BACKFIRE!
NOVEMBER 1999
Postings are listed from NEWEST to OLDEST. Happy scrolling !
Subject: Rotary Valve
Date: Monday, November 29
From: Iskender Kutlucinar
I saw your clip for the drag racers from Canada using a Rotary Valve for their engines, but were still having problems with gas sealing. I would like to find a way to talk to these fellows about the sealing problems.
If they are interested in, they should look into patent # 5,967,108. I have solved the gas sealing problem, and if they are cool guys I would not mind helping them to win races.
Thanks for the information and the offer of help with the rotary valve engine. Unfortunately, the partners (Bill Phillips and Dan Zimmerman) broke up quite a while ago, and even worse, Bill passed away earlier this year. The rotary valve engine was still assembled, sitting in Bill's shop, when he left us. I'm not sure what has become of it or whether anyone would be willing to pursue the project. The largest factor currently working against it is NHRA's prohibition on anything except two-valve per cylinder, automotive engines, in the blown classes. To read -- and see -- what the rotary project was all about, check out the Rotary Valve Hemi article in our Press Clippings index.Subject: Question
Date: Sunday, November 28
From: Danny White
Hey Bob !!! Could you give me the skinny on the Blown Barracuda on your photos page ? Thanks, Danny White - DRL Online
Blown Barracuda in the Canuck Racers Gallery:
Name: The Old Timer
Owner: Bill Visser, Langley, BC, CANADA
Driver: Terry McHardy, Vancouver, BC, CANADA
Drivetrain: 426 KB w/14-71 rootes (non-helix blower) Lenco 3-speed
Best ET/Speed: Not really sure, but off the top of my head: 7.50-185
Characteristics: Screamin' burnouts; high-rpm launches, goes straight
BONUS: The driver (McHardy) is a Vancouver policeman and has quite a history in the sport. Drove a '33 Willys AA/G w/blown gas 426 back in the '70s; Blown alcohol '23 'T' roadster w/426 hemi and wedge in the '80s; had a bad crash in the '23 that put him in the hospital for a few months; then took over driving the 'Cuda when owner/driver Visser came down with some health problems. And in his spare time, Terry drives his own "Highlander" 23-T roadster in Super Comp.
Terry is one ultra-original character and the stories I could you tell about him.... well, he is a cop, after all, and even though he's a super nice guy... he is armed and DANGEROUS... :-) And he knows where I live. Hope this has been of some help. Thanks for asking.Subject: Prairie Summer
Date: Sunday, November 28
From: Murray
The summer was okay out here, battled mother nature everywhere we raced. Case in point, our big alky show in Saskatoon - on the Saturday it was 35 degrees out in the bright sun and come Sunday it was 14 with a cold wind and overcast. Oh well.
As for Charlie (MacIntosh), he was at the aforementioned alky race and ran a 6.24 at 233 which was a new track record. Broke Mike Miller's 1980 records!! It is worth noting that at the same race John Evanchuk and his FM/FC also ran 6.24 for the track record, in fact both et's were identical to the thousandth.
Charlie is planning on going to the test session deal before the Winters to try and get licenced. Then go to the Winters and pick up a new body, but not planning on running at Pomona.
Thanks for filling in the details on Canada's only current Nitro Funny Car racer. Sounds like Charlie still has a bit of work to do towards the licence, but at least he's out there making laps and gaining experience. Triva time: The car that MacIntosh drives was purchased from Florida's Norm Wilding, an ex-United Kingdom racer who moved to the States about ten years ago. Small world, isn't it? PS: Those temps Murray quoted are in CELSIUS; just in case anyone was thinking it was really cold in Saskatchewan in the summer. As for their winters . . . well, that's another story. How high are the snowdrifts already, Murray?Subject: New message board
Date: Saturday, November 27
From: Murray
Heard of a new Alcohol racer message board. It can be found at:
Alcohol
Racers Message Board.
Subject: Web site construction
Date: Saturday, November 27
From: Jason Howell
Bob, this is Jason Howell. Who made your web site for you? I need to have one done soon. I am finishing my F/E Top Fuel car off for Bakersfield in March. So far it is turning out "BITCHEN". I have switched to Big-Block Chev for power (cheaper). I would like to set up a web site; I have a few people helping out and I think they would appreciate some publicity. Do you have any ideas?
Thanks for asking about the website. Hang on to your hat for the answer though: I DID IT MYSELF. With no program to help; simply spent a bit of time learning about HTML code and then sitting down and spending A LOT OF TIME -- seriously, A LOT OF TIME, writing each and every page. That is not recommended for anyone but a true mental case -- like myself. Most people use a program like MicroSoft's "Front Page" or Netscape's "Composer" to do their own pages. It saves a lot of time and learning, but doesn't allow you quite as much flexibility as I have. Maybe you could talk to the folks who did/do Brad's (Hadman) page and see how much they would charge... I'm guessing it would be too much, but I can't be certain about that.As for the car, sorry to hear that you've got the "Chevy disease", but I can understand why. Those old Hemi parts aren't getting any cheaper, or easier to find, or stronger, are they? Is there any way you can e-mail me a pic or two of it? I'd love to see it. Also, best of luck at the March Meet. And best wishes for the holidays and a Happy and prosperous New Year. PS: Still working at Hadman's?
Subject: Visitors Book
Date: Saturday, November 27
From: Andy Freeman
In answer to your question about the Visitors Book: Collecting cobwebs I think, Bob! I hope to revisit the whole site soon. I have a real problem with the TOTAL apathy that dragracers have to promoting themselves. I offered a free web site for racers, I actively chased them, and I still don't get updates from nearly all of them. These are the same people who will cry on your shoulder in the pits.... "It's hard to get sponsors".
The DRAGSTER Australia page gets updated every fortnight; they send me a copy of the magazine cover and it gets scanned and put on the site before it hits the newsstand: DRAGSTER Australia Cover.
Vincent Pels, the Dutch crew chief of a Top Fuel Harley in Holland just sent me an update of their corner of the web: Vincent Pels - T/F Harley. (looks great too)
I'm not too sure where the site is going, but it still enjoys 150,000 hits per month. Any ideas?
Thanks for your prompt and courteous reply to my rather snide comment about the Visitors Book at the Drag Race Australia website. Should I presume that the book has been shut down, or what? As for the lack of participation by racers, I hear you, loud and clear. So many people whine about a lack of sponsors, but then never do anything about it. It's not magic, it's just hard work. And not giving up when you get rejected by the first ten or twenty or hundred prospects.I well remember the article about your site in DRAGSTER Australia three years ago, offering free web pages to everyone, and after an initial burst of enthusiasm, saw it gradually wither away and grow stale. Just like so many other sites on the internet. Folks, it's not enough just to put up a page, sit back and admire it... and then let it die from lack of interest. You've got to stick with it; keep updating it and promoting it.
As for suggestions about your site Andy, I wouldn't presume to know how
you should go about improving things. Maybe you'll have to go back to square
one and revisit your original "game plan" and see if it's working, or why it
isn't and what can be done to come up with a better one. After the time and
effort you've invested in its creation, it would be a shame if you gave up on
it and shut down. I'll spend some time thinking about your question for the
next few days and give you any suggestions I come up with.
Subject: You
Date: Thursday, November 25
From: William Skillings
Are you still around? Haven't seen you driving to or from work lately and as you know, nothing has been posted since November 2nd. What's up?
Well, it's a long story, William. Suffice to say, that other than going to work for the last ten days (after that ten day holiday -- aka: lockout), I haven't been doing too much else. Maybe it's got something to do with the fact that it's basically winter here and dark and dreary and cold and wet... and downunder (where my race car -- aka: my reason for living) is located, it's sunny and warm and the racing season is starting. On the other hand, it could just have been a bad burritto. Or spending way too much time at the dentist, or opening my mailbox every day and finding nothing but bills. Trust me, I'm one of the true mysteries of modern science. But I'm back now, so don't say you weren't warned.Subject: Headers
Date: Wednesday, November 24
From: The Armenian Terrorist
Where's the dog gammed mechanic?
