To Infinity...and Beyond?

Well, here it is, New Years Eve 2015....Staring at 2016...I haven't gotten a whole lot lot done on the trailer...But we're not too far away...I bought a winch, an electric jack, some trick aluminum ramps and a few tie-downs....I just have to get a mounting plate welded onto the trailer then install and wire it all up.

On the car, I decided to have the Fuel Injector & Fuel pump rebuilt. I sent it off to my Guru in Florida, Joe Holifield who, in turn took it to Ken Gonyo. Ken said it was all in immaculate shape, just needs freshening up. He is also getting us back on track by flowing the Injector. I also am sending the transmission shields off to be re-certified. I also need to have my wing mount re-welded, it developed a small crack that grew after the last time out....Better safe than sorry

I also de-cluttered the car by removing most of the stickers...I think it looks much better.

So why the sudden rush? The LVMS Dragstrip is opening a month early this year..So we need to be ready for the first Test & Tune session on January 23rd. I won't go into a lot of details, but a certain Dragstrip in Las Vegas lost my licensing paperwork. So we have to do it all over again...The NHRA requires not only an FAA physical, but since I'm over 55 (I know, I cant believe it either!!!) I need a heart stress test.....NEWS FLASH>>Just In...NHRA no longer requires these...while I'm happy about it, it isnt smart....

So...off we go...boldly into 2016,

Thank You's To: Dawn K, Special K, Special Ed, Ed Norton, Edward Norton, Eddie Haskell, Captain Morgan, Cap'n Crunch, Crack n Peel and those who've names have been changed to protect the innocent..

IJD... >>  OUT!!!! 

A New Toy !

I'm happy to present my new trailer, 2 years of searching Craig's List ads, has finally paid off. Its a tad heavy, but very strong and versatile...and very affordable... I have a lot of cool ideas for it...including spun aluminum Moon Discs (Thank You eBay)...I am now FINALLY a self contained operation....

Shims, Clamps and an Aluminum Rod

So, What have we learned since 2010? On each and every run, the timing would change...The Magneto would actually rotate clockwise. Originally, I thought it was cheap distributor hold down clamp. But, no matter how hard we tightened it...It still changed anytime we put it under power. After our March outing, I spoke to a few people who helpe me diagnose the real problem.

The new Magneto we bought in 2010 had an adjustable collar to allow for up and down movement of the unit. I tried lowering the collar, but the allen screws were far too tight to make the adjustment. Again, with advice from minds more experienced, I decided to shim the Magneto up about 1/16" of an inch. My local Ace Hardware had just the shim I needed and for a mere 68 cents (plus tax), I got it fixed. Not being one to leave well enough alone, I decided to build an anti-rotation device. A $ 4.75 T-Bolt clamp and a section of Longacre Red Anodized Aluminum Throttle Rod, I built a clean very effective device....Now to test it...Which may not happen until Fall....

On a really good note, my other repairs, The Shifter & Throttle Pedal worked PERFECTLY.

Oh well, Have a great Summer !!

More From March 14th...

Here's a video and a few more shots from last time out....I need to acknowledge the Photographic Work of Stevie Ray, Dawn Krystiniak & Lynn Weller. Thank You all..I will relive this day forever....

Some Days Should Never End......

So...about a week after our last outing, My old friend Bob called and said..."Hey..We're coming to Vegas!!" I asked when...he said..."When ya gonna run your heap again?" I quickly checked the schedule and there was an open test day on Saturday, March 14th

After clearing it with work, arranging our trailer and making sure nothing important broke when the tow hook snapped off....Flights were arranged, Favors called in, Supplies purchased and fingers crossed...we were set....

Bob, sister Lynn and her hubby Steve arrived in Vegas for their vacation...and what better way to spend it then working as crew at the drags.....I love my family

I grabbed the trailer, and Dawn & my family all showed up at the shop and we loaded up (among hugs, tears, insults and laughter) we headed to the track...

Man It felt SO GOOD to be there, with the people that mean so much to me.... Dawn's friend Stevie came out too....so we had a full crew, complete with a videographer & 2 photographers ! SWEET!

After setting up our pit area, Ran it thru Tech..I love doing the warm-up because the sound of the car is that of a nasty mean A/FD..and the best part is, when it runs, it attracts people....which I love.....Then it was off to the lanes...

The car was its usual pain in the butt to start, I laid into a hard burn out and damned if the mag didn't walk again...It hobbled back to the line and made a lazy-assed run before quitting altogether @ half track....

With test time running out, We hauled back to the pits to re-set the mag...AGAIN, and flew into the lanes...It started better...did a great burnout....however...the mag turned again...but not as bad...I legged on a lazy, but full run...running a 9.62 @ 139 mph..

Better, but not great....

In summation ...BEST DAY EVER...I had as much fun as I could ever dream of...Thank You, Dawn, Bob, Lynn, Steve, Stevie, My Bosses Steve & Pat....Everyone at LVMS ...including the pastor who said 2 prayers with me before each run....

Sunday, Sunday Sunday!!!!!!!! or "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Staging Lanes"

After nervously agreeing to leave the car at the track, I laid in bed thinking about what had killed the performance..It came to me that thew Magneto was walking again...

I headed back early Sunday and checked the mag...sure enough it had moved again...So I set it back, and it ran fine....Steve wasn't going to be there til later, so we (Dawn) and I decided to try and make a shot by ourselves...Paul was to start the car & Dawn was gonna handle push-truck duties.

As we headed to the lanes, Dawn in the drivers seat (I need a booster pillow for her) I heard a loud bang like I had hit something.....

The tow hook in the nose of the dragster had torn loose and ripped thru the body,,,The metal was fatigued from me pulling a 90 degree turn the night before (I can see it in picture I took)

I felt so bad for Dawn... She thought she had done something wrong...Not True, of course..."That's Racing, See Also: Shit Happens.....

We decided to load up and head home.....

Well...That Was Weird....

Well, folks..It's that time of year again. The weather is perfect in Vegas...So on Saturday Feb 14, 2015, we decided to give it another go. I rented a trailer from a friend dragged it to my place and loaded it up and finish my licensing.

OK, that's not the whole story...Where do I start? Lets start with Wheel Chocks, Apples & Stretching Exercises.

Wheel Chocks...I learned you need them when you a loading on a light open trailer. I dont think I need to eloborate...So let's move on...Nothing to see here....

Apples... I will never go to the races without a few...Why? My blood sugar was not balanced. My friend Dawn thought I should buy some...It saved the day...(first of many Thank You's to Dawn).

Stretching Exercises...Now I can get in and out of the car..Yes they hurt, and yes,,,they work. (2nd Thank You for Dawn).

After unloading, we warmed it up and fellow racer Paul Crifasi, tweaked the Injection..Steve arrived and we were ready to rock.

In the lanes, Steve pulled the parachute safety pin...The cable wasn't in..... oooops...Pop goes the parachute...They got it stuffed back in...Problem solved, crisis averted..run saved.

The car lit fast...and I really mashed the pedal....I know it did a hard burn out because it sent me down the track fast...

Steve got me lined up...I staged...I redlit...(I was somewhat pumped) I stood on it..It left  hard, but was still rich....I short shifted, and drove it right out the back door....I knew it was the best run, altho far short of the cars capability.. 9.78 @ 134mph....It was a huge mental barrier....The car seemed to run a little rough....we got back to pits and the car wouldnt start...Sooooooo...

We left the car at the track to try again on Sunday......

More in Part 2...