BACKFIRE!
SEPTEMBER 1999
Postings are listed from NEWEST to OLDEST. Happy scrolling !
Subject: Help
Date: Tuesday, September 28
From: Dan
Thanks for your help in answering my previous questions (concerning safety requirements for bracket cars at NHRA tracks). One more question since you may have run into this problem yourself. The guy I bought this car from fabricated his own headers out of aluminum and then had them coated. He did a great job on them except for leaving me scratching my head.
The headers are aluminum, the collectors are steel, the main exhaust pipes are aluminum, the bends over the axle are steel, the remaining pipes to the super trapps are aluminum. My problem is, how do I seal all the joints to stop the exhaust leaks? Any suggestions? Are there any exhaust sealing compounds (something like JB Weld), that are worth trying?
Oh man, "sounds" like you've got quite a problem there, especially if you're driving it on the street between trips to the strip. First, I've got some questions for you. Are you sure the headers and pipes are aluminum? The only aluminum headers I've ever heard of were on '62 Pontiacs (actually, aluminum exhaust manifolds) and as you can imagine, they didn't hold up to the heat very well after more than a minute or two of running time. If the headers and pipes are actually aluminum, how have they been attached to the steel parts? Two very dis-similar metals and they definitely can't be welded together. Are they just pressed together (causing the leaks you mention) or what? Let me know, then we'll go the next step. Good luck.Subject: You have a great Web page
Date: Sunday, September 26
From: Kurt Johnson
We found your web page on the Drag Racing List links page. I really enjoyed my visit to your web page and would like to invite you to add your page to our "Links, Rings and Things" page. While you are there be sure to visit the other pages on our site and make any comments you like, visit some of the interesting web sites that have already linked to us, send us email and sign our guestbook. By the way, our web page is Speedomaniacs.
A shameless plug to be sure, but with all those nice words about Northern Thunder in the opening line, how can I resist? Especially when your website is about Junior Dragsters, the future of our sport. We've added a link to your site on our Other Racers page.Subject: Timing Data from Santa Pod
Date: Wednesday, September 22
From: Andy Marrs
Hi Guys. I work at Santa Pod on the timing crew for TSI Timers (Europe) and have finally found the time to have a look around your web site. What can I say, excellent stuff, top class reporting mixed with the good humour and comradeship typical of the drag racing fraternity.
I provide the guys at Eurodragster , among others, with the timing data from each meeting held at the "pod" which Tony B posts on his own website. If you'd like copies in the future, let me know which classes you'd like and which format; Excel, Notepad or HTML. Keep up the good work!
Hey thanks for dropping in Andy. Great to hear from someone across the pond, especially when you've got such nice things to say about us. Thanks very much for the kind comments. Yes, I'd appreciate receiving the data from next season's events at Santa Pod Raceway in notepad format. Top Alcohol and Top Fuel are the only classes we cover on a regular basis, so to limit file size, just those ones would be required. Thanks very much for the kind offer and drop in anytime.Subject: Sunday Program
Date: Sunday, September 19
From: Darren Slaney
Where do I find the schedule of events on your site.. is anything on tonight? Thanks.
Hmm, looks like I've done too good a job of hiding the various association's and track's event schedules. You'll find them through the Stats Page link on the home page. Then click on the Schedule button and it will take you to a page listing all the various schedules, and there's lots of them. We also update them on a regular basis, as information is received. Hope this is enough info to help in your search.Subject: Engine turning tool
Date: Saturday, September 18
From: George Manthei
Please forward me information on your engine turning tool. I need to finish some sheet aluminum with a jeweled surface. Thanks very much.
Sorry, Charlie, but you're in the wrong aisle. We don't have, or sell, any machine tools. You may be in luck though, as Jim Harvey at Harvey Racing Engines will either have, or know where to find, the tool you're looking for. Thanks for asking though and be sure to tell Jim we sent you.Subject: G'Day
Date: Friday, September 17
From: Ken Lowe
Bob, it's very apparent you've been quite busy (you've been quiet). I just wanted to say hello and to let you know all is well here. I have a digital camera now and a scanner; all operating well. I'll send you some pics just to show you. Have you done any shopping for me? I presume not since I haven't heard from you. I have to put an engine in the Drag Racing School as the 506 cube motor has a cracked crank now.