1970 404; 1974 Buick Riveria; 1991 BMW pd; 1962 Ferret; 1964 Halfinger; 1972 Pinz (The Pinz belongs to the better half)
Ooops!!! Another committment that hasn't been met. I've been trying to convince my under-employed crew chief Tom to give this guy a call and take on the job of building him a set of custom headers for one of his menagerie of vehicles. I'll gave you a hint though: Don't let him take the Ferret or the UniMog for a "test" drive. Did I ever tell you about the time Ken Lowe let him take the barstool out for a spin?
Subject: Hey Bob!!!!!!!
Date: Tuesday, November 23
From: Sandra Ross
It's me, Sandra! How have you been? Well, I hope. I'd love to hear from you and see what's new! Same old with me, I'm still living in Antioch and living with Lance. So, e-mail me back to let me know you received this and I will talk to you soon! Love, Sandra.
WOW!!! It's been far too long since we've talked, and in fact, I wasn't even on the internet (nor were you), the last time we conversed. So I've got to ask: How in the heck did you find me? I'm so glad to hear from you and will give you a ring as soon as possible. Thanks for keeping me in your thoughts, Sandra.Subject: Warwick District Drag Racing Association Updates
Date: Monday, November 22
From: Peter Bower
It has been some time since our last email. Since then a fair amount of work has been carried out. Along the western side we put in place all the posts for the armco in one weekend and backed it up the following weekend by putting up all the rails upper and lower. We have since put in place the remaining concrete barriers, which meet the armco, hence completing the Western side. This also means the completion of the barriers we need to go racing. Sure, we would like a lot more but with what we have, we can race.
The trenching for the electrical conduit has been started. This means we are drawing ever closer to a start. Once the conduit is in place, the "sparky" (electrician) should only need a weekend to pull the wires through and wire the place. Once wired we can commence racing. We have a lot of little things that need doing but they should not stop us running our invitational meets. (The one or two meets prior to the official opening).
I would also like to thank DRAGSTER Australia for the favourable article in the latest issue of the magazine.
I think at this stage we are still set for a possible opening in December or January. Please don't hold me to that as I've posted what seems like a million start dates since opening the web site. I'm just taking a best guess.
I ask you, as I do every time, to please be understanding, that these things take time, and assure you all that you will be notified of our first meet.
Yours in racing, Peter. (WDDRA Member and Webmaster)
Warwick District Drag
Racing Association
Subject: Where are you??????
Date: Monday, November 22
From: Ken Lowe
Bob, where are you ???? There is no answer at home and the fax does not kick on!!!! You are not answering the email! What color do you want your truck painted ?? Please answer immediately.
Sorry Ken, but I've had a little "mental intermission" for the past few weeks. Not to fear though, things are getting back to normal and I'm back in cyberspace and answering the phone and fax again. What's this about a paint job on the Ford truck? Has Dave finished the bodywork too? You mean things are really happening while I'm away? Gee.... maybe if I answered the phone, I'd know about these things, wouldn't I?Subject: Lyle Greenberg Motorsports Web Site Update
Date: Monday, November 22
From: Lyle Greenberg
The long awaited update to the Lyle Greenberg Motorsports web site is complete. It includes:
- The Mile High Nationals race story - we qualified, but not much else went right.
- More pictures in the Alky Dragster & Funny Car Pictorial. More obscure east coast cars that weren't often seen.
- Some new additions to the Links page.
Go to Lyle Greenberg Motorsports and scroll down the home page, then click on the item of your choice.
It's been a while hasn't it, Lyle. Of course, with the way your luck went in the second half of 1999 -- quite understandable. To see how Lyle's season went (down the toilet) check out his updated site. It's definitely worth a visit, and serves as a great example of what a racer can achieve in his spare time. Hope you've had a change of heart and the car isn't up for sale anymore. Hang in there Lyle; like me, I've got a feeling that you're a survivor too.Subject: LA Times Update
Date: Sunday, November 21
From: J.L. Deuchar
Big news for all European Alcohol Racers who have not heard about it already (and you probably haven't) - so go to Wot's New.
