joe’s 12.00. Barry was a bit off on the reaction time, .616, giving Joe’s Camaro the advantage when he cut a .544. Through the stripe, Joe takes it by .029, running 12.03 at 106.8, pushing Barry under with a 13.218 at 102.2. Barry finished in 7th place, qualifying for Bracket Finals at Norwalk. Mike Egan won the class for the second straight week, and clinched the Street points championship.
This Saturday is the last regular racing Saturday at Pittsburgh Raceway Park. Next weekend, the track is closed for Bracket Finals, and October 12 starts Sunday racing. Get schedule and general information at www.pittsburghracewaypark.com. I’ve updated our site, adding a page of cool shots from the PRP photographer Pamela. There are a lot of cool shots on the PRP photos page, check it out too, she does a nice job. We’re at: https://www.angelfire.com/pa2/BrotherhoodRacing/frames.html New shots will be added soon of the derby couple, John and Renee.
Chuck T
NEW ALEXANDRIA PA
Saturday September 13 had Barry and I back at PRP. Jerry was up also, but his day didn’t go too well. We played touch and go with the weather, as it gave a couple drizzles before clearing and letting us get the program in.
I monkeyed a little with the first time trial, leaving off a dead idle to see how the car would react. It was fine, but the little delay for the converter to flash caused a .659 reaction time. Which, unfortunately, is right in line with what I’ve been cutting lately. The 60’ was good, 2.007, and in the humidity, I ran a 13.20 at 104.5mph, annihilating the car in the other lane. In the second time trial, I decided to up the rpm a few hundred over idle, and bump in a hair to cut a better light. That worked out nice, .507, woo hoo! I never looked back at the ’85 Monte in the other lane, out with an .823. I finished with a 13.23 at 104.3, to the Monte’s 13.87 at 98. The .507 reaction time should have gotten me the bye run, per the published PRP rules, but it was awarded to Mark Romeo for his .505 in the first round. That was frustrating, but these things happen. I lined up with the same Monte for the first round of eliminations. I dialed a 13.20 to his 13.84. He left first with a nice .525, and I jumped early with a .400 red light. DOH! That made the bye situation more frustrating, but it’s my fault for bulbing. It would have been a tight race had I gone green, as I run 13.23 at 104 to a slightly under 13.28 at 98. That ends my chances to qualify for Bracket Finals, leaving me mired well outside the top 10, around 14th. I’m hoping to finish the year strong and come out with no problems next year, so I can run the Cutlass the full season.
Barry was on no sleep, so he started to nod off a couple times under the tent during the drizzles. He sure woke up for time trials though, cutting a .508 in the first time trial, to Rick Clay’s .556, running 13.41 at 101.5 to Rick’s 13.95 at 100. He backs up the light in the second time trial, with a .514, on the way to a 13.38 at 101.5. Jerry didn’t run well at all today, trying to work out a new combo topped off by an M1 intake and newly tuned carb. It resulted in a couple of 15 second passes. He was paired up with Barry for the first round, and dialed a 14.0 hoping he had made the right tuning call. His light wasn’t pretty, so noticeably bad at .886 that Barry saw it and waited long on his, banking more than 2 tenths with a .651. Jerry would have done better to leave it at a 15.0 dial, running 15.05 at 91, but Barry crossed first easily with the huge tree advantage. I was pulling for Barry to avenge me in the second round, as he matched up against the same Monte I gave the win to. Barry dialed in at 13.35 to the G body’s 13.79. The Monte drills the tree with a .511, picking .05 advantage when Barry left with a .563. They’re both on it at the stripe, when Barry made what may have been an error… he tapped the brake, shaving a half a mile an hour off. That close to the finish line, that tight if a race it’s hard to tell if that made a difference. Barry ends up on the wrong side of a close race by .005, running 13.368 to the winning 13.855. He is in a 5 way tie, covering the 6th through 10th places in points.
This weekend, Pittsburgh Raceway Park is featuring an IHRA Divisional meet. Qualifying and time trials are Saturday morning and afternoon, with our normal bracket program to follow in the late afternoon. The Divisional eliminations are Sunday. This is a really cool show, lots of neat cars, with Top Sportsman and Top Dragster featuring high 6/low 7 second passes in the 200mph range. Get schedule and general information at www.pittsburghracewaypark.com. I’ve updated our site, adding a page of cool shots from the PRP photographer Pamela. There are a lot of cool shots on the PRP photos page, check it out too, she does a nice job. We’re at: https://www.angelfire.com/pa2/BrotherhoodRacing/frames.html New shots will be added soon of the derby couple, John and Renee.
Chuck T
NEW ALEXANDRIA PA
Saturday September 6 had Barry and I back at PRP. The weather was beautiful, with just a little humidity and dew, but still pretty good air and cool temps when the sun went down. There was a ton of cars there, all sick of the rain.
For my first time trial, I lined up with Amy Romeo in her '73 Ranchero. I poked out first by a little, .570 to her .591, and my 60' was 2.009. The Cutlass is still hooking on the BF Goodrich Radial TAs nicely. I banged through the gears, 13.20 at 104.35mph to Amy's 16.36 at 84. We switched lanes and lined up again in the second time trial. She peeked out early, .443, and I left the same, .569, but my 60' slowed down a little, 2.024. I tripped the beams with a 13.25 at 104.08 to her 16.38 at 83. It seemed like the air got worse, and just about everyone slowed down that round. I drew Ron Pettigrew, in his Motorworks powered '90 Mustang, in the first round. I settled on a 13.22 dial to his 12.12. I was out first with a below average .607, and Ron was right there with the exact same, .607. We were both on it through the traps, as it came down to the stripe. The win light pops on in my lane, and it was close. I ran 13.233 on a .22 to Ron's 12.151 on a .12, my margin of victory .0187. I paired up with a '00 Trans Am in the second round. It was dialed 12.00 to my 13.20. I knew my light was bad when I launched, and it was, .639. The TA nailed me to the tree with a .504, and caught me at half track. He kept his nose out in front, and I heard him get off and back in the throttle. At the stripe, he crosses first by .009, with a 12.09 at 105.7, pushing me under with a 13.17 at 104.6. What I didn't realize, is that this particular TA is actually much quicker than the fastest dial allowed in Street (12.0). I needed to cut a much better light anyway, and chances are if I had, I would have pushed him under also. He later lost on a red light, and ran it all the way out with an 11.54.
Barry and I talked Friday, but it wasn't out of pleasure. The Dart was giving him some problems, not holding an idle and backfiring as loud as rifle shots. The car sits out, and has gotten quite a bath with the rain we've had this summer. So we ran over some ideas, and he pulled the cap off of the distributor, to find a rusty pick up coil. After replacing it, it was back to normal. He was just glad that he started the car up Friday before going to work, rather than running into this before heading to the track Saturday. He said the car didn't feel right on the way up, but everything was checking out ok on the gauges. I said it's probably since we were rained out, and it had been 2 weeks since he'd been behind the wheel. The first time trial, he popped the red eye, .465, with a good 60', 1.929, but the car didn't shift right, and he had to get out of the throttle at the 1000'' finishing with a 13.65 at 97. Back in the pits, he found that his kickdown cable was hanging up. With that fixed, he paired up with Rick Clay for the second time trial. Barry was out nicely with a .536, and Rick bettered it with a .511. Barry really picked up, 1.886 in the 60', finishing out with a 13.34 at 101.79 to Rick's 13.85 at 100mph in his TA. He drew Martin Cava in his '80 Malibu for the first round, dialing 12.65 to Barry's 13.32. Barry is off on the tree, .643, but gets away with it when Martin has a .772. With over a tenth in the bag, Barry cuts the strip a little close, but picks up the win with a 13.34 at 97 to a 12.68 at 107. Barry drew Ray in his '81 Camaro in the second, dialing 13.28 to Barry's 13.30, almost a heads up race. It was over at the start, as Barry cuts a .568 to Ray's .807. Barry takes the stripe easily after collecting his 1000' numbers, 13.37 at 97 to a 13.24 at 102. In the third, he matched up with Dave McElreth, running Street in addition to Modified in his '98 Camaro. Barry was out with a .556, and banks .03 when Dave has a .585. They both stay in it through the traps, and Barry gets the win by .024, 13.33 on a 13.32 at 101.66mph to Dave's 13.02 on a 13.02 at 106. He and Mike Egan matched up in the 4th. Mike was dialed 13.69 to Evil's 13.31, and Mike turns the red eye on with a .476. Barry cuts a .528, and runs a 13.29 at 101.8, good thing he had the win, as he was dialed 13.31. Mike runs 13.70 at 100, and I think he was in triple digits MPH the whole day. Evil was up against a sweet '73 Impala wagon in the semi final. John would have wanted it for derby, but it was nice, seeing double duty as a tow vehicle and race entry. It was dialed in at 17.73 to Evil's 13.27, and has a .608 to Barry's better .581. They're both in it at the stripe, and Barry barely crosses first by .001, running a .28 on the .27, pushing the chubby Chebby under with a 17.71. In the final, he was up against an '02 Z28 dialing 13.87 to his 13.26. PRP caught them off guard, coming to run their final out of order. It showed in the reaction times, as the Camaro takes the advantage, .614 to Barry's .650. Barry drew close, but then the Z seemed to pull away, possibly with a little NOS boost. Barry runs right on the dial at 102.3, pushing the Z under with a 13.74 at 97. It's Barry's first win of the year, and continues his rise in the points standings.
This weekend, Pittsburgh Raceway Park has regular racing on Saturday, sponsored by Bob George. Get schedule and general information at www.pittsburghracewaypark.com. I've updated our site, adding a page of cool shots from the PRP photographer Pamela. There are a lot of cool shots on the PRP photos page, check it out too, she does a nice job. We're at: https://www.angelfire.com/pa2/BrotherhoodRacing/frames.html New shots will be added soon of the derby couple, John and Renee.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of the families and friends of those suffering from the terrible tragedy of 2 years ago this Thursday. All I can say is, please don't take anyone for granted. I'm planning on making it to this cruise below, weather permitting, in the Cutlass. I feel it's something distinctly American, a celebration of our incredible freedom, and obviously a worthy cause. Event Title: Greensburg, PA Wal-Mart Car Cruise 5PM
Respectfully,
Chuck T
HENRY COUNTY OH
Thursday, August 14, Renee made her derby debut at the Henry County Fair. She was piloting a land yacht of an ’83 Mercury Gran Marquis that John and his buddy Dan put together. Powered by a 350 Chevy from a Suburban, and backed by an Olds 400 tranny, she went in for a whole different kind of bump and grind. Anyone who really knows Renee knows that she is very tenacious, and she would need that toughness in her heat. She had no real protection… a lot of people kind of team up, or have an agreement not to hit each other until there are only a few cars left. So, little girl in a big car, getting ticked off because the guys in the heat were trying to knock her out. Bad move! She was very protective of the engine the guys put together; combining defensive moves to save the front end with offensive move to pound people with the back half. She was working her tail off in there, sweating more inside the helmet in 20 minutes of driving than she ever has at the steel mills she’s worked in! It was an effective strategy, making it to the final 3 cars of the heat, good for $50, a trophy, and a spot in the main feature! Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough car left for her to go compete, really wrapping up the rear framerails and breaking some welds, and there were a lot of fairly unscathed Impala wagons that would have taken advantage. She says she won’t do it again, but we’ll see if what she refers to as a “cult” will pull her back in. Congratulations Renee!
NEW ALEXANDRIA PA
Saturday, August 16, Barry and I were trying to wait out the weather, thinking it was going to rain. Normally, we get there when the gates open at 1, even though time trials don’t start until 3. We both decided to leave later, after watching multiple forecasts and checking different weather websites, all calling for 50-60% chance of rain.
It didn’t rain, and I got up there after Street took their first time trial. I still thought it was going to rain, so I didn’t even change the street tires, BFG Radial TAs, to my M&H race tires. I figured if I didn’t hook, I’d change them if it didn’t rain. John in his ’67 Camaro and I lined up for the time trial. John cut a perfect .500 light, and I was a tenth behind him, .600. He tripped the lights first, 13.09 at 105, while I ran 13.43 at 102.9. I hooked up with no problem. I really wasn’t in the mood to race though, between the weather, the fact that I was looking forward to leaving for the beach on Sunday, and my niece being born Friday the 15th.
The Dart was still hot for Barry for the first time trial. His light was hot too, .514, on the way to a 13.74 at 99. In the second, he went the wrong way, red with a .443, while tripping the lights with a 13.68 at 100mph. PRP has someone direct us into the lanes, in order to keep people from picking their opponents. The bad side of that is, Barry and I were matched up for round 1. I had every intention of winning the race, as I knew he did. I dialed a 13.42 to his 13.66. My head wasn’t in the race though (see above). Barry hopped out with a nice .539, and I snoozed and knew it, .717. I ran it out, but was a tenth plus short, 13.45 at 103 to Barry’s easy lifting 13.75 at 94. In the second round, he dialed 13.67 against a ’79 Firebird dialing 14.05. I was in the stands filming the run, and I knew it was Barry’s win when I saw he was past the Poncho before the 330’ mark. The reaction times proved that, .561 for Barry, to a .949, and it was all over. He lifts to take the win by a half second. It was after that the rain came. For the second straight week, we stood around in the rain, as it became obvious the rain wouldn’t let up. He got 30 points and a check for his efforts though.
On Saturday August 23, I got home around 2:45AM from North Carolina. As I walked up my steps, I looked up and saw a lot of stars. The first thing I did when I got inside was hit the internet and checked the weather. Oh my, sunny, high 70s, NO humidity! That’s good air! I set my alarm clock and joined Barry in the pits shortly after the gates open.
Barry was ready to play. In the first time trial, he popped out a .522 light, 1.927 60’, and a 13.54 at 100.9. In the second, he paired up with Joan, and was out nicely with a .524 after her .492. How consistent is the Dart? How about another 1.927 60’, on the way to a 13.51 at 101. For the first round, he paired up with Frank Crawford and his ’71 4 door Coronet. These have been good races all year, and this was no exception. Barry dialed 13.47 to Frank’s 12.54, and was out first with a .530, banking .033 when Frank cut a .563. They’re both fully in the throttle through the stripes, and Barry crosses first by .04 for the win, 13.50 at 101 to Frank’s 12.57 at 107. He matched up with Heather John’s newly painted ’85 Camaro in the second round. She has an excellent light, .510, and put Barry .066 in the hole as he cut a .576. Barry tried to run around her, but fell .04 short, 13.50 at 101 on a 13.46 (remember what I said about the Dart’s consistency?) to Heather’s 15.76 on a 15.70.
So this Saturday I was ready. I was excited to have the beautiful weather, and refreshed from my week off. I left the BFGs on again since I hooked last week. The first time trial showed it too, .526, 2.011 60', new best, and the car was really pulling all the way down the track. I was coming up the return road and Kerry stopped me and asked what my best was. I told him 13.28, he said you just ran .17. 13.17 at 105 flat! Woo hoo, new best! Second time trial, the battery acted up. The terminal end was messed up on the negative cable, so I replaced it and it started. But, I was 20 degrees warmer than I normally run, and it slowed me down, .552, 2.08 60', giving Butch a little head start in his Nova, .539, 2.047 60’. I was around him by the 330’, 13.35 at 104.5 to Butch’s 13.88 at 98. Hhhmmm, what to dial. I took a shot, 13.21, got Mike Egan, second in points dialing 13.72. He goes red, .486, win and a time trial for me. I was good with a .535, 1.991 60'. I knew it was a pass when I caught Mike, who had .049 between his red and my green, before the first stripe, crossing first by .067. Mike was about right on, 13.73 at 100.9MPH, to my new best 13.11 at 104.9! So I dialed 13.09 for the second round, had Nick in his Subaru dialing 16.19. He had a .526, and I thought I was good, but I wasn't, .626. Identical 60' as the last run, 1.991, but I couldn't catch him, and if I had a better light, I would have pushed him under. He crosses first by a tenth, 16.201 on the .19, and I was right on also, 13.105 at 105.17, re-resetting the personal bests for the third time that night. It was hard though, because that probably killed my shot at qualifying for Bracket Finals. I have no idea where that light came from. Grrrrrr.
This weekend, Pittsburgh Raceway Park will feature regular racing in all classes. In addition to Saturday’s racing, PRP will have a “Fast N Furious Friday”, for any 4 or 6 cylinder car (no 8 cylinder cars). Get schedule and general information at www.pittsburghracewaypark.com. I’ve updated our site, adding a page of cool shots from the PRP photographer Pamela. There are a lot of cool shots on the PRP photos page, check it out too, she does a nice job. We’re at: https://www.angelfire.com/pa2/BrotherhoodRacing/frames.html
Think dry thoughts!
Chuck T
SALEM OH
Saturday, August 9, Barry and I decided to road trip to Quaker City, since PRP was closed for Pittsburgh Thunder. We watched the weather, not liking the forecast as it shifted, but come 8AM Saturday morning, we decided to head over. It’s a long slow drive when you have 3.90 gears and about 75 miles to cover, but we made good time.
Once we got there, it didn’t take long for a car to act up… and it wasn’t mine! Barry first had a little trouble with the shifter cable, requiring a readjustment, and then a wheel stud backed out a little and created some noise before he found it. With that out of the way, he was up for the first time trial in Street. He was about 2 hours away from PRP, to match up with Mark Romeo, who also headed over with his ’71 Nova. Mark was out a little before Barry, .556 to .570, while Barry runs 13.63 at 99 to Mark’s 13.84 at 96. In the second time trial, Barry cuts a .553, running 13.62 at 99. For the last time trial, he gets out nicely with a .542, 13.59 at 99. He dialed a 13.57 for the first round, going almost heads up with a Camaro dialing 13.60. The Camaro poked out with a .665, and Barry took an advantage of .046 with a .619. At top end, he was able to lift, crossing first by a full tenth, 13.65 at 93 to the losing 13.74 at 95.
I decided to run QC’s Pro class, equivalent to PRP’s Modified class. I wanted to see how I would do against faster cars and tougher competition. With the car still pretty hot from the drive over, I matched up with a ’67 Camaro. I had a good light, .543, to the Camaro’s .617, and ran a 13.78 at 99 to the F body’s 11.02 at 119. I was paired up with an altered for the second time trial, and I snoozed a little, .632. It was brutal, the altered going .530, 9.80 at 133 to my 13.66 at 99. I lined up with a primered black ’75 Monte Carlo for the last time trial, and it got out with a .551, as I was pokey again, .649. The Monte runs the quarter in 13.40 at 99, and I finally hit the 100mph mark in the uphill track, with a 13.63 elapsed time. In the first round of Pro, I liked my chances, with the car running consistent, and knowing I could cut a light. I dialed a 13.62, and drew a ’69 Camaro dialing 11.15. I was out first with a .565, and the Camaro was just a hair better, .553. At the stripe, it was too close for either to lift, and we both ran it all the way out. The Camaro got the win, 11.163 on a 15, to my 13.632 on a 62. Margin of victory was .011, roughly a foot. So there was no shame there, except that I didn’t get the win. So I went over and bought into Street, which runs last, while Pro runs first. I left the 13.62 dial on, and matched up with an ’80 Malibu dialing 12.18. I was out first with a meh-ish .602, but still took the advantage as the ‘Bu cuts a .642. At the stripe, it’s too close to call again, we’re both on it all the way out. I was staring at the win bulb in my lane, almost in shock that it wasn’t coming on, and then it did. I ran a 13.64 at 100, as the Malibu breaks out, 12.15 at 106.