326 laps..... I think I used it all up right to the end. Nothing was hurt, but Scott found the crack on a normal maintenance inspection. I will e-mail you a note with a reminder of the shopping list that I need before your Chaparrall leaves the dock. My database now has 520 photos on the hard drive. I calculate about 100 more to go. Let me know how you are doing.
Busy? Heck, I'm too busy to even update this page, let alone get anything else done around here. The shopping list (I've still got it here somewhere) is on hold at the moment though, until the finances start happening in black ink instead of that bloody red. Hope you can understand and remember, there's still nearly a hundred shopping days until Christmas. Thanks for the photos and keep sending them whenever you get a chance. My in-box likes the challenge. Occasionally. PS: Glad to hear that the crank didn't dis-assemble itself at the track and I still can't believe how long it lasted. Considering how it was originally ground, the "new" ones I brought this year should be good for at least 500 passes, eh?Subject: Import Drags
Date: Wednesday, September 15
From: Scott Nelson
With cars like this, I think I could get behind the Import Drag craze....
Click on the image for a full-screen view
Man, is that thing for real or not? And I thought some of the stuff I see downunder is weird.... Like the Torana (Vauxhall Viva-size) with a high-helix 14-71 on a big Rodeck. If the tech inspectors in Europe (the car is from Holland), let something like that on the track.... well, I just wouldn't want to be around. But you are right Scott, if all the import cars looked like that one, then even I could get into them.
Subject: Canuck connection
Date: Wednesday, September 15
From: Bob Meyer
Bob; right from your own backyard, Bob Hafner went with me to England just to look around and because I was there to help the Jarmo Roivas team (Meyer car) secure the FIA European Championship. In all fairness, I couldn't help Eero's (Kilpelainen) team, (Meyer car, ex-Russell Racing engine), so I took Bob over to help them as it's a pretty new team and he got a little too carried away! When they ran the 5.70, the third digit was higher than my "outside North America" record, and it didn't bother me, as the Aussie record with the Romac car is 5.700, backed up with a 5.706. (I know there are two different lists downunder; one that still lists Gary Phillips' 5.703, but all politics aside, we DID back up ours at the '97 Winternationals).
Then Bob gets it tuned up to that 5.69, almost a tenth quicker than he's run with his own car, and takes away my Aussie record! Well, at least that record stays in my "family"! I was quite pleased with the whole weekend though, as the weather was fantastic, my cars qualified #1 and #2, won the Championship, won the race to boot, and left with all the records! The English and German beer was quite good also! See you somewhere, someday, on this planet.
It's an all-Bob day here at Northern Thunder. Meyer, Hafner and Wilson. Funny thing is, early this morning the fax machine spit out a starting line pass (with Hafner's name on it) from Santa Pod, so I just had to follow up with a phone call to him. He laid out most of the story before I had to cut him off and run some errands. Then I log on to the net and up pops your e-mail. It's a little surprising that none of the reporters covering the race for the English web sites picked up on the Canadian connection... or even played up the major achievements of the methanol dragster racers over the weekend. Drop in later in the week and see the whole story on your monitor, on the "What's New" page. With pictures too!Subject: News and updates
Date: Wednesday, September 15
From: Jerry Kumre
Hey Bob, thanks for the e-mail. I was just going through some stuff today and noticed NHRA is adding a new class to Comp Eliminator. (I thought Comp was dying due to the Pro Stock PickUp category). Way to go Glendora; add a class of cars to an eliminator that didn't have full fields at more than two National events and has seen quite an exodus in the last few seasons.
And of course the Federal-Mogul Dragster and Funny Car rules aren't finalized YET; how long can this really take? or is Glendora waiting for a BIG news day so they can post the rules as the third or fourth item on the webpage and hope no one notices until a day when the office is closed. Again.
Also, a small tidbit. The car at the top of this "Backfire!" page is the old Birky-Zappetini fueller and Dave Zappeteni is my car owner. I have the poster of this boomer in the garage with the caption: (Stuff) Happens!!!
