Bret (Kepner) and I have traded about four e-mails since our last postings here and we've had a heckuva time catching up on old stuff. Bret and my father-in-law go back nearly 20 years so we talked about old tractor pulling stuff.

Have you ever watched MTV's Celebrity Deathmatch? For the first one you could have Bret Kepner vs. Chris Blair, then John Force vs. Scotty Cannon, Cory Mac vs. Gary Scelzi, Bob Wilson vs. Larry Pfister (with Bill Evans hopping in the ring and breaking a chair over both of you).... the possibilities are endless. That could be the next new topic for you to put out for readers to post.... deathmatches they would love to see on Northern Thunder!

The only thing I ask is that you stay away from the weight issue. I'll admit that since I've moved up here I've gotten "plump". (Just ask that darn Tory Lea). My weight is like a yo-yo. A recent study says that when men are happy and less stressed they eat more. I guess that explains it!

Take care and thank you, Northern Thunder, for re-uniting me with Bret.

I have visited your site almost every day for a while now and really like your home page with the lightning graphics. Down at the bottom of the page you list the equipment needed to create your page. Did you do it yourself, or did you pay someone to do it for you? I would like to do a site for our car, but I don't know much about this cyber-stuff. My wife and daughter are pretty good with it though.

We visited your sponsorship page and we are going to do a T-shirt deal to finance the car with hopes of gaining a major sponsor through car shows, etc. How much does it cost to create a site like yours? We won't have nearly the amount of links or other things you have. Basically, we want to have to keep sponsors aware of what we're doing and where we are going to be showing the car. By the way, we have a front-engine dragster with a 354" hemi, with a 6-71, Enderle, etc.

I have been in touch with Tony Duncan who bought your '92 parts. Seems like a really nice guy. You mentioned on your site about your "adventures" running a '92. Did you really run stock rockers on your deal? I've always heard that was one of the weak links when running the early hemi. My car has stock rocker assemblies with adjustable push rods. It'll do just fine for cranking the car at car shows but I'm concerned about trying to run the car with that set-up. Any advice you could give me on the "art" of running the early hemi would be of great help.

I didn't know that you had such a good knowledge of Queensland, although Mt. Isa is the only decent size place out here, it's not a too bad a place to live (not permanently though) and you really don't appreciate the beauty of the coast until you're away from it. I did happen to see a sign for the Mt. Isa Drag Racing Association going to work the other day, I'm not sure if it's still active or not but it will interesting to find out though.

How is the shop progressing? By the sounds of it, it should be (yourself and Ken) a one stop race shop! I will definitely be dropping in to say Hi during the Winternats, but it will be hard to drag myself away from the corporate club. Well it's time to clean the pool which will make today a bit more bearable (38 degrees "C") and then sit back to watch the drags on telly. See ya.

Hi Bob. I'm bummed out once again, and it's through rain again. This time I didn't even make it to Willowbank. At 6pm Thursday nite I was packed and ready to go Friday morning, then the phone rings "we need you to work tomorrow and Saturday" says the happy voice on the other end...... Great. Can't knock back 500 south pacific pesos just to go to a drag race now, can I? (Believe me, the temptation was very great.)

So anyway I turn up, bright and early this morning for work and guess what?..It bloody well RAINED, job is off until normal time Monday. I just can't seem to take a trick. Go to Willowbank on January 2nd: RAIN, Don't go January 30 and work: RAIN. It just seems to follow me around.

I looked at the weather report for Ipswich area for today and they might get a storm this afternoon, for their sake I hope it doesn't rain hard enough for the meeting to be abandoned. But if it is, I might not be able to suppress just a teensy little "justice is done" smirk. Nah, I couldn't do that.

I will state one thing right now: March 6th, I WILL BE THERE. NOTHING and I mean NOTHING, will keep me away from Willowbank on that day. If the roads are cut by floods, I will FLY. But for today, I might as well be sitting with you having the odd beer or something, watching for the results on Willowbank's web site.

I suppose if I'd left as soon as I found the job was off today and drove like a maniac for 11-12 hours, I might just get there for the last few rounds of eliminations, then turn around and drive straight back on Sunday, ready to go to work Monday ...mmmmmmm. Hey, I'm hard core, but not quite that much.

I hope your luck is starting to turn around. I think I must have killed a Chinaman. Seeya, Dave.

My only official comment: When Pace Management buys the AHRA title rights from Orville Moe and begins a 40-event tour of 60-foot Monster Truck drag races at NHRA National Event facilities, (flag start, no win lights, and no discernable finish line), I think we all know who will be pegged for the Event Director position! HA!

Unknown to Chris at the time, his comments on my lack of public relations skills were fed live to the arena's JumboTron screen and P.A. system and were heard by not only over four hundred hardcore monster truck fans but also several NHRA board members attending the show researching promotional methods for bringing the sport of drag racing "into the next millenium". When it became obvious, through that single statement, that he had all the communication skills neccessary for a successful career as a Division Director, he was hired on the spot! I'm sure he still thinks he got the job on his bookkeeping talent alone.

I am relieved to find out that Chris never DID discover the rental charges billed to his name, but if I ever really decide to "get him back", you'll see "Mr. Dirt" at every Div. Six WDRS meet and National Open event through the year. I would include National Events, but I have a sneaking suspicion that Dirt's grading points and entries would be mysteriously erased from Glendora's computers.

Now that I've satisified Wilson by boosting his number of site hits for the day, I'll say that Chris is, indeed, a good guy and should be treated with respect. He has the ability to listen to the populace and act; his greatest attributes, however, are his penchant for progress and his willingness to enact change. The new Top Comp category is only the most recent example of this, and it's a characteristic sorely lacking in this sport.

