Hillbilly Racing Team: week in review

[Chevy454]

Last Thursday, the old man made a trip up to central Missouri to pick up a couple of "surprises" for my kids. We figured why tip-toe into something with a single car when 2 cars *has* to be twice the fun (and work! lol!!)...1 was an 8.90 car and the other was a 12.90 car. We have a local 1/8 mile asphalt go-kart track that we used to race at that sits unused now, so we loaded up the kids this week and took them out for some beginner lessons in drag racing. We pulled the fiberglass off of both cars, just in case something went "awry", and for easier access to the pedals and so we could watch their footwork. Anyway, here's the kids after an after school "test session" yesterday...

http://www.yenko.net/photos/data/500/kids.jpg

Then last Friday night, we loaded up the '10 Y-Camaro and the Deuce and headed over to Ozark International Raceway for a Test 'n' Tune...nothing too eventful with our cars, the Deuce ran some 10.80s after being on a strict 1/8 mile diet the last few weeks, and the '10 Camaro needs a little tuning. But here's where it gets neat...

A few weeks ago, the owner of a local tire shop lost his wife to a long battle with cancer, and while helping him with the services we got to know him a lot better. This gentleman is a Buick guy through and through, and is interested with anything that is automotive related...but he told us he'd never been on a drag strip before, but he's always wanted to. So, we naturally offered to show him the ropes, and told him about the T'n'T Friday night, but he didn't know if he could make it or not. Well, he, his youngest son, and a buddy of his jumped in his GN and surprised us while we we're unloading...they then put the GN through it's paces for the better part of the evening. Here is a picture of him and his very first time slip...

http://www.yenko.net/photos/data/500/dirk.jpg

He and his boys and the rest of their family and friends have been through a lot lately, but hopefully their time at the track helped raise their spirits, if only for a little bit...I know *I* thoroughly enjoyed having them there.

[mockingbird812]

Good stuff Rob. Nothing wrong with spreading a little cheer around! Photos say it all! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Well! It's about time you got those poor kids some Jr Dragsters, <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

Love the pics, post some more. 2 cars is 4x the work.

Hope you liked racing your big cars, you won't be seeing them for a while. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif

Tell us more about the chassis, clutch, etc....

[ORIGLS6]

Tom &amp; Rob,

ENJOY EVERY MINUTE!!!!! Time flys by quicker every day.
Yeah, the new cars are probably more work, ..... but I'm bettin you're both smiling all the time you're 'working' on them. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif

(Also, you might ask your new friend if he could start stocking race tires. I got a feeling you're gonna need some. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif )

I'm subscribing to this thread so I don't miss all the updates!! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif

[Xplantdad]

Good for you Rob...this will be fun to watch progress!

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

You'll be doing this soon:

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h68/aacorp/BenatEnglishtowninthePits.jpg

No better way to spend time with the kids! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[x Baldwin Motion]

Looks like great family time! enjoy and be safe!! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[Chevy454]

Ran down to Newport yesterday afternoon...in the middle of nowhere amongst the rice &amp; soybeans, basically...but the nicest, most laid back atmosphere I've ever seen at a drag strip, southern hospitality at it's finest! Anyway, dad's posted about this place before, but it's on old airport, and the return road is used/maintained by the state for their truck driving school...all concrete strip, HUGE asphalt pits. Best cheeseburgers I've ever had at a track...and I consider myself a cheeseburger connoisseur.