Hope you're not holding your breath waiting for the big announcement to come any day soon, Jerry. Latest info, from a well-placed source at NHRA, indicates that it could be another two weeks before the "final verdict" is handed down. No matter which way it goes, we already know who's "guilty", don't we? And let's hope you never experience anything even remotely as pyrotechincal as ol' Arnold did with the "Birky Bunch" Top Fuel car. That kind of excitement gets expensive in a hurry, doesn't it?Subject: (obsolete) Blower pulley
Date: Friday, September 10
From: Kyle Gryte
So Bob, does that mag blower pulley hold three hamsters or just one?
Depends on how big the hamsters are... and how much overdrive you're running. By the way, what are you feeding them? For anyone who wants to see what invited Kyle's not-so-serious question, surf over to the "What's New - September 6", then scroll down to the list of funny car goodies for sale. It's guaranteed to give you a chuckle or three. And for the time being, NONE of my blower pulleys are for sale.Subject: Broadway Bob
Date: Thursday, September 9
From: Webmaster
Good Day. Could you please add a link to www.broadwaybob.com. His page has been up for only ten days. Many photos, feel free to use them. I am trying to promote the promoter! He said he would like to go to Australia! Hint, hint.... May we add a link to your site on Bob's page? Thank you.
"Broadway Bob" is still alive? and kicking, from the looks of it. For those readers not familiar with this legendary showman and promoter, check out his website. One look at him sitting on the hood of Jim Neilsen's JET limo, with a can of beer in his hand... do I have to say any more? And don't miss the great interview with him, done by Bret Kepner. He wants to go to Australia too, eh? Well, I'm sure he could teach some of those downunder promoters a trick or three. By the way, the link to his page is already up and I'd be more than honoured to have one to my site on Bob's page.Subject: EgoCars
Date: Wednesday, September 8
From: Wayne Smith
We really dig the way your site looks; would like you to check out and become a part of www.egocars.com.
Thanks for the kind words about our site, Wayne. And as soon as we can get around to it, we'll add a link to your new site. It might be a while for the link though, as an extended late-night surfing session earlier this week caused my Bookmark file to explode... again. I only lost two-thirds of them this time around, and with a week or two of hard work should have it all back together. Until then, link updates will have to wait.Subject: NHRA "Warns" Pro Stock
Date: Tuesday, September 7
From: Fred "One"
Here's the latest rumours concerning NHRA's new attitude towards Pro Stock. (The NHRA has unofficially told the P/S guys that any team that can't run in the 6's should "stay home"). Racers in other classes should take note... you could be next:
Why bother changing the rules, if you can get the same effect with a rumour. Much easier to do that to frighten away the P/S wannabes than come up with some byzantine qualifying scheme. You can also get the tech inspectors to find more squawks with the regular non-qualifiers. Most likely, they will have to come up with a new rule, if entry fields are large. People complain that it is taking up too much track time with cars that will never make the cut anyway.
One idea is a two percent rule. Basically, anyone who shows up with a car will have at least two passes to qualify. So all the cars would make two passes, but those cars whose times were not within two percent of the bubble time from the first round would go back on the trailer. The process would repeat itself in the third round; those not coming within two percent of the second round bubble time would get parked.
The exception to the rule would be previous national event qualifiers. Those with one national event qualification within the past 12 months would be exempt from the second round two percent rule. Those with two or more national event qualifications within the past 12 months would be totally exempt.
The other byzantine scheme is "franchising", where car owners could bid for and receive a limited number of "franchises". There would be 12 franchise slots for each pro field. Franchise holders would be guaranteed a spot in the field, regardless of qualifying position, so a franchise operator would never "miss the show".
This is appealing for the top teams who could afford the cost of a franchise, because sponsorship deals would be much easier to make if the team is guaranteed a starting spot in all national events and the sponsor is guaranteed exposure at all the events. The non-franchise holders would be left to scramble for the four remaining spots in each pro field.
Many car owners might argue, and rightfully so, that costs have become so high that franchising is necesary so that they are in a position to guarantee any potential sponsor a given amount of exposure at each national event. The powers that be seem to be moving more in the direction of providing packaged "dog and pony" shows along with their awful TV coverage, so I have little doubt that franchising hasn't escaped the little minds lining the halls in Glendora.