By the way, nothing we racers could ever do to Chris would exceed the Hell this guy endured in his previous job. So, just remember; when you think you might be gaining on him, you're really just pissing him off.....

I don't know much about B-1 motors, other than that they run pretty good in Pro Stock, with nitrous, but do they have a nickname?

The big and small blcok Chevy's are rat motors and mouse motors, the hemi is the elephant motor, etc. Maybe the B-1 could be the squirrel motor? If so, attached is a  picture  you can put on your car.

This should let the guys "downunder" know you are serious.

Tell Bret that I was basing my material off of event wins... I never was good at numbers.

Bob, if you want to hear an opinion even stronger than yours you should give Steve Federlin a call. All you have to do is say A-fuelers in front of him before he gets in his car at the back of the Pomona staging lanes. He'll go through the lanes, make his run, go back to his pits and return to the staging lanes so he can finish making his point. You just gotta love a guy with an opinion! When he had throat surgery last fall and was ordered not to talk you still couldn't get him to stay quiet.

He's a hell of a racer for those of you who don't know him and he does a great job keeping the Certification Team and I on our toes. Bob, make sure you talk to him while at the races and you'll become a fan. I just thank God every night that he doesn't have a website.

I guess you heard about Cousin's Transport putting up the bonus money for the Mission FMDRS and National Open event. It's going to add some excitement and we're lucky to have great folks like that supporting the sport.

Now, as far as Bret Kepner goes... My first experience with Bret came about three years ago in Albany, New York. I was a rookie at my old job working for the first time with the announcer everyone had warned me about. Our first time working together wasn't exactly what you would call warm and rosy. After the first night we worked together I told him (and you can quote me on this)

His reply was that I wasn't the first guy who had told him that and that the feeling was mutual. I think there's quite a few people up here in the Northwest (especially my wife) who agree with him. By the second show (with both of us getting our introductions out of the way and knowing what the other really thought of the other) we had a pretty good time and he did a hell of a job. If you think he is a good drag announcer you should hear him doing Monster Trucks... he can be hilarious (unless you're the show director). I still follow his work and thank God that he doesn't cover racing in Division Six.

A warning as well... don't ever let the guy get a rental car on your credit card. He didn't get me but his exploits are legendary.

I also heard the legendary Bret Kepner Drag Racing commercial satire tape last month for the first time. I wasted about two hours listening to it... it should be posted on the net. The best is the skit from a track located on the south side of Chicago (I must be politically correct so I won't go into any details).

No new rumors this week Bob. I haven't gone to work for NASA and Jerry Valentine isn't heading up the Lewinsky Legal Council (just in case that one is floating around). Bob, should you post anything between now and Feb. 8 that will cause me to "backfire" leave a message at the office so I'll know to look at it since I'll have limited internet time during the Winternationals.

Take care and keep up the good work.

I disagree with your opinion on Henklemen's consistency, Chris. Are you familiar with a publication entitled Drag Racing Monthly? It was formerly known as Super Stock and Drag Illustrated; I've written for the book for twenty-two years. In the latest issue, you'll find my usually-annual "Top Ten Runs of the Year" feature, in which Henkleman earned the T/AD and A/FD honors for seven consecutive runs between 5.54 and 5.38, (a 5.45 average), at the Winston Finals. Even admitting that he only had such luck at one National Event, (and only one divisional, as well), the fact that he was able to get the 5.38 to the ground after sunset at Pomona with forty degrees less track temperature than in the semis makes a huge statement.

Having discussed '99 prospects with approximately a half-dozen A/FD racers, most agree, (as expected), that the weight will only help keep more than six cylinders lit and the smaller displacement may decrease torque to the extent of less shake and a more consistent launch, (provided a low-load launch tactic is employed). Unless displacement is restricted appropriately, (a 65 cubic inch "hit" would be a start), the only way to ensure these cars will smoke the tires every time is to MAKE them smoke the tires every time through gear ratio restrictions and total wing area reductions. Since tech would never chop the wings, (from a safety perspective), I'm inclined to believe that '99 will see no difference in their dominance. Regardless, I'm not positive that even 4.10 gears would confuse Bushey and Adams enough that the A/FDs would slow down.

You'll never believe who called me back in December trying to get me to announce for them again! After four years! And I thought they hated me! At least that's what they SAID! HA!

PS: I don't think Wilson knows that we've covered a few miles together....

Concerning the mistake about your placing on the "All-Time Quickest Top Alcohol-Injected Nitro Dragsters" list: We may very well have you mixed up with Robert Palmer. (Nice chicks in black mini dresses as he sings, though ...) Oops. That's Robert WILSON, of Palmer, Alaska. I get it. Well, we might still have mixed you up. In fact I am surprised that there is such a person. I would have thought he was just a corruption of information we have received about you. I will revisit the lists and ensure that you are both represented.

No problem on listing you as one of the best sites on the net. Goes without saying. Much thanks for all you've done for me, too. But I was surprised to see just how many sites caught my fancy. I really expected it to be only ten or so. I really think each one of the sites up there offers something totally unique and important. I am going to begin sorting them by date last updated instead of by alphabetical order. That means sites like yours, which are totally fresh all the time, will float to the top. Of course, high dollar operations like NHRA Online,e tc., will float up there, too. But what can ya do?

Gotta roll... I just got home from work (yeah, that's right) (he sent this message at 1:00 am) and I just wanted to check a few e-mails. I need to hit the sack so I can get up and see my kids for breakfast. That's about the only time I get to see them lately during the week..... Talk to you soon.

