Skip's 2nd Quarter 2004 Racing  

April 2 -9, 2004 - Left on vacation to visit son's Glenn and Larry in California.  The vacation was a resting time for me.  I enjoyed the visit with both boys families and I am looking forward to another visit. 

April 17, 2004 - Two competition trips to the track and two checks!  This time at State Capitol Dragway.  We went all the way to the quarter-finals before I lit the big red eye!  The car was running fine and I seem to be getting better as the day went on.  
Upon arrival at the track, I set the timing back to what I thought was 35 degrees (from 38 degrees).  It was actually 28 degrees.  The car ran a 9.68 @137 MPH and I had forgotten to put time back in the delay box, so on the first flash of yellow, I released the button and the car shot down the track.  I reset the timing to 35 degrees and the next time trial was a 9.56 @ 139 MPH.  
During eliminations, I lost in the first round (broke out).  In round two (buy back) I won and then in the next round I was paired with Tommy Tallo in his beautiful Beretta.  His wife Sharon is always by his side and they are two of the nicest people at the track.  Tommy is always a real sportsman, win or lose.  When the lights came down, Tommy cut a .010 light and I had a .015.  At the end, I ran a 9.621 on a 9.62 dial-in, Tommy ran a 9.768 on a 9.76 dial-in.  The MOV was .0027 in my favor!  What a race!  I was looking right across his windshield for the last half of the race and my old motor was pulling strong.  In the Quarter-final round, I ran Tray's dragster and red-lighted.  All in all, it was a very good day.  I thanked Ronnie as I picked up my second check of the year.  

April 23, 2004 - Used most of the day to get ready to travel to the Tri-State Racers Association race in Greenville, MS on Sunday April 25, 2003.  Washed the car and the truck.  Charged the batteries and noticed after a few hours of charging, one battery was warm and the other cold.  I re-checked all of the grounds and electrical connections on both batteries, plus the ones on the firewall and at the starter solenoid.  Continued the charge, and both batteries were equal temps.  I fixed the crack in the fiberglass under the front bumper, again.  Now that I know what's causing it, it should not happen again.  I installed a tie down bar in the trailer that will allow me to secure items a little better.  The generator bouncing around was the cause of the broken fiberglass.  To get ready for the warm weather, I changed the carb jets to 94/94, from 94/98.  The timing is still set at 35 degrees, so it should still run in the mid to high 9.50's.  By mid-Summer, I will have changed the jets to 90/92.  

Tomorrow we will go out to No Problem Raceway Park to observe the Cajun Sportsnationals.  There should be some big time racing out there.  There are many activities planned for Sat., including Top Sportsman Challenge and a SS/AA shootout along with all of the qualifying rounds and classes with 128 cars or more will have 1st round eliminations on Sat..  All of the finals will be held on Sunday.  

I looked at the site stats this week.  For the month ending April 17th, we had over 3000 visitors and approximately 80,000 hits!  Thanks to everyone for watching us.  The two most popular pages are, Tool Facts and 383 Stroker.  

In an effort to reduce the size of the web site, I removed the majority of the 2001 and 2002 racing information.  Many of the photos from back in that period were deleted from the site also.  We will be add new photos as the year unfolds.

4/24/04 - Enjoyed all the racing activities at the Sportsnations.  I saw many of my friends and talked to a lot of people.  Many of them follow this little bit of writing on these pages I found out. 
I got to see the Joe Amato and O'Reilly Top Fuel Dragsters.  I also saw the Pro-Stockers of Jeg and Troy Coughlin make a side by side 200 MPH run.  The two cars were within .001 of each other at the end with Jeg taking the win light.   There was a very large purse that was put up for a SS/AA Shootout.  This was won by the "War Fish", a 1967-68 Barracuda, painted in Army camouflage.  What was so funny, when War Fish did his burn-out, the engine really sounded crappy and I said, "He will never win".  Shows how much I know.  I have never seen so many Hemi Barracuda's, it was a real treat!.
Due to the bad weather forecast for Sunday in all of Mississippi, we are not traveling to Greenville, MS.  Houston Hawkins, Reggie and myself were going.  I will find out when the rain date is (assuming they don't race tomorrow).  

4/29/04 - We have been active working with the kids at Glen Oaks High School.  We are building an engine (Small Block Chevy) which will go into a street class bracket car.  The class has participated in disassembly of the engine under our guidance.  
The block, heads and crank were sent to Womack's Head & Block Shop in Denham Springs, LA.  Remi Baker, owner of Womack's, is donating the machine shop work to the project.  The Manager of Engine Parts Warehouse of Baton Rouge, Mr. Dwayne Beaumont, is donating the bearings and gaskets for the project.  We really appreciate the help from these fine merchants.  
When the parts come back, we will instruct the kids on correct assembly methods, the correct tools and measuring instruments for building (racing) engines.