Here's a shot of the tower...you literally enter the track through the staging lanes (far right of picture), so they use the upright aluminum &quot;shields&quot; to keep the cars/spectators as they enter/leave the track from being pelted with rocks/rubber/water/etc. You're literally &lt;10 ft. from the rear of the burnout boxes as you pay your admission &amp; sign the waiver. [note the kiddy pool to the right of the tower...that is to help occupy Speedy's boy while he's running the program!]
http://www.yenko.net/photos/data/500/medium/newport.jpg

Note the pipe on the lower right hand side of the tower in the photo above...that's not a gutter, that's where the announcer/timer drops down the time slips...
http://www.yenko.net/photos/data/500/medium/bucket_1.jpg

And the bucket...both slips (white winner and yellow loser) are on the same clothes pin, so dig through the bucket, find your pairing, then take the appropriate slip...every so often Speedy's daughter comes by and collects some clothes pins and run's 'em back up into the tower...
http://www.yenko.net/photos/data/500/medium/bucket_2.jpg

And my oldest daughter's first time slip, from her first &quot;official&quot; pass...first pass was a 10.5x letting off mid track for some reason, then followed it up with a string of 9.5s &amp; 9.6s (1/8 mile). I tried helping her stage for her first past and had her confused, so I rolled her back, she quit watching me and did it herself and bumped in like a seasoned pro...evidently her old man was selling her short, lol!
http://www.yenko.net/photos/data/500/medium/tay.jpg

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Awesome pics!! Keep 'em coming. Love the old school tracks, quite laid back and very enjoyable.

Sure sounds like a bracket car with those back to back runs, she's ready to run NHRA 8.90 class!

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[mockingbird812]

Good stuff Rob. One proud daughter!!!

[Xplantdad]

So very cool Rob! Keep us updated please <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif

[sYc]

Was a very fun day. The Deuce ran well with several 6.84s, on a 6.82 dial, but even though the atmosphere is laid back, they get serious come race time, thus I was out early.

[ORIGLS6]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Chevy454</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

Note the pipe on the lower right hand side of the tower in the photo above...that's not a gutter, that's where the announcer/timer drops down the time slips...
http://www.yenko.net/photos/data/500/medium/bucket_1.jpg

And the bucket...both slips (white winner and yellow loser) are on the same clothes pin, so dig through the bucket, find your pairing, then take the appropriate slip...every so often Speedy's daughter comes by and collects some clothes pins and run's 'em back up into the tower...
http://www.yenko.net/photos/data/500/medium/bucket_2.jpg


</div></div>

Now who the heck needs all the Hi-Tech stuff when something this simple does the trick!!! Good ol' Midwest Ingenuity at it's finest.

That's MY KINDA TRACK!! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif

Sounds like a Great Family outing guys. Glad to hear you all had fun.


(Long weekend, eh Tom? <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif)

[sYc]

Dennis, yeah..a long weekend, but well worth it, both the Whitehall Reunion and going to Newport.

It takes a little while to get used to how they run things at Newport, but once you get used to their system, no big deal.

Another interesting thing they do at Newport...Anyone who has ever been on a racer's board, or around racers much, know how racers can be when it comes to payouts/$$$, sort of like feeding time at the zoo. Well, at Newport, they only pay the winner in each class, but more times then not, before the finals, the two racers will get together, shake hands and agree to split the pot 50/50. Makes for some fun final runs, as usually everyone lets it all hangout, not worrying about breaking out, or redlights, just one final race for bragging rights.

[ORIGLS6]

WOW. Sounds like a lot of small tracks could take some lessons from Newport. Hope it never changes!

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Need more pics, more car details, and more stories about the runs, the lights, the dials, etc....

[Chevy454]

I can't tell ya much about the cars themselves, as I'm basically just the &quot;muscle&quot; of the operation...lifting, pushing, dragging is my department, lol! Being as dad was intimate with all things Briggs carting for several years, he's the Austin Coil of the outfit, so he'll have to fill in those details.

As for dial, Taylor was the only Jr. there so she was just making passes...good thing about Newport is that within reason they're up for anything. Early lights were really lazy, being her first time @ the tree I had her leaving on green, then the last pass I had her try and work on the ambers and she had a .7xx light. Everyone keeps asking what kind of MPH the thing runs, and I'm curious myself, but Newport doesn't have MPH timers for some reason? The thing seems really consistent, though, and was actually quicker than a few of the rides in the &quot;street car&quot; class...and it's 60' time is nearly identical to the Yellow Sub's... <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/crazy.gif

[sYc]

Taylor's car is a Spitzer (narrow rear), engine 2/3 Blockzilla (.208 bore, .450 stroke), ARC FW, all billet head, sidecover, clutch/crank supports, etc. Clutch is a McGhee OD, (same as Shockwave), 33 carb. Mid 9's as it sets (tall rear tires-less RPM or high 8s with shorter tires or more gear (more RPM).