Bob, the car and entire inventory was sold off to various teams. The "Arctic Traveller" name originally was formed by Ken Sitko and Brad Ennis in the early 1980's on their T/AD. After Brad's sudden passing, Ken retired for a few years until we hooked up in 1986. A year later the Traveller name was back on the side of a T/AD again. For the next 10 years it was one of the most popular cars in the Northwest until the cost got the better of us.

The name now sits in limbo. But if the right deal came around, it would be up again in a moment. The time was right to park it. It was either borrow money to keep up, or scale back the effort. Neither of which we wanted to do. We were very proud of the fact we lasted that long running basically on determination, skill and using only money generated from the car.

Feel free to post my name and number in hopes that I can land a ride or help out on another team.

Something to 'Backfire' about: With so much spare time these days, I've begun doing a drag racing column for Cruzin' Magazine. When you get down unda to OZ, you must let me know, because if I keep the column going between rounds at the drags, I can tell the Northwest about your adventures down under.

Now I don't know Victor Bray, but I'd sure like to see John Scialpi, of 'Woppado' fame, from SoCal, go back down unda and shut down Victor's "Thunda".

And remember: Thanks for your support!

Hey Bob, I just thought that I'd drop you a line to congratulate you on a pretty bitchin' web site. I'm a newcomer to this internet stuff, but from what I've seen so far, it's worth every cent. I'm a 23-year-old mad drag fan who calls Benaraby Raceway home - although it's been a while between drinks. I'm currently working in Northwest Queensland for the next twelve months, but have plans set to attend the '99 Winternats, and will hopefully see you there.

I don't own a dragster or an altered or even a strip-only sedan, but I've got a '74 Holden ute which needs a bit more sorting and a few more bucks thrown at it and hopefully run a 13. (It's an everyday driver with a pretty mild Aussie V8). This car gets me to work everyday but the horsepower bug is starting to bite, maybe an early Monaro or a first generation Camaro.

Thanks for donating the shirts to Beneraby, I hope they go down well. Anyway, I hope your plans to come downunder aren't delayed much more - It's a great place to stay. Catchya, Greggsy.

I heard about Rick's run. When I spoke to him in November he was planning to run for Division Six points this season if Henkelman ran Division Seven. Henkelman said he would run Division Six if Santos ran Division Seven. At the time I told Rick (H) that, no offense, but I would like to keep the peace up here and have him keep his A-Fueler in Division Seven... now I'm having second thoughts. The scary thing about Santos is that he's the most consistent racer I've ever watched (as far as Alky goes) whereas Henkelman still isn't laying down consistent runs with the A-Fueler.

It's a big dilemna. Right now our temporary line-up of drivers who have committed to running Division Six this season include:

That's a fair line-up of committed racers (considering I had two at this time last season), plus there's a few more who might run 4 or 5 races. I think our car count will look much better this time around the level of competition will be incredible.

Have you heard any rumours about Frank Pedregon driving the other "In-N-Out" A/Fueler? I saw that on the net but haven't heard that much. As far as Pomona goes... the long range forecast looks kind of sad. I was hoping for some 70's and 80's and sunshine.

Glad to see you back Bob. Its been a while between updates. Thought ya puter' may have frozen solid or something. Well, Cackling Pipes had its first Chat session with Victor Bray and things seemed to go very well. Thanks to Rob Oberg for organizing that, which was performed under rather difficult circumstances for him and Victor who was still travelling North after looking for his wayward motor. The chat was eventually done by phone hookup. Maybe you'll guest one week? (You can read the chat transcript at Cackling Pipes)

With regards to the posting of live results from Willowbank, Rob Oberg does a great job with Victor's site but Bruce Mott from Shane Elcoate's team was hoping to post live results, news and info from the Willowbank race this week on the chat page and provide some interactive feedback. Unfortunately this is not able to go ahead for this race, due to the limited number of out-going lines from Willowbank, but we are working on it for the next round and hopefully something can be worked out for the future.

Well, RPS have put out a press release on the new Western Sydney Motorplex and things are looking more hopeful than ever. Jim Read was interviewed on national television about the proposed strip and was noted as saying that they could have the strip up and running in seven months if the government gave them the go ahead tommorrow. The latest issue of DA has some interesting and quite amusing notes from David Cook about some of the issues they have dealt with in getting the proposal through and dealing with the interference of a certain drag racer.

While on the the topic of living in a dragstrip-less state, the Nationals are coming up and it will mark one year since I've been to a drag race. Man, this is killing me. You can't imagine the things that I'm thinking that I could do to the ARDC or the New South Wales Government for giving them the damn Eastern Creek Raceway lease.

So how are you doing? Still headed for the Tundra down unda? What's the latest with you? I'm getting my stuff together for Canada West Doorslammer Association '99. See you later.

Just saw your web site. I see you're still in (North) America. I also viewed your photos of your shop down unda. If you're (still) here in April, you can see those wonderful Quick 16 cars from the Canada West Doorslammer Association at Mission Raceway Park, located somewhere in B.C.

Good to hear from ya! I was wandering around your place tonite, and I'm always amazed with what I find. Keep it up!

I just figured ol' JW keeps plugging that funny car site of his, a measly 4 pages, with maybe 10-12 cars per page, when my sites have more pages, more cars, more variety, a "veritable fiberglass forest". Besides, I even make fun of some of the cars, and he's so dang serious.

I've got Volume one here, I had Volume two, but I think I loaned it out, and you know how that goes...bought 'em at the Garlits Museum back in '92. Heck, I'm from the land of Doner anyway...drag strips, hydroplanes, all that.

Hey, don't forget Lee "Iron Man" Irons dragging behind his Triumph....

The rumor about me going to work for AHRA came from Scott New after I called him to tell him that there is a huge rumor about him floating around. Seems some folks have said that Scott is taking a job back east and leaving Firebird. There is no truth to that rumor according to Scott.

