Well, I can tell ya that building a race car is a mixed bag. It's very satisfying to take it to tech inspection and, when asked, say, "I built it myself." On the other hand, as my experiences at WoS point out, there are a whole lotta things that can go wrong and stuff that can get overlooked, especially if there's a time deadline. My goal for the last 7 or so years has been to run 200 mph in a car I built myself. That may have to be compromised to a speed of 155 or so in the 150 Club. When I get to that 150 thing, I'll have to make a decision about what to do with the car. Note that I wrote, "when" and not "if." I'm planning to make it sooner or later, after making the 130 Club. I've heard that some people have done exactly that: build the car to 150 Club rules, run it (and make it) in the 130, then re-enter/re-tech for the 150 at the same event. But that's way down the road. Right now I have to deal with the current status of the car...I've started a "to do" list and it keeps getting longer and longer and...
But you're right, Mary. Anybody can buy a race car/street rod, etc. I dunno how many times I've talked to an owner at a car show or cruise night and found out that they didn't know jack about their car: "It was like that when I bought it." Some of us refer to that type of rodder as the "1-800" rodders. They pick up the phone, dial a 1-800 number and order a hot rod. Completely out of the hotrodding paradigm. Dorks.
Chris nailed it when he said I was frazzled. Seems like I've been that way since February, but for sure since the beginning of August. I'm still thrashing to get photo CDs/DVDs ready to mail to people...and World Finals starts next Tuesday. At least it's not a big meet like Speed Week. Only 100 or so pre-entries. Maybe I can "decompress" a bit after that.
Chris, it appears that ECTA will only have one more meet at Maxton, NC. They they'll make Wilmington, Ohio their home. Google maps sez it's roughly 350 miles to Maxton from Marrietta and about 500 from Marrieta to Wilmington. Not exactly a hop, skip and jump, but a whole lot closer than the salt flats. I hope yer LSR enthusiasm blossoms into a severe case of Salt Fever (or whatever ya might call it for ECTA.) It's incurable, yanno. :)
r On 9/30/2011 5:25 PM, Mary McCarthy wrote:
that's pretty good for a stock pickup. Glad you had a good time.I'd prefer build to buy because any yahoo can buy, it take talent to build. But that's just me.MaryPart 2:Jim graciously offered to let me make runs in his '09 Colorado. This is the truck he and Ray raced last year. I did not want Jim to rush through his runs (since each driver had to make his 5 runs before the next driver could race). We worked together to get the truck ready to race, taping the seams, removing extra weight: passenger seat, camper shell, bed protector, side mirrors, etc.Jim made a couple runs with the speeds at 108MPH. We were trying shorter tires to get more gear, but it looked like this was reducing top speed. We swapped the stock tires back on, I guessed he would run 111MPH, and he did. Jim also tried a run where he shifted to 5th gear, but this also dropped top speed. Jim hot lapped his last runs, he wanted to make sure I got to run.We went back to tech to get my registration. This was quick and I was in line ready to make a pass. Although the line wasn't long there was a wait: someone had dropped parts on the track, then there was a car stuck on the return run waiting for it's tow truck (I don't know why this stopped racing). When I finally got to the front of the line there was confusion about my registration, they had Jim listed as driving, so I had to get out of line until they figured it out.Finally I got to run: 2/10 mile: 73.7 MPH 1/2 mile: 97.6 MPH 130 Club: 112.5 then 2/10 mile: 73.8 MPH 1/2 mile: 97.7 MPH 130 Club: 112.9The next morning it was very windy and overcast, but eventually the wind subsided enough to run, I was 3rd in line, here are the 3 runs:2/10 mile: 74.3 MPH 1/2 mile: 98.2 MPH 130 Club: 113.9 2/10 mile: 74.3 MPH 1/2 mile: 98.6 MPH 130 Club: 114.1 2/10 mile: 73.5 MPH 1/2 mile: 98.0 MPH 130 Club: 113.3The time slips read "130 Club" rather than "1 mile" since the distance is a bit longer than a mile, but the MPH is derived by the time calculated to cover the distance, so the length is not important. There were "1" signs on the track that tell you when you're done, which are actually beyond the timed distance: they do this because in the past people would let off at the "1" signs and end up with a lower MPH. The 114MPH run probably had a tail wind.Our new friend Bob (also racing a 4 cylinder / 5 speed Colorado), Jim and I discussed how a Colorado could get into the 130 MPH club. My thoughts are it will take a turbo, and since there are no kits available you'd have to fabricate everything. Also the compression would have to be lowered from the stock 10:1. Lastly I'm not sure you can program the stock ECU to compensate for boost. Adding up the costs you wonder if you would be better off starting with a different platform... like a 3rd generation Firebird? These are aerodynamic, have a huge aftermarket, and can be powered by almost every GM engine built: small block, big block, LS, turbo Buick...Which brings up another topic: which is best: build or buy your race car? Bob was kind enough to loan out his fire extinguisher and helmet to a family with a brand new Camaro SS. They had no problem running 130 MPH twice, thus getting into the 130 MPH club (with 2 different drivers). We were thinking guys would be happy to pay to rent a 130 MPH capable car... Bob told the family about the idea, and they let him race the Camaro, no charge (other than the registration fee). Bob had to tap the brakes to stay below 140 MPH. So we found out what's even better than building or buying your race car: borrow one!Ray was frazzled. When you think about what he had on his plate it is understandable: getting to the salt, getting the Monte ready to race, racing the Monte, planning to have others race the Monte, AND taking photos of the racing: it is too much.It was such fun to meet and hang out with everyone... I hope to do it again someday. I found out the East Coast Timing Association has events in Ohio and is planning one in North Carolina...ChrisRules: Please play nicely with others. -List members page (text & pic links): http://www.myelcamino.net/eclist.htm -List members page (all pics): http://www.myelcamino.net/ec_list.htm