We had a good number of PRP Street class racers there. In something that I got a kick out of, in a time trial, Kara Jo, who I could pretty much put in my pocket, in her big ’73 Charger, lined up with a girl about her size in another big car, a ’74 Cutlass. Kerry, Kara Jo, Mike Egan, Mark, Shelly and brother AJ Casini all won first round also. Shortly after the end of round 1, the skies just opened up, angrily. QC does a lottery in the case of a rainout, taking all the tech cards of the winners by class, and pulling random cards, first one as a winner, second as a loser. And Barry, Mark, and I all ended up “losers” in the second round. Kara Jo “lost” to Mike Egan in the semifinals, and Mike “lost” in the finals. We waited and waited, hoping the rain would let up before changing the tires and loading up to head home, but it didn’t. It was like Forrest Gump… “Sometimes it seemed like the rain came straight up out of the ground.” So we got drenched like Lt. Dan in the crow’s nest. It was an even slower ride home in the rain with 3.90 gears and that thing Penndot calls a road, the turnpike. But we made it, safe and sound, no problems.
This weekend, Pittsburgh Raceway Park will feature jet funny cars and nostalgia alcohol altereds and gassers. Get schedule and general information at www.pittsburghracewaypark.com. I’ve updated our site, adding a page of cool shots from the PRP photographer Pamela. There are a lot of cool shots on the PRP photos page, check it out too, she does a nice job. We’re at: https://www.angelfire.com/pa2/BrotherhoodRacing/frames.html
Happy belated birthday to Jay, and happy early birthday to Angie!
Chuck T
NEW ALEXANDRIA PA
Saturday, August 1, Barry and I were back at Pittsburgh Raceway Park. I got up there early to try to grab some pit space while the IHRA Divisional event qualifying sessions were running. I can’t say enough about how cool the divisional event is… there is a huge diversity of cars added on to the weekly great show PRP features, plus the Top Dragster and Top Sportsman classes, laying down passes in the low 7s/high 6s, purging nitrous (PLEASE don’t call it “nozz”!!) and running 175mph-200+mph. PRP will feature another one next month; check it out.
Barry got there after working 12 hours and grabbing a 2 hour nap. Our time trials started around 4, and it was pretty doggone hot. Barry’s first time trial showed it. After a .560 light, he went 1.929 through 60 feet, and clicked off a 13.61 at 100.6mph. That’s about 2 tenths slower than the week before. In the second time trial, he and points leader Rick Clay lined up. Barry was out nicely, .534, but Rick was even tighter, .510. The TA was following Barry after that though, as Barry runs 13.59 at 100.5mph to Rick’s 14.02 at 99. In the first round of eliminations, it was a rematch of last week's second round, with Frank Crawford in his ’72 4 door Coronet. Barry leaves first with a .575, pretty decent, but Frank knocks the tree down, banking 7 hundredths with a .502. Barry stays in it, running 13.61 on a 13.57 dial in, but Frank crosses first by .04, 12.76. That kind of light is almost impossible to overcome.
Doug actually had some time off, and took a look at the shifter cable with me last week. Back in the day when he had his Chevelle, he ran a Starshifter that had a similar problem. He eyed up what he thought was the right adjustment, and felt real confident about it. I trust Doug the way Larry Dixon trusts Dick LaHaie. The next day I was able to take it for a rip… ooooo yeah, I liked it, shifter worked fine. I matched up with a big newer Chevy pickup in the first time trial. I liked my light, .537 to a 1.008 (Doug karma), and my 60’ was 2.069. The shifts were fine, no problems, and I stomped my way to a 13.52 at 102.3mph. Amy Romeo and I lined up in the second session. I was out with a .545 to Amy’s .600 in the ’74 Ranchero. My 60 slowed a little to 2.124, and the ¼ mile ET showed it, 13.57at 102.2mph. I dialed 13.52 for the first round, and matched up with the truck again, dialing 16.24. It left with an .869, and I won the race there, .631. My 60 foot was back down to 2.068. It took awhile, but I caught the truck shortly after the 1000’, and lifted before the first stripe to take the win with a 13.57, crossing first by .179. The truck nailed its dial, 16.240, but that 2 tenths + on the tree was a hole too deep to dig out of. I matched up with AJ in his 4 door Bonneville in the second round. He dialed 16.48 to my 13.46. He was away nicely, .553,but I took the advantage with a .521. The 60 foot was slow again, 2.144. I went through the gears, and was charging hard at top end. It was a photo finish, but I was on the wrong side by .006, 13.59 at 102.1mph to AJ’s 16.57. I think the inconsistency is in the driver, not the car. We’ll see soon enough.
This weekend, Pittsburgh Raceway Park is closed. They are involved in a special event by Pittsburgh’s Pirates and Steelers stadiums called Pittsburgh Thunder. It is Saturday and Sunday, August 9th & 10th, benefiting several charities. It will feature a huge car show, with 1/8th mile exhibition drag racing on General Robinson Street. More information is at www.pittsburghthunder.com. What I understand is, participants in the event can register same day. Entrance will be through the downtown side of the Clemente Bridge. At this point, I’m planning on being there Sunday for sure, and possibly Saturday. We’ll be back at PRP Saturday August 16, which will feature jet funny cars and nostalgia alcohol altereds and gassers. Get schedule and general information at www.pittsburghracewaypark.com.
Chuck T
NEW ALEXANDRIA PA
Saturday, July 26, Barry and I were back at Pittsburgh Raceway Park. His dad and son came up to watch the funny cars, and my dad came up for a bit too. It was pretty muckin’ hot.
Scott had come up earlier in the week, and we went through the shifter cable again. We pulled it out, and it seemed to be hanging up. I called Advance in Tarentum, and they had one for me the next day. I put it in, but it still didn’t solve the problem. Barry and I went through it again before racing, but it still hung up. So I left it in drive, which was a surprise to Mike Egan in the first time trial. He led the whole way down the track, crossing first with a 13.90 to my 14.50. In the second, it was a 14.38. I drew a 4 door ’73 Satellite for the first round, and was going to be chasing me, with my dial at 14.38 to his 13.88. I was away first, .645 to a .704, and coming down to the stripe, I kept my foot in it. I didn’t think I got it, and I didn’t. He ran a 13.92 to my 14.50, crossing first by .02. Grrrrrrrr.
Barry was pretty good in the time trials, .585, 13.48 at 101, and .542, 13.44 at 100. He matched up with a ’70 GTX in the first round, dialing 13.41 to its 14.10. The GTX came to play, taking .057 in the bank on the tree, .549 to Barry’s .606, but I think the big Plymouth had traction problems – 2.368 in the 60 foot. Barry had no traction problems, making up a lot of ground early with his 1.879. It costs the GTX, as Barry has a mile to lift, 13.55 at 87 for the win, to 14.49 at 98. In the second round, he matched up with Frank Crawford in his ’72 4 door Coronet. Barry was out first with a .563, and Frank picked up a little with a .542. They were both on the gas through the traps, with the weather slowing them up a little from their dials. Barry goes 13.468 on a 13.37, Frank goes 12.789 on a 12.67, and the win light comes on for Barry. Margin of victory: .008! In the third round, he had a real nice ’00 Trans Am, running nitrous, and dialing 12.16 against Barry’s 13.43. They were pretty even on the tree, .563 for Barry, .554 for the Poncho. Cars with that much top end are hard to judge, and Barry tapped the brakes just at top end. It’s a good thing, he avoids the breakout, 13.44, getting the win over the 12.31 at 109 of the TA. For the 4th round, he drew an early model Dart, pretty coo car, dialing 13.15 to a 13.42 for Barry. Barry gets out with a .568, and gets the win when the other Dart goes red with a .490. Barry runs it out, and he was money, 13.43 on a .42. In the semifinal, he matched up with a ’67 Camaro dialing 12.89. Barry launches with a .582, and the Camaro picks up a little with a .548. Barry stays in the throttle, running 13.43 on a 13.41, but falls .01 short to the Camaro’s 12.94 at 104. Still a good day, and he is making a nice move up in the points.
This weekend, Pittsburgh Raceway Park is hosting an IHRA divisional meet. The qualifying is Saturday before the bracket program gets under way at 6pm, with the divisional eliminations Sunday. Get schedule and general information at www.pittsburghracewaypark.com.
Chuck T
NEW ALEXANDRIA PA
Saturday, July 19, Barry and I were back at Pittsburgh Raceway Park. We were there early, before 9:30, so we could watch the National Muscle Car Association take their time trials and qualifying sessions. The weather was warm but with low humidity and tons of sun, and the NMCA had some fast door cars making passes.
We both passed on the NMCA's invitation to take a time trial in their open session early. We did take the option when they offered it in the early afternoon. It was another open session, not by class, so we were mixed in with cars from the Modified and Top classes, in addition to the Street class. Barry paired up with a Malibu from the Modified class, and took the tree, .529 to a .549, and then the pain was on. The 'Bu goes 10.18 at 131mph, as he goes 13.41 at 101. I paired up with Steve Roth, who built Doug's rollcage in the Nova, in his '63 Corvette from the Top class. This was going to be painful. Steve had the race the whole way, .565 to my .584, a 1.248 60 foot time to my 2.028, and he was pulling the chutes with an 8.46 at 160mph before I was even at half track. I didn't mind though. I clocked off a 13.28, a new best, at 103.8mph.