We sort of have a system going here... I kill all the Seattle area rumors, Jay Livingston kills all of the Portland area rumors and Scott kills all the Boise rumors. It's a fairly good system. We are still looking for someone to handle the B.C. rumors but I don't think even the President's spin doctors could handle that job.

I just wanted to let you know that I got quite a bit of feedback from the Mission meetings and the concerns of the racers seem to be more at ease. In addition, there seems to be quite a few people who are happy to see that Aubrey (Holmes, Track Manager) has the concerns of the racers first and foremost.

Secondly, I received 12 replies to my request for information regarding registration improvements at National Events. Thanks to everyone who took the time to respond.

Finally, I misplaced you darn fax number (again). The next Northwest Division Track Operators letter is going out next week and I wanted to send up a copy. If you see something interesting you are more than welcome to post it.

Did you ever get a reply from NHRA on your   "Money, Marketing and Nitro"  feature? You really spelled it out and I couldn't agree more. In Alberta the high cost of Alcohol racing forced our car, "The Arctic Traveller" out of business. Without major backing you just can't do it. The prize money sucks. Why should an 8-second truck get more money and exposure than a 5.4 second dragster?

Good luck when you go downunder. By the way, if you know of anybody looking for a qualified Top Alcohol ....oops.... Federal-Mogul dragster or Funny Car driver, or crew chief, please let me know. I'm always looking to continue in racing.

I'm going to the Westernationals (Perth). Only $499 return on the redeye shuttle, so I'm going to make a mini-holiday out of it. I'll head over Wednesday night and come back the following Tuesday or Wednesday. Our WA (Western Australia) bloke, Brett "Newman" Stevens has foolishly offered to accomodate and entertain me. So has Mick Sargent and the ex-Ravo starter "Just Doug" green.

I'll be organizing a container load of race bikes and juniors to race in Perth. It's only $1400 Sydney-Perth return, door to door, for a 20 footer. Maybe something for you to consider. It's cheaper than driving and the price includes pickup from your workshop and delivery to the track where they'll supply a marquee (awning). If you had a big esky ....

Anyway, better get moving. I've got a carby to finish for a customer and then I'm going to attempt an early night. Ha Ha !

I hope all is going well up there (and down under). If you get any feedback from either of the Mission meetings please pass it along to me. I'm primarily interested in the safety concerns that racers have (not the soap opera stuff).

I'll be around for a couple of days before heading to Pomona. Once I get down there it might take a day or two for me to respond ... it doesn't mean that I'm departed (or deported) from the ranks of NHRA (yet). Take care and keep me posted with all that's going on.

I thought you would be interested to know that (Gary) Ormsby Jr. called last night after running the Edgecombe dragster at the Chandler, Arizona test session over the weekend. He said things went fairly well and the best run was a 1000 ft, or earlier, shut off that produced a 5.94, so we figured it to be a low 5.80 type run. The car was a bit loose on the top end so Jr. got out of it. He said the car ran well and doesn't believe it hurt anything, so it was a good weekend overall.

Just a little something to help fuel your fire. Those 5.80's are just waiting to come out of that hot rod of yours. Hope all is well.

To see what went on at the racers meeting, check out the Grapevine.

Have you any interest in a Keith Black hemi? Never windowed, never walked, new sleeves, pistons, rods, crank checked good, Stage II heads reworked by Eddie Hill. Everything from manifold to pan less camshaft. This is the original motor from the "Texan". It made the first 4-second pass ever at the MotorPlex. Price is $15,000. If you're interested I can check it out closer. I was supposed to look at it today and got busy and didn't make it. This is the last piece from an old friend's collection. He was close friends with Eddie and helped him out at times. No bites in this area so far. I know if I could afford it right now I'd keep it for myself. Just thought it would make a nice back-up to take to Australia. How's the weather? Any chance we might get another package soon. Sorry to hear about the (latest) set-back, talk to you later.

Hi Bob, we're finally "on-line". Just hooked up. Would like to chat but we're loading the car to go to Willowbank for a test 'n' tune with Nathan Periano today. Tomorrow I have to weld up some stuff on Kevin's car so he can take some parts for painting and in the afternoon we'll have a "barby" on the verandah and have a dip in the pool. Wish you could join us. Now which button do I push to send this thing . . . . .

Hey Ken! This is Wendy, Doug Lawrence's daughter. Just thought I would write you and say hi. Congrats on your new driving school, it looks great. I want to come down there even worse now! But I have to save my money or win the lottery to afford to come. Which one will come first? Probably winning the lottery. I have a hard time saving my money, but I really want to come to Australia so maybe I can start saving.

I told Dad that I would save this page for him and he could write you anytime. You know Dad; he would never buy a computer (big tight-ass). Well, just last month be bought Direct TV. Never had cable in his life, I was shocked! I wish you had gotten Dad back into racing while he was down there. He says its too expensive, but he would be alright if he had not sold the dragster. Well, build me a big, bad dragster and write me when you're done. Ha Ha! Write me back when you have a chance. See ya soon.

Sounds like you are learning about the pyramid effect. One step forward and two steps backwards. Just a little word of wisdom (from someone who's been there) buy lots and lots of spares for that "rod bending, blower belt breaking" PSI, you will love it! At least you won't have to put on the Yakima front tires since you'll be in OZ! Keep plugging ahead.

Did I ever tell you about my first alcohol engine? It had B-1 heads, reworked by EPD. Imagine a pro stock motor with a blower on it. Talk about instant R's. It went about 60 feet then put the biggest hole in the side of the block I have yet performed. The worst part was that the block was an old "Blue Max" block. Yikes! From there we went to the Walt motor that we ran some 5.70's with. Onward and upward. Did I also mention that the blower we had on the B-1 motor was an old Kuhl 14-71, not even a PSI.

