I missed not getting to meet the members here that went to the DLN. But thanks for the pictures and stories of the happening that went on. Congrats to the newlyweds and wish you many more years of happiness. Looks like next year you'll need a bigger cake!
We decided to load up and head for Ky. to the Buggies Unlimted Bonanza. It's a all golf cart event held at London Dragway put on by Buggies Unlimited. Has anyone been to London Dragway? It opened in 1999 and is in part of the Boone National Forest. A beautiful veiw of the mountains can be seen from the track. It's like they took a mountain and leveled off the top. If you step 10' away from the staging lanes or off the side of the return road it's a drop off. It is a very well mantained and operated NHRA track. With the lack of shut down area, fast cars run 1/8th mile , street cars run a 1/4. On Friday night we were graced with the presents of 2 top sportsman cars making test runs.
Saturday was event day. Started off with the best of show. Stock carts to modified cart with lift kits and large 26" tires to one that looked just like a army jeep.
Next was the time trial race on the strip. Gas and electric carts were topping speeds into the 70's and 80's in the 1/8 mile. I didn't compete in the time race, but did take my wheel stander and make a 1/4 mile pass on the rear wheels as part of the show.
The next event was the hill climb. A hill with a 45 degree incline for 80' to the top.I had take the newly built 440cc cart for the rest of the events. I would have bet against myself on being able to make the hill but gave it a try anyway. I built this cart for the drag strip not a hill climb. No problem, the cart powered right up the hill but not in a time needed to win. It was fun!!
Off to the figure 8 time race. This is one of those, I should have known better, what was I thinking, times. My turn came up, fired up the 440, strap in good and tight , no worry on crashing because I have a roll bar. Pulled up to the starting line, the starter flagged me to go when ready. Mashed the pedal and was off, looked good for about 80' until into the first turn then that was it, over I went. Other than being embarrassed and a cut on my right hand, I was ok. Roll bar and harness a must! Wife said she will keep my accident insurance policy paid up also. What's with this, I can drive a 1/4 mile on two wheels but can't go 80' on a dirt track without crashing. Geez! Under estimated the power of the 440.
Next I tried the sled pull. It was kind of a wash for everyone. Said they were going to drop that out of the line up for next year. Many cart could'nt get the sled to move without any weight added.
Last was the mud pit. I stayed out of this one . The pit was 100' long with 2' of mud. The first cart to try made it about 10'. They ended up digging the mud out of the pit, putting it on the bank so attempt could be made to drive through it. There were some that could and some didn't make it.
Saturday evening they gave out trophies to the winners of each event and had a cookout.
It was a good time. Got to meet alot of people from other states and see alot of kick butt cool carts. The trip to London and back home was a good drive to try out our new used slide-in camper and Super Hitch setup to pull the 28' trailer. The only problem was the suv's, mini van's, and semi trucks that push my little rig to the right then plulled me back to the left as they passed.
But I often wondered at times through the weekend what was happening at the DLN and who all I missed meeting. But maybe next year!
Thanks, Daryl
Here some video's
http://www.youtube.com/user/IamHeidiHo# ... Ng0NVu97j0
http://www.youtube.com/user/IamHeidiHo# ... hwIefZ_HEc
http://www.youtube.com/user/IamHeidiHo# ... NmRDbWwPwg
Pictures
http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/members/ ... tures.html