We then went back to our normal rounds for time trials by class. Barry nailed a sweet .502 reaction time and a 13.46 at 100mph in the first one, and a .541 with a 13.44 at 100 in the second. He matched up with Ray in his '81 Camaro in the first time trial, in what I thought was going to be a heads up race, with both dialing 13.42. I saw Ray stage the whole way, and Barry hadn't done his burnout. The spot box had his dial in wrong, and when that happens, you wait until the tower fixes it. They corrected it, to a 13.32. At first I was worried, thinking the tower got it wrong again, but he did his burnout and staged. They were even on the tree, .689 for Barry, .698 for Ray, and I watched the win light come on for Barry, 13.33 to Ray's 13.46. The tower did have his dial in wrong, but it's up to the racer to make sure it's correct. It's also courtesy to wait for the other racer to finish his burnout before prestaging, let alone staging all the way. In the second round, he dropped the dial to a 13.28, to a Mustang's 14.20. The Mustang was out first with a .628, but Barry was out better with a .600, and had plenty of room to pedal it, 13.38 to the Ford's 14.34. He paired up with Mike Egan in the third round, dialing 13.29 to Mike's 13.84. Mike was away, kinda, with a .642, going into tirespin on the launch, and Barry's .577 gave him another advantage, pretty much leading the whole way down the track, winning with a 13.44 to Mike's 14.21. He had one of the NMCA racers in the 4th round, a guy from Kentucky running his '70 Cuda, dialing 13.14 to Barry's 13.21. Barry was a little off on the tree, .625, to the Cuda's .585, and he ran a little off, 13.30 at 101, losing to a 13.23 at 96mph.
In the first time trial, I lined up with Frank in his '83 Camaro. I was out first with a .544, to his .572. He had the lead to the 60 foot mark, but after that, I had the Cutlass a little out in front in an absolutely bitchin' run, door to door all the way down the track. I crossed the line first, thanks to the holeshot, 13.35 at 103.5mph, to the quicker 13.34 at 103. Crazy Joe Devola and I lined up for the second time trial, and I was out first by a little, .574 to a .589, and had to pedal it when the shifter cable hung up, following Joe's 13.47 at 98 with a 13.77 at 102. In the first round, I had Ryan Maxwell in his G body Cutlass, who is ahead of me in points, dialing 15.68 to my 13.35. He was out with a stout .513 reaction time, and I matched him! .513 for me! I had to pedal it again because of the shifter, but was closing fast at top end, and willing the car to the finish line, "come on baby, come on", and gave a woo hoo when my win light came on. He had room, but I was coming hard, 13.46 at 103.6mph, pushing him under to a 15.64 at 84. I drew a '96 Mustang in the second round, dialing 12.90 to my 13.40, and I knew I slept at the light, .708. The pain was brought, .512 for the Ford, and I watched him catch me before the 1/8th mile. He was at my door, and the shifter was causing me another problem. I banged forward, and watched the tach go from 6000rpm to about 3500… it skipped over second and went straight to third. As I looked over at the Stang, I heard a loud pop, and saw the flash from underneath it. He over revved the engine when he missed third gear, ending his chances, and allowing me to ease through the finish line first by a second. I drew another mid '80 Cutlass in the 3rd, dialing 12.76 to my 13.45. I was away pretty decent, .567, and felt the car go right in to third again. I looked up when I shifted, and saw I had the win on a red light, so I puttered down the track. In the 4th, I matched up with Rick Clay in his Trans Am, dialing 13.99 to my 13.45. He was out first with a .551, and I went so close to perfect, .494, but red. I gave up the run, and Rick ran right on his dial. I was happy to get as far as I did on pure luck.
This weekend, Pittsburgh Raceway Park welcomes the Mid America Funny Car circuit, featuring IHRA Funny Car driver Bunny Burkett. PRP is also open this Sunday from noon to 5, with a cruise and fun runs to benefit the family of a racer who passed away last week after a battle with cancer. Get schedule and general information at www.pittsburghracewaypark.com.
Chuck T
NEW ALEXANDRIA PA
Ok, so I’m a little behind… Saturday July 5, Pittsburgh Raceway Park was packed for the jet car show and fireworks. It was good to see so many people there, both racers and spectators. That was the good part. The bad part was, Barry and I both put the thumb and forefingers in the shape of an L on our foreheads. I was in the Cav, bleah, did ok in the time trial, but Mark Romeo had .04 on the tree, and the Cav ran a tenth slow. Barry had a rare evening of liquid libation on the 4th, and suffered from the effects on race day. The Dart was consistent, but Barry wasn’t, bulbing to Allison in a heads up dial in race. Oh well. Enough of that day.
Saturday, July 12, we fought the weather. Barry and I got into New Alexandria about 1, and it had just rained. We loaded up at Sheetz with fuel and gas, and headed up to the track. We just got the canopy set up, when the rain came down again, a pretty good soaking shower. It added to the wetness of the previous showers, plus the rain from the week. So track preparation was going to take awhile, limiting us to 1 time trial.
Scott came up and gave me a tremendous amount of help, getting the tranny back in. We hooked up everything that required 2 sets of hands, which took a good bit of time. So Saturday morning, I was up early, finishing up the little things, like getting the driveshaft back in, torque converter bolts, etc. At 11AM, I pulled the Cutlass out of the garage for the first time in 3 weeks, and took it for a test drive. First, second, third… sweet. Pulled it into 1st gear, to come up through the gears shifting manually… banged to second, and the revs went up. The shifter cable needs adjusted, but I would have to fight through that Saturday. I decided to leave it in second gear, thinking I could miss the shifting problem, then manually shift into third. I cut a .598, and felt the early shift, ran second gear out, banged the shifter to third, and listened to the engine rev. Doh!! Lifted off the loud pedal, banged it again, and it hit third. The pass was a 14.32 at 93. For round 1, I decided to dial a 13.80, and shift manually all the way. I drew Shelly Casini, dialing 15.07. She was away first, .587, and it was over as I slept to a .667. I caught her around the 1000’ mark, lifted, smacked it again, but let her back around me by .04. That didn’t matter either, as she nailed her dial, and I went under by a bunch, 13.72.
Barry paired up with Frank Crawford in his ’72 Coronet 4 door for the time trial. Barry hopped out first, .550 with a 1.904 60 foot time, to Frank’s .564. Barry ran 13.42 at 100.8mph to Frank’s 12.70 at 105.5. In the first round, he drew a rookie in an Eclipse convertible, dialing 17.54. The kid left on the green light, a 1.069 reaction time. Barry was able to see that peripherally, and took it easy when his side of the tree came down, .688, almost 4 tenths of a second of an advantage. He caught and lifted, easily getting the win with a 13.54 on a 13.38 dial, pushing the Mitsubishi under to boot. He matched up with Nick Esposito Jr in his Subaru for the second round. Nick was out first, .575, and Barry was a couple off, .600. They come down to the stripe, and Nick tapped the brakes, but dipped under, 16.25 on a 16.31, and Barry never lifted as he tried to catch him, 13.39 on a 13.38. In the third round, Glenn Perrin in his Luv truck was next. Barry was away with a .574, and Glen picked up .02 with a .555. It was a tremendous race, both on the gas through the traps. On a 12.04 dial, Glenn runs 12.064 at 108mph. Barry runs 13.355 on a 13.35 dial in, crossing first for the win by .0005!!! He paired up with a 4 door Mopar in the 4th round, dialing 13.95 to Barry’s 13.33. They’re close on the tree, Barry a little better with a .622 to a .636, and the 4 door runs slow, 14.17, allowing Barry to lift to a 13.43 for the win. In the semi final now, he matched up with Dave McElrath in his ’98 Camaro. Barry goes out first, .567, and take a small lead of .02, .587 for Dave. Barry picked the 60 foot up to a 1.855, really hooking, and at the stripe, he’s on the brakes late. In a double breakout, Barry goes under more, 13.237 on a 13.26, to a winning 13.047 on a 13.05. It was a good day for him though.
Tonight, I went up to try to get some practice on the tree, not having had a chance to fix the shifter cable. I had a .572 in the first run, and the shifter hung up, slowing me to a 14.34 at 99mph. For the second run, I cut a nice .528, and was able to work through the shifter better, 13.59 at 102mph. I got a quick tree, activated as soon as I bumped in to fully stage, and I red lit with a .491, to a ’97 Cobra’s .746. The shifter worked pretty good this run, 13.41 at 103mph, to the Cobra’s 15.00 at 99mph.
This weekend, Pittsburgh Raceway Park welcomes the National Muscle Car Association, and the Hot Rod Power Festival. We’re racing our regular program on Saturday, with NMCA qualifying mixed in, and Sunday is NMCA eliminations. Get schedule and general information at www.pittsburghracewaypark.com.
Ann made her own webpage, on a site for women who race. I encourage everyone, and particularly my female racing friends, to check it out at: http://www.raceher.com/mod.php?mod=userpage&page_id=21
In addition to the page I added for Jay’s ’49 4 door Mercury, in the “Projects” section, I made one for Steve’s new AMC Machine project! I added a couple pics of my engine on the stand, and 1 of Shamus tinkering on his. We’re at: https://www.angelfire.com/pa2/BrotherhoodRacing/frames.html
All of Brotherhood Racing extends happy belated birthday wishes to Renee, and on time birthday wishes to Ambassador Russell! Woo hoo!
Chuck T
CECIL COUNTY MD/NEW ALEXANDRIA PA
Friday June 27 and Saturday June 28, Steve and Ann headed down to Cecil County Raceway for an all AMC meet. After May’s rough day at National Trail, they had picked up a new set of Comp Cam springs and installed them. This would be the test.
