A tough week..........

Wednesday June 18 was setup day for a Test and Tune session at Cape Breton Dragway. Thursday and half of Friday we spent working on Ross' shed getting the roof ready for shingles. Friday afternoon it was back out to the track to work on the gold dust and traction compound. Saturday and Sunday back to Cape Breton Dragway at 8:00 AM for both days of the season opener and first points meet. The traction was good, it was sunny and warm(hot at times)and there was some pretty close racing when eliminations started on Sunday. Full report with winners photos on MaritimeDragRacing.com results page.

Monday, Tuesday and today Ross and I put the rest of the roofing shingles on his shed. Also today my resto project VW Golf got jacked up a couple of feet off the ground to make it a little easier to work on. A couple of small patches to MIG weld on the floor and then swap some front sheetmetal from the donor Jetta and the body is ready for paint. Since the Jetta works so well I'll scavenge almost everything else mechanical that will fit the Golf. Looks like there won't be a whole lot of trips to the parts store either - just little things like hoses and lines and all new brakes just like I did with the old Golf last fall.
For me the worst part of the weekend was learning of the death of Funny Car driver Scott Kalitta in a horrific qualifying accident. It was a big shock for those of us who followed his career from the time he was a kid guiding dad Connie back from a burnout to his world championship. Since there's so much information about the crash on every drag racing message board on the planet we won't go into any details.

 

 

CB Dragway slideshow

Check out the link at the bottom to see what Cape Breton Dragway looked like this afternoon - since I was the only one there I figured I'd just walk around and shoot some pics before we started messing around with the gold dust and the traction compound.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v413/maritimedragracing/Maritime%20Drag%20Racing%202008/CBDragway.swf

Parts hunt chapter 1

Spent the morning cruising the boneyards looking for one of these VW Jetta cast aluminum 14 inch wheels and two center caps. They're usually found on the upscale VW Jettas from 1986-1992 and some Golf GTIs. Didn't have any luck at the parts places I visited but I saw lots of them in parking lots and people's yards. Need a minimum of one wheel and two center caps but I'll take a whole set if necessary.  Also I'm still on the hunt for any 84-92 GTI parts or even a rusty GTI parts car. Anyone has any of this stuff please let me know. A little tip too - If you're a VW owner you absolutely have to check out: http://forums.vwvortex.com/zeromain?id=1 

 

Cape Breton Dragway Test and Tune Session

33 brave souls outlasted 3 brief showers and gale force headwinds last night at CB Dragway. Man, was it COLD!! We had the printer in the back of my VW and we had to huddle behind the raised hatchback. We had lots of first timers with some pretty quick front wheel drive cars. Not all Hondas either - there was some GM muscle there like a turbo Cavalier and a supercharged Cobalt.

Doug Wrathall got his 1969 Camaro to launch pretty hard but had trouble getting hold of the top part of the track. Last pass off and on the gas around 1000' netted an easy 9.28 at almost 150.

Sheldon Brewer's Dart was getting a tuneup for this coming weekend at Greenfield and Chris MacDonald made a few 9 second passes in his LeMans. Oddly enough there wasn't one Mustang to be seen but there were a couple of late model Camaros and a Firebird. Bikes and sleds were off a little bit because of the wicked headwind. Julieanne Harrietha was getting some seat time in her Dad's Dragster and made a few easy passes to get used to the beast.

Thanks to Jordan White and Barry Grossett for the help with Tech and Timecards and thanks to the people who braved the cold and the showers. There were more CBDRA Members there for the setup, operation and teardown than I can remember for a good many years. Best of all I actually enjoyed myself for a change.

Random notes.........

Been too busy to update this page lately. Ross and I are still framing his 14X18 shed - no mean feat considering the number of windows involved. But it is progressing rapidly even though it's a "design on the fly" LOL.  As for the VW project(s) I lined them up on Wednesday and took stock of what works, what needs replacement, and started a "wish list" of new parts for the resto project. Don't laugh but the one in this pic with the missing front sheetmetal is actually the best of the three and is the long term replacement for my old primer spotted Golf that's been in the family since it was brand new in 1991. The 4 door Jetta drives and runs great and will be cannabilized for parts for the other two. It will give up it's front sheetmetal, wheels and some of it's drivetrain for the resto Golf. Hopefully the original Golf will keep on running until the project car is finished.

This coming Wednesday night's Test and Tune session will mark the start of the 2008 season at Cape Breton Dragway. After much post season soul searching and hand wringing I have been persuaded by a large group of racers / friends to reconsider my "retirement" from active duty at the track.

The decision to come back was not an easy one. Between concern for the condition of the track, the loss of dedicated track workers, CBRDA politics, the constant scheming by some racers to try to outwit the rule book and the status of the agreement with the Airport Authority I decided it was not worth the stress it was generating in my life. One factor in my return was an effort by some of the CBDRA Members to initiate a "Quick 8" program at CB Dragway. That sure got my interest going again with a chance to see a field of 7 second cars(or faster) in Cape Breton. Another one was the pressure from some local racers to return citing the proposed improvements at CB Dragway for this season. I just hope it works out..........