5/6/04 - Bracket Masters Racing Team took our Jr. Dragster to Northwest Middle School in Zachary, LA for their "Careers on Wheels" day.  The kids were very well mannered and asked a lot of very good questions.  There were Police vehicles, representing the D.A.R.E. program, a Fire Truck from the local fire dept., the Army had a Hummer on display, there was a Hurst from the local funeral home and other vehicles.  I was asked to speak to the assembly of approximately 400 students.  The day was very enjoyable and the young men and women seemed to get a lot out of everything they saw and heard.  

5/7/04 - After waking up late and rushing out the door, the team took three cars and the Jr. Dragster to Prescott Middle School for their "Career Day" (I did arrive on time).  In addition to Bracket Masters, there were Doctors, Lawyers, a Judge, along with other prominent persons from the community.  We were all given a very nice lunch (home cooked), and we were presented plaques for coming.  James Richardson, Harry Sills and Willie Beathley had their cars on display.  Bracket Masters Vice-President, Houston Hawkins, was there supporting the team.  The young men and women were very nice, asking a lot of questions and they pulled up our web site and looked at several of the other team members cars.  (Photos)

5/8/04 - Skip entered the Super Pro Bracket Race class at State Capitol Dragway.  There were over 150 cars present at this event.  The attendance and car count is really moving up since Alan Miller and most of the old State Capitol Dragway crew has come back.  To see faces that you know in the staging lanes, on the starting line and helping out everywhere, is very comforting.  Ronnie is making an effort to get things back to normal.  We really need this track here in Baton Rouge. 

The car ran excellent and I won in the first round but lost in the 2nd round when I forgot to raise my engine RPM before turning on the second light (staged light).  When I pressed the delay button and raised the rpm the car backed up slightly and made the second light flicker.  I normally raise the RPM to slightly above 2 Grand before pressing the delay button.  When the tree activated, I got a Red Light.  I knew as soon as I saw the staged light flickering, and the other driver had already staged, that I would get a red light.

The Auto Start System is great when it works to your advantage (no quick tree by the starter, no burn down by the other driver and the start sequence is random), but cruel when it works against you. 

Electronic drag racing is all about doing everything right, and the same, each time.  There is a lot to remember and you must practice and get your routine the same.  That routine must be the same from the pits, to the staging lanes, the burn-out, staging the car, the race, on the return road and back to the pits.  Pit routine is very important to get ready for the next round.  A checklist is a great idea, especially if you are just starting, or you are getting old, like me! (a friend corrected me and said, "You are already old!)    

5/16/04 - We just found out the Divisional Points Meet, scheduled for this weekend at State Capitol Dragway, has been rescheduled too August 12-14, 2004.  The track received over 16" of rain in the past week.
 See NHRA Web Site for Details

5/27/04 - After the team purchased a new computer last week, everything just went haywire.  The old software would not load on the new computer (thanks to Microsoft), and using Dreamweaver for me is like trying to learn Greek.  In the meantime, I ordered Frontpage 2003 to try to get back on top of things.  Today it arrived and now I am back in business.  It will take a while to get up to speed on the new Frontpage, but it feels so good to be able to get back on the site. 

Today I drained my oil and found a piece of a roller bearing on the drain magnet.  After wiping away a tear, I removed the valve covers.  Thinking that I had destroyed another set of roller lifters, I began looking for loose push rods.  What I found was, the roller rockers on #5 Exhaust and #8 Intake had started to come apart.  The retaining clip that holds the rollers and the bar in place had snapped at the smallest part of the retainer.  Two others on the passenger side were in the early stages of breaking down. I think I retrieved most of the loose parts.  I cut the old filter apart to inspect for any other signs of metal, but none was found.   
These aluminum roller rocker arms had been in the engine since August 1999.  The motor has approximately 400 runs on it.  I have no idea what brand they are, but I replaced them with a set of steel Comp. Cams Roller Rockers.  These do not need to be clearanced to clear the spring retainers. 
I installed the new parts, reset the valves and warmed the engine.  Drained the oil and changed the filter again. 

I plan to go to State Capitol Dragway tomorrow night and to the Chevy vs. Ford and Mopar at Louisiana Dragway on Sunday. 

