Nigel, I wouldn't get too excited. Jeff ended up suffering gearbox problems, namely lack of cogs to swap. I ran him in the second shootout and expected him to come charging past. I took the win with a shitty 14.955 on a 14.60 dial and Jeff with a 15.802 on a 13.30. Two gears out of 4 weren't there anymore. But wait, it gets worse! Jeff's next run he dials a 18.30, due to not knowing if the only gear he'll have left is sloppy-cog. The officials asked twice if he's fair dinkum about the dial-in. He's running against Josh Boskovich who's dialed 14. 60 I think. Jeff runs a 16 something and Josh takes the win. I'm up against Joe who dials 13.50 and runs a 13.799 while I run 14.674 on a 14.65. That gave Josh 3 wins so is automatically in the final, which isn't bad considering he was a last minute entry as his sister was supposed to drive but pulled out at the last minute. He was getting parts at a nearby shop and got the call to turn up. His wife rang him in the afternoon and wanted to know why he wasn't home. "I'm at the track, racing, Love, be home a bit later." That left me with 2 wins to run in the final. I left my dial-in at 14.65 due to the slight headwind. Josh was dialed at 14.60 so there was a small gap in tree lights. We jumped at pretty much the same time with Josh having a better reaction time than me. It was neck and neck all the way with me gradually overhauling him and up to the line it's a win to .................................. Just kidding, Josh took the win with 14.655 on a 14.60, I broke-out with a 14.577 on a 14.65. It would have to be one of the best races I've ever had.
Now for a video for your perusal. The first is the final. And as promised, one I took of the whole run and trip back to the pits. I'll do some more tomorrow after uploading them. Peter
Well that was one great ride along showing the track, return, staging and pits. That has got to be one of the top drag strips in the the world. I have never seen that much good lighting on a drag strip in the States in the 40+ years I have been racing. You guys should be real proud of the operation and the chance to run there.
Most all rear motor Super Comp Dragsters and Top Dragster in the States are drive around cars with good radiator cooling systems. They drive up to the staging lane, make a pass, cruise by the time slip booth and on back to their pit. Sure helps move a race along and cuts down on all the cars at the end of the strip.
Photos of the damage I did to my gearbox . I managed to snap of the sinco part of the input shaft off . Need to now put a new one in
How goes it with the repairs to your car Jeff? Is the Chev up and running yet? In case anyone's wondering why us Aussies have been a bit quiet of late is we don't race again till 15th November. With only a 10 point difference between me and Jeff in the championship series it could be tense at the track.
The Jalopy Journal
