99ZX9R

Today was the Ford v. Buick event at Atco. I had a family obligation and couldn't make it to the track early enough, so I lent my car to Dave Harvey, one of the Atco regulars. He proved that my struggles are definitely not the car's fault.

There was only a 23 car field in the Pro class and 4 time shots were given. Dave went .024, .037, .030 and .026 on the tree with ETs varying between 10.36 and 10.46 as he was playing around with shift points/lift points.

1st Rd, he's .035 and 6 over the dial dumping hard to his opponent who had a decent light (.067) but was on a big time breakout run (11.86 on a 12.11 dial).

2nd Rd he's .028 and goes dead on taking .02 stripe.

3rd Rd he's .032 and dead on again and again taking .02 stripe.

4th Rd he gets a surprise bye. Already having a 10.37 dial on the car he runs dead on for a 3rd time and .011 on the tree.

Final Rd, he's "sleeping" at the tree and cuts a .055 light running .03 over and taking .03 stripe for the win.

Pretty amazing I thought for a guy driving an unfamiliar vehicle. Good to see my car in the winner's circle. Hopefully next time, I'll be driving it.

LS1LT1

Wow, and this was his first time ever driving/racing your car?

Mad skillz yo LOL.

99ZX9R

He attempted to make a pass in it earlier this year. It was a TnT night, my drag radials were brand new and the track was junk. Left the line, spun bad and almost ran it into the wall. Coasted the rest of the way.

His car is a old Plymouth Valiant. Runs 11.20s at 117. Here it is at a $20,000 race in N. Carolina last year.

C5 Pete

I would have loved to have been there.

ralph

Dave is one of the best around. Congrats to you both on the win. BTW, was he going deep?

99ZX9R

Thanks. Yes, he was going deep. I learned a lot from watching his staging technique.

Glensgages

when he coached the Houston Earlers, O.A. 'Bum' Phillips once said of an opposing coach (either Shula or Noll)

"... he kin take his'uns and beat yur'uns...

... then take yur'uns, and beat his'uns..."

I recall hearing stories that Harry-the-Foot won several races driving other racer's car for the first time, and that he once rode in the back of an Econoline van as a first-timer raced, without anybody knowing this:
he would watch the tree come-down and yell 'NOW!!!' when he wanted the driver to leave, then watch the quicker cars from the back-window, advising the driver if & when to throw-out the anchor

STEVEN13

99ZX9R,

A great story!

Is your car a stick shift?

Regards,
Steve

C5 Pete

Bah. He has no idea how to use a clutch.

jpee

Marc... we both know a little Blond who was a "Killer" in a Red C4.. then with no warning was put into a C6.. it took her 2 races (a tune by Cartek) to get her back to her killin the tree, and taking names !!

Gonna see if I can put here in it again for 1 or 2 races this yr...

LS1LT1

Yes but don't do it if you're starting to look good for another top 10 in points though.

jpee

I've already spoken with her... as long as I'm in "contention" I'M DRIVING ... however if my age starts showing, & I'm not in contention, we'll let her see what damage she can do...

I'm pretty confident that I'll be running the season (I finished 4th last yr) I just have to put some more time on my practice tree.... (doing it now between posts)

99ZX9R

Which reminds me. I stopped by Harvey's house after the race and sitting on his kitchen table was a practice tree. God knows how many passes this guy has made and he still uses it on a regular basis.

REDGAR

Amazing that he can do that that.

LS1LT1

Hey I'm not complaining, while I'd love to see you running well and in contention for yet another Top 5 finish for the season, I would also very much enjoy seeing Jeanne back in the E-town lanes on a Saturday once again (and I'm sure I'm not alone there LOL).