Scary stuff indeed. Your "franchise" concept sounds like something borrowed (stolen) from the AHRA "Grand American" races of the 1970's. Those national events featured a certain number of "bought in" racers who were guaranteed a spot in the field, no matter where they qualified. The remainder of the fields were made up of local and other independent racers. The rationale was that it would provide a guaranteed show of star racers/cars and the considerable money expended on the bought-in cars wouldn't be wasted if they failed to qualify. "Those who ignore history are condemned to repeat it" seems to be watchword for this news.Subject: How's it goin?
Date: Tuesday, September 7
From: Mark Glading
Hey Bob, how's it goin? Hope you're making lots of green stuff so you can come back and go racing. Hey, I just read about Andrew Cowin being runner-up at the US Nationals. AWESOME!!!!!!!
Yes that was quite an achievement by Andrew and Graeme (Cowin) yesterday at Indy. It was quite a struggle for them to even make the field. Imagine knocking out Kenny "Bud King" Bernstein to qualify. Then when I saw the first round report, I nearly fell out of my chair when I saw he beat Joe Amato. From there, until the finals, it was just one surprise after another. They ran well, looked good and did the whole country of Australia proud. It was truly awesome. As for our own deal; yes, I'm hard at work generating the "green" (and blue, purple and brown - we have "funny looking" money up North here) so that our Y2K campaign downunder will (hopefully) be the success that this year's wasn't.Subject: Warwick Drag Racing Association Update
Date: Monday, September 6
From: Peter Bower
Well, it's been a while, but it's time for some news. We are so close to finishing we are all starting to smell (burning) rubber! There is just the Armco to go up, wiring to do, the last of the fencing and the fitting out of the tower.
We are having a mass working bee on the 2nd and 16th of October and invite everyone to come along. We have never in the past asked for help outside our club but we are under a lot of pressure to commence racing. See the home page for more details as I'm sure some of you out there might like to come when you read this.
We are going to have a couple of invitation-only meets before we open to the public. This will be to test the track conditions, lights and electrics and track organisation, etc. Invitations will be going to those who have helped make the track what it is. I'm not sure if racers will have to pay on that day, as it was not discussed. In other words, if you wish to be invited, attend a working bee and lend a hand. Shortly thereafter will be our first major opening meet.
The website has also had a face lift. Better layout and you can now get to every page from any page. More photos will be added as I get them scanned. Other than that, please check out the site again.
Thanks for the latest update on the progress down in Warwick, Peter. It sounds like the new track will be operational by the time I return (just after Christmas). Good luck getting all the work done on time and I hope to hear of a successful opening meeting before I return. Let us know about more progress as it happens.Subject: Autographed picture request
Date: Sunday, September 5
From: Theodore Vick Jr.
Dear Northern Thunder Racing: I am a big drag racing fan here in the USA. Can you please send me an autographed picture? Thank you!!
Glad you could drop in for a visit, Theodore. Thanks for asking about the autographed picture; we've still a few (of the old car) left and one will be in the mail to you later today.Subject: Long time no hear
Date: Saturday, September 4
From: "Agent 1320"
Good to see you made it back safely to the "top half" (of the world); not too much turn around time though. Well, I finally made it to my mate's computer and not having my own now, it took a while to work the thing out after using the stupid dinosaurs at work.
I've been through your site and updated myself on what's been going on and I feel much better now. There should be a few changes at Willowbank the next time you visit. Internal structure changes, that is, and hopefully things are going to run a lot smoother from now on. There have also been a few shenanigans going on around the place, things that I don't think I should be putting in an open e-mail and that you probably know about anyway. One being the dustup between a certain alky racer and a certain promoter.....
If you want to know any more or just want a bit of a chin wag and have a few dollars to spare (on long distance) give me a call on !@#$%^&*!#^. Anyhow, must move on, this isn't my internet time after all. Catch you soon.
Very interesting e-mail, Mr. 1320. Looks like I'll have to go further into debt with the phone company just to find out what "changes" are taking place at Willowbank. But was it only one alky racer in that dustup? And what about the "exchange of viewpoints" between a certain fuel racer and that same promoter? Stand by the phone D---, I'll be ringing you soon.Subject: Borderline Insanity on the Seattle Sidewalk
Date: Friday, September 3
From: Tim Probasco
Hey folks! Today is a great day for me! Check out the Entertainment Section of Seattle Sidewalk at: Seattle Sidewalk. That yellow Drag Racin' Camaro at Seattle International Raceway is MINE! Now, let's go drag racing!