5/28/04 - The car ran very well at State Capitol Dragway on Friday night, after working on trying to rejet the carb most of the night.  I finally went back to the jets that were working so well a few weeks ago, 94/98.  All the times returned to exactly where they had been.  After winning the first round of trophy elim's., I lost to Robert Stevens in his Black 1968 Camaro that runs 151 MPH in the quarter, but he has it throttled stopped at 9.90 sec. for E.T.   I had beaten Robert in Round One, but there was a "win light malfunction", and he asked me to rerun him.   It's Friday night, Trophy, what the heck!  I broke out on the rerun and lost.  I went home totally happy that my car ran so well.

5/30/04 - Sunday, Chevy vs. Ford & Mopar at Louisiana Raceway.  The car ran great all day.  Consistent and even the driver was doing his job well today.  I lost when there were just 3 cars left.  Velmond Brown, in his El Camino, had a much better light than I did and outlasted me to the finish line.  Five Rounds!  That was great for me and the new Camaro. 

On my way to the semi-final loss, I had one bye, in the first round I beat a little orange Nova that bought back and ended up in the finals with Valmond, and I beat Joe Oakley (former Track Champ at Eunice) in the third round, and Joe's father, Warren Oakley, driving "Da Truk" in the fourth round, before losing to Valmond in the semi's. 

I won a small 3rd place trophy and half of the expected payout.  There were not enough cars to pay the whole purse.  Paid for the trip, and dinner for two.  All in all I was very pleased with the whole trip.

Skip Wins 1/4 Final (video clip)     

6/4/04 - Purchased new M/T tires for the New Camaro.  The Hoosiers were less than 1/2 worn.  I just love M/T slicks.  The M/T's were purchased from Pro-Fab, one of our Louisiana Drag Classis sponsors.  These tires are 14 X 32 X 16 (S).  I want to get back down to at least the 1.333 sixty-foot times that I once had.  I had 1.290 sixty-foot times in the old car, with this engine and more weight.

6/9/04 - The air bottle regulator went out during the last race.  Found a new one at Templet & Templet welding supply in Baton Rouge.  The counter man had to find a unit that would handle 70 PSI, as most of the welding units only handle 40 PSI max.  They were very nice and it cost me $51.00 including tax.  I got two new gauges and the only fitting I had to change was the plastic hose fitting, which went right in with no adaptor. 

The team will travel to Red River Raceway on June 12th to race with the Shreveport Racing Team.  Take I-49 to Shreveport.  Before entering Shreveport, take the 3132 Loop West towards Dallas and Texarkana.  The 3132 Loop turns into I-220 North after it crosses I-20, west of Shreveport.  To get to the track, take the 3rd exit (Exit 7B) after crossing the lake, on to US 71 North, and proceed north on highway US 71, do not go to Texarkana on LA 1, but continue on US 71, through the city of Gillam, past the Gillam Supply Shop on the left, then about a mile to a sign for Red River Raceway on the right, turn right and proceed to the track. 

6/12/04 - Baton Rouge racers made a big impression on the racers at Red River Raceway.  There were 11 Baton Rouge race cars at the Bracket Race.  This just happened to be the last IHRA race at the track.  Red River Raceway has been purchased by Mr. Hall, present owner of Hallsville Raceway.  The track will become the newest member track of NHRA.  The facility is really nice and it was a pleasure to race there. 

The event was hosted by Mr. Moses Branch and "The Lawman" of the Shreveport Racers.  Everyone that made the trip had a wonderful time.  The Shreveport Racers were excellent host.  Bracket Masters had 5 cars; Skip, J. C. Floyd, Mr. Willie, Reggie Jackson and Youngblood.  Other Baton Rouge race cars were owned by: Kevin Gray, Big Ovett, Joe Louis, Patrick Knox and Jerry Brown.  All the cars were looking good and running just as good.  The track personnel and the racers at the track were impressed with all of the Baton Rouge racers and their cars.   There were many other spectators and family members of the group that supported the cars from Baton Rouge.

Other members of Bracket Masters making the trip were; Big Man, Marcus, Carolyn and Melissa Bowie, Houston and Marva Hawkins, Glend McDonald, Barbara Herbert, Barbara Holbert, Jeremy Beathley and James Richardson.

During eliminations, Youngblood, running in Super Pro, won until there was only 5 cars left, and was in the money, Patrick Knox's Pontiac and Reggie Jackson's Duster, both lost in the 4th round of Non-Electronics, just before the money round.  Jeremy Beathley, driving Mr. Willie's Wagon, won two rounds in Non-Electronics.

Due to a short downpour of rain just after time trials started, the event was run on the 1/8 mile.  Everyone had two time trials and we went into eliminations.  I lost in the first round and again in the buy back round of Super Pro.  I lost my cooling fan during the first round, but did not discover it until I got ready to go up for the second round and noticed the eng. temp. was still up at 180 degrees.   When I got back from round one, the temp. was high, but I thought I had forgotten to turn on the switch.  I replaced the fuse after losing in the buy back round and it blew immediately.  I will troubleshoot this coming week at home.  This might have something to do with the fact that the car sat out in the rain during the brief shower.  My times for the 1/8 mile were, 6.13 @ 111 MPH for a best run, and I fell off to 6.21 @ 109 MPH losing in the buy back round. 

Shreveport Motel Recommendation:  Reggie, Houston, Glend and I stayed at the Regency Continental Motel, off I-20, at exit 13, 5116 Monkhouse Drive, Airport exit, in Shreveport.  You would exit from the LA-3132 Loop, onto I-20 East, towards Monroe, LA .  The motel is at the top of the off ramp at exit 13, on the right hand side.

This is a old Ramada property and it has excellent parking for trucks and trailers, along with clean and comfortable rooms.  The rate for all rooms on this day was, $55.00 per night.  The hotel controls a large Airport Personnel Parking Lot that is fenced and lighted.  Reggie and I obtained permission to park in that lot and he could observe the trucks from his room.  Getting in and out of that lot may be a problem for a 28 ft. trailer or longer, due to the tight turning area to go into and out of the parking lot.  I had no trouble with my 22 ft. trailer.  Their was room to stretch out a few long trailers in the hotels parking lot, in the front, on either side or in the back, even on the weekend after returning from the track.  You can drive all the way around the hotel and exit to the street.  The desk has security cameras for the parking lot.  The hotel has a heated, indoor swimming pool, fitness room and other amenities.

June 23, 2004 - Started to remove the engine today.  After looking over my old records, I found that the valve springs had been installed in October 2001.  Byron (engine builder) says to replace the springs every year.  We upgraded the springs when we changed them last time to Comp Cams Pacoloy Springs.  These are suppose to have longer life, and that has proved to be the case. 
I was looking for the reason the engine had not been running up to expectations, especially since the car weighs less (100 lbs.) and the headers are much better than the old ones with much less restriction. 
I checked old time slips to see where the car had been running in the weather conditions similar to what we have been having lately, and we were not too far off of the old times.  Sixty foot times were down a lot.  The tires are still new, only 5 good passes so far with a best 60 ft. time of 1.396 sec.   I raised the wheelie bars approximately 1.5 inches, up to 7.5 inches.  I have a lot of other suspension adjustments to play with, such as front shock settings (now firm) and the 12 position rear shock settings (now at mid-position 6).
I decided to complete a Leak Down Test before removing the heads.  The results were horrible!  The best cylinder was 93%, and two were 20% or more down.  Most were in the 87-88% range.  This calls for an overhaul of the engine. 
I will put new rings and bearings in the short block and new springs on the heads.  The heads have never had a valve job in 5 years, so a valve job will be completed by "Junior", at Womack Head and Block, in Denham Springs, LA.  I will also install a new oil pump, timing chain and new main, head and rod bolts will be installed.  I hope to get the leakdown in the 96-97% range after the rebuild. 

My next big race is the Memphis Racers Association race on August 1, 2004 at Memphis Motorsports Park in Memphis, TN.  I hate to miss the Chevy vs. Ford vs. Mopar at No Problem Raceway this weekend, but this work is more important.  I want to be really ready for our Louisiana Drag Classic on Sept. 4, 2004 at No Problem Raceway Park. 

June 24, 2004 - I took the heads to Womack's for a complete valve job and new springs.  The block will get a light hone job to allow the new rings to seat properly.  I should have everything back and ready to assemble by July 9th, if everything comes in on time.

After calculating the overall leakdown for all cylinders, they were at 87% on each side.  With the new springs and new rings, it should get the leakdown back up in the 96-98% range.  The car should run better when it is all working at peak efficiency. 

June 27, 2004 - The engine is out and on the engine stand. 

June 29, 2004 - Completed disassembly of the short block.  Horrors!  The timing chain had been rubbing on the cover (with a button), and some of the cam gear teeth were broken off and had fallen into the pan.  The cam gear was scored very bad and the timing chain was almost worn through.  A few more passes and this chain may have come apart.  The bearings of the mains and the rods looked good, with the exception of #3 main.  It was just starting to show some scratches.  The filter and screens were doing their jobs because there had to be some fragments floating around in the oil.  I will have to go to an aluminum timing chain cover that gives the double roller chain more room.  
All of the parts were delivered to the machine shop and I will start to purchase the needed parts while waiting on the block and crank to come back from the shop.  The pistons and rods are good and I will clean them up myself.  Remi, at Womack's, measured and inspected the pistons.  All I need is new rod bolts.