Day 1 Friday Night, Livonia, MI to Chicago, IL Day 2 Saturday, Chicago, IL to Omaha, NE Day 3 Sunday, Omaha, NE to ColoRODo Springs, CO Day 4 Monday, ColoRODo Springs to Durango/Pikes Peak Climb Day 5 Dugango to Silerton on the Train Day 6 Hiking in Blanding UT Day 7 Blanding to Wendover Day 8 First Day on the Salt, Tech Inspection Day 9 Saturday on the Salt On Saturday morning we once again stopped for breakfast, ice, water etc and headed to the Salt. I was driving Big Olds out there as we heard the water at the end of the road had pretty much dissipated and I was comfortable with the condition. We headed directly over to the start line where the drivers meeting was going to be held. They talked about the condition of the track the week before and having to just move the location recently. They also talked about next year and the probability of starting Speed Week on Monday instead of Friday. They said this will free up rooms for the racers. The guy that runs the casinos was also there and agreed not to book any other events during Speed Week AND to not raise the cost of the rooms. All sounds good, well see. After the drivers meeting was over they allowed everyone that wanted to drive their cars down the long course to do so. I hopped in Big Olds and headed out. Megan and Larry hopped in the roadster and did the same stopping halfway and swapping drivers so everyone had a chance to drive. I was almost down to the 7 mile mark when this truck comes toward me kinda head on. It had three SCTA officials in it. The driver swings wide then sweeps the side of me and the passenger tells me it was time to pull off and then asks me if thats Steves old Oldsmobile. I said yes. We chatted for bit as we were cruzn side by side doing about 40MPH when I asked if he wanted to go for a ride. He readily agreed, hopped in and I drove him a few miles to his pits area. Nice guy but I cant remember his name. Once Larry and Megan and Scott caught up we headed over to the SCTA official place to get the stickers for our cars which allowed us to enter and drive in the pitts. Everyone was very nice and recognized the #974 t-shirts. Hooleys is highly respected and has built himself a great reputation on the Salt.
We decided to head back over to the start line to watch some racing. On the way there we got flagged down by some of the IN HAMB guys. It was GREAT seeing everyone again. This is me and Todd553 on the HAMB. Hes pretty low keyed on here. Lives in FL but comes to Detroit because of family. We had never met before but his uncle Duel4s is a local car pal and I work with Todds cousin. Some of you guys that are watching Hard Shine might remember the Chevy gasser that they just did. That gasser is Todds and use to be the push car for his Bville race car. It was great to finally meet him in person after all these years of knowing who each other is. Chatted for a bit with everyone then started again for the start line. Got there just in time to see Hooley make a pass. Very exciting. Also got the opportunity to see Bobby Green in the belly tank make a pass. Im not sure if this was the record setting run or not but it sure was AWESOME to see it run. Watched a few more leave And ran into more friends RodFarm By this time its almost noon so we headed toward the location for the Meet & Greet. Jr, AKA FatABone was kind enough to allow us to hang the Meet & Greet banner from his van. Thanks bud! Very much appreciated. Tons of folks turned out. It was great seeing old pals and meeting new ones .so many new ones. Me, Megan, Mel and JimmieDeansGiril. HI Wish you ALL were here
Sodbuster and his lovely wife Jen. Im thrilled you guys came earlier then planned so we could hang out abit Brickster, Chris, Me, Ralks56 and Rodfarm Bricksters ride, so glad to see you again bud and I enjoyed checking out your ride. Lots drove their rides over to the M&G area TomH, wonderful seeing you and Char again. Hopefully well run into each other again at the Hunnert Car Pileup Finally got to meet my old pal FrameDragger in person and it was nice to hear what hes been up to lately. Once the Meet & Greet died down we decided to head over to the North of 49 pit where Cwords brother Rob always grills up a yummy lunch for anyone who wants to stop by. While there you get cooled down by Robs adorable little girls and their spray mist bottles. Scott and Jim About this time Scott mentions to me that he needs to head back to the room in Wendover for a minute. We had been hearing that the water at the end of the road is RISING as opposed to disappearing so I wasnt to see for myself cuz Ill have a decision to make. Scott and I hop in his Crossfire for the ride back. I was completely shocked at what I was seeing. I couldnt believe the water had risen that fast in just a few hours, during the day, with no rain! Once up on the asphalt I screamed for Scott to stop and hooped out of the car. I had spotted my good pal Jim Shelton and his little red roadster that use to belong to Grey Baskerville. Chatted for quite a bit then he introduced me to Steve Coonan who I had never met before. That was a treat. We chatted abit and exchanged stickers. Steve was getting his camera equipment out of this roadster so I guess Ill assume its his. I should have asked BobK then swung by and Steve jump into the convert for a ride out to the pits. At this point I didnt know what I was going to do EXCEPT I knew I wasnt going to drive Big Olds through that mess. Scott and I drive to the motel and back. Hes not worrying about the Crossfire as it is a lease car. While Scott and I were gone, Larry and Megan headed back to the start line for more action