PS: Did I tell you about our new Roller Jam sponsor? (ha ha!)

Thanks for the conformation that you are still alive Bob, I just got your e-mail. Isn't it great the way that (internet) service providers imagine they provide a wonderful service if they have less than 100 complaints at a particular time. Similar to you, I have been having increasing difficulty in the last two months connecting to my ISP during busy periods. I checked my setup, no problems there, so at last in despair I sent an abrupt e-mail to my provider demanding to know when they were going to do something about their inadequate user to modem ratios.

Finally after several days of no replay, an e-mail arrived to inform me that they have been in the process of changing their telephone numbers and then instructed me to change to a new number. No apologies, nothing. I wonder when they were planning on telling me and others about the changes or do they just wait until they get a complaint? And they call themselves "service" providers?

I was talking to Grant Stephens and another Willowbank local, Rubber O-Ring last night on the Chat page and it turns out that it was Rubber who was posting the the racing results from Calder last weekend. The amazing part is that he was in Brisbane at the time and was telephoning the Calder Media Centre and getting the results from there, hence the short delay. He apparently knows many of the racing teams and is able to get inside information at various times. He will be posting more results from the Adelaide round this weekend on the chat page in the same manner.

The internet is the best thing that could have ever happened to drag racing in Australia where any sort of live coverage on the general media is non-existent. Which reminds me, Shane Elcoate is also hoping to post live results for all T/D racers as well as feedback on how his team is going, at the next round at Willowbank on the 30th if Dennis Syrmis will allow him access to the Media Centre at the track. Things are definitely looking up in OZ.

Truly unbelievable. I sent the address to Franklin Ratliff. He'll die!

Ever seen the cartoon of the frog stuck in a bird's mouth? The frog has his hands around the bird's neck. The caption reads: "Never give Up." Keep yer chin up, you'll get here sooner or later. Send me a copy of your schedule as I have some holidays up my sleeve. And as I said before, you gotta have faith.

Bob, I read about your e-mail going down and the heart wrenching effect it had on you so naturally I had to compose an e-mail straight away before you lost your grip on reality... (or has that already occured while trying to put a round cam into a square hole?) Actually what you were suffering was what is known DownUnder as the "GoldFish Bowl Syndrome", knowing there is a world out there but not being able to communicate with it.

But like you Bob, no more! .... the internet has saved us, no longer are we constrained by our geographic location; ie. surrounded by water on the rear end of the world. No, now we can talk to anyone, anytime, anywhere in the world (if they're on the net that is). No longer do we have to wait for next month's Drag Mag to get news about what happened three months ago on the other side of the world.... or the other side of Australia for that matter.

The net is where it's at and nowhere more so than in OZ and the local drag racing scene in particular. Just check out Cackling Pipes discussion board, news and chat, or Victor Bray's new website for example. Live results as they happen on the track from the racers and fans themselves and live chat with the big racers and shakers in Aussie drag racing. America, eat your heart out and step aside, OZ is breaking through the communication barrier!!..............

Eh sorry Bob, I got a bit carried away but I hope the sight of another e-mail does the job and helps you realize that your time off-line was a concern to the rest of us human racers. And always remember, when you're feeling down (or perhaps UP for you Canadians) and want to jump... there will always be a "net" to save you... Happy New Year!

I completely understand your inability to take on anything else over the last few months. I check out your site fairly regularly and I know what you've had on your plate. No sweat.

Since you have read the DRAGSTER Australia article about our plans you know I've been able to make contact with a fellow in Sydney by the name of Grant Hogwood. Grant raced a lots of cars over the years but his last car was a Top Fuel car which burnt to the ground (along with his auto repair business) when a neighbouring factory caught fire two and a half years ago. He was badly injured in the explosion and as a result has lost some use in his left arm. Because of this ANDRA has lifted his license and he can no longer drive.

He has just recently settled into building a new T/A Dragster with what he can salvage of the Sainty motor so I guess he'll be one of your competitors sometime fairly soon. Plans for the future are to run a two-car team, his dragster (when it's done) and my new Top Doorslammer (when it's done). My new car is at least two years away from competing down under. Anyway, these are just plans right now but the point is that I consider myself extremely lucky to have him on the Aussie side of things. He will tune the car and we will be able to use his shop at home, his tow vehicle, his contacts for machining and parts and his friend Gordon Carlson will come out and do the clutch. Quite a fortuitous internet meeting, wouldn't you say?

Thanks for the offer of help and I hope you are able to work out your recent troubles so you don't have to postpone again. The very best of luck to you and my offer for lunch (or dinner, or whatever) is still open.

Hello Bob, I hope all is going well and it appears as though things are somewhat on track. I just wanted to put a rumour to rest that has circulated around and just got back to me.

I have not signed a multi-year six figure deal to become the new President and CEO of the AHRA. I don't know where this one came from but I swear to you it is not true. When I heard the rumour I called my boss, Gene Bergstrom, and assured him that I wasn't going to work with any Hot Rod Association that starts with a vowel.

For the remainder of the time I stay in the sport of drag racing I will be with NHRA. And my plan is to remain in the position of Northwest Division Director until I'm run out of town. Take care and good luck in Australia.

So you've survived how long without an e-mail fix? Must have been hell. I've got to put my computer in for some warranty problems and have been putting it off in case they don't give it back to me on the same day. Has your service provider lost everything or was it just that you couldn't access it until later? If it was lost, I'll go back through my sent list and see what I need to resend you just you can get your fix.

Sorry to hear about the hassles with the car. Let's hope you can resolve them and stick with your schedule. It would be tough at the Winters without some lead-up events.