Friday night, Cecil had their test n tune, with a gambler’s race. Ann and Steve were able to leave work and make it down to catch one time trial, after a lllllloooonnnngggg wait in the lanes, almost 3 hours. Ann showed no rust, popping a .544, and the springs are good, 10.85 at 124mph. She entered the gambler’s race, dialing a 10.82, to a tubbed ’69 AMX dialing 10.49. Remember, Ann’s X is street legal, through the mufflers, and she footbrakes. Ann is out first, and is on the wrong side of perfect by a scant .003, .497 red light. It was a little painful, as she runs 10.83 on the .82, to 10.44 on a .49. Doh!!!
Saturday was the all AMC event, and time trials did not have the same delay as the previous night. In the first time trial, she bulbs with a .467, with one of her best ever 60 foot times, 1.51, with the X picking up the wheels about a foot, finishing out with a 10.84 at 123. Cecil was uneven with the track prep though, and in the second time trial, after a sweet .520, tire spin slows the 60’ to 1.62, and the 1320 to 11.14 at 122. In the last time trial, Ann cuts a .577, 1.63 in the 60’, and recovers a little better to 10.77 at 122. With the odd number of cars, they drew a card for the bye, and Ann got it. She debated on not taking a pass, but decided to treat it like the time trial a bye run is. She knocks the tree down with a .506, and runs a 10.96 on a 10.93 at 123mph. The bad part of that is that the .506 would have qualified for the bye in the second round. Instead, she lines up with a Rambler, man, dialing in 12.50 to Ann’s 13.93. The Rambler pokes off the line with a .655, and Ann out-Dougs Doug with a .348 red light. Doh doh doh!!! She was o irritated she didn’t run it out all the way, frustration I know all too well. But, the car ran the way it should, and she continues to improve on the tree.
Saturday June 28, Barry and I were up at the track, with the raceday being sponsored by our friends at the Motorworks. It was a nice summer day, warm and sunny, with pretty good air. The Cutlass tranny won’t be ready until Monday, so, thinking that the air would be decent, I tried running the Dynasty again, to regain a little mojo. I emptied out the Dynasty as best I could, trying to ensure that I would run under the 19.99 maximum dial in. I paired up with Nick Esposito in his Subaru for the first time trial, and watched Nick cut a .510 to my .663. Nick ran 16.23, and I ran 19.97. That car and I just get along! Joanie and I paired up for the second time trial, and I bumped in a hair trying to improve the light. I was too soon, .491, as Joanie shows her devilish side with a .666. The bump in slows me up a little, 20.05 to Joan’s 14.74. In the first round, I paired up with an S10 pickup, in what was surprising to me, since it was almost as slow as the Dynasty, dialing 19.21 to my 19.96. I left first with a .689, banking over a half second when the S10 out-Doug-ed Doug in the other way, 1.207. The S10 caught me around the 1000’, and stayed in it. There is no worry about the Dynasty going under, so I stayed in it. The S10 breaks way out, 18.63, to my 19.99. In the second round, I drew a ’67 Satellite dialing 14.49 to my 19.97. I was a little slow off the line, .624, and was pretty much done when he cut a .533. I had some hope at top end, because there was a ton of room and he didn’t lift, but ran .01 to the good, 14.50 at 84. Oh well. I was happy to get a couple rounds, as I try to stay in the hunt.
Barry decided to run Modified in addition to Street, to try to shake out of his mini slump. In the first Mod time trial, he takes a jump on a Nova, .533 to a .566, running 13.50 at 100.7mph to a 12.56 at 106. In Street, he paired up with an Impala, cutting a .535, running 13.49 at 100.3mph. Nice trend! In the second round of Mod, he bumped in a little too much, .488, running 1.52 at 100.6. Back over in Street, he put the green back on, .544 to Kerry’s .489, running a little off, 13.57 at 100.7 to Kerry’s 11.89 at 112.
For the first round of Mod, he pairs up with Spencer Jordan in his Malibu. Evil dials in at 13.48 to Spencer’s 11.56, and nails a .511! The race is over there, as Spencer is a tenth and half in the hole with a .664, and Barry has plenty of time to cross first by a tenth, 13.59 at 85. The .511 is good enough to get him the bye in the second round, and he cuts a .589, going 13.42 at 101. He paired up with a Dodge pick up in the third round, dialing 13.40 to its 12.45. Evil is away nicely, .548, and picks up the win when the truck goes red with a .428. They run it out, and Barry goes 13.50, and the truck 12.54, so the weather or wind must have gotten weird. In the 4th, he paired up with Dave Dominick, dialing 10.40 to Barry’s 13.41. Through the viewfinder of the camcorder, I didn’t like Barry’s light, with good reason, .609, but luck is on his side, as Dave cuts it as close as you can, .499 red. They run this one out too, Barry 13.41, Dave 10.41. After 2 rain delays, he matches up with AJ Casini dialing 12.30 in the Roadrunner, to the Dart’s 13.42. Barry lets it warm up good after the delay, but it may have been a little too much, coupled with the number of runs taking fuel out of the cell. His reaction time was fair, .553, but may have been better if it didn’t bog. It probably wouldn’t have mattered, as AJ nails a .501, and was able to lift for the win, 12.51 to Barry’s 13.78. He lost to the winner though, as young AJ brought home his first ever class win this night.
In Street, he matched up with Frank Crawford in his ’72 4 door Coronet dialing 12.58. Barry comes up with that number that was bad to Ann, .497 red, as Frank goes .576, running a 12.63. Barry bought back in, and paired up with a big black Buick. He dialed in at 13.40 to the Skylark’s 12.53. Evil gets away fair with a .599, and picks up the win when the Buick bulbed with a .385. Barry runs 13.43 at 101 to a 12.55 at 105. In the third round, he and Joanie matched up, I think for the first time since they met in 2 straight finals last August. Joanie is out with a .575, and Barry is pretty much even with her with a .562. The top end is tight, both laying on the loud pedal, until Barry gives up the stripe. It’s a good thing: in a double breakout, he’s under by less, 13.448 on a .46, to Joan’s 14.656 on a .69. For the 4th round, he and crazy Joe Devola match up. Joe is out with a great .507, banking .06 on Barry’s .567. Barry stays on it through the top end, 13.41 at 101 on a 13.39, and picks up the win when Joe in his 5.0 slips under with a 13.529 at 89 on a 13.55. After his loss in Mod, he’s up against Mark Romeo, last week’s winner, in his ’70 Nova. Mark is away first, .594, and Barry is close, .611. At top end, Barry is on the brakes, shaving 4mph off, but drops in a double breakout, 13.34 on a 13.42, to Mark’s 14.12 on a 14.17. That was his 14th pass of the day! To add a little more adventure in, those passes pretty much drained the fuel cell, as we found out on Route 22 near Route 66, as the Dart went silent. I’ve been there!
This Saturday, Pittsburgh Raceway Park has our regular race program, plus a quick 16, plus jet cars, plus a Zambelli fireworks show. Not a bad night’s entertainment! Get schedule and general information at www.pittsburghracewaypark.com.
Ann made her own webpage, on a site for women who race. I encourage everyone, and particularly my female racing friends, to check it out at: http://www.raceher.com/mod.php?mod=userpage&page_id=21
In addition to the page I added for Jay’s ’49 4 door Mercury, in the “Projects” section, I’ll be making one for Steve’s new AMC Machine project! I added a couple pics of my engine on the stand, and 1 of Shamus tinkering on his. We’re at: https://www.angelfire.com/pa2/BrotherhoodRacing/frames.html
All of Brotherhood Racing extends early happy birthday wishes to Uncle Jim, born on the same day as our great nation. Please also keep in mind those that sacrifice, and have sacrificed, so much to that we can enjoy our awesome freedoms.
Chuck T
NEW ALEXANDRIA PA
Sunday June 22, Barry and I were up at the track, each trying to shake out of our mini-ruts. Saturday's program was rained out, allowing us to take a dip in Lake Tranny Fluid, as we pulled my transmission out. That's the good part. The bad part is, nothing blatant is wrong, and I won't have it back until next week.
Barry was looking to get back to racing like he did on the no-box race. He cuts a .542, 1.905 60 foot, on the way to 13.38 at 101mph. He matched up with a big block Nova in the second time trial, and bulbed with a .478, 1.904 60 foot. The Dart was consistent though, 13.38 at 101, to the Nova's 12.34 at 106. He matched up with Rick Clay in the first round. Rick is now running a Trans Am, instead of the 18 second Contour. Rick was dialed in at 13.83, and was away first with a .583. Barry was chasing in two ways now, with a .641 reaction time, and a 1.881 60 foot. They're both on it through the traps, and Rick takes the win by .04, running 13.86 at 102 to Barry's 13.37 at 101. Barry bought back in, and matched up with Bruce Tharp in his '72 Cutlass, dialed in at 14.92 to Barry's 13.36. Bruce is away with a good .538, but Barry is better at .522. The new McCreary race tires barked though, costing him .07 in the 60 foot, 1.956. Both are on the throttle through the traps, but Barry falls .03 short, 13.45 at 101 to a 14.96 at 95.
I was in the Cavalier, woo. The time trials were ok, consistent, but the tree was off. In the first round, I got paired up with a Neon dialing a 16.39 to m 19.41. I was away first, and picked up almost 3 full tenths with a .659 to a .919. I watched my rear view, looked over, came to the stripe, and dragged the brake a little. I got this one right, crossing first with a 19.44 at 69mph to a 16.29. I paired up with Rick Clay in the second round, trying to avenge Barry. I felt the Cav slip a little deep, and couldn't hold off the Doug light, .463. The door was open, as Rick had a .616, but the red eye makes the point moot.
