Page 40 of 56
Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2009 10:27 pm
by Rapid Randy Baker
Couldn't get it all done in time to make the Norwalk Good Guys. If the fuel pump comes in, and a couple of other things come together, we will be at the World Series instead.
See everyone there,
Rapid
Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2009 11:44 pm
by WildcatOne
Good luck with the new setup, Rapid. Hope it yields the results you guys are looking for! Have fun at Cordova! Cheers, WC1
Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2009 9:34 am
by pro70z28
Wish I could be there. Next year......
Hope you guys have a goog' weekend.
Match Race at Havana, IL
Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 9:38 pm
by Rapid Randy Baker
This is "alot" late but I thought I would share it here anyway.
Rapid
2009 MATCH RACE WITH JOHN DUNN AT HAVANA, IL
The Miller Rear Gears Maverick took on the Dunn and Gone Duster at a neat little 1/8th mile track in Southern Illinois. They were holding a nostalgia race and booked in our 2-Fuel funnycars along with 2-Fuel Dragsters as headliners on the Saturday night portion of the weekend. This is John Dunn's home track and he worked to get us booked in as the 2nd car.
I drove over early on Saturday Morning and by the time I got to the track it was filling with people. When it was time for 1st round the place was packed and standing room only. We were talking with Jacklyn Gebhart the track owner and she told us she wanted us to run after the sun went off the track as it would tighten up and she would re-prep before our runs.
1st round we both did monster burnouts. John did his 1st dryhop, then when I did one our car almost leaped to the starting line. That let me know Danny had it hopped up pretty good. John did his 2nd dry hop as Danny guided me into the beams. I put the top bulb on and waited for John. When he turned on his pre-stage I put ours on the high side and rolled it into the 2nd beam. At the first flash of yellow I nailed it and our hot rod picked the front end up and started marching. I felt it start drifting to the left and with the front end in the air I had to give it a quick pedal. Unfortunately, when I stepped back down on her she just went crazy. It was smoking the tires, and sliding around my lane. I could see John having his own troubles with his car, so I kept working the throttle and almost caught him at the finish line. They told me later we both crossed the finish line with the rear slicks smoking!
When we towed back to the pits the return road goes right in front of the bleachers. The crowd was on there feet and cheering both cars as we went by. It was a good feeling to know they loved the race even though we didn't make a fast run I would say it had to be exciting none the less.
Back in the pits we started the service work and discovered it had damaged 5-pistons. We set to work to get them changed surrounded by a large crowd of fans. Jacklyn came over and couldn't believe we were ripping it apart to fix it and going to make the 2nd run for her. She set the race program up to make sure we could get to the line in time.
With John already in the staging lanes, we elected not to do a warm up but just go up and race. I got suited up, and strapped in while the car was in our pits. We towed up, and fired just as John was rolling through the water box. He did his normal long burnout while I let our car sit there and build some heat. I rolled through the water and whacked the throttle. I did a short but smoky burnout and could see the crowd on it's feet already anticipating our run. I trimmed the fuel to help build some heat and waited for John to do his dry hops. When he come up I pulled the fuel back on full pump, and put it in the beams. John was in right behind me and the tree come on we were both gone. Our car left hard, but the ride was over in about 30-feet with the trans broke. It felt like I was going to hit the dash board it stopped pulling so fast. The engine was still running so I moved to the side of the track as I didn't know if it was leaking any fluids. I just idled down the track to the 1st return road. After working so hard to put the engine back together it was a letdown to not make a full pass.
Somebody forgot to tell the fans it was a let down! They were still cheering and telling us good job and great effort as we passed by them. It made the work all worthwhile. There were a ton of them who came over and bought shirts and wished us well. Jacklyn came over and gave Danny a big hug and invited us back again next year already.
It was a fun racing weekend and we got to have fun with a bunch of good racers. We are looking forward to going back next year and showing the track who is the boss.
I hope you enjoyed my “What I did Last Weekend” Story.
Rapid
Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 10:47 pm
by pro70z28
Thanks for the report Randy. It's sounding like you and Danny will be back with the F/C again next year? That would be great. Did Danny find a sponsor?

Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 10:48 pm
by Bob Kraemer
Congrats Randy, you'll get them next time.

Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 10:59 pm
by Rapid Randy Baker
Pro, we are still working on that. We have 1-more race this year, next weekend in Bowling Green. We hope to have some things going that will allow us to continue.
Thanks Bob,
Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 11:03 pm
by Greg Green
I'm ready to win this last race of the season. Looks like we may have killer weather for making power.
Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 1:30 am
by SLICK VIC
Always cool stuff reading your reports Randy,. its been a great year.
Have fun this weekend. Haul ass and be safe,..
look forward to that report too....
Vic
Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 2:42 am
by Zappy
Great report RR, keep it up.