Congratulations, Tim. Looks like you got a nice little bit of publicity with that shot on the Seattle Sidewalk website. Only question is: If you didn't tell anyone it was there, how many people would have find it on their own?Subject: Indy/MRP
Date: Friday, September 3
From: Really Anonymous
This is not for posting!!!!!!
Hi Bob, ---- -- --- --- -- MRP ---- ------- --- ----- (-----) ------ -- - ---- ----. ---- - ----- --- ------ ----- -- - ---- ---- 7.93 -- --- ---- 1471 ----- -----? (- ----- ---- ----- ---.) ---- ---- --- ----- ----- --- -------- ------ -------- -- Indy? (---- -----) --- --------- #1, --- --- --- ---. --- "---" --- -- --? - ---- ---- ---- --------- --- ---. But ---- -- --- --- ---. --.
Okay. I won't post it. But you sure ask a lot of questions without giving very many answers. Anyways, to answer your questions: (1) No; (2) I looked it up - and was surprised at who it is and how it happened; (3) Less than two inches apparently; Now you've really got everyone wondering who the heck you are and what the heck you're talking about that has to be kept secret. Maybe time will tell....Subject: Mission Very Possible
Date: Thursday, September 2
From: Lifestyle Australia
Let's keep it up folks, the pressure is mounting. Please help, this is an absolute must for the sport in Australia. We need it and we need it now. Regards, Steve Bettes.
(The following is the latest effort by Steve Bettes -- and others -- to get the proposed Western Sydney Motorplex up and running. Northern Thunder requests your help in pushing this idea forward through the Government channels that have currently stalled the project).
Dear Dudes (and Dudette):
Okay, you responded brilliantly to the plea to send thanks to Australia's No. 1 rated breakfast radio host, 2UE's Alan Jones, for supporting our fight for a Sydney drag racing facility. Most of you would now have a letter of thanks from him.
This morning Alan chose to "rattle the cage" some more, by interviewing Jim Read and the ET Drag Racers Club president, Jon Siminic, in the prime 7:15 am timeslot. He followed up again at 7:40 am and then at 8:50 am, when an ARDC (Australian Racing Drivers Club) board member called on "Talk Back".
Your next missions, should you wish to accept them, are as follows:
(1) Send another thank you note to Alan Jones, for continuing to fight so darned hard for us all, to:
Radio Station 2UE
176 Pacific Highway
Greenwich, NSW 2065
AUSTRALIA
Fax: (02) 9906-8879 Phone: - (02) 9930-9954
E-mail: Access the Alan Jones Online website; go to "Your Views", enter your message with your name and e-mail address. If you're not a Sydney resident, say so; every little bit helps.
(2) Post the Premier a Picture campaign.
Collectively get some attention in the Premier's offices. Colour attracts the human eye/brain and a picture speaks a thousand words. Send a colour photo of your race vehicle, stapled onto the front of a letter (a couple of paragraphs will do, or a couple of pages if you want). Explain that this is your (or your friend, father, brother, cousin's) ANDRA Championship drag racing vehicle, worth $..... and how it lies idle, rusting, devaluing, useless, unless you spend $..... towing to Queensland or Victoria to race it -- and whatever else you might like to politely say.
You might like to send pictures of previous race vehicles, your business premises, your best shot from the stands, your family with the race vehicle, next door's toddler in it, etc., - use your imagination!
If you don't own a race vehicle, do it for someone you know who does. If you know six people who won't take the initiative themselves, collect pictures from them of their race vehicles too and send them for them with a little letter explaining them and our need for the Western Sydney Motorplex, a permanent, stand-alone Championship drag racing facility for the drag racers of Sydney, New South Wales and Australia.
Don't expect the pictures back. Just expect to cause minor havoc and attention. It all seems to be beginning to fall into place but we all need to keep on fighting until it's hopefully OURS.
Write, with your photographs, to:
The Honourable Mr. Bob Carr
Level 3, Governor Macquarie Tower
1 Farrer Place
Sydney, NSW 2000
AUSTRALIA
Always remember, YOU can make a difference. Alan Jones said twice this morning that he had been "inundated" with letters, etc. from the drag racing community about their need for a Sydney facility. Congratulations and thanks!
Send this to other well-meaning drag racing community members. Print it out and fax it to more. Ring people you know with an interest. Let's all keep fighting as hard as we can. There's a drag strip for us, our children and possibly our grandchildren there at the end of the rainbow.
With very, very best regards, Julia Linney, Sydney, New South Wales.
Thanks very much Julia and Steve and the folks at Lifestyle for passing along this very important message. I'll definitely do my part, even though it's currently at a distance. Anyone who reads this message is urged to do their part; it's vitally important to the sport of drag racing for the entire country that this new track proposal goes ahead. Besides, it would give me more opportunities (or excuses, depending on how you look at it) to go racing downunder.Seriously, please give this project all the support you can. The only hope that ANDRA (Australian National Drag Racing Association) has for a truly national series of championship events is to see a new drag strip in Sydney (Australia's largest city). For further information on the project, please visit the Western Sydney Motorplex website.
Subject: NEW Drag Magazine
Date: Thursday, September 2
From: Studebaker '53
On September 15th at 7:00 pm (Eastern Standard Time), a new Drag racing magazine will hit the net at www.competitionplus.com. Not a web page; a real magazine!
Well, I won't hold my breath until then, but I guess I'll just have to check out the site on the night of the 15th. I'll let everyone in "Thunder-land" know what it looks like as soon as possible after that. Hope it's worth the wait.Subject: Wanting info on Australia
Date: Thursday, September 2
From: Rick Noniewicz
I'm asking for info about Australia for my boss, Rob Murphy. He's interested in what it takes to go downunder. I talked to your crew chief, Tom Mohan, last weekend at the Pro Mod show and the concept sounds interesting. He suggested this (e-mail) is the best way to get in touch with you. Rob owns a 1989 Dodge Daytona with a 489 cubic inch Hemi. He runs Doorslammer and Top Comp and the best times (so far) are 7.78 at 178 mph at Mission Raceway. Anyhow, I like to keep my e-mail's short and I understand you are a busy guy.
Thanks for asking Rick. If you can pass along Rob's phone number (I lost it), I'll contact him as soon as possible and give him all the information I can. By the way, there's still plenty of room in my Chaparral trailer when it heads downunder later this year. Maybe we can work something out. And I'm sure Willowbank could always use another unique Top Comp car for the New Year Series.Subject: Cackling Pipes
Date: Wednesday, September 1
From: Grant Stephens
Just to let everyone know, that Cackling Pipes has a new URL at http://cacklingpipes.com. The site has had a facelift and has some new sections, although some areas are still under construction. If you have any comments, drag racing team news or anything worthy of reporting, just e-mail me.
Wow! Talk about a facelift. Great new look for the site, Grant. It loads faster, the graphics are sharper, everything is easier to read... but there are still some areas that need updating. And you've been promising to get around to them for "yonks" now. Come to think of it, that sounds just like my own site.... so never mind the criticism, and keep up the good work.Subject: A/Fuel News
Date: Wednesday, September 1
From: Jerry Kumre
Just wanted to give you my new e-mail address. Not much new going on with the ZSK A/Fueler, just waiting for rules to be finalized and work towards that combination.
What's the matter, Jerry, the boss getting down on you using the work address all the time? Seriously, what has been happening with your car since the debut at Sacramento in May? Hope you haven't hurt it in the meantime. Please let me know how things are going.Subject: Link Request
Date: Wednesday, September 1
From: Jerry Millner
Would you consider adding my site to your links page? Thanks.
I'll be glad to. I've put your "AllStar Dragsters" link on the Chassis page, since your business is the construction of Junior Dragster chassis'. At one time, I looked down on those noisy little long-wheelbase lawnmowers, but now that I've had a chance to meet some of the racers, see the technology involved and see some of the really remarkable performances of the current crop of juniors... I'm a believer in those little cars. For the drivers, they must be quite a ride and the long-term benefits to the sport are without doubt.