I'm now planning a web site for Oberg Motorsports Marketing. What's your advice? Something like "No don't do it. You'll never have a life without a keyboard again." Ken (Lowe) tells me he's finally going online with a new computer next week. ("At last", says Bob). Stay tuned one Wednesday night soon, Ken will be going live on Grant Stephen's Cackling Pipes chat page. Maybe you should log in and ask him a "curly" one about cams for odd-ball Alky combos.

Anyway, enough stuff for now. I didn't really have anything to say but thought you'd feel better with something other than Nigerian money scams in your "In Box".

Boy do you have a nice project with that wedge! The next time I bitch about the cost of my BNR 526 motor, I'll just look you up (ha ha). I guess my project would be more further along, but I swore that I will only pay cash for the stuff, this way I can put money into fuel, oil, etc. as opposed to MBNA, First Union, etc.

So how much did my intake cost?? $1700 U.S., and that is with some nice machine work from BNR after getting it from Veney. But I bet the money I spent on the heads makes up the difference between us. Mine were $6300 U.S. (bare, very bare).

Now I am confused here, are you moving to Aussie, or are you taking a very long expensive vacation that only early retirement can afford?

Thought your Top Ten Lists were excellent, here's a list which may make the cut. Good luck with the move.

Hello Bob. Yes I have surfaced briefly and guess what. No, I'd better not say anything that might be held against me. You know my intentions are good. I had such a good laugh when you sent me that e-mail with the aussie fifties attached. Unfortunately my bank couldn't recognize them. It's the new year and I'm trying real hard to clear my desk if you know what I mean. On the other hand if you never want to talk with me I'll understand, but I know that you are a genuine guy who also can't help himself.

Where and what stage are you at with your car and the trip? I just read that your car is white and you're waiting for the snow to stop.

I just wanted to let you know about a new web site Drag Race Canada. It is put together by Bruce Biegler of Performance Racing News. When I spoke to him a couple of days ago he said to keep an eye on it as it will be full of information shortly.

I'll pass it on to Rob. I had one sent to me yesterday from Dragster. Now all we have to do is hope and pray it becomes reality. Assume drag racing needs a Sydney track - big time !

Thanks Bob, I hadn't seen the release yet although Jim Read brought me up to speed on what was happening while we were sitting around in the rain on January 2nd.

He's still fairly optimistic. My main worry is the New South Wales Government announced a $700 million blow out in the Olympics budget this week, so I hope there's enough pie left for us to get a slice.

Attached is a Press Release that RPS Promotions issued today. Can you please post this as soon as possible. Please broadcast this as widely as possible, the more people who see it the better.

Just read your latest What's New and couldn't help but agree with everything -- lottery, pyschiatrist, etc. Good Luck! I'm sure glad I decided to run a "vanilla" combo. By the way, got the PSI back -- no damage, stout piece! Just got the fuel system back from Davenport. Now I've got timers and solenoids to really confuse me. The body is fixed and the paint touched up. We are going to get the shortblock built tomorrow. Only holdup is that Veney is very slooooooow at getting the heads fixed. Hate to think how nuts I would be if we were really up against it (time-wise).

Hey Bob, just checking in and wanted to let you know that I've changed the url of my webpage. ZSK Racing is now at a new address. I have changed it around some and I like it better but I still don't have any pix of my car scanned. Won't be able to until after the Winternationals, which we won't be running because we're behind and the car isn't going to be done until later. So we will hit Phoenix in late February or early March. So goes it... Please make the change to your links when you can. Thanks as always.

To see the route he took to get the Division Director's job, check out The Grapevine

Wonder if anyone has bothered to contact TNN regarding their "take" on NHRA's spin? It's certainly not a one-sided coin. Do ya think they'll actually print that "5 minutes with..." in the first edition of 1999's National Dragster? (If they I do sincerely hope they fix his name and other typos)

Thanks for keeping those that want to know in the know. Densmore too, is a good guy, but there are factual flaws in his article as well. But he's right about one thing: people gotta keep trying.

Hope all is going well and you are getting the camera ready for more Australian Transvestites (Drag Babes).

As you get more information about racer's meetings involving Mission please pass it along for me. I have to do quite a bit of travelling in the next month but I am going to try to attend or else have someone there to let me know what is going on.

Also, in the next National Dragster there will be a story about "What happened to NHRA Today". Brian Tracy will tell everyone what happened with TNN as well as the deal that fell through with the USA network. If you would like the name and address of who to contact at TNN (now CBS), I will provide it for you to post so that your readers can write to them.

Just let me know. Good luck with the garage and all the other things.

I'm back . . . sorta. Spent a few days putting some business ideas together and should know within a week or so if the major one will come together. One problem is that it may cause me to forget the OZ trip. I just will not know for another week or two. If this deal goes, it will start in February sometime. I'll let you know asap. But if I miss the deadline for the trip, I will understand if the offer dies out. No problem, I just gotta get some cash flow happening around here.

The video is also back on track for a February release and I hope to have the site pretty much back in decent shape early next week. It took me awhile, but I finally have something to work toward, and it makes a big difference.

Keep in touch, and keep awake . . . .

Bummer about that accident on your site. Was the guy in the "dozer" ok? Well, at least before you got your hands on him.

And yeah, that's a pretty deadly Mick Withers cocktail. Bundy Rum is potent stuff and is not my favourite drink. That little drinking technique would put you under the table pretty damn quick. I'll have to try it sometime, could be good for a laugh at my brother's upcoming 21st birthday. (Although I had a Long Island Coffee the other night, dunno what was in it, but damn, didn't that change my outlook for the rest of the night).