This Saturday, Pittsburgh Raceway Park has regular racing, sponsored by our friends at the Motorworks. I'll either be in the Cavalier, or the Dynasty, in what I hope will be the last time. Get schedule and general information at www.pittsburghracewaypark.com.
Chuck T
NEW ALEXANDRIA PA
I talked about me a good bit last time, so it's time to talk about Barry. The points race on Saturday June 7 was rained out, luckily for me, as I was looking smooth in my tux at my sister's wedding. Sunday June 8, was PRP's $5000 no-box race, and Barry headed up. Doug and Kathy got out to watch and cheer him on.
For a no-box race, racers who normally use a delay box have to pull them out. So it makes for some interesting match ups. Like the first time trial, he was paired up with a dragster. He got the tree, .530 to a .622, running against the wind to a 13.42 at 100mph to the rail's 9.09 at 142mph. In the second time trial, he had a .527 to a mid 80s Delta from Quaker City's .549. The wind played hell with the ETs, 13.48 at a hair under 100mph, to the Olds' 17.47 at 79mph. He dialed in at 13.50, against Spencer Jordan and his Malibu dialed in at 11.75. Barry takes the tree, .512 to a .552, and pedals at the top end, and in a double breakout, Barry breaks out more, 13.44 at 99 to an 11.71 at 113. He bought back in, and got paired up with a scooter. Yep, a scooter. They're close on the tree, .533 for Barry, .526 for the scooter. They both stay on it through the traps, and Barry runs right on his 13.43 at 100, as the scooter breaks out with a 16.76 on a 16.85.
In the third round, he paired up with a Mustang, dialing 12.24 to Barry's 13.41. Barry takes a slight advantage with a .567 reaction time, to a .591. The Mustang pedals at top end, and Barry lifts to a 13.48 at 98, and the Mustang slipped under by .003 to give Barry the win. In the fourth round, he draws Curt George in his bitchin' wheel standing '65 Hemi Belvedere. Curt dials in at 9.94, and Evil dials 13.44. Evil lays the gauntlet down with a .508, and Curt has a nice .535. At top end, Evil couldn't believe he had the lead, and tapped the brake at the stripe, taking the win with a 13.45 at 98 to Curt's 9.99 at 130mph. Evil was on to the fifth round, pairing up with Tom Paton in his '69 Camaro. Evil keeps his lumberjack ways going, .513, and gets the win when Tom goes oh so close to perfect with a .496. They run it out, Barry 13.42 on a .40, Tom 12.34 on a .37. Barry is the last Street car, and it's the quarterfinals! He pairs up with another Dart, 13.40 for Evil, 11.79 for the other Dart. Barry is away first with a .567, but the purple Dart lays down a sweet .507. Barry is on the throttle through the top end, breaking out with a 13.34 at 100, losing to an 11.80 at 113. The purple Dart had an .023 package, which is going to win most races. As a consolation, Barry goes home with $500, a career best single payday, and an awesome day under his belt.
Saturday, June 14, I missed the points race to attend Travis' graduation party. Barry headed out, but he was disappointed with the results after the high of last week. He was so disappointed that he didn't even email me his results. He drew Mark Romeo in the first round, took the advantage on the tree, caught Mark fairly early, pedaled it through the traps, shaved 6mph off, and broke out. I know that feeling all too well!
This Saturday, Pittsburgh Raceway Park has regular racing, with a funny car show, featuring IHRA Funny Car driver Bunny Burkett. I'll be there, but the Cutlass won't. The tranny problems won't go away, and I'll be pulling it out to fix it. I'll either be in the Cavalier, or the Dynasty. Get schedule and general information at www.pittsburghracewaypark.com.
Ann made her own webpage, on a site for women who race. I encourage everyone, and particularly my female racing friends, to check it out at: http://www.raceher.com/mod.php?mod=userpage&page_id=21
Chuck T
NEW ALEXANDRIA PA
"I wanna talk about me me me me me me" Toby Keith
Oh yeah. I'm going to talk about me a lot this time. After some wrenching, driving, wrenching, more driving, Barry and I had the Cutlass to the point we thought it would make the passes. The show got rained out on Saturday May 31, and PRP (Pittsburgh Raceway Park) moves the show to Sundays when that happens. PRP also had 2 jet dragsters as part of the show yesterday. In their second pass, after a 6.65 second, 267mph run, one jet car lost it after the finish line. Through all the smoke, I'm not sure what happened, or what he hit, but he got out on his own. That's the reason we have safety rules in racing, and seat belts are a big part of that safety. So think about that the next time you're feeling too lazy to put your seat belt on.
Barry had a little cheering section, with his son riding up with him, and his dad showing up a few minutes later. He had a foreign car in the first round, cutting a .564 with a 1.920 60 foot time, to its 1.204 reaction time. Ow. Barry was through the traps while it was at half track! He runs 13.34 at 102, to a 20.72 at 57. In the second, he lined up with a Nova, going red with a .438, along with a 1.888 60 foot, to the Nova's .582, 1.683 60 foot. The Nova goes 12.21 at 108 to Evil's 13.26 at 102.5. He and Joanie matched up for the first round, dialing 13.26 to Joan's 14.75 in the Camaro. She has an uncharacteristically bad light, .653, and Barry banks .086 when he cut a .567. At the top end, he has room to lift, and goes through with a 13.29 at 98, to Joan's 14.74 at 93. In the second round, he drew Jim in his bitchin' fast '67 Chevy II. Barry was a tad slow on the tree, .580, and Jim chops it down with a .514, putting .066 in his favor. Barry has to stay in it, trying to hold Jim off, and lifts just at the stripe, crossing first by .038. It came at the expense of a breakout though, 13.20 at 102, to Jim's 12.12 at 106. Up against that kind of light, there wasn't anything else Barry could do.
Over the week, I went through the car, trying to work out some of the bugs. I took care of the electrical, and on Wednesday brought the car out on the road for the first time. The car ran good, but the tranny wasn't exactly right. I met Barry, so he could follow me to drop the Cutlass off for inspection, and we topped off the tranny fluid. I got the Cutlass back Thursday night, and it still did the same thing. Saturday, we decided to try to adjust the vacuum modulator, to get the tranny to act better. After trying to wait out the rain, we took a ride to see the results. It didn't help. At 3000 rpm or so in third gear, the rpm would come up, and it felt like the car kicked down into second. So we pulled it back in the garage and cut the kickdown cable at the gas pedal. Took it for a spin, and it seemed a lot better. It was good enough to shoot for the track Sunday. I changed the straight water in the radiator to a 50/50 mix, loaded up the jack, and Shamus' ET Street tires, then called it a night.
It wasn't exactly a restful night, kind of a mix of a kid on Christmas Eve, and waiting to see the dentist. I couldn't wait to race in something faster than 19 seconds, but was nervous about how the car would run. I got to the track with no problem, unloaded and changed the tires. There was a little bit of a delay, as the track needed some extra time to dry and be prepped after the rain Saturday. Street is the next to last class to run, so after getting there at 10:15, I was finally strapped in, buckled up, helmeted, and in the burnout box at 1:15. It was the first time in 259 days that I was in the Cutlass and racing. I dropped the hammer, and the tires gave off the smoke I'd wanted so long to make. Into the lights, racing Butch Hastings in his Nova, and I brought the rpm up to about 1600, and cut a .536 to Butch's .594. My 60 foot was a 2.041, and that with every other increment were new personal bests, as I ran out to a 13.39 at 104mph. Butch ripped through with a 14.14 at 97. In the second time trial, I tried to come up a little more on the TTC converter, and knocked the tree down with a .514, 2.020 60 foot. I was also trying to shift a little higher, and ran through with a new personal best, 13.32 at 104.2mph, eclipsing the other lane, an '81 Trans Am that went .561, 13.97 at 97. I twanged the rubber band after the run though, tossing the belt.
Round 1 paired me up with Kenny Tipinski in his Ford pick up, dialing 17.40 to my 13.34. Kenny opened the door for me to take the win, .674. I don't think I came up on the converter enough, and was slow off the line, and on the tree, walking into the wall with a .691. I thought I might be able to run him down, but couldn't do it. Kenny crosses first by .057, 17.48 to my 13.46 at 102.7. Irritated, I bought back. I got lucky when the '69 Nova I was against went red with a .498. I was slow again, .662, and I think I may have spun the tires once or twice, 2.056 60 foot. I was really worried because I wasn't getting anywhere close to the Nova, but he ran 13.22 on a 13.50. I went through slower again, 13.48 at 103.4. Third round paired me up with Mike Balaska, who also bought back. I made sure to do a good burnout. I slowed the dial down to match the last couple of runs, 13.46, to Mike's 13.33. I left first, banging out my third career perfect light, .500! Mike was in the game though, with a .552. It's really strange racing Mike, because the T Type Regal takes a while to build up boost, but it gives him a big top end charge. I was around 1200 feet, and Mike wasn't close yet. I lifted off the gas partially, and the stripe was coming. I lifted all the way, crossing first by .0686. Mike broke out trying to catch me, 13.28 at 109 (see what I mean about the turbo?). I broke out more, 13.39 at 95.88mph. I hate wasting that rare perfect light! But I was glad I did my job, on the tree and on the shifts. Had I run it out, it would have been a 13.29 pass.
I was expecting a little more from the car, but I need to do some testing, and get used to it again. I am pleased that everything is good and solid, and I think it will pick up. I need to thank some people, in no particular order, whose help was invaluable. Barry has been there from the start of the project, helping me pull the engine out, taking my tranny over to get done, and helping with the install and tuning. Rich Paton III was extremely generous with his time and knowledge also, showing me how to use a micrometer and dial gauge, rod bolt stretch gauge, degree wheel, and ring file, along with physical help, picking up the block, and helping get the engine in. Scott helped me get the pistons in, and welded a real nice patch on my driver's floorboard. All 3, and Steve, were like personal tech lines. Shamus did some running around for me, picking up parts, and lent me his Mickeys. Thanks to them, I'm able to make my appointments each weekend at the therapist's office!
This Saturday, Pittsburgh Raceway Park has regular racing. I won't be there, trading in the grubby clothes to clean up good, and get in a tux for my sister's wedding. Sunday, PRP is having a no box race, $5000 to win, $2500 runner up. Get schedule and general information at www.pittsburghracewaypark.com.
Ann made her own webpage, on a site for women who race. I encourage everyone, and particularly my female racing friends, to check it out at: http://www.raceher.com/mod.php?mod=userpage&page_id=21
Semper Fi!
Chuck T
HEBRON OH/NEW ALEXANDRIA PA
Friday, May 23, Ann and Steve hauled out to National Trail Raceway, outside of Columbus. Ann was there to mix it up with members of an AMC forum she is in. These would be her first passes of the year. She lined up with another '69 AMX in the first time trial, and bulbed with a .473. The car pops up nice on the launch, on the way to an 11.14 at 118, to a 12.66 at 108 for her opponent. In the second, she cuts a .579, going 11.24 at 117, to a Hornet's 12.45. They checked the timing, and made sure it was correct. The numbers weren't what they were expecting, after last years 10.75-10.90s. She had a solo for the third, but the downward trend continued, 11.30 at 116.9mph. She went for one more time trial, and something was definitely wrong, 11.48 at 115. They put the car in the pits, looked at the oil, no metal. Steve pulled the fuel filter, thinking it might be clogged, but no. They took the valve covers off, and the carnage was revealed: both intake valvesprings on #7 and #8 were broken. Ow, my pancreas. So we pushed it up on the trailer. Hopefully, the damage is limited to those 2 springs, and the down time won't be long. As a consolation, she won a door prize, a pair of fabricated lightweight aluminum valve covers.
Saturday, Barry and I were out at Pittsburgh Raceway Park. The weather cooperated enough to let us get the full day in. I was in the Cavalier, after sleeping in after the late run back from Columbus, and decided to leave the Lethal Weapon Dynasty at Barry's. I ran 19.27 and 19.23 in the time trials, slipping deep and going red on the second one. So, I shallow staged, dialing a 19.18, pairing up with a Dodge Dakota dialing 14.20. I left decent with a .591, to a .687. The 5 second head start doesn't put the truck close to me until just before the finish line. I'm looking and looking, and tapped the brakes at the stripe. It was too late, and I broke out with a 19.14 to a 14.24. DOH!!! Barry and Kara Jo said I should have running the Mopar! Hopefully, the days of running the slow cars are over. The Cutlass is running, feels pretty good, just needs a little tweaking. I think the first passes on the new engine set up will be Saturday, provided nothing pops up.
Barry lined up with a Monte Carlo in the first time trial, cutting a .593, with a 1.925 60 foot, running 13.42 at 101mph. The G body goes, .845, 2.676, 16.52 at 84mph (notice that, Shamus!!). In the second, he slipped on the tree a little, .641, and picks up the 60 foot to 1.893, running 13.40 at 101. He drew a Tharp in a '72 Cutlass, dialing 14.85 to Barry's 13.36. The Olds banks .07, .523 to Barry's .595. It's a chase to the wire, and Barry can't catch him, breaking out with a 13.326, as the Cutlass nails his dial, 14.856. He bought back in, and drew another Olds, dialing 14.10. It's Barry's turn to bank .09, .668 to a .760, and gets the win with a 13.32 on a 13.28, to a 14.12 on a 14.10 dial for the Cutlass. In the third round, he matched up against Kara Jo in her '73 Charger. They're about even on the tree, .559 for Barry, .567 for Kara Jo. Barry lost a few hundredths in the 60, though, 1.92, as the tires bark a little on the launch. Kara Jo gets the win, 15.78 on a 15.76, crossing first by .05 to Barry's 13.32 on a 13.25. The little lady in the big car continues to be a thorn in Barry's and Doug's side… but at least Barry goes green.
Ann made her own webpage, on a site for women who race. I encourage everyone, and particularly my female racing friends, to check it out at: http://www.raceher.com/mod.php?mod=userpage&page_id=21
This Saturday, Pittsburgh Raceway Park is featuring a 2 car jet dragster match race, and the Supercharged Warriors, 8 blown or injected alcohol cars. Get schedule and general information at www.pittsburghracewaypark.com.
Semper Fi!
Chuck T
NEW ALEXANDRIA PA
Sunday May 4 had Jerry, Barry, (kinda like Daryl and Daryl) and Chuck out at the track for a sunny windy day. There was plenty of cool action, with the Quick 16 running, and good car counts in all classes. Spectator attendance is on the rise too, thanks to the commercials on cable and radio.
Jerry was back out there to try to improve the numbers in the Coronet. The first time trial didn't go so good, because he banged the gears too early. The second one, I was able to watch and film. It looked like he slipped the light before the green, let the RPM come down, replant the brake, and bring them back up. I heard him shift early again, and watched a 17 something come up. Oh, that ain't good. Jer said he heard and felt something that he didn't like, and headed home. He's taking the tranny and rear to Bob George to go through and hopefully it will work out well and quick.
Barry matched up with Ed in the first time trial. Ed hopped out nicely with a .507 to Barry's .597, and runs a 13.0 at 104mph to Barry's 13.38 at 100mph. He drew a '96 Mustang for the second, and bulbs with a .467, on the way to a 13.34 at 100. He paired up with an '83 New Yorker, dialing a 19.42 to Barry's 13.29. The Chrysler puts a tenth in the bank, with a .532 to Barry's .632, but breaks out with a 19.33 trying to hold off Barry's 13.32at 101. In the second round, he met up with Kara Jo, dialing 15.76 in her '73 Charger (which is for sale if anyone is interested). Barry improves his light with a .588, but Kara Jo took control of the race with a .512. Barry pushes it to the end, and dumps, because he can't catch her, breaking out with a 13.288 on a 13.29. It wouldn't matter, because Kara Jo had him covered.
I felt ok about not being in the Cutlass, especially compared to the week before, after making all the progress of getting the engine in, and would have been racing it. After last week's bleah day in the Cavalier, Barry offered me the use of his daily driver, a '92 Dynasty with a 2.5. I took crap from him and Jerry for being in a Mopar. I figured as long as it's consistent, which the Cav isn't, maybe I have a shot at a round or two, anyway at least get me 10 points for first round. First time trial was a 20.11. Hhhmmmmm. Street goes from 12.0-19.99. The tranny felt like it didn't want to shift, so we checked the fluid. Or we would have if there were some to read on the stick. We scrounged up a pint and poured it in, and pulled the air filter out. Second time trial the light was fair, .626, but 20.15. Damn. Pulled into the pits, emptied the trunk of the spare tire and anything else. The good thing was that the temps were going down. I just hoped I'd pick up a little with that, and get lined up with someone who cuts bad lights that I could tree by a tenth, and cover the 19.99 dial that way. Round 1, it worked. A guy in the class, his girlfriend was running her car for the first time. I had almost the tenth I wanted, .691 to .787, and her car ran way off of its 17.40. I won easily, lifting 100 feet out to win with a 20.65! So I was pleased, figuring I'd get 2 rounds out of the deal. I drew a 4 door Gran Prix dialing 15.24. I never saw it before, so I wasn't sure what it cut. I left with a .677, and I stayed in it the whole way, watching it catch me before the stripe. But my win light came on. Cool! Dude wasted a .510, breaking out with a 15.226, to my lesser break out of 19.987. I started laughing hysterically, because now I'm in the third round, and just won $15. How many days did I not even come close to doing that well in the Cutlass? We're down to 12 cars, and I get Ed with an '00 GT Mustang, dialing 13.13 to my 19.98. I have a .612, and he has a .593. I see him coming, watching him, and lift right before the stripe. My light comes on. I'm almost unable to breathe, I'm laughing so hard. I ran a 20.00 to his 13.17, crossing first by .0046. I'm up to $30 now in round money, and 40 points. Round 4 I get Mike Balaska, who was running his dad's daily driver 5.0 5 speed. I'm still laughing. The guys and girls are laughing too, because I'm laughing. I stay with the 19.98, Mike's in at 13.75. So close on the tree, .595 for me, .598 for Mike. There's no lifting on this one. Bang! My light comes on.... (Forrest Gump voice) again. 19.980 (!!!) to T's 13.755... MOV .008!!! I'm almost wetting myself, I'm laughing so hard. I can't believe I'm pulling these out in this car. I'm up to $45 and 50 points. There are 7 second cars in other classes going home on the trailer, and I'm the slowest car on the track, still in it. It's the semifinals, last 3 cars! I get Kara Jo in her '73 Charger, who took out Barry. I dropped to a 19.97 to her 15.74. Fire up the chainsaw, like Jackyl said, I'm a lumberjack baby, cutting a .511!!!! She's still good though, .549, and it's on! MY LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN!!!!! 19.986, crossing first by .003, in what I'm pretty sure was my best package ever, .027! I'm laughing so hard my stomach hurts, and I think I might puke. I'm in the final, in this car!! First time since Sept '01! A good number of the Street guys and girls stay to watch, because I'm cracking them up giggling, and it's like a car wreck, you just have to look. It's me and Mike Egan in his '94 Mustang. I dialed 19.98, to his 13.72. I thought I was better than the .635 I cut, and Mike gets .07 in the bank with .563. At top end, I'm lifting, and hit the stripe first easily... but the ride ends, Mike's light comes on. I told Barry to sell the car.. it's not consistent when it counts... 19.90! Mike ran a 13.75 at 101 for the win, his first time in the 100s, with his best 60'. He also makes a nice move in the Super Summit series. I get 60 points and $150 for runner up. Unbelievable! And chances are I'll be back in it Saturday, as tonight's attempt at starting the Cutlass was not successful.
Ann made her own webpage, on a site for women who race. Check it out at: http://www.raceher.com/mod.php?mod=userpage&page_id=21
Semper Fi!
Chuck T
NEW ALEXANDRIA PA
Sunday April 27 was the first day at the track in 2003 for Jerry and me. Barry was there also, after running the previous two test n tune weekends. It was sunny and burning. John was also in action out in Milan MI.
John headed up to Milan for his first passes of the year. He wanted to try shifting a little lower in the RPM range, thinking he might be flatlining in the powerband. He hit a .5 something light in one of the time trials, and also set new personal bests with a 13.74 at 98mph. He matched up with a '64 Fairlane in the first round, in a bit of karmic coincidence. The karma was with the Fairlane, as John leaves the Sunday before with a .283 redlight. It wouldn't matter though, because the old Ford cut a light and ran the number. Congrats John on the new bests!
I was not in the best of moods, because I wasn't in the Cutlass. It's been months and months since I dropped the hammer and laid down a 13.5 at 100mph+. So I ran the Cavalier to at least get my 1 round of points. The Cav didn't like being there again. It didn't want to run, almost stalling off the line, and running in the 20s. Street has a maximum dial of 19.99. For the second time trial, I pulled the air filter, and made sure it was warmed it up, and ran a 19.43. That's better. So I dialed that, and drew Mike Egan in the first round. The Cav balked again, almost stalling, letting Mike get the easy win.
Barry needed the test n tunes to work out some bugs. The Demon was loading up on him coming out of the burnout. After much tuning and finding what the car really liked , he's back to the HP. It appears to pay off, as he runs 13.32 and 13.27, both at 102MPH, in the time trials. He dialed a 13.27 to Denny's 12.12, and it was close off the line, .546 for Barry, to .536 for Denny. The Dart runs a little off though, 13.38 at 101, to Denny's winning 12.19 at 105. He bought back, and picked up a win when a '68 Cutlass bulbed with a .486, giving Barry a time trial. Good thing, because he ran 13.30 on a 13.36 dial. He dialed a 13.27 against Nick's 16.11, and again it's close on tree, .593 for Barry, .601 for Nick. Barry taps the brakes, takes 2MPH off, but he breaks out with a 13.24, to Nick's 16.085. In the double breakout, Nick's margin of victory was .005.
Jerry actually drove the Coronet to the track for the first time in a year and a half. He checked, and there was rain being called for in Paraguay, so he thought he could sneak the day in. In the first time trial, he's snoozing at the tree, .763, and it's out of the hole strong. He blows out a Beretta, on his way to a new personal best of 13.91 at 98. He backs the timing down a little for the second time trial, and it shows, 14.10 at 97mph. He bumps the timing back to where it was, and dials the 13.91. He gets a newer Gran Prix dialing a 15.67, which snoozes with a .900 light. Jer slams the tree down, .509! He launched at a higher rpm than the first time trial, and takes the shift point up a little in the manual reverse pattern tranny. He has a country mile of a lead, but wanted to run a better number. He of course breaks out, with another personal best, 13.74! Congrats Jer!
The second week's update will hopefully be out in the next day or two. And if you don't want to receive these, let me know.
Semper Fi!
Chuck T
NEW KENSINGTON PA
Welcome to the first racing update of 2003. The thrash has been underway in the Back Alley Speed Shop for Shamus and me. The status of the crew will be below. If you do not want to receive these emails, respond to me and I'll remove you from the list.
Keystone Raceway is now Pittsburgh Raceway Park, and their website and URL have been updated, very nicely, to www.pittsburghracewaypark.com. The track is open, and points started April 27. Check the schedule on their site if you're thinking of coming out. The majority of the schedule will consist of Saturday nights from May to September, then Sundays in October and November. There are 2 IHRA Divisional meets this year, along with a Hot Rod Power Festival, and numerous Funny Car, Jet Car, and Quick 16 events.
I'll be making some changes to our site soon, so stop by and check us out: https://www.angelfire.com/pa2/BrotherhoodRacing/frames.html
Chuck: At the end of last year, I was trying to chase down what I thought was a rod knock. After pulling my engine and tearing it down, I found the lower main bearings were showing mostly brass. The rings were pretty much shot, the bores were out of round, the cam was starting to go, and the heads needed some work. I didn't really want to spend the money (who does?), but I think after ~300 or so passes, and I'm guessing 10-12,000 miles at 3000rpm or higher, I was due. I've gone to an overbore of .068, making the Olds 362CI. A Bullet cam with .512/.512 lift and 230 degrees duration is the brain, the crank has been turned .010/.010, the pistons are forged Sealed Power, Childs & Albert file fit rings, oil restrictors, Milodon oil pan, and a TTC 2800-3000rpm stall speed converter. The block was decked, and the heads milled, to true up the mating surfaces. New valves and springs went on, with a little porting and cleaning up around the seats. GMS in Uniontown did the machine work, and I think I'm going to be very pleased once I get to light the fires and tires. It would have happened Saturday, but I suspect the fuel pump is shot, and debut will hopefully be this coming Saturday.
Shamus: After much mental, um, "debate", we came up with a plan for him to recover from the blown head gaskets and radiator. We pulled the engine out, and took it to GMS also, where Greg honed the bores to clean them up to ensure a good seal with the new piston rings, allowing the same pistons to be used. A new Comp Cams solid cam, .525/.525 at 248 degrees duration, will get the valves off their seats. Mike at GMS milled the heads, cleaned up the mess that was left from the last machine shop, and put new springs on. Shamus decided to upgrade the induction, with an Edelbrock RPM Air Gap intake, 750 Mighty Demon, Holley blue pump, and 3/8 fuel line. The reconstruction process is underway, but in the early stages.
Doug & Kathy: Between his overloaded work schedule, and PRP's decision to run mostly Saturdays, the only thing he needed to do to prep the Nova for the season was wait for Lake Bear Creek's waters to recede some. Then it was change the plugs, and put the race wheels and tires on. The same was true for Kathy, as the Iroc also wintered on the back porch. The sad thing is the PRP schedule doesn't match his work schedule.
Uncle Jim: The '57 Chevy is as fine as ever, and hopefully he can come out and play in the '65 Chevy II.
Barry: Barry decided to get his nickname back, swapping his Holley HP for a 750 Speed Demon, so he is back to being Evil. A new aluminum radiator, thermostat, and temp gauge will keep him cool. He also stepped up to a 3 inch exhaust system from Torque Tech, which really has given the Dart a nice tone. He is fired up and ready to go.
In the 343 Speed Shop: Steve: The Chevelle now has the cage in it, and Steve has been adding a few of the last bars to it. The big block is at the machine shop (I think). The cam has been ordered, a nice .690/.690 grind from Comp. I don't know if it will be out this year, but in the meantime, he has moved the driveline that was in the Chevelle into his Lemans. He can pound on it along with his truck to have a little fun. He also bought another Lemans in better shape to withstand the abuse it may see, and will actually transfer the driveline again into it.
Ann: Mostly catching up on some safety things to remain legal. Her tranny and torque converter are being rebuilt for this year. She had a little scare after getting the tranny in .... no gears, forward or reverse. The scare ended up being the gear in the pump was reversed. That's fixed, and hopefully over. Then it's back to running 10.70s as the quickest member of our merry little bunch.
Brian: Putting the '71 billboard 'Cuda project on hold, while he saves up the cash for a house with enough garage space for all the cars and trucks. The '69 Barracuda now has 3 inch exhaust, and is running good.
Jerry: Not too much new on the Coronet, other than new intermediate pipes and mufflers. He's done a little tuning to try to tweak for a little more power. The Charger has been receiving some attention, with the front suspension being redone, and some grinding and painting.
John: Not too much going on in terms of changes. He's made his own tranny crossmember so he can tuck his headers up better, and have less of an issue loading and unloading the car on the trailer. His biggest improvement may be his new truck.
Scott: Still has the Monte, with only 3 passes on it last year. There may be a trade of it in the works. In the meantime, he has been working on the '54 Chevy, assembling his plan for how he wants to build it. It should be a bad ass ride when he gets done. He's also been customizing his Triumph motorcycle, which should also be interesting. We just hope to see him at the track more in anything!
Leigh: The trade that may be in the works, would be the Monte, minus engine and tranny, for a late 50s New Yorker, complete with tail fins. You thought the little girl was in a big car with the '75 Cutlass? Well, that Cutlass would fit in the trunk of the honkin' Chrysler.
Jay: Scott and Jay bought a friend's '75 Mustang, and cannibalized it. Scott got the front suspension for the '54. Jay got the engine and tranny, for a future swap into the Comet.
Justin and Mandy: They bought a house, and now have the '77 Camaro and '73 Mustang under one roof, at their place. With any luck, they will be able to get to work on them in the near future.
Russell: Needs to get his brakes taken care of, then he'll be back and rolling around with diplomatic immunity in the Ambassador.
Of course, the updates will roll on as we get into race season. Keep it between the lines, and be safe out there. Keep the troops in mind, who sacrifice so much, and pay the price, so that we may have our freedoms. Semper Fi!
Chuck T