When we returned to the Salt we headed over to the #974 pits and hear about the warped heads issue and the plans that are in the works to get them milled in SLC. We hang out here for awhile just chatting with friends that stop by. Megan is telling Steve about her barn find roadster and he seems interested in doing an article about it. Its getting late now and we decide to head back to shower, eat and hang out in the parking lot of the Nugget. I have decided to leave Big Olds in Hooleys pits and have been told the security at nite is top notch on the Salt. Larry and Megan hop in the roadster and I hop in the girly Crossfire with Scott. We run pretty full out for quite a few miles with DRD57 in his bitchen roadster. Run into a few more folks . Who decide to slow down as well when it starts to get bumpy
The level of the water was even higher then earlier Those that choose to go around the water got stuck Once showered, we decide to head to the Nugget to park and eat in their grill restaurant. The parking lot was PACKED once again. Scott and Jim have become pretty inseparable The food and the service in the restaurant sucked but the deserts were AWESOME Megan and I decided to share After dinner we headed back out to the parking lot where I got the opportunity to finally meet Lucky Burton in person and he told us about making the record runa dn invited us to come hang out in his pits the next day and partake in some Old Crow. It was GREAT seeing Coby again and hanging out. Looking forward to the next Church Mag fofr sure. Lucky, Me and Coby AKA Road Apple ..man are these two guys handsome or what!! Alittle smokey burnout in the parking lot
MotorMikeys Dads wagon. Lurker Micks RPU. It was AWESOME seeing you again sweetie. Hopefully you can make it to Detroit in March Ran into Visor and the rest of the MO boys. See you in MoKan! A LOT of guys were walking around with the same swag on. Found the blender but alas, no drink was offered We decided to call it a nite and head back to the motel. Stopped though by Jims room so Larry could take a gander at Greys old roadster. Day 10 Sunday on the Salt Day 11 Monday on the Salt Day 12 Tuesday, Back on the Open Road Day 13 Wednesday, Jackson Hole to Cody, Wy
I realize there are a few mistakes but I'm at the HAMB Drags right now and I've got 10 minutes to shower and get ready to head to dinner. Editing will take place later tonight
I've never seen so many freakin ugly straw hats in my life! And dont get me started on the people beneath them!
Another great post keep em' coming! Whats it like driving on the salt? Even though it's flat it looks like there's a lot of small holes and ridges.Must be pretty hairy at high speed!
I thought you were against burnouts??? Looks like a great time......I enjoy the coverage......almost like I'm there..... I'm hoping next year to make it myself....
Denise, your effort's amazing. I will wax your car for free at Pile UP! if you so desire. Rain X the windshield as well.
Once you get past the end of the road, about 1/2 mile maybe, it was nice and flat and smooth. The race course was also very nice and smooth for the racers. They grade it I believe.
Thats a very sweet offer BUT Big Olds is on his way to Austin TX on Sunday from here in Joplin for a Fat Lucky interior. He will not be attending the HCP this year.
<TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on" width="100%"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off">Talk about great reporting!! Carimba!! You really took us to the event with this post. What a thrill living thru your adventures, thanx for your unselfish sharing as usual. Really some great pix and details!!-Sololobo/roadburners of Omaha </TD></TR><TR UNSELECTABLE="on" hb_tag="1"><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 1pt" height=1 UNSELECTABLE="on"> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Dammit I'm going next year and there better not be any birds out there to crap on me either! Denise great job on sharing the event with those of us unable to attend. You, Megan & Larry are like the 3 Musketeers of rodding these days!
I've just realized that the HAMB is like the movies and HRLC is our Kevin Bacon. We have 6 degrees of separation going here. I bet every HAMBster is related through her by less than 6 other HAMBers. I've met Denise and now I can say I'm less than 6 away from Grey Baskerville's car which is one of my all time favorites. Great reporting. You are like Walter Cronkite, Borat, and Charles Kuralt all wrapped up in one.
Great reporting. You are like Walter Cronkite, Borat, and Charles Kuralt all wrapped up in one.[/QUOTE] Cept" shes better looking and bakes cookies........
It was good to see you again too. What did you think of Char's oat meal raisen cookies?? After all.......... you are the cookie expert.
The Jalopy Journal
