Dang it 'Zilla, I missed you every time I'd get a few minutes to wander over to the Slanted pit area (Did get to meet Mike and Seymour, hey guys...) I did get to see your pass and it made for a somewhat strange conversation: Some folks in the stands were amazed that a Slant car would go that quick (Ref you and Mike) but then lamented they couldn't afford to go and buy a 440 powered whatever to drag race. Being ever the busybody I turned around and said "What makes you think this class is any less intense or easy to win in. It's just a different path traveled..." So they looked at each other and asked me where the Slants were pitted. If two guys in tanks tops and jeans came around asking questions: blame me. On the other subject, I've encountered the same feelings. So I stopped drag racing for a while and started doing the car show thing. It worked! I go to events now because I want to, not because I feel I have to, and I feel much better. I your want that Beeper, DO IT !! (But if you can, hang on to the race car....just in case you get the itch again) RICK

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If you can't be good, at least be colorful

Hey Dennis- you were a total inspiration to me too, as you know.
When that Piggie ran 12.02 (?) I thought if you had just had the fiberglass 66 hood and fiberglass front bumper available you might have skated by.
But I'm not a racing expert.
I know, however, if you find that B Body wet dream (RR or Super Bee), you are going to have a challenge with that extra weight if you're going to do a slant 6.

Thanks for the kind words everyone, but the reality is that I have been at this for 30 years now and I am just plain wore out. I have raced everything from Oldsmobiles to Kawasakis, Chevies, Fords, Dodges, Plymouths, Buicks, Suzukis, Hondas, and Chryslers. It just isn't that much of a thrill anymore. The most fun I've had at the track all year was racing the rental car in Vegas. That was a real hoot.

I really am enjoying riding my ZX-14 Ninja more than I have enjoyed riding a bike in years. It doesn't hurt that I have a beautiful blonde to ride with me now either. The bike has more acceleration on tap than all but the fastest Slant car. (Tom )

I still enjoy hanging out with all the racers, but constantly getting jerked off at Gateway has grown very thin too. It also has become economically unfeasible for me to drag my junk around to race for basically nothing, and sit all day to do it. I have no clue how Mike does it. He just spent almost 3 weeks on the road for the honor of taking home less than $400. I just can't seem to muster the kind of dedication he has.

I have also gotten to the point that I love working on other people's cars a lot more than I do my own. I have been helping Mike out since Blaine can't go anymore, and have also been helping crew on a dirt car down by my shop. I guess it is way more fun when the broken parts aren't coming out of your own wallet.

That being said, I am planning on tearing the motor down Saturday morning. I talked to Susan tonight and decided that IF the damage is not terminal I will make another assault on the 11 second zone Saturday night. Only drawback is that I will have to run at 41, and their track prep leaves a lot to be desired.

If the damage is terminal on the good motor, the spare goes in and the car sits until the Thanksgiving race at Bowling Green. The good motor will be repaired one last time and sold.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

:roll:Dennis, where did they pull your chain? We got real tired of their starting line/staging lane Nazi's with attitudes. Kinda reminded me of my ex.......OY !! RICK

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If you can't be good, at least be colorful

http://www.racingperspectives.com/cgi-b ... 09_407.jpg

Check it out!

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Nitrous cars are like old men on Viagra. Once the bottle is empty they are useless.
FJD

Thanks Tom, I saw those this morning over on Moparts. There's some good shots of Mike too.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

Wellllllllllllllllllllll......................................It's junk.

Took the #3 piston out this time, and looks like it possibly dinged the head. Head gasket was wounded between 1 & 2 also.

Many thanks to Ron Parker who stepped in and volunteered to FedEx me a Cameron Tilley head gasket for the thrash.

I think I can clean up the head, hone the cylinder, and stick in an new piston and rings. Right now I just don't have the desire to get out the check book and fix it again.

I have come to the realization that I may never get my 11 second time card without this thing being a bomb.

I do have a pretty good theory about what happened this time though, I did find some other evidence of a problem. I'm pretty sure I wounded the piston with too much fuel, and it melted it after the piston broke.

For now I am gonna take a few weeks off and decide what I want to do. Nothing is for sale yet, but I am in negotiations for a 340 for the Duster.

I am gonna try one more time to talk Susan into driving the car next year with my spare street motor in it. I think I have enough parts just laying around to build her a high 15 second street car without spending a dime.

Right now I am gonna go ride my bike and forget about fooking Slants for a while.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

Hey man... I'd hate to think that I was there to see your last run. Between you and Mike I got some pretty serious inspiration that day.

I realize though, that sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do. Best of luck to you, no matter which way you finally decide to go.

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Used to own:
'82 Dodge D150
Erson 270 Cam, O/S valves, mild port work, ~9.5:1 compression

Currently fighting with an '85 VW Cabriolet

My other passion

You are still going to be our tech advisor aren't you?

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82 D150-225/727
02 Dakota-3.9/5 speed
87 GMC C7000-8.2 Detroit Diesel/5+2

Yeah- with your knowlege you could still be a "consultant"-No?

Yeah, I can teach you guys how to build bombs.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

I already know how to do that, it is called buying a Chevy

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82 D150-225/727
02 Dakota-3.9/5 speed
87 GMC C7000-8.2 Detroit Diesel/5+2