Just thought I'd update you on some alterations to our plans at Willowbank Raceway after the 1st round of the Castrol New Year Series was rained out. The Lucar Cargo Vans Queensland Top Alcohol Championship round has been transferred to March 6th and will be added to the line up for the 3rd round of the Castrol Series. That gives us Top Fuel, Top Alcohol, Pro Stock and Top Comp, supported by a couple of hundred sportsman racers at that event. Should be good.

The round of the Australian Top Fuel Championship we lost last weekend will now be run along with Top Doorslammer (Pro Mod) at the Nightfire Championships on April 10th. Are you down here by then?

It's a real pity we lost January 2nd. We've been rained out for two major events in a row now and that hurts the track's bank balance. As you know, what we make we spend on the place so we might not be doing much spending for a little while.

Castrol Round One was shaping up to be pretty good too. We had an event record 230 entries, including seven top fuel cars, six alcohol cars and try this, 21 Top Comp cars. That bracket just continues to boom and I'm sure it will prove just as successful over your way as long as they follow the "KISS" principal. (Keep It Simple, Stupid). Our deal is: must dial-in 8.30 or quicker, must be supercharged, no dealy boxes, in a sixteen car field qualifying is the quickest eight open wheel cars and quickest eight sedans. There is no bottom limit to the dial-in. The fastest car we've had was Mark Brew who went to the final at one race on a 5.90 dial-in. Wasn't it fun watching the handicap chases that day?

By the way, I love the way you scooped Mick Withers of Dragster Australia with the photo of Peter Gratz's new car from our web site. Just proves how news on the net is what's happening now and what's in print magazines is what happened a month of more ago. Gratz's car is certainly going to be controversial. A 58 inch front overhang and a carbon fibre Top Alcohol wing on the back has already got plenty of tongues wagging. I'm glad I'm not involved in sorting out the legalities of that one.

Anyway, enough for now. Stay warm as the countdown continues.

Hey Bob, I didn't know your new shop was going to be in Tulameen. Similar view. Nice trick too, pick up a road kill dingo and lay it in front of your shop. I guess you only have to replace it every week or so.

I assume this place will have an address since you will probably be living there. Is land cheap in Tulameen?

Attention all readers, I just wanted to point out that what Bob called "the vilest concoction known to man" is in fact the finest drink that a man could drink. The recipe is quite simple.

INGREDIENTS:

(1) 40 ounce (1125 ml) bottle of Bundaberg Rum (Under-proof if it's a long night; Over-proof if you're in a hurry)
(1) two litre (Don't know the imperial equivalent) jug (pitcher for those north of Australia) of Coca-Cola.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.   Pour roughly half a litre of the Coke into the nearest possible potted plant, or on the ground if it's an informal affair, and top the jug up with "Bundy".
2.   Start drinking.
3.   This is the critical step. Keep topping the jug up with Bundy. Never, ever add more Coke or you'll kill the taste.
4.   When both jug and bottle are empty you have two options: Fall down or start all over again.

Simple really. Don't blame me if you suffer a hangover. If you do, you're not trying hard enough. Keep practising.

Have fun. Keep smiling.

Bob, have a look at our new, still under construction, web site: Piranha Insurance Brokers. Have you been talking to Ken Lowe lately? We have struck a deal and leased his Drag Racing School car for the rounds of the Willowbank track series. My son, who you met at the Winternationals, Nathan, has done the school and unfortunately after doing three time trials at the Wild Bunch meeting was rained out. Last weekend, we didn't even get inside the gate for the first round of the Castrol New Year Series as it was yet another rain out.

Looking forward to seeing you again when you get out here and keep us informed. See you soon. P.S: I don't know who is more pleased about the Ken Lowe deal, Nathan or me, but the look on his face after he had done his first full pass was worth a million dollars.

Guess what? It rained. The racing was cancelled. My Italian has improved. I caught up with a few friends whilst paddling around the almost deserted Syrobank pits, enjoyed a barbecue with Smokin' Joe at the infamous Santo's Barbecue Racing and then we drove home.

Did I mention Gratzy's new car? He had it well hidden in the bus but I twisted both his arms and left leg up between his own shoulderblades and carried him into the bus for a sneak preview. He's a bigger bloke than you realize. Never noticed it before I froghopped (one-legged version of the more famous frog march) him up the stairs.

The Dodge Daytona is nothing short of awesome. That should be spelled AWESOME! Mopar fans worldwide have a new messiah! An exclusive photo shoot took place when the Dodge was unloaded in the Syrobank Scrutineering Hangar. You'll have to wait for the next issue of Dragster Australia for a peek.

Thanks for sharing your New Years' presents with yer mates, bastard. Send me a six pack in plain packaging and I promise not to introduce Tom to the vilest concoction known to mankind - Bundy Rum and Coke. It's your call...

Hi Bob, just a quick note to say Hello, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I've just had a look at the latest "What's New" and I know that things are not as good in drag racing as they could be. Things can always get worse and sometimes they do. Things that are going on in drag racing today are comparable to evolution; in the end it will sort itself out.

As you pointed out, there are Super Stocks in tractor-trailer rigs that cost more than your (or my) whole race operation. Tony Miglizzi (L&T Clutches) once told me "We don't race trailers, focus on the race car". The air is thin at the top and everything goes through cycles. This is a cycle we have to ride out.

Like you, I am a die-hard "Alcohol" racer. I sponsor an eliminator division at Willowbank called Modified, because I feel this is the grass roots of drag racing and has to be supported, but personally I am an alcohol racer through and through. If I had $100,000,000 I would just be a rich alcohol racer. I do like Top Fuel but I'm sorry, I like cars too much to see them tortured and mutliated like they are in top fuel. Alcohol racing will not die because it is too good a value to the smaller tracks. Also, Alcohol racing will not die as long as you and I can still race, because if there is no one left to race, I will still race against you. Am I making a point here?