Also I have a new Email address: laracer@laracing.co.uk and a new Web Page address: www.laracing.co.uk - the old addresses will still work for some time but eventually everything will go onto those addresses only.
It looks like Mr Herbert just took the best fireball award away from us (but he was on fuel!)
Thanks for letting us know about the new URL, Lindsay. I'll update the Top Alcohol Dragster links asap. After a long rebuild, it was good to see your team out running again towards the end of the season. Hope it continues strongly in the New Year. Thanks also for the Doug Herbert "Boomer of the Century" photo, too. In return, I can't help but post your own fireball foto from a few seasons back.
Subject: Hi Bob
Date: Sunday, November 21
From: Kerwin Sutton
Yo Bob! I've been looking for your web site for a long time. The advertising at casco.com has helped my search though. Ha Ha. Seriously, you have obviously spent a lot of time doing this and I do find it interesting, especially the different continents. Hope your hobby goes a long way! Grey One Inc. P.S: Brian says dough!
Looks like all those "banner ads" scrolling across the monitors at work have finally sunk in. Glad you liked the site, even though you're not really a drag fan (are you?). What was it: the Aussie drag babes, the Crash and Burn galleries, or the Top Ten Lists? Thanks for the encouragement and see you at work soon.... hey, have you got the import yard updated yet?Subject: Back from the dead
Date: Saturday, November 20
From: Bill Evans
Hello Mr. Wilson. Now that you are resting I thought I would kick up some "stuff". Nobody else seems to do that anymore. Have a great holiday season.
The "Grapevine - a northwest racer's forum" location: The Grapevine
Oh, oh, Mr. Bill is back. With him running "interference" for me again, maybe I can get fired up about where NHRA is and where it's heading in the next millennium. In the meantime, you'll have to check out Bill's latest blast on The Grapevine page. Thanks for the holiday wishes too Bill, and in return, best wishes for you and Carol over the holidays and in the New Year. It might be a rather touchy subject, but what's the prognosis on the Chevy II?Subject: Advertising at www.draglist.com
Date: Friday, November 19
From: Bill Pratt
Pardon the intrusion, drag fans. This is a ONE TIME bulk mailing of our inaugural advertising plan at www.draglist.com. Many of our friends in the industry have asked us to let them know when we got this running. Well, here it is! There is even a plan for individuals who may want to unload a race car or some parts.
Dear Drag Racing Advertiser:Reach DRAG RACERS and FANS at Drag Racing List Online! For 14 years, The Drag Racing List has been the place racers go to see how they rank against their contemporaries around the world. Now online since early 1996, Drag Racing List Online has expanded its coverage to former racers as well. With over 33,000 racer listings, over 5,200 links to other drag racing and automotive sites, and other great columns and features, thousands of racers and fans check in every month! Businesses of all financial sizes can benefit from exposure to the loyal readers of Drag Racing List Online. More than 40,000 times a month, a drag racer or drag racing fan reads a web page at Drag Racing List Online! Will they see your advertisement there?
Our banner advertising format is set up to provide your business maximum exposure. One large banner ad in the standard industry size (468 x 60 pixels) and two smaller banner ads in the "box" size (120 x 90 pixels) will be seen on the first page view of each of our 140 web pages at www.draglist.com. Choose either banner size or a combination of the two. We will rotate your banner ad in the same place on every one of our web pages. Our banner rotation software keeps track of which banners have been shown and which banner is next in line. When it's your turn, we will show your banner to the NEXT visitor at www.draglist.com, REGARDLESS of which page they choose! You don't have to worry about where the readers go -- wherever they go, your ad will be waiting! Advertisers can log in with a password and view their banner statistics at any time, so you know what your ad campaign is doing at www.draglist.com.
