World Series of Drags In Cordova, IL

[lzdick]

Spent the day (and late evening due to midday rain showers) at the World Series of Drags in Cordova, IL. We saw some spectacular racing and exhibitions.

The Pedregon boys (Tony & Cruz) were there and both advanced to the finals (very late in the evening). Tony went 301 mph in 4.93 in his 'semi' run. "What a ride".

Here are a few shot from the event...

'Wheelie Wagon' dragster
http://usera.imagecave.com/lzdick/WorldSeriesofDrags002.jpg

Les Shockley's 'Shock Wave'...three jet engines
http://usera.imagecave.com/lzdick/WorldSeriesofDrags005.jpg
http://usera.imagecave.com/lzdick/WorldSeriesofDrags006.jpg

'Blastro'...the world's most powerful mini-van @ 3000hp.
http://usera.imagecave.com/lzdick/WorldSeriesofDrags007.jpg

Arnie's return...
http://usera.imagecave.com/lzdick/WorldSeriesofDrags099.jpg

'Chi-town Hustler' in action...
http://usera.imagecave.com/lzdick/WorldSeriesofDrags098.jpg

Great shirts...
http://usera.imagecave.com/lzdick/WorldSeriesofDrags013.jpg
http://usera.imagecave.com/lzdick/WorldSeriesofDrags014.jpg

[Chevy454]

I hate to take this off topic, buy any of you going to the Drag Week opener @ Cordova?

[ORIGLS6]

Arnie is back? Hope so!

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Kim_Howie]

Had alot of fun at that track in the late 60's early 70's . Back then you could stand on the starting line and watch the Top name funny cars & Rails run. Half the time you would be hit with unburned fuel. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif It was a great time,

[ORIGLS6]

[ QUOTE ]
Back then you could stand on the starting line and watch the Top name funny cars & Rails run. Half the time you would be hit with unburned fuel. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif It was a great time,

[/ QUOTE ]

So that's what's wrong with us! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

I agree; hard to beat the smell of raw Nitro searing through your nostrils, eyes watering by the buckets, lungs on fire........... God I miss that! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[olredalert]

-----Dennis,,, Heard the other day that Arnie is most likely going to stay out of the 7 second car(s) and he is presently building an early 60s stock class car to have fun with. This wasnt rumor but with Arnie you still just never know whats going to pop up out of his still fertile imagination........Bill S

[ORIGLS6]

Even that is good news. I had heard the healing wasn't going as well as they had hoped and that he might not be back in a car at all.
He's one helluva showman! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

[olredalert]

------I have to laugh at the thought of Arnie giving job interviews for drivers of his 7 second car. "Ok, Do you think you can do a full quarter burn-out???" "Can you back up at 50/60mph???" "Can you still make a full pass with the steering wheel laying in your lap???" The possibilities are endless!!!........Bill S

[ORIGLS6]

[ QUOTE ]
"Can you back up at 50/60mph???" ......The possibilities are endless!!!........

[/ QUOTE ]

EXACTLY! The 60 MPH, arrow straight returns to the starting line after the looooooooooooong burnouts are worth any admission price.

No one does it better!

[olredalert]

------Don Nicholson told me this story; Dyno was in the next lane from Arnie somewhere back east at a match race when Arnies steering wheel came off in his hands. At the time he swore he would never run "that crazy SOB, Beswick" again. Obviously he lied about that part, but later Arnie verified the story. He said the wheel came off in his hands going into 3rd and he thru it on the floor and grabbed the steering column and ran it out the back door. Would have liked to be there for that one.......Bill S

[Chevy454]

Off-topic, but related to Cordova...any of you Iowa/Illinois folks going to the Drag Week kick off tomorrow at Cordova? There's also supposed to be a matchup of the heavy hitters in the Stock Appearing "F.A.S.T." class...except they're swapping the Polyglass tires for slicks...ought to be interesting!

[Schonyenko2]

Nasty cold/rain front moving in. Tommorrow could be iffy. Cordova has become a very fine facility since Gardner bought it. Used to be a big sand box. He paved the staging lanes, resurfaced the track, and added a lot of family friendly things like play ground equipment for the kids. If you havn't been there in a while, it's worth a trip. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Chevy454]

Don't tell me that! I was kickin' around making the 8 hour drive...but I can watch it rain here @ home! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[Chevy454]

Good thing I didn't make the trip...looks like lots and lots of rain...bummer for the folks racing. Hopefully next year we'll have sunny skies for this event... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[Mr70]

Bring back WhiteHall. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

[ORIGLS6]

[ QUOTE ]
Bring back WhiteHall. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Speaking of that..... We had our Fourth Annual Reunion yesterday. Best turnout so far with well over 100 cars. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

Thanks to EVERYONE for attending. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif I'll try to post some pix in a couple of days. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif