Skip's 1st Quarter 2004 Racing   

There was a reason for this space being blank for so long, I've not been racing since November 2003.  The car is sitting, waiting on me to get off my lazy behind and finish the hood scoop and modify the electrical switches.  I have the new Painless Wiring 8 switch panel that will replace the switches that I spent so much time replacing and wiring last year before I put the motor and trans into this car.  I didn't like the last Painless Wiring 8 switch panel, but this one is an improved version that has new heavy gauge wiring.  

I have been active with several other interests, including my volunteer work at Glen Oaks High School Auto Tech Program.  It is very rewarding working with the kids in the program. 

2/21/04 - Plans for my racing in 2004 include running in as many of the Edmund Hall Baby Pro-Mod events in the 6.00 sec. class that I can get to this year.  This racing is the most fun in drag racing that I've had in the past 3-4 years.  It's fresh and highly competitive 1/8 mile racing.  No handicap, only a breakout.  No throttle-stops, but you can use a trans-brake.  The heads-up part of the race is what I like, not to mention I get to see all the super quick Baby Pro-Mods, 4.50 sec. cars like Edmund Hall's Pontiac Firebird.  The 5.30 sec. class is where Houston's Camaro competes.  Houston plans to make as many of these events as he can also.  The first race of the season is March 28, 2004 at Hub City Dragway, Hattiesburg, MS. 

The first time out to the track, at SCD and in Atmore, AL in November 2003 with my new combination, we ran some respectable 6.03 - 6.06 sec. times.  I think I am in the ballpark already.  With a tweak here and there, I should be very consistent around 6.00. 

I plan to go to State Capitol Dragway next Friday night (March 5th) to test the new modifications and to try out the new fuel system. 

Feb. 27, 2004 - I changed my plans and headed to State Capitol Dragway to get a few test runs in and establish a baseline for all the work that had been done.

Before going to the track, I decided to check over everything, change the jets in the carb and reset the timing.  I found that I had 94 jets in the front and 90's in the back (don't ask).  I changed so that I now have 94 in the front and 98 in the back.  I know that is a big change, but the temp. is a lot lower than the last time I ran.  We had observed a slight lean condition of the 4 middle cylinders.  More density to the air requires more fuel.  Remember, I also have a new Magna-Flow, 2-port fuel regulator.  The old regulator, a BG 2-port regular, was only rated up to about 650 HP.  The air pan was installed and sealed to the carb and to the hood scoop.  The rear of the hood scoop was closed off to prevent air from bypassing the carb (also a NHRA rule).

I checked the air pressure in the Goodyear frontrunners at 35 PSI and set the Mickey Thompson rears at 8.8 PSI.  I reset the timing from 34 degrees to 38 degrees.  (Remember this)

I discovered a leak on the carb from the front squirter pump and changed the diaphragm in the pump.  That was not the problem as one of the screws was not holding.  I made a temp. fix and got it to hold (I must insert a heli-coil later).  All fluids were checked and everything looked good.  I filled the tank with 10 gal. of VP C-12 racing gas (I have 12.8:1 compression).  I started the engine and warmed it up to about 180 degrees.  Everything sounded very good!  I could hear that rhymic roller cam beat at around 1300 RPM.  I cleaned the car and checked for all my safety equipment. 

I arrived at the track around 5:30 PM and headed for tech. inspection and then to the lanes.  There I ran into my neighbor, Clarence Plain and his son Jerome Plain.  They were out testing their black 68 Camaro.  I also saw Alan Miller, the past manager of State Capitol Dragway.  He ran the big bracket race last weekend at SCD, and from what I heard, everything went very smooth.  Tonight Alan was headed out to a basketball game with his kids, but he issued an invitation to come to the Pro-Mod and Bracket Race on March 27th.  I also talked to Ronnie West, the present owner, who welcomed me back to the track.  

I headed to the line for my first pass and everything was working good, did a good burnout and lined up against David Collins in his Ford powered dragster.  I had put 1.020 sec. delay in the box, which is what I normally put in for nighttime at SCD.  I released on the top yellow and had a .457 red light.  The car came off the line and headed for the center of the track from the left lane.  David saw what happened and did not leave, lucky for me.  I got out of it, got it under control, and powered through at 135 MPH and only 10.73 sec. ET.  I thought I was out of the grove and asked Johnny and John Collins to line me up on my next pass.  I have to get use to looking over that big hood scoop.  

THE FLIGHT ver. 2.0 - On the second pass, Johnny Tate lined me up and I did a good B. O. and went to the line.  Again I lined up with David Collins in his dragster.  When the top yellow came on, I released the button.  When the car left, it went out straight at first, then it started to power up.  It felt like an airplane takeoff!  It kept coming up, and Up, and UP!  All I could see was the stars (it was night now) and the hood scoop!  I have experienced this once before, in St. Louis, when the engine was new and only had 6 passes on it.  That car had no wheelie bars at the time, just as this one has no wheelie bars now.  At that time, I stayed in the throttle and the car came back down.  This time, it seemed as though it would not stop going up, so I let off slightly, and it dropped back to the track.  When it did, it darted to the center of the track, just behind David's dragster.  I got the car back into my lane and slowed down to check my heart and my pants!  The heart was still ticking and the pants were dry!  I drove to the far end of the track, in a daze, and I just thank God that I did not get into David or hit the wall. 

I drove straight to the trailer to put the car up.  Monday I will take it to get some Wheelie Bars!  This car WILL have Wheelie Bars before it goes back to the track.  When I got to the trailer, a lot of the guys were there to meet me and everyone was asking me to check my drivers seat, and just having a lot of fun talking about the way the car came up.  I admit, I was really scared...  The way it left the line, as though it was going to make a good straight pass and at about the distance out to the tree, it started to lift, slowly at first then quicker, until I let up on the accelerator.  I had been warned a long time ago, not to let up completely, if at all, or the car would come crashing down.  I have checked everything under the car and nothing seems to be hurt.  Just my pride!  One more thing, just before the 2nd pass, I adjusted the air pressure to 7.8 PSI in both rear tires.  The track was really working and the Mickey's were really sticking!  

NOTE:  Barbara and Ben Lett told me I needed Wheelie Bars after watching me run in Atmore, AL last year in November.  I was pulling the wheels about 1.5 - 2 feet each time I ran.  I should have listened to my wife and good friend!
Atmore Photo

Ronnie West, owner of State Capitol Dragway, came over and offered his office so I could change my under clothes if I needed it.  He also offered to let me come back on Sat. to test for free, if I wanted too.  The latter was a very nice gesture.   

Monday, March 1, 2004 - I took the car to Wizard Racing, Jason Wood, in Holden, LA, to get an estimate on having the Wheelie Bars installed. To have enough room, he will have to modify the fuel system that I put so much time and effort into last year.  Jason will also modify the parachute mount.  I asked him to modify the frame in the front on both sides to allow muffler installation for Super Gas competition.  I hate those turndowns that are on the headers.  Too much dust and flying trash when you get off the pavement.   I started to put the spoiler back on, but I will wait on that.  The car will go in on March 15th, and be ready by March 19th, I hope to test that night.

I noticed both rear shock absorbers are leaking oil.  They seem to be the only casualty of the wild ride we had last Friday. They are, most  likely, the result of sitting up for over 4 years. 

March 4, 2004 - I purchased two, 12-way adjustable rear shock absorbers for the new Camaro (why haven't I given this car a name yet?).  Anyway, the observation that both shocks were leaking, most likely, had a lot to do with the wild ride I took last Friday.  When I took the old shocks out, they were nothing but stock OEM shocks with a coil spring around them (130 lbs. springs).  The car does have Koni adjustable drag shocks in the front.  I have encountered problems getting the new shocks to fit into the old shock brackets.  This may have to be solved by Jason, when the car goes for the Wheelie Bars next week.