Our advertising rates are designed to get you up and rolling FAST for the holiday and race car construction season! Before we show you the rates, check out our unbeatable END OF THE MILLENNIUM special! Until we fill each advertising slot, we will rotate your banner ad WITHOUT ANY LIMITATION ON THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DISPLAYS! Early birds will DEFINITELY get MUCH more than their money's worth! How many of our 40,000 monthly visitors will YOUR ad get? The sooner we get your ad up on Drag Racing List Online, the sooner you can get your product or service in front of our incredible racers and fans!
Choose one or more of these high value advertising plans:
Plan A - $50 per month. The large 468 x 60 pixel banner will display prominently in the first page view of each of the 140 web pages at www.draglist.com, usually right after the page title. It will rotate among 20 advertisers (but until 20 sign up, your ad will be seen CONTINUOUSLY!)
Plan B - $25 per month. One 120 x 90 pixel banner will display on the left hand column, right under the navigation buttons, on each of the 140 web pages at www.draglist.com. It will rotate among 40 advertisers (but until 40 sign up, your ad will be seen CONTINUOUSLY!)
Plan C - $10 per month! A second 120 x 90 pixel banner will display on the left-hand column, right under the first 120 x 90 pixel banner, on each of the 140 web pages at www.draglist.com. It will rotate among 100 advertisers (but until 100 sign up, your ad will be seen CONTINUOUSLY!)
Clearly, businesses of all financial sizes can benefit from exposure to the highly targeted and loyal readers of Drag Racing List Online! Our $10 per month plan is ideal even for individuals with cars or parts for sale, etc. We also have special prices for businesses with a special promotion or who otherwise want to saturate the site for a certain period of time. Call for details. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, check, or money orders. Advertising on Drag Racing List Online makes an effective addition to any advertising portfolio!
CONTACT US TODAY! Call 1-800-538-8181 to talk to Bill or Denise or e-mail us at advertising@draglist.com. Don't forget our END OF THE MILLENNIUM SPECIAL! How many of our 40,000 monthly visitors will YOUR ad get for one low monthly price?
Thanks. Bill and Denise Pratt
Draglist Ad Rates
Subject: Thanks for the help
Date: Friday, November 19
From: Mike Malone
I was writing to thank you for providing such an excellent resource for the beginning motorsports team. I am currently a student at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. I have long had a dream of opening a multi-use off-road competition facility, so this is the topic I chose to conduct a study for one of my class reports. Your site has proven invaluable for motivation and techniques to approach and secure investments. Again, thanks for making your expertise and experience available. You have made a dream into a distinct possibility.
Wow, I've got to frame this complimentary message. Thanks for taking the time to let us know that Northern Thunder actually had something of real use for you, Mike. Presumably, you found it in the Marketing Article Index section. Glad to have been of assistance, but the expertise and knowledge is not mine: I've just collected and posted it.Subject: Where the heck are you????
Date: Thursday, November 18
From: Darren Fahy
Hey Bob, just got a couple of phone calls from Tracey and Dave wondering where you are so I thought I better get on and give you a message. Hope everything is okay and I hope you get back to me soon. I wasn't too worried, but Kevin rang too and I told him I'd get a message to you.
By the way I finally got the parcel with all the info, haven't started studying yet but will get to it soon. Hope to hear from you soon.
Sign me: Bewildered Darren!!!
Boy this is getting serious, isn't it? Sorry to cause so many people so much drama worrying about me, but as you'll know by now, I'm back in cyberspace and getting back into things again. To save on my phone bill, can you let Dave and Kevin and Tracey know that things are okay. Glad you finally received the parcel (two hundred pages of technical data on the dragster); now you've got to wade through it and memorize it all before I get back. Have fun and we'll see you soon.Subject: G'Day Bob
Date: Thursday, November 18
From: Scott Ferguson
G'Day Bob. How you going ?
This message came from the "Elizabeth Library" and the only clue to the sender was the return address of "Scott" at Hotmail. Knowing that Elizabeth is in the Adelaide (Australia) area, and knowing a Scott Ferguson there, I'm guessing it's my old friend, the Top Alcohol racer. Am I right, Scott? By the way, things are moving ahead slowly, but still moving ahead. How is your deal doing these days, by the way? (Scott's last appearance, at the Adelaide round of the 1999 Australian Top Alcohol Championships, ended with a runner-up to season champion Gary Phillips.... and two broken rods).Subject: Mahaffey Motorsports Debuts New Web Site
Date: Wednesday, November 17
From: Bill Pratt
Drag Racer, Fireman, Emergency Medical Technician, and award-winning chassis builder Wade Mahaffey has debuted the latest drag racing site on the World Wide Web. The site, Mahaffey Motorsports, highlights Mahaffey's Super Gas racing program, his "Kids Stuff" children's safety education program, and his line of race cars and products.
As a fireman, EMT, and drag racer, Mahaffey wants to raise the level of fire and medical safety awareness at drag racing events. Through www.mahaffeymotorsports.com, Wade kicks off his "Racing Safety" campaign. Racers and fans can check in at least once a month to find time-tested, common sense safety tips and commentary on how to maintain safety at home, on the road, and at the drag strip. The site also contains a history of Mahaffey Motorsports and a photo gallery of his various award-winning machines.
Thanks for keeping us in the information loop, Bill. I haven't had a chance to check out Wade's site yet, but with your recommendation, it must be a winner. As Bill says, for safety tips, check it out regularly.Subject: Hi Bob
Date: Wednesday, November 17
From: Dimitrios Arsoniadis
Hi Bob, it's Buzz. You remember me from the old town, North Van? I thought I'd check out your web page. It's really good, I like it a lot. So how's everything going? Has the car gone down the track yet? If you have any spare time on your hands please give me a briefing on the Aussie experience. Thanks and see ya. Bye for now hope to hear from ya.
Thanks for dropping by and saying such nice things about Northern Thunder, Buzz. Things are moving rather slowly now: we're running a "little lean" in the dollars department -- but I'm working on it -- one day at a time. No, the car hasn't gone down the track yet -- in fact we haven't even started the engine yet. Like I said, the wallet's leaned out (temporarily) and it's going to be a few months yet before they hear any Thunder DownUnder. As for "briefing" you on my Aussie experience(s)... well, I could write a book about all the fun I've had there. In fact, come to think of it, I pretty much have. Check out the postings on the What's Old page for May, June and July of this year.Subject: Victor Bray World Record
Date: Saturday, November 13
From: Rob Oberg
Victor Bray again King of the World
Victor Bray has reclaimed the title of the world's fastest sedan dragracer in his Castrol GP50 1957 Chevrolet after recording a speed of 232.13 mph (371.4kph) in the first round of racing at Calder Park Raceway in Melbourne tonight. He backed this up with speeds of of 229.35 mph 229.82 mph and 230.71 mph which gives him a new official Australian Top Doorslammer Record as well as the World Drag Racing Sedan Record.
Victor had almost the perfect evening at Calder Park as he qualified second, took the event win over Marcus Chambers and secured low elapsed time with a 6.256 second pass in the final scoring the maximum 110 championship points at the opening event of the eight round series.
Further details and results in the Race Results page of his website:
Victor Bray Racing
Subject: New Navigation Scheme
Date: Friday, November 12
From: Bill Pratt
Just a short note to invite you to check out our brand new navigation scheme at www.draglist.com. It represents the most radical change we have made to the site since its inception. I hope it will let you find the info you need much more quickly. Please check in and let us know what you think. (Of particular note is the Site Map, from which you can access EVERYTHING at www.draglist.com).
We also have removed a great deal of Microsoft proprietary code from within the site. Macintosh users, please try to log in and let me know if you can access DRL Online. If you can, EVERYTHING will be new for you guys. Our Mac brothers and sisters have never been able to access DRL Online via Netscape without locking up... hopefully, we've killed that albatross.
Thanks to all the veterans out there. We remember and appreciate your sacrifices. We will drop everyone another line when we get the latest round of updates into the lists. Thanks.