Devin's car older chassis ?, wide rear, Raptor engine, Clemens head, side cover, FW, etc, 33 carb, McGhee OD clutch. Should run low 11s.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Sounds like a pretty good setup, especially the Blockzilla - small bore with a long stroke though, hmmm.....

I didn't know McGhee made clutches. If it is the same as the Shockwave (made by Jr Racecars in CO) then it should be a pretty good unit. The 33mm carb is the standard for the 8.90 class, won't need the 42mm till you go 7.90's.

The older car with the Raptor, Clements head, cylinder head, flywheel, etc... sounds like a good 12.90 combo. We are just wrapping up the 12.90 class with an engine that can run low 11's, but we slowed it down to 12.90's by doing a variety of things. Let me know if you need help slowing it down - if your driver is under 10, and quicker than 12.50, you are bounced for the day. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/eek.gif

Post some pics of the cars, maybe we can decipher the older car. Sounds like it could be a Monaco. Where is Dominic? He is the site expert on all things Jr! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif

[Jeff H]

Good stuff guys! It's all about finding the hobby that you enjoy participating in or watching in your free time. I've actually been so busy with work that the little time I've had off this summer, I backed off the car shows and drag racing to run to the beach to watch the garveys/skiffs/ski boats race along the Jersey shore. It's amazing what 4-5 boats with small block chevy's and open headers sound like when they all take the green flag at the same time! These pictures were from this past Sunday and this weekend is the end of their season for the boat races. These racers are a mix of men/women from 18 through 70 years old and they do it all summer long! The past 2 weekends saw a couple of the garveys hook a wake and the driver and co-pilot were tossed out at 50+ mph! Everyone was fine and kept on racing. Now you know why they call them pineys along the shore! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif Some of the modified boats are making 500-600 hp in a very light boat!

http://www.jerseyoutlaws.com/images/dsc_0916_8.jpg

http://www.jerseyoutlaws.com/images/dsc_0987_28.jpg

http://www.jerseyoutlaws.com/images/dsc_0994_31.jpg

http://www.jerseyoutlaws.com/images/dsc_1039_51.jpg

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

That's nuts! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif

[sYc]

This past Saturday we went to a test and tune at Newport, first time out for Devin, age 11, pictured here with his first time slip. Big sister, Taylor age 15, who had been once before, had been telling him how hard it was to stage, cut a light etc, but turned out he was right at home, cutting a decent light all day. After a few practice runs, we dialed in each car, then let them race, Rob helping Devin, me with Taylor. Rob dialed Devin in at a 11:30, was within a .10 all day, broke out once (his crew chief raised his dial in to 11:35, ran a 11:30). I dialed Taylor in at 9:60, also was within a .10 or so, but she is still learning to cut a light, and being the faster car, had to deal with Devin’s lights flashing before her’s. Devin won 3 of 4, so needless to say big sister was not too happy, got the speech about good sportsmanship and having a good time from grandmother.

[ORIGLS6]

Great times Tom.

You had a better day than our buddies Joe and Randy with their Nostalgia T/F car.

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m57/dmcumby/Havana%209%2024%2011/P9241772.jpg



More pix here (http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&amp;Number=461800&amp;#Post461 800)

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Awesome pic's! Tough dialing these things, just be thankful that you aren't running the 12.90 class, <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif

[sYc]

Went racing Sunday, myself in the Deuce, Taylor in her JR, and I guess you could say we found out who the racer in the family is. After winning a couple of rounds, round three I was a sleep at the wheel at the tree and lost, while this is how Taylor did. She ran 5 times and her ETs were 9.696, 9.695, 9.702, 9.701 and the last one...nailed her dial in.


