Updates & Changes....

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Hiya Kids, I hope this post finds everyone well. I am doing great. I have made some huge changes in my life professionally and personally...Oh and on the Dragster too....

I retired from Jerry Lewis Films, Inc at the end of June (our year of Lord, 2012) for numerous health and sanity reasons. It was fun run, but ultimately the job was far too stressful too continue. Its hard for anyone to imagine working for one the most famous & controversial people in history. I was thrilled to have been able to do it, but it nearly killed me..literally.

Since retiring I have taken control of my eating and health habits and, as of today lost nearly 47 pounds (going from 275 to 228 lbs).

I have been working for some really great people at American Racing Supply, here in Vegas. I am in charge of internet sales and have been developing our eBay store & our own website
www.americanracingsupply.com . Its been a challenge but have had a lot of fun doing it.

The Dragster has been slowly getting updates and minor tweaks since bringing it out a year ago.

I have added a nice new steering wheel, and master craftsman Keith “Rooman” Burgan graciously offered to build a turned aluminum windscreen, which really sets the car off. I’ve also done some re-wiring , cleaning & polishing.

I also have started Ol’ Blue up a few times just to keep the engine limber. You have to understand, I live in an apartment complex….This is not an abandoned shop in the country so every time I do this, I risk a mob full of people with pitchforks and burning torches. Thankfully, they have been silent and I’ve had no complaints registered against me….Of course I have yet to really Tach it up….

My other project has been to build a Shop / Pit Cart for the team. I wanted one of these but they were $ 130.00 at Harbor Freight, but found one at the flea market for $ 35.00…I added a generator, and air compressor, plumbed it for air and added a power strip. I also bought some aluminum pit accessories and mounted them. My Injector Tray & Roll Cage Tray fit perfectly on it

I also added additional pit equipment like coolers, tire gauges, jack stands, extension cords…etc, etc…. I even painted all my tool boxes and over-organized the tool boxes and shop. I have an honest to goodness “Man Cave” going here. I love hanging out down here and now that the weather is turning cool (finally!!!) I can spend more time down here……maybe



IJD Racing Moves To Vegas!!

Well, after 5 years in Las Vegas, It became necessary to move the car & my equipment here from Sunny Florida. It was not a decision I came to lightly. The idea of racing without my guys is nearly unthinkable, but not having the car with me was just as bad.

So, on October 13th I boarded a plane for Orlando armed with reservation to a U-Haul 26ft truck, a handful of cash and a digital camera. I met with Jim at the shop, picked up my truck and headed off to Home Depot for some lumber & hardware. Jim & I had devised a plan to secure the car in the truck by building a plywood pallet to strap the car to, while using the weight of the car & my tools to hold it down. It all came together flawlessly and upon Jim & Joe Holifields insistence I hired a rollback to put the car into the track (Smart Move !!).

Bruce arrived and the 3 of us finished loading the truck and securing everything down. Jim had me store it at his work parking lot (who would dare break into it...Jim is Police Officer..)

After a hot shower, 8 hours of sleep and a hearty breakfast I hit the road @ 10:45am Saturday. Did I mention that U-Haul only gives you 1/4 of a tank of gas?...It cost me 170 bucks to fill it at the 7-11....

I decided to make a stop at the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing on way way out ..I figured, it could only bring me good karma. I then stopped in Gainesville to have lunch with my friend Bee. We had never met in person and since I was passing thru it was a natural. We had a great time and had a lot of laughs.

The rest of the trip was marvelously uneventful and a lot of great fun...well, except after having breakfast at a Golden Corral in Beaumont Texas...It became necessary to make an unplanned, but extremely critical roadside "pit stop"..Thank You Winn Dixie plastic trash bags.....

At every gas stop, I would open the back door to find the car had not moved 1 inch!! Our plan had worked flawlessly. I had a adjust a couple boxes and tie up my floorjack but that was all.

I would stop every 100 -150 miles and nap when I felt like it. Late Sunday I had the oddest thing happen. I had been napping in the truck when I woke up and smelled what I thought was a dead animal in or near my truck. After searching around I made a horrifying discovery. That acrid smell was me. I got myself cleaned up and into some fresh clothes. Much better.

I arrived in Las Vegas Monday night  @ 8:30pm. After a good night sleep at home (and 30 minute shower) I got everything unloaded. I smartly hired another rollback to unload the car and it fit the garage better than I had hoped.

Since getting everything here, I have had time to start updates on the car, install some new parts like my new windscreen, remote starter switch & steering wheel. I also have to change my oil pan gasket & update my safety equipment.

I am hoping to get the car certified soon and to the races before long. Thanks for reading along !!

dave