Thanks for the update, Bill. You've moved the best drag racing website in the world up to yet another level of accomplishment. If only you could find a way to compress 48 hours into one day, then you'd be able to do everything you want. Keep on plugging and let us know when you move up another notch.Subject: HI
Date: Friday, November 12
From: William Skillings
Hi Bob, hope you are getting through this Dock Stuff without too many wounds. Hope you can post something soon.
Thanks for the encouragement, Bill. It was a bit of a downer being locked out (of work) for ten days, but the end result looks worth it. In fact, the retroactive pay we'll get next month, will make up most of the wages lost while we were out. Hmm.... hey, that means we don't get any (real) wage increase this year. Typical, eh?Subject: FYI
Date: Monday, November 8
From: Ken Lowe
Bob, just wanted to let you know everything is good inside the container. No rust all just like you left it.. everything is going well. Thought you would like to know, I know I would if I was on the other side of the world from my "baby". A couple of the real hot days I have opened the box to let some cool blow through. No one was around and no one went through the box.
Thanks again for taking care of things while I'm back here in Canada. Maybe I should worry more about how the car's doing, but I just assume that it's safe and sound at your place. Any progress on the "to-do" list, or do we still have lots of work to do before the season starts?Subject: Fix it
Date: Friday, November 5
From: Ken Lowe
Bob, I mentioned a year ago that your link under TAD's to Mark's car was old stuff 2 years ago. Look at your web site and check the link to Mark's web page and you will find that it goes to a site with Mark and Pozzebon. Old stuff!!!! You know better than that!! Also your link in TAFC's to Tony Bartone just drops out. Must run chat more later.
Yes, Ken, I know that the link to Mark's page is old news. Just like almost everything else at Andy Freeman's Drag Race (Australia) website. It would nice if Mark and his partner had a more up-to-date page, but who's going to do it? Are there any volunteers out there? .... Hmm, guess I'll have to do something about it, won't I? Stay tuned, we'll have something together as soon as possible. As for the link to Bartone's page, I'll check it out. Unfortunately, like many racers, he hasn't put the page together himself, doesn't update it, and that's how these things happen -- or not happen, as the case may be.Subject: How's it going?
Date: Thursday, November 4
From: Mark Glading
Hi big guy, how's it going? I hope you're saving lots of racing money. Just a quicky to say hi and thanks for putting me onto Competition Plus. Awesome site. Along with Drag Racing Online, its my favourite. The only bad thing is I read the whole thing in one night and have to wait a month for the next one! D'oh.
Also I saw a picture of a Canadian Pro Mod car the other day - a 53/54 Chevy with a weird looking injector/scoop - any info? They have some really cool looking cars there but not as good as ours! Only joking..as you can tell I'm hanging for the new season to start. Anyhow all the best & take care.
P.S: Isn't Steve Harker running good...wouldn't it be easier to run the IHRA circuit or is that defeating the purpose?
Glad to hear from you again, Mark. I've got to agree with you about the two sites you mentioned: It seems like a long time until the next edition. Of course, here at Northern Thunder we update the "What's New" page almost every day. On the other hand, I'm not in the same league as the "pros" like Bobby Bennett, Jeff Burk, Chris Martin, et al.As for the Canadian Pro Mod car... could it be Trevor Lowe's car (pictured below), which is a '57 Chevy with an Enderle "barn-door" injector. Trevor just happens to be a local too, he's from the Greater Vancouver area. With the Jim Oddy engine providing some serious power, he's been very competitive on the West Coast Pro Mod circuit for the past few years. (6.40's - 6.50's at close to 220 mph).
To answer your last question, concerning Steve Harker: He could run IHRA, but then he'd have to take off the PSI blower, and consequently, lose about 500 - or more - horsepower in the process. IHRA rules don't allow screw blowers in their Alcohol Funny Car class. And Steve is quite happy with the PSI these days, it seems. Plus, he's such a competitive guy that he wants to run against (and beat) the fastest guys in the world. So far, he's done one heckuva job.
Subject: Link
Date: Monday, November 1
From: Arne Lindkvist
Here is a link to Lindkvist Bros Racing: dragracing.freeservers.com
Thanks for another reminder, Arne, but the link to your site is already on the Top Doorslammer links page.