JR DRAGSTER CLASS
1ST PLACE TAYLOR CLARY .589 9.698 9.698


http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc268/transamann/10-9-11/001-Copy.jpg



http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc268/transamann/041-14.jpg

[MrsBillyBobcat]

That's AWESOME!!! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif Way to go Taylor! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif

[mockingbird812]

Congrats Taylor. that is CONSISTENT!!

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Nice going! That is a good way to get started in JR's - skip the 12.90 class and go fast right out of the gate. Let's see some trophy pics along with her million dollar grin! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif

[ORIGLS6]

If you both had fun, ..... you BOTH won! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[SmallHurst]

Okay, who was crew chief?

Runs like that and I can see Rob having to work hard to remain the shoe in the Yellow Sub!!!!!

Congrats to Taylor!!!

[Xplantdad]

Shades of the John Force family...the girls are better than the boys <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif

Looks like you all had a blast as a family...that's what counts <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[iluv69s]

In this day and age raising children is a real challenge. I think it is great to see people getting thier kids involved early in things like drag racing. And it is also a great way to have 'family time' together.
Great Stuff for the kids...and I am sure the parents are very proud also !!! Congrats !!

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Rob, how many Jr's in the field at that track?

[Chevy454]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Rob, how many Jr's in the field at that track? </div></div>
LOL, let's just say &quot;not many&quot;! They're just starting to pop up around Newport...and after seeing ours run, I think a few more will be out next year. Ozark Raceway Park is another story, though. There is a pretty good pocket of Jr. racers around there I believe, but we wanted to get our feet wet before we jump in the middle of an actual series/program. A couple years ago I believe it was, the world record holding outlaw/open Jr. Dragster hailed from ORP...pretty sure that kid was running in the high-6s/low-7s!

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Good plan Rob - start out with as little pressure and intensity as possible, and then move on to a bigger track where the field is well experienced. Taylor is on her mark - if she can cut those lights, and run on the dial for 5 runs straight like that she'll be going rounds at just about any track. The more experienced kids will be better at the stripe of course, but she'll catch on very quick - Ben sure did!

We were talking to the Maple Grove Champion for 2010 &amp; 2011 (he won 2 years in a row!), and he was sharing a few bits of advice with us - like how much et is packed, when to let off when running up on a 12.90 car, etc... good stuff! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif Maple Grove usually has about 30-35 Jr's on a points day, so it takes about 5 rounds of elim's to get to the winners circle. We've only made it to round 3 thus far - these older kids basically eat the 12.90 cars for lunch! In fact, no 12.90 car has made it past the 3rd round all year at MGR, <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/frown.gif So glad you guys skipped the 12.90's - good move for both you and your kiddies!

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h68/aacorp/Bristol6.jpg

This was less than half of the field of over 600 Jr's at the Eastern Finals at Bristol!

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

My point - there should be 2 more Jr's there next year! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif

[sYc]

Taylor and I went to Newport yesterday for a little index racing. The index part did not pose a problem, but running off of the Pro tree instead of the usual Sportsman tree sure did. Taylor actually handled it better then I did, especially when you consider a JR is not suited for a Pro tree.

Seems I am able to find different ways to lose. Made it to the finals, only to lose by .004. Because the Deuce will run 6.80s all day, I knew at the big end I would have to peddle it some as not to break out. Final round, I was late off of the tree, caught and passed the other car mid track, peddled, had the race won, but ran a 6.996 on a 7.0 index.

Regardless, as always, a fun day at the track.

The Deuce taking on a BBC wheelstander.


http://s213.photobucket.com/albums/cc268/transamann/10-15-11/?action=view&amp;current=102_4321.mp4

[markjohnson]

Hey Tom, it's something else how well that lil' Green SBC Nova runs compared to Red Alert?! It's a textbook story of power-to-weight ratio. What were the ET comparisms and weight differences between those two cars!

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Well..... What is the plan for this year, when will we see some Jr pics from the track? <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif