After putting a few gallons of diesel fuel in the Ford tow rig(100 bucks) headed for the strip at Centerville, Ar. It was another 1000 dollar payout in NO/E and SP both. Weather was cloudy and around 80, plus 79% humidity, sauna season is here. Was also the last point race in the first of two halves of racing in 08. Mavman was in fourth but only a few points out of first and myself luckely in seventh. Good turnout of cars and also running a Mopar only class as well. Have been fighting traction problem with the Fairmont 347(got to redo the rear suspension), is unloading the slicks at launch and then several times down track, makes for a exciting ride but not so good for bracket racing. ET’s are all over the place, 6.70 @ 102mph and then 6.75 @ 101mph. The Maverick with four link and 414, was awesome. Two 5.96 in a row then first round elimination, cranks out another 5.96 and change, for the win. My first rd. was against a Hemi powered dragster that dialed a 5.15, I had a 6.75 dialed. Thought about changing it a little when the cloudy sky and forcasted cold front, began to approach, but temp had not dropped to much yet so stayed with my dial. Caught a glimpse of a camera man that had been sent to take some still’s of the days event. Figured I would give him something to fog up the lens, did a 7000 burnout all the way past the 60+ mark. Felt like old John F. himself with tons of smoke and noise, staged and cut a .059 mediocre light. The dragster cuts a .089 and at the 1/8th, could not gage the distance I was in front, so ran it out the back door. Beat him by .039 but broke out with a 6.69. Thumped my melon and muttered several words of disgust at myself, very few times have I beat this guy and it is like dejevue when you do, Back in the pits, Temp has really dived and rain comes down, figured we would wait it out and continue. Nope wind picks up and all of a sudden, all hell breaks loose, sun tents are blowing around like para sails. Announcement is made to head to bathrooms for a tornado safe haven, people from out of state are scrambling to get their rigs out and loaded into trailers. Most of us in our area are on the dead run for the crapper, rain soaked, glasses stained with drops, and having to dodge flying trash barrels and their contents etc. At 68, this was a challenge, driving shoes are soaked and heavy. Almost there, oop’s, one of those rolling barrels of eco usefulness, come’s right at me, spewing cans and several kinds of nasty food leftovers, for me to navigate. In my mind I picture this wicked tornado tail, lapping at my skinny arse, so leap over the barrel like a high hurdler. Made over but the landing on old knee’s and hips, left me to hobble to safety. Seem’s the haven was pretty full and one of the local Ford builders, threatened to sit upon the throne and give us all another problem to worry about. Never happen GI, say’s the masses, and that ended the threat. All is quiet now and we exited stage left, to our area’s and surveyed the damage. Tree limbs and whole big oak’s uprooted, garbage and various pieces of this and that, are strewn about. Loaded the maverick into the trailer and headed to the house. Taking highway 7 south towards Hot Springs and then 10 to Conway, saw much tree and chicken house damage. Got stopped for a bit, while the local police and a very helpful farmer, used his tractor to remove a “very large oak tree” from the highway. Rain soaked and a bit humble from the day’s events, the phrase “Home Sweet Home” never sounded better. Lastly, car racing is not near as dangerous as mother nature.
I was going to come up there Saturday, but ended up fishing most of the day and enjoying some beer and burgers at a friends house.... both of which I never get to do so I missed out Saturday. Woke up late Sunday and didnt head up there. Glad I didn't Glad to to hear you are ok, even if you are a bit banged up. Im slowly getting to spend a bit of time on the ole mustang. It may make it up there if I decide what im gonna do for an oil pan. Im gonna leave the ole 2.75 gears in it I think for a bit and see how it runs that way (slow but might be a great bracket car) Anyways, nice hearing from you again Dave
Glad everyone and "most everything" was OK. Love reading about the adventures....kind of like a real life Krass & Bernie. Cleaver
Thanks for the good reading! Glad all was OK on the storm,,,I know what you mean by “Home Sweet Home”
Thanks guys, turns out the storm had no rotation but 70mph straight line winds. Race is rescheduled for this coming Sunday. In all my thoughts of quitting the driving, you know I will still be there and try again to get the ole girl down to the 1/8th mile stripe, first.
I know you all to well... if you passed on to the drag strip in the sky, while going down that 1/8 mile strip, Im sure you'd die a happy man. I look up to you greatly, and one day I hope I can have the money to race like you do, and even 1/2 the knowledge that you have. I wont make it this weekend either. My sons 4th birthday party is Saturday.