March 6, 2004 - Houston and I have decided to "make it fit".  We will chop and cut to make the present bracket fit the new shock.  Of course we will be careful not to weaken the bracket or hurt the shock in the process.  The car is going to set lower and the pinion angle will have to be reset.  The car should be 4-corner scaled after all of this work is completed.  I will test first, then get it scaled.  That way I will be able to tell whoever does it, what the car is doing.  
"Big Man" passed by, and after looking at the car, he is going to help me with my fiberglass hood.  He will make my temporary rear closure on the scoop permanent.  He is a fiberglass person.  His suggested fix will be functional and will not be visible from the outside, preserving the paint job.  

March 8, 2004 - Spent most of the day working on installing the rear shocks.  After modifying the shock bracket, everything went in without a problem.  Checked the pinion angle after setting the ride height.  After finishing the rear, I went to the front to check the setting of the Koni adjustable shocks.  They were set to their minimum resistance mode (90/10).  Another reason for the big wheelstand.  I reset them to approximately 50/50.  I really would like to test it with these latest changes to see what it would do... before the wheelie bars.
I completed the lettering. Very time consuming, but it came out good.  These were taken after the shocks were completed and the lettering.   

March 13, 2004 - "Big Man" picked up the hood yesterday and returned it today.  The work is excellent.  He closed in the back with both an aluminum cover and a fiberglass cover that fits really nice.  He even closed the bottom in so no air can get into the carb from the cowl openings.  You cannot tell it has been worked on.  The paint job was not harmed at all.  This is much better than the way I had planned to "fix" it.  Thanks "Big Man".

March 15, 2004 - The car was delivered to Wizard Racing today to have the Wheelie Bars installed, move the parachute mount and extend the header collector out to 12 inches so I can put the Johnson Muffler Insert into the collector. Jason will also 4-corner scale the car, check the front end and set up the rear end including setting the pinion angle.  I should be ready to roll by the end of the week.  Testing will take place at State Capitol Dragway or No Problem Raceway Park on Friday night, if everything goes as planned. 

March 19, 2004 - I picked up the car today.  I have Wheelie Bars!  I am going to State Capitol Dragway tonight to test.  Easy at first, maybe for the first two runs, then I will let it go.  By then, it should be some good rubber on the track.  I will get there early so I will have some daylight left. 
The car weighs in at 2942 lbs., with me in it.  This is about 200 lbs. heavier than I had hoped, but from the times that it was turning before, I had guessed it was heavier than I had been told.  It has all glass in it and the doors are steel with all the roll-up mechanisms.  Jason got the weights almost equal, front to back.  49.2% (f) and 50.8% (b).  We will see what the new rear shocks and wheelie bars do for the ride and running straight.
Jason could not notch the frame as I wanted and extend the header collector due to the way the car is constructed around the frame on the drivers side.  The headers will have to be moved in a few inches at the header flange.  I will lose that 4-5 inches before the first bend out of the heads.  I really can afford some loss of horsepower, the car is already too quick for the 6.0 class and much too quick for Super Gas.  I really need those muffler inserts to lower the DB to an acceptable level for Super Gas and the neighbors.

March 19, 2004 (pm)  Skip took the "Mr. Skip" Camaro to State Capitol Dragway to test the new wheelie bars.  The first pass was about 3/4 throttle at the start but full throttle from that point on.  As soon as I determined the car was going straight, I let it rip!  The pass was completed in 9.51 @ 141 MPH.  The second and third passes were not much quicker, both were 9.48 @141 MPH.  Everything appears to be working just great.  The 1/8 mile times were 6.070 sec., 6.032 and 6.038 seconds.  
We appear to be ready for the 6.0 class in Hattiesburg this coming Sunday.  Only one change was made to the car since the last time out.  The starting line RPM was lowered from 4500 to 3800 RPM to allow the parts to live a little longer.  The car stayed on the wheelie bars about 10-12 feet on each pass.  So the work these past two weeks paid off. 
We will run in the 1/4 mile bracket race at State Capitol Dragway on Sat., March 27, 2004.  

March 21, 2004 - Changed the oil and checked everything under the car.  Fixed a small crack in the fiberglass front, under the bumper.  Now I have three spots that need to be painted plus some chipped spots on the hood.  
When the car was in the shop for the wheelie bars, Jason and Lynn noticed the car was very hard to push around.  We checked the front wheels and they are very tight.  Seems they have pressure applied to them, or the calipers are not releasing.  I opened the brake vents and the tires would turn with much less resistance, but still not as free as they should.  I removed the residual pressure valve from the front and blead the brakes.  They were very tight again.  I will rebuild the front calipers and see if that helps.  The car sat up for over three years before I started driving it.  Maybe they are corroded internally. 

The team is getting ready for the free Car Show at Glen Oaks High School on Thursday morning, 9:00 am until Noon.  We will have at least 6 cars there and maybe more. 

March 22, 2004 - I purchased rebuilt calibers for Mr. Skip, which has Pinto front end parts and brakes.  They cost $14.95 each at O'Reilly Auto Parts.  Can't go wrong for that amount.  I have to find the correct fittings to connect to the rigged up braided hose system that is on the car.  I may end up changing the hoses too.  The old calibers were rusted on the outside of the large piston, that should be smooth, and the steel sliding parts were in bad shape too.  These things contributed to them not releasing quickly.  The wheel bearings needed repacking too.  So many things on the race car that need to be checked that many of us just take as, "not to worry about", as we seek to go faster.  Team mates J. C. Floyd and Houston Hawkins stopped by to help with the brake job.   

March 24, 2004 - Removed the residual pressure valves from the rear brake system and cleaned up the rear brake calipers.  Got the car ready for the Car Show at Glen Oaks High School. 

March 25, 2004 - Participated in the Car Show.  Over 300 kids were allowed to come out and view the cars.  We had 6 team cars at the show.  The team members and the kids enjoyed the show.  One person passing by, stopped and asked if he could show his 1959 Olds 98.  He returned with the "cherry" Olds and put it on display.  One of the instructors, Mr. Langley, at Glen Oaks displayed his 2004 Mustang.  Photos

March 26, 2004 - Took the car to Joe Louis at Tire Care Center for an alignment.  Joe is a racer and knows how to align the race cars.  He checked the alignment, which was already perfect, and set the steering wheel so that it was in the correct position.  I think this it the source of my pulling to the left when the front tires come down after leaving the line.  
I went to State Capitol to make a test pass.  The car ran a 9.51 @ 139 MPH.  The rear brakes were very tight and would not allow the car to be pushed by hand.  The car did run straight as an arrow and kept the front end down.  

March 27, 2004 - Purchased new rear calipers and installed them on the car.  Price per caliper - $10.95.  I had spent almost two hours cleaning the old ones up Weds.  The car will now roll freely. 
I took the car back to State Capitol for the Pro-Mod event.  They were running a Bracket Race in conjunction with the Pro-Mod Race.  My first pass out of the trailer was a best ever (for this car), 9.41 @ 141 MPH.  This is a real improvement from the best of 9.48 earlier in the month.  I made three time trials and since I was really trying to get ready for the 1/8 mile race of Sunday in Hattiesburg, I looked at those times with great interest.  My three time trials were, 6.000 sec., 6.010 sec. and 6.001 sec. in the 1/8th mile!  I think I am ready for that race!  
I ran in eliminations and won in the first round and lost in the second round to Tommy Tallo in his little Beretta.  Tommy had a RT of .525 to my .565.  The MOV was .038 sec., as Tommy was slowing to stay under his dial-in.  I was happy with the performance of the car.  

March 28, 2004 - The team had 4 cars to go over to Hattiesburg for Edmund Hall's Baby Pro-Mod race.  The car ran very well during time trials, coming out of the trailer with a 5.998 @114 MPH!  The second time trial was 6.01 and the third time trial, in the heat of the day was 6.02 sec.  
The car continued to run well in eliminations and I went all the way to the semi-finals where I red-lighted.  I collected my first pay check in a very long time, and the first with the new car.  
This was one of the longest racing days that I have ever had.  Leaving Baton Rouge at 7:15 am, we arrived at Hub City Raceway at 11:15 am.  After time trials, the first round for my class started at 9:02 pm and the last round was run at 11:29 pm.  Barbara, Houston and I got back to Baton Rouge around 2:15 am Monday morning. 

  2nd Qtr.2004

       Dec. 2003