Postby Solid Rock » Thu Aug 20, 2009 8:46 am
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Our adventure to Marion County International Race Way and the Nostalgia Funny Car Nationals actually began the Tuesday before the event.
I got to watch the culmination of almost 4 weeks of work to transform the old Mustang from a spray can primered hulk to a thing of beauty.
This work was done by Billy Cavada, his wife Karen and Dave "Fonz" Kovar. They worked a miracle!!!
We brought the body home on Wednesday evening.
On Thursday we started putting everything back on it, windshield, rear spoiler, tailight flaps, etc.
Gary Spears from Pro Signs in Coal City, IL came by and applied the fantastic lettering.
All of these folks did a terrific job in a very short time period!! Thanks again to all of you!!!!!
We arrived at Marion, Ohio Friday evening and went to the track the next morning. We got there about 9:30 AM and found the pits filling up fast. Thankfully, there was a pit spot reserved for us.
We were interviewed by Bill Holder for Muscle Car Reunion magazine and made a time run for his photo shoot.
I left a bit on the soft side and the car left fine but started drifting to the left, I back pedaled once and got back after it while she still hugged the left guardrail. We ran an 8.23 at 161 MPH.
We made some adjustments and went up a couple of hours
later for a time run.
This time the car bounced slightly on the low end after leaving the line and ran straight and true the rest of the way
down the track. We ran a 7.96 at 168 mph. The chute didn't open on that run but I had no problem stopping on the brakes and drove it off the track.
I have to mention here that Johnny Kilburg and Chris Gerber were stationed at the turn off and offered assistance to anyone who needed it. Thanks, guys!!
We then did the on track photo shoot and readied for first round.
We lined up with Mark Horvath in the Damn Yankee Vega for the first round and we gave it our all, but came up short against the Vega. We ran a 7.98 at 169 against their great 7.34 at 184. The little Mustang did run straight and true though.
A while later we went up for the second round. I noticed that something wasn't right in the burnout as she was making a popping sound so I shut off.
All in all this was a great event. Everyone I talked to seemed very excited to have the funny cars there and enjoyed the show.
I also had an extended crew this weekend. Besides my regulars, Kenny Dodds and "Scuba" Steve Casey, and Jim Follkie we had my original crew member from back in the 70's, Pete Stump. He was joined by Jason Hoff. Unfortunately, Bear couldn't make this event.
I was also very honored to have Tyler Dawe and Chris Wazny join us. Both Tyler and Chris are on active duty with the U.S.Navy. Thanks to both of you for your service to our great country and your help this weekend!!
We also had Big Zappy and his granddaughter,Maykayla, join us.
Thank you everyone, it was a pleasure having you on our team for this event.
Thanks also to MCIR and especially to Denny Salzwimmer for all the hard work it took to put on this event.!!!!
See you next year!!!