Thread: Move over John Force, I'm going racing !

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My Sons and I have decided to not take our cars to Turkey Run this year, but we will still be going as spectators and swap meet shoppers. Too much to do on Dan's motor and we don't want to rush it this time, plus we used to have more fun when we didn't take our cars........less to worry about.

However, I have decided to take my 27 to the Billetproof Drags Oct 23rd instead. I haven't been down a dragstrip since about 1978 and really miss it. The BP drags are very cool and laid back, pretty much run what you brung, old time racing. I need to do a few things, like mount a seatbelt, tune the engine, change the plugs, set the valves again, change the oil, and build a driveshaft hoop. But I have 3 weeks to get that done.

The one thing I need to address is that my 27 is severely traction challenged. 1st gear is all wheel spin, still spins half way though second, and finally starts to hook when I get it in 3rd. To try to get some bite I bolted on the Firestone 8 inch slicks from my rpu project and took it for a spin today. !st is still iffy, the car still gets a little sideways in second, but hooks quicker than before, and 3rd is still good. The taller tire seems to move the car forward quicker too, taking a little out of my 4'30 rear gears.

Here are some pictures I took today. The rims are deeper than my street tire rims but that is simply cosmetic, I can live with it for one day.

Don

A set of soft compound Eagles or Hoosiers would hook the car up way better.....then you could put the antique lookin' tires back in the shop and save them for a car show!!!!!

I know, but I'm afraid if I really start to hook I will be breaking stuff. I only have 28 spine axles back there so I have to be somewhat gingerly with it. And then there are those pesky wheelstands (a guy can dream, can't he?)

Don

Yeah, good slicks will search out the weakest link----with a little playing with air pressure, I would think a pair of 9" slicks would make the car spin some at launch, then haze them a bit through second providing good hook and not murdering the rest of the car.

Probably, but I am going to do this one on a budget, plus no sense buying $ 600 worth of tires for a one day deal. The other thing is that the Firestones fit the tone of the BP drags too, they like to see old timey stuff on the cars. (Not that an aluminum headed, roller cammed, 331 stroker is traditional, but they do have some latitude in the rules)

Don

Don the 27 is looking good! Get one of the boys to video you drag racing, it would be fun to watch! Love to see it light up and burn some rubber.

That's a good idea, Steve. I need another video of me embarrassing myself. I am thinking about buying one of those GoPro camera thingies, but I would probably only use it once or twice and then have no use for it. They really make good quality videos though.

Don

If i had come a little later i could of gone too !!! I reckon if you get them real hot you may be ok old timer, just enough to not break stuff but not spin too bad either. Hope you have a blast.

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

I am thinking about buying one of those GoPro camera thingies, but I would probably only use it once or twice and then have no use for it. They really make good quality videos though.

Don

i`ll loan you mine .. i had to have it for 5 years and finally got it and shot two videos with it .. 300 bucks wasted ..

"...... I haven't been down a dragstrip since about 1978 and really miss it......"

I hate to admit it but it's been about that long for me too (I was running the V8 Pinto back then).

The more I get done on the 37 the more I think it will probably have to make a trip or two to SIR in Tucson cause I miss it too.

Make sure you go through your suspension and steering thoroughly checking for loose or cracks. Don't want any ugly incidents. Besides, we need you around, ragging on you is good therapy.

Maybe borrow an old trick from the slot car days......................oil of wintergreen!

Steve, yep, too bad you guys left too soon, you would have loved these races. It is like going back in time because of all the old cars racing there and the fact everyone is doing it just for pure fun. Maybe next time you are here.

Hoss, that is my fear too, I would use it once or twice and then have no use for that GoPro ever again. Maybe I could do like those people on TV did and strap it to my cat and video his travels all day. They put one around the neck of their cat and let him roam the neighborhood, then they sell the videos and pictures he takes. Maybe I can make our two loafers earn their keep.

Mike, you should do it. With the event of bracket racing all of us can take a trip down the 1/8 or 1/4 mile with any car we have. I've been threatening to take my daily driver but my Sons tell me I'd probably blow it up and then have no car to drive.

Bob, I am going to check it all over, and I might even have the front tires balanced again. But if a person has to go, driving a hot rod down the dragstrip would probably be the way I would want to go. Well, maybe not...........a couple of good looking blondes and a bottle of Jack Daniels might be first on the list , now that I think about it.

Don

Just tape the cell phone to the roll bar and start the video mode before the run! Cheap entertainment!

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

Steve, yep, too bad you guys left too soon, you would have loved these races. It is like going back in time because of all the old cars racing there and the fact everyone is doing it just for pure fun. Maybe next time you are here.

Hoss, that is my fear too, I would use it once or twice and then have no use for that GoPro ever again. Maybe I could do like those people on TV did and strap it to my cat and video his travels all day. They put one around the neck of their cat and let him roam the neighborhood, then they sell the videos and pictures he takes. Maybe I can make our two loafers earn their keep.

Mike, you should do it. With the event of bracket racing all of us can take a trip down the 1/8 or 1/4 mile with any car we have. I've been threatening to take my daily driver but my Sons tell me I'd probably blow it up and then have no car to drive.

Bob, I am going to check it all over, and I might even have the front tires balanced again. But if a person has to go, driving a hot rod down the dragstrip would probably be the way I would want to go. Well, maybe not...........a couple of good looking blondes and a bottle of Jack Daniels might be first on the list , now that I think about it.

Don

Now your really tring to make it hard on me Don, I can always find your cars but not you. You must be really be hiding from me....LOL
Bradc