The bottom line is that NHRA is going to do what is good for themselves, don't we all? After all, who is packing up and moving to paradise to race? There is no utopia here either, but I think it's a heckuva lot better deal than what North America has going now. If you go looking for utopia I reckon you will only get disappointed. Every place has some problems, we do here as well, but I just think we have fewer and smaller problems.

The law of survival says if NHRA doesn't provide support for the entertainers themselves, then there will not be entertainment and they will wither and die. The monarchs of France did not listen to their subjects and look at what happened to them. "Off with their heads"... Now there is an answer!! Let people vote with their feet. You are and so have I.

Personally I think in ten years I will look back and say "now these were the real good old days". The good thing about knowing that these are the good old days while you are having them is that you enjoy each and every one of them as they are happening. I never set my alarm clock to get up to go to work. When the sun comes in the window in the morning, I get up and go have the best day of my life. (The sun shines a lot here, so much so that when you have a rainy day it is such a nice change of pace). As you know, I work a lot of hours and money doesn't make me do this. I do it because I like what I'm doing.

I have a lot to be happy about. Mark (Brew) and I have the Top Alcohol car and I am building two extra Drag School cars, plus the "secret" car and all the customer's cars and parts that we sell, plus living in paradise. I have to be in heaven!! For a guy who loves cars how could it get any better? I could make more money but this too will come and if it doesn't, so what? I had a good time and met some great people along the way.

The current Drag Racing School car is fully leased for the remainder of the 1999 season as well. My lovely wife Tracey and I are working together now in the business and we are both looking forward to having you over here.

Look, I've done it again. Wow, can I ever waffle on, sorry about that. I had better go now as it's getting late. We got rained out today at Willowbank so I had some time up my sleeve and tried to get caught up on some of the paperwork at the shop. We should have our new computer next week and I will be on the net as well, so I won't have to use the in-laws computer to talk to you.

URGENT BUSINESS PROPOSAL

This letter may come to you as a surprise since it is coming from someone you have not met before. However, we decided to contact you based on a satisfactory information we had about your honesty and straight forwardness.

I am a chartered Accountant currently working with the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF). Myself and my close and trusted colleagues need your assistance in the transfer of $25,500,000 (U.S.) into any reliable Account you may nominate overseas.

This fund was generated from over-invoicing of contracts executed by the PTF under our control and supervision. This fund is now ready to be remitted into any Account we put forward for that purpose.

What we want from you is a good and reliable company or personal Account into which we shall transfer this fund.

Details should include the following:

1.   Name of bank
2.   Address of Bank with Fax and Telephone number
3.   Account Number
4.   Beneficiary/Signatory to Account

Upon the Successful creditive of your Account the fund will be shared as follows:

1.   30 % for you and your assistance
2.   60 % for myself and my colleagues
3.   10 % for contingency expenses

Your reply should be strictly by fax to my direct Telefax number as stated above (234-90-503984) for confidential purpose. We wish to assure you that your involvement should you decide to assist us, will be well protected, and also, this business, proposal is 100 % risk free.

Thanks you for your anticipated cooperation while we look forward to a mutually benefiting business relationship with you.

Please when replying to this letter I would like you to include your tel/fax number.

Hey, I've got the most current news on the other "UN-hemi" Top Alcohol Dragster of the Edgecombe family. Pete Kaiser (Jr.) won't be driving the car this year as they have parted under very friendly terms and the Edgecombe's have decided on a Federal-Mogul rookie named... Gary Ormsby, Jr.. Gary has his alcohol license and they talked a couple of times and came to an agreement just before Christmas.

Gary called me late last week to let me know it worked out. I had been pushing him to hook up with Edgecombe because it would be a great car to learn in and the fact that he couldn't be dealing with a better family. Also, the car is not that far off the pace and with them running Division Six more than Division Seven, they should be able to qualify and get in some rounds.

So there is your scoop for the New Year... Enjoy the New Year and may it bring low ET's and big MPH's and a .40 light every now and then.

Another bit of news concerns my own options for the coming season. I've been offered a ride in someone else's car and am leaning towards accepting it due to the fact they are ready to run the full season with spares. They also have the budget to hit 12 races whereas my current team is VERY limited in spares and I just don't know if we can make it through the entire season, budget-wise.

Happy New Year Bob. Hope that '99 will be all you hoped for. You must be getting excited about setting the "deep south" on their ears with your new toy. In answer to your question about selling any of my blown alcohol parts, the quick one is no, nothing's gone yet. I advertised the motor for $20,000 CDN., hat to pan and all the spare parts, but no takers yet.

I may put a big-block Chev in the funny car and run a couple of Top Comp races, a couple of SuperComp and a couple of SuperQuick, but I could also run the KB in the same classes. There's a lot of work trying to make rounds with the bigger horsepower motors and I'm not sure if I want the work.

The stocker is coming along. The crank and rods are on their way back from the Lee Brothers and the pistons are coming from Venolia. I bought all the latest go-fast stocker stuff: Lunati cam, McLeod soft-release clutch, Strange rearend and an Accel computer controlled fuel management system. I'm aiming to hit the record at Mission in May, but may be ready to go to Boise (in April) and hit it there, but that may be rushing things.

The block and headwork are being done at High Performance Engines and ProSpeed and I have to work with their schedules. This project is costing me more than I planned but what doesn't when you want to do it right? It will be an exciting year for us but I hope it will not be as frustrating as the last couple have been. I'm learning a lot about electronic fuel injection, but am really out to lunch on clutches and four speeds and I can see it may be my downfall, but I like challenges. Gotta go, talk to you soon.