After having problems with my 331, decided it was time to call it quits. But having raced for over 50 years, could not stand to watch anymore. Thru a 306 together with my cam and intake etc. Had a set of 12year old pistons I had bought for 100.00 with some rings on them that had some running on them. Stock rods with ARP bolts, poked them in the slightly worn block and I was back in the game. Surprising enough that old motor ran the same numbers as the 331 but with a lot less bottom end torque which has hurt my RT and 60ft a little. My driving abilities leave something to be desired too, but as frustrating as it gets, I keep at it race day after race day. It all came together yesterday, lady luck and a good track surface, along with cool and dry weather put me and the Fairmont in the winners circle. Had red lighted in first round but bought back in and started a string of wins. Was running 9.46 with some change, in 1000ft. Best was a 9.45 dialed and ran a 9.453. 1.55 60ft and 7.30 1/8th. Had four dead on dials with small change at 104 to 105mph.(1000ft). Got to the semi's, lined up with a Maverick(8.82), a Torino(10.40), a 84 Stang(460ci, 9.14). Loved it, with four Fords going at it, drew the Maverick to race, it pulls a .497 red light and I'm in the finals against the Stang. Have run him before and he is a top end driver and I have trouble dialing aginst him previously, and got sent home. This time in the staging lanes, we both are waiting to see what the other is going to dial up. Finally I put a 9.45 on the window and climb in, he tells his helper to put 9.17. For some reason my head was straight so I jump out of the car and put a 9.46 back on. Got a crappy .570 light but Henry's little 302 is running perfect, I am slamming the shifter on the C4 so hard when the shift light comes on at 6800, that it must have looked like a four speed slammer from the spectators. He is catching up at the 1/8th but I'm still pulling hard so he has to lift to keep from breaking out, not enough, I cross the stripe at 9.464 and he breaks out at 9.16. Have many co racers who go to the finish line fence, after their demize, and all are cheering me on. Two very good racer friends arrive at my pit on a four wheeler just as I get back. I am a bit shocked at the win so don't pay much attn. as I exit the car, get doused with 5gal of water. Much congratulating etc. and a cool one is on tap, 95% of these fellow racers are much younger than myself and it is a nice feeling to have them so excited about my win. The payout was very nice also, 400.00 to win and an extra 50.00 for having muflers(IMCA type is all I use) I had also bought 5gal of Sunoco fuel, so being that no one has won the past Pro/noE races and bought fuel, the contingency pot was 200.00. Winners cap, Sunoco T shirt and lots of huggs, topped the day, except for the numerous cans of golden brew consumed also. Sorry for the long post but thought you might enjoy and maybe even realize that you are never to old to not have fun, and even win if you stay at it. Got the new 331 ready to install but no way will I mess with the old standby now, may enshrine it on an engine stand when it ever does give up.
Ha! Way To Go Old Man! Sounds like a GREAT outing! Looking forward to seeing more posts like this. and a couple of :bananaman :bananaman !
From the 'what its worth' department: I ran my '89 Mustang yesterday at our Car Club Wars (bracket racing). Strange that the weather has been great here in Houston lately. The temp was low 90's but the weird thing is only 24% humidity! Made for some great times. I bettered my personal best from a 8.84 @ 78 (1/8th) to a 8.68 @ 80.3. I redlit in my 3rd race and broke out by .02 in the 'President's' race. But, after the main event, nine of us got together and did a Jackpot (@ $10/ea) - I win! It paid for the outing in the great weather. Continued success to you - and me! Rick
Am taking the wife to Memphis this Friday for the O'Riely Nationals. Hope to see the big guns and buy some trinkets. Eat, drink and enjoy life. Will need some new slicks soon also.
good job Rick! Dad too! I just wasted a lot of time/fuel yesterday...lost first round, bought back lucked out against a guy that hasn't raced much and lost 3rd round. Darn car just would not run right. I did set a new personal best ET/MPH though in the Mav. It was cool out, in the mid 60's humidity in the 40% range...went 8.22/122 mph in the 1000', 6.38/108 1/8 mi. 60' was 1.378. It didnt feel like it 60'd that well, just real smooth, set the wheels down at about the 50'(carried both for a while, probably a couple inches) and straight down the track. Kind of nosed over right at the 1000' mark...which only got worse as the day went on. Found a dirt dobber nest in the fuel tank vent and figured that after I cleaned it out I'd have to lean it out some. Changed to an 80 pill from 76 the lean it down some, and it helped...but not much. Still ran .5 slow. Saturday T-n-T I should have it back down where it should be. Last week it ran 8.38-8.38-8.39-8.37-8.37-and semi-final round I dialed 8.36 against JJ's 9.34. I staged shallow and ran 8.3609, JJ ran 9.3402, but his .534 light to my .557 was the kicker and put me on the trailer early. When the flying toilet is on, it is deadly repeatable...within thousanths of a second run after run after run. Bad part is, yesterday I used 3 gallons of alky trying to warm up the motor...they make a primer plus system where you can idle and start the car on gas (warm up quicker) but for now, mine'll have to work like it is. Besides, alky doesn't cost that much. I know where there's a couple 460 engines that could put this ol mav in the mid 5's...but I figure I'm going plenty fast as it is, especially for bracket racing. From now on, I'm tuning for consistency, not for ET/MPH. Truth be told, the 357 will probaly stay untouched from here on out, assuming it stays in one piece. VERY easy to drive this car. Hooks on gravel and drives as straight as an arrow.
Ok bud, am going to keep my eye on you. I have a gut feeling that your endeavors shall not go for naught. "And the winner is Rick Book" This will come to pass my friend, thanks for the kind words, will find great pleasure in giving you the same.
I love it! Gives me some inspiration as an old guy also. I just want to get my 73 Comet in the 13's. I drive it on the street whenever possible (I love the looks & thumbsup I get). I love the smell of burnt rubber.......I'll be working hard this winter to get it there. My inspiration comes from you guys. Keep it coming.
way to go dave and rick. i hope i do 1/2 as good this weekend at firebird. remember a bad day at the track is still better than anywhere else