Elsewhere things are heating up at NHRA's Route 66 Nationals. JOLIET, Ill. Latest news from Drag Race Central: http://www.dragracecentral.com/

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Ashley Force

It may seem that, after earning her first career win as a professional driver more than a month ago, a No. 1 qualifier would be somewhat anticlimactic for Ashley Force.

But when she drove her Castrol GTX Ford Mustang to a 4.759-second pass at 329.10 mph during the second round of qualifying at the Torco Racing Fuels Route 66 NHRA Nationals on Friday, those numbers stood for more. They proved her young team, in only its second year together, is becoming the kind of consistent and comfortable team that posts competitive, winning numbers, like her career-best speed.

"That's definitely the most exciting part for our team, even over that No. 1 qualifier and E.T., is that speed, because we're racers and we love the quick speeds in drag racing," Force said. "It doesn't seem like four miles per hour is a lot different, but from 325 to 329, we're pretty pumped up."

Qualifying concludes with two rounds on Saturday at Route 66 Raceway near Chicago. If Force's performance stands, she will be the first woman to earn a No. 1 qualifier in Funny Car. Eliminations for the event, the halfway point of the regular season in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs, are on Sunday.

The biggest difference between her first season and her second, she said, was with her team.

"Definitely just consistency (is better), a lot less mistakes for all of us," Force said. "The driver; my team. Working on the car. When you get all the kinks worked out things go so much smoother that you're able to build on things and go rounds and that gives you confidence. That makes a big difference as well, when you can get in these cars or prepare these cars and know that you know what to do, even against people who have been doing it over 30 years. We're a new team, so to have that kind of confidence from round wins definitely makes us better."

Message Board Chronicles

First thing this AM the Messenger windows started popping up on the taskbar, all the inboxes were full and even got a couple phone calls about the Message Board not working.

Turns out Proboards had a major meltdown and lost all ther servers and we may not be back up for days. To read the whole story try: http://support.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=status&action=display&thread=244738 Anyhow, we dove in head first and threw together a backup board to do us till the main board is back up and running. Check it out at: http://members7.boardhost.com/maritimeracers/index.html

One of the test pics I posted on the backup message board was this Top Sportsman VW I saw on an English website. Now I'm obsessed with the damn thing - It's all I can do to keep from coming up with another "hare-brained" scheme involving a 2 door Golf and some old parts. Let me see now.... I've got a posi Jeep rearend that could use a set of Moser axles, a big old FE Ford, headers, and........  See what I mean?

On a more serious note MDP has been rained out and has rescheduled the points meet for the saturday of the 2nd meet. Last spring they lost so many events it was hard to keep track of it. Even Greenfield Dragway lost one day already this season. Three weeks to the season opener at CB Dragway so they may escape the monsoon season. Rumour has it they will be doing something this season to improve the traction. If they want to attract a "Quick 8" field it had better be right.

Later.............

More of the same..............

Biggest news first: Miramichi Dragway Park's first points meet and Maritime Stock/Super Stock series event scheduled for this weekend has been cancelled due to a wet forecast.

As for me I finished up most of the work at home and started another big project helping Brother in law Ross build a workshop/shed at his place. Gonna be nice - 14X18 with clerestory windows and a small loft on the back end. Spent the day putting the sills together with half lap joints and getting it all level and square. Rest of the floor will be done tomorrow maybe.

Picked up a Mig welder at Canadian Tire in North Sydney today. They had it on sale at $175 off so I couldn't pass it up. Looks like there's no excuse now for not finishing the Hornet's cage. As you can see all that's holding it in place now is some red Tuck tape, an interference fit on the crossbar and the force of gravity on the door bar. There's also a small tack with a stick welder where the main hoop mounts on top of the subframe connectors. but maybe now with a new welder there'll finally be some progress on the old girl. Long term plans are to build a "tribute" car similar to the Maskin and Kanners Hornet X Pro Stocker from  1977. It was either that or the Wally booth car from the same era and since I think the paint scheme on Dick Maskin's car would be easier to reproduce that made the decision easier. Still got to move the leaf springs and do something with the wheel tubs but the layout of the Hornet's subframe/rear hatch area makes it easy. There's no weird bends or curves and even the stock tubs are shaped almost like aftermarket ones. Will post pics as I go but first thing is to fix a couple of small holes in the long term VW Golf project's floor just to get used to the welder.

Busy at home

Just spent 2 days doing over the upstairs floor and since it wasn't drag race related or even mildy interesting I'll spare everyone the details. Needless to say I didn't have much time to spend on the computer for the past couple of days. For the rest of the week I'll be working on the VWs. Got one to restore, one to maintain and one for parts. Could always use another 2 door Golf though......

Next on the calendar is Miramichi Dragway Park's 1st Points Meet May 30-31 and June1. Depending on which weather forecast you look at it could be either cloudy and warm or sunny and cool. Didn't see any mention of rain in anyone's forecast.

MILAN, Mich. -- Sunday's final results from the Motor City Nationals presented by GM Performance Division & Heritage Newspapers at Milan Dragway. The race is the third of 11 in the 2008 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series:

Top Fuel -- Bruce Litton, 4.678 seconds, 287.66 mph def. Scott Palmer, broke.

Nitro Funny Car -- Paul Lee, Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.956, 305.49 def. Daniel Wilkerson, Chevy IMpala, 5.201, 238.30.

Pro Modified -- Kenny Lang, Chevy Corvette, 6.021, 238.55 def. Mike Castellana, Pontiac Firebird, 10.182, 80.51.

Alcohol Funny Car -- Thomas Carter, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.802, 248.43 def. Laurie Cannister, Chevy Camaro, 5.842, 242.98.

Pro Stock -- Jeff Dobbins, Ford Escort, 6.369, 219.86 def. Pete Berner, Pontiac GXP, 6.333, 220.73.

Top Dragster -- Ricky Adkins, Dragster, 6.893, 177.93 def. Dennis Kline, Dragster, 6.652, 202.15.

Top Sportsman -- Curt Fredrich, Chevy Monte Carlo, 7.331, 187.26 def. Bob Mandell Jr., Oldsmobile Cutlass, 6.839, 192.99.

Super Stock -- Dan Fletcher, Chevy Camaro, 9.291, 139.66 def. Richard Mace, Pontiac Firebird, 10.362, 128.25.

Stock -- Randy Martin, Plymouth Duster, 11.157, 111.27 def. Mike Fuller, Chevy Camaro, 10.565, 125.52.

Quick Rod -- Donny Urban, Dragster, 8.899, 167.07 def. Kenny Underwood, Dragster, 8.876, 175.37.

Super Rod -- Paul Brown, Dodge Dart, 9.928, 145.48 def. Billy Leber, Chevy Corvette, 9.915, 165.86.

Hot Rod -- Kenny Underwood, Chevy Camaro, 10.892, 133.78 def. Ken Langlois, Chevy Nova, 10.889, 142.57.

ET Bracket -- Alan Hedder, Chevy Nova, 9.826, 133.18 def. Robert Johnson, Kawasaki, 9.339, 132.69.

Top ET -- Alan Hedder, Chevy Nova, 9.819, 135.36 def. Rob Phillips, Chevy Beretta, 9.164, 147.96.

Mod ET -- Robert Johnson, Kawasaki, 9.274, 139.04 def. Matt Luttrell, Chevy Nova, 10.965, 109.01.

Sunday Sunday Sunday!!!

A gorgeous Sunday AM in the Maritimes - Greenfield Dragway is starting day two of their season opener, The Friends of RWP are busy tending to PEI's crown jewel,  reconstruction is in full swing at Miramichi, the IHRA is in Milan, Michigan, and all the NHRA stars are partying with NASCAR at Charlotte. Bruton Smith fought the politicians and the NIMBYs and plunked a world class dragstrip right in the heart of NASCAR country. Maybe we can convert a few of of those stock car boys one day...........

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5/24/2008

Reigning NHRA POWERade Pro Stock world champion Jeg Coughlin and rookie of the year candidate Mike Neff beat 14-time world champ John Force and 2008 Pro Stock Motorcycle titlist Matt Smith in the first drag race down zMax Dragway @ Concord, site of the inaugural NHRA Carolinas Nationals.

Driving identical Volvo dump trucks down a dirt strip in the middle of a construction site might not sound as exciting as a real drag race, but for Coughlin, the thrill was there. "This facility is going to be first-rate," he said during a tour of the track, which will host the Sept. 11-14 event. "It's certainly got Bruton's trademark signatures. It's an awesome-looking track, and I think racing in the heart of NASCAR country is going to be huge.
"I can't wait to get there, and I guess 'Zippy' and I already have a win under our belts after today, so we're undefeated here."

And what am I doing you ask? I'm into day two of tearing up vinyl flooring and getting ready for tile. The highlight of my day will likely be the 600 miles at Charlotte tonight. If it's anything like last night's Busch(sorry - I meant Nationwide) race it should be interesting to say the least.

Later.....................

Spring cleaning..........

Been moving some files around in the computers as a sort of cyber spring cleaning session and found a few gems. Spending so much time on drag racing websites has given me an overload of 1969 Camaros and late model Mustangs and all the other "popular" drag cars lately to last me a lifetime. Also I'm not a fan of hood scoops unless the vehicle left the factory with one. So I'll try to give you an idea of what makes my mouth water. Every time I come across one of these rare Stock or Superstock combinations I tend to save a pic of it somewhere. So I'll upload a few of my favourites tonight for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!!