Parallelisms, Synchronicities,
and Other Unlikely Occurrences

© 2003 Bill Ott

Back In South Purgatory, the first thing Max Romero and John Bradley did with the hurt motor in the digger (as soon a it was up on jack stands) was pull the plugs and run a quick compression test. And let me add… that test was done the old fashioned way. You know… stick a thumb in the spark plug hole, spin the motor, and let the compression do the rest. Max was overheard to say …“We don’t need no steenking compression gauge!”

No sign of problems with the valves or pistons. Next stop… the ignition. When Max pulled the Mallory magneto from the front of the engine, it was discovered that the drive belt had fallen off, and the inside of the drive housing was loaded with small metal shavings, chips of plastic, and pieces of belt material. Turns out the plastic piece that joins the bottom of the magneto to the engine block had broken; effectively doing who knows what to the timing.

There really is no serious damage to any internal engine parts, and the boys always pack at least one spare belt. But that red diamond shaped plastic part… that’s a whole different story. No spare. Never broke one before. Never needed one before. But they sure do now. What to do? John was seen heading over to the dragster pit area, hat in one hand, broken magneto drive part in the other.

Big Yohns (aka Ron Johnson), son Kol, and crew make the trip from Escondido every year to compete in Jr. Fuel wars with their Bob Meyer built state of the art digger. When Ron heard about the Dueler’s broken body mount, he knew he couldn’t help… but he was pretty sure he knew who could.

The Neil and Parks Jr. Fuel team was pitted about two spaces away from Big Yohns. After a brief conference between Big Yohns and Frank Parks, Frank disappeared into his trailer and emerged carrying a portable 110 AC welder. When Frank was assured the welder would be returned quickly (and unharmed) he said “If Big Yohns say’s you guys are all right… that’s good enough for me.” An example of how much the man is respected around these parts.

The welder fitted into the back of the golf cart, and about three minutes later a relieved Dueler II  crew swarmed around the cart, all smiles. Now it’s time for crewman Seaton Stoufer to do his thing. I was told earlier that Seaton could “weld two foil cigarette pack wrappers together.“ Wonder if that’s true? But before ol’ Seaton gets to do his number, the crew has to pull the magnetos and other parts of the electrical system off the engine… the electric welding process can damage them. But don’t forget… there’s two of everything (well, almost everything) on the Dueler II, so this part of the operation will take a little time.

Over at the BankAmericar camp, a constant stream of advisors, well wishers, and the just plain curious passed by or hung out for a while. Ronnie Rapp and crew have been at it since 9:00 AM… and little do they know their day is just starting!

The BankAmericar team’s static display of how to properly ‘window’ a 392 Hemi. Photo Courtesy Don Ewald. Used With Permission

Glen Ely was right on with his earlier summation of Seaton’s skills with a welder. Turns out a few seasons ago Glen suffered a horrendous crash in Florida following a chute failure. The Dueler’s chassis wound up in three pieces, with the roll cage area remaining fairly intact. But the other two pieces were toast. ‘Ol Seaton rebuilt the whole thing just like new, and Glen reports it still runs straight as a string.

As The Dueler II was being patched up, I had an opportunity to visit with Vance and Wilma Hunt who were part of the crowd of onlookers watching Seaton… nothing like playing to a packed house is there Seaton? Vance is here as part of the Denver Schutz Top Fuel team who are pitted right up the street from The Dueler. It’s always a pleasure to spend some time talking about my days in Texas with this fine Texas couple.

It wasn’t long before the fallen body mount was reattached to its former place of honor on the tube chassis and the body could be put back on. Yes sir, looks like The Dueler II would be ready to make it’s first appearance on track, and on time, thanks to the benevolence (there it is kids - today’s mystery word!) of some total strangers over on the other side of the pit area.

The welder was loaded into the golf cart and returned to its owner over in the Jr. Fuel pit area. Again thanks goes out to Frank Parks for his act of kindness. As hand shakes were being exchanged at the Neil and Parks trailer, the roar of an alcohol burning small Chevy coming to life captured everyone’s attention.

A few steps away, Big Yohns’ state of the art digger was sounding just right as the man himself, cylinder head guy Bob McKray was leaning over the Chevy getting ready to perform some of his tuning wizardry. ‘State of the art’ ain’t no misstatement when describing the Johnson’s dragster either. The engine may be in the front but that doesn’t mean the technology involved hasn’t evolved into the 21st Century.

Carbon fiber body and valve covers… magic stuff in the clutch can… new fangled fuel injection. And hey, get this… as Bob’s doing his magic with the barrel valves everyone on the crew is  eyeing the graphs and charts popping up on the laptop computer that’s hooked up to the engine (and I thought laptops are only for writing stories… or checking out porn sites). Ron later tried  to explain to me something about exhaust temperature ratios versus barrel valve settings divided by the air temperature multiplied by adjusted altitude. I nodded my head in total agreement with all he said, but didn’t have the slightest idea what to hell he was talking about.

But whatever they were doing, it definitely was the right thing. Later this afternoon driver Kol would pilot the dragster to the #1 qualifying spot in the Jr. Fuel “B” Field… only to lose in the Final Round Sunday to Don Enriquez in the McKray/Enriquez/Algire dragster. The engine catching on fire (quickly extinguished by one of crew and a bystander)  just before staging may have had a little something to do with Kol’s late leave? Alcohol fires can be scary… they’re hard to see.

Kol Johnson leaves during Sunday’s Jr. Fuel “B” Final as Ron (Big Yohns) watches. Photo ©2003 Robert Briggs. Used With Permission

     

Before heading back to the shelter of the Standard 1320 encampment, a quick trip over to  South Purgatory, (hell we’re halfway there now anyway) where a checkup on the progress (or lack thereof) of  J.B. and Mad Max is in order. Max was sitting alone looking dejected, as J.B. hadn’t yet returned from his pilgrimage through the pits. A ice cold Yoo-Hoo got Max back in the right mood. How many out there even know what a Yoo-Hoo is? Be back later, Max.

But now… how about just one more stop before heading back to the shelter (and the salsa). Let’s run back over by the BankAmericar and see how things are going for the Ewald Brothers and crew.

Seems to be both good news and bad news here. The Donovan block finally got fitted between the frame rails. BUT… now the oil pan is dragging on the ground! Personally, it sounds like the bad news out weighs the good! But these guys just keep right on smiling’ and thrashin’. Except for Don Ewald who’s started complaining about stomach pains. But then again, we’ve all heard about drivers and their aversion to getting their hands dirty, right?

Hey, it’s after noontime already and I haven’t had lunch yet! Time for the G-Man and I to head back over to the shelter… and I really mean it this time. I’ll continue this thing in another few days. If you’re interested, check back for a review of some great homemade salsa, kick ass guacamole dip, and some wild olfactory sensations, and another drive into the darkness. Hell, maybe we’ll even talk about some nostalgic racing stuff, more acts of kindness, and other unlikely occurrences in this day and age. More old B.S. later.

BADCO
Badco@comcast.net 

THANKS BUD

* “End of the Line” written and performed By the Traveling Wilburys

From the 1988 album “The Traveling Wilburys Volume I”
The Traveling Wilburys were - Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty

Read Part One HERE

Read Part Three HERE