So Close.....

Well, I just returned from a wonderful week in Florida where I spent the whole trip working on the car. We had a few things to do to prep for a planned "Test-N-Tune" on February 21 at Orlando Speedworld.
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Among the things I had to do: Drive to Merrit Island to pick up a set of slicks I purchased, have them mounted & balanced. Then get the car out for maintenance, Oil Change, Clean the Oberg, Set The Valves, clean & repack my front wheel bearings, install a new battery.....etc....

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But the toughest part was getting my trailer from Mt. Dora to the shop....My friend Jim & I managed to get it picked up and once we got it back, we immediatley put the car on it.....Only to discover that no matter which way we put it on or where it sat.....The Trailer was WAY too flexy for the car to ride on it safely. So....I am in the process of selling it and saving my money to get a nice 24 foot enclosed deal.

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We had some trouble getting the car running, but with the help of my resident "Genius on Call" Joe, we managed to do so....But it seems our antique Vertex Magneto is failing us yet again.....I have sunk more money into that darned thing than I should have. So my next move is to either get a newer Mallory Super Mag OR get an MSD.

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While I didn't get a chance to race the car, I did manage to have a great time with my friends, play with the car and get a well deserved break from work. I don't know when I'll be back to try again, but when we do...we'll be ready.

So...Now What?

After I sold my FED to "Big Daddy" I started looking for a new "Pipe Rack" ...Unfortunately I couldn't find an affordable FED replacement. Especially one that would fit my "not so slim & trim schoolgirl figure". I resigned myself to the fact I was going to have my engine behind me. After looking at several unsuitable cars I found one in Orlando, not 20 minutes from the shop. The only thing I hoped was that it wasn't a Suncoast built dragster because I thought they were just flat out ugly.

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When I arrived at the address, I realized it was an old customer of mine...and sure enough, it was a SUNCOAST car!!!... Yet, with the wings it had, the color it was painted I saw a lot of potential in it.

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As I started fitting it together with my Injected BBC, I discovered something. It is one on the nicest, well built and functional race cars I have EVER worked on. I wouldn't trade this car for anyone elses. I even told Richard Earle, the owner of Suncoast Race Cars, about what I felt and then discovered...Good thing the man has a great sense of humor or it would have been embarassing being beaten to a pulp in the middle of his booth at the PRI show....

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Due to budget constraints....It took me almost 3 years to complete the car as it is now...I've only had a out a few times with 5 burnouts, 3 half track passes and 1 pass with no steering after 400 feet, resulting in a up close and personal meeting with the wall. Seems my steering "anti pullback" sleeve wasn't replaced when I had the car updated. I should have seen it, but I didnt. I blame no-one but me.

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3 weeks after that outing I moved to Las Vegas. I wasn't sure how long things were going to last in"Sin City", so I opted to leave the car in Florida. It has taken me 3 years to get everything fixed and back together. I haven't decided whether or not to relocate my car here, or relocate me back there. One thing I do know, I miss my friends & my race car.

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That brings us up to date.....It's February 2010 and it looks like we're going to be running the car very soon (February 21st) The boss gave me (agreed very reluctanctly) a weeks vacation..I'll post the results if we do......Thanks for looking in on us, See you at the races !

dave