Dragstalgia, the good and the bad.

[B/MP]

Well, I'll do this in two parts.
The good.
We left from Chattanooga about 8:00 a.m. Three cars, 65 Stude wagon, 49 Olds and us in the 57 (Christine). Had a great drive through several small towns and arrived in Crossville without a hitch. We decided to grab some breakfast before going to the track. Got filled up at the Ryans breakfast buffet then headed for the dragstrip.
We arrived at the track just as they were starting to do some runs. Perfect timing. We got out our stuff, set up our two awnings,chairs, etc. We wound up at just about the timing lights at the far end of the track. It was HOT, mid 90's and very very humid. We sat around for a little while letting the cars cool off from the drive up. Still good.
I decided to go down to the tower to turn in my card and get my number. After doing that I thought well, I've got to get back to the end of the track anyway so I'll just take a run down while I'm here,LOL. I pulled around through the staging lanes just as a guy was lining up with a serious looking 64 beautiful blue Nova, the lineman waved me up. I thought well here I go, gonna get slammed the first time up. I wasn't sure how it would run so soon after getting there and still being a little on the warm side.
Get staged, the tree goes down, got a good light and never saw him again. He wasn't happy I quess because after the end he just kinda kept going after I let off. I waved at him ne never waved back, LOL. That pass was a 9.51 with a reaction time of.032 speed was 77.84. Keep in mind , not a drag car, street tires and driven a long way to track.
Went back to let it cool off. Next run was my buddy, Mel who built the engine in Christine. Mel's got a 49 Olds with a built 455. We came off the line really close and ran that way for awhile then on the top end we edged ahead. It was a great race as both cars are different but still very similar.
That trip was 9.313, react time was .114 speed 79.354. So far we two for two, still good.
While letting the car cool off for more I walked down to the start to watch some cars. While I was down there there was a suuden thunder storm and it rained like crazy. I got back to the 57, soaked but got the hood shut. It was to late though as it was WET. It rained about thirty minutes, then got even hotter.
The track dried out really fast due to the temps. So here we go again. I go down to the staging lanes waiting for something in my range to run when a guy comes by and waves me to the line. Of course HE'S driving a 56 Chevy, Flip front gasser with a big block, tunnel ram, slicks, lettered full race car. Well Sir, I thought, WHY NOT. So I lined up next to MR. A/Gas I caught a .443 react time,9.259 pass at 77.757. and BEAT HIM. He slept at the light and ran faster than me but I was already gone. Things were really good then. Nothing does your heart better than beating a REAL race car. three for three and still good.
Once again, went back to cut up, laugh and generally carry on while the car was cooling off. Next time Mel's Olds again. We lined up and away we went, luckily got him again. This time we eased into the 8's with a .268 reaction, 8.951 with 79.269. Christine ran better as it had rained and really cooled off the engine. I noticed it felt like it didn't want to idle without sounding like it was going to die. I figured it had gotten a little wet and would dry out. Distributer cap (HEI) was dry but it got rained on pretty good. So? We were just happy to start on the 8's. I had been spinnng the 235/70's pretty bad. Four for four. still good.

Next was Mel in his Olds again. He runs hot laps better than me so I figured he'd get me this time as the 57 doesn't like ethanol and likes to run dry of fuel unless it cools. Well, sure enough it's missing a little and I was distracted or least that's my excuse, LOL. I red lighted by .013. Mel got me.

Everything still good, four out of five. Nothing broke. We start to think about loading our stuff up and make plans to stop for some good eats.

The bad......
Go to start Christine, the starter (almost new remy $180 dollar starter) sounds like it has exploded. No flywheel problems just sounds like metal to metal inside starter. Bought the starter at O'Reileys and of course there's not one in Crossville. So make a trip to Advance and pay another $180. Go back get it on and it doesn't sound so great. Margaret and I decide once it's running we better just head home and miss supper with the others. We we wave by and take off for the house.

About halfway home we were starving (long time since breakfast) so I decide to stop at the Pikeville Mcdonalds. The plan was M goes in and I stay with the car with it running. Of course the place is packed and it takes forever for the food. M comes back out, I put it in D and kaputt. I did one of those pleeeeese start. Nope,the brand new starter does the same thing. I hate to call a wrecker, but everythings closed. So I make the call, now we're still we're fifty miles from home. We go inside the Mcdonalds which is full of flies and decide to take the heat in car over the flies. So we get to hear from all the folks that don't know we're broke, "nice car". EMBARRASSING. We just sit there like we just decided to sit in our car pouring sweat because we like it, LOL. Nothings wrong, nope,nothings wrong.
More Bad....
Roll back arrives, anxiety high loading it up. we start the drive home and everythings going fine. When we get home it's dark, really dark. We're jockeying around trying to get the rollback lined up with the garage. I'm half blinded by rollback lights and take off to help when I step in a french drain in my driveway and down I go hard. Now I'm 6'5" and 320 Lbs. next Mday I'll be 57 so I'm no spring chicken either. Also when you count my motorcycle wreck that left me with a bunch of broken bones, screws and pins etc. I decided I'd just lay there for awhile. Unfortunately,when M sawme lying face up,the stress from the day, HEARTATTACK. She came screaming over, scared the Heck out of the wrecker driver, Charlie. Well, After all got calmed down, our day was finally over,got Christine back where she belongs.
Spent Sunday recovering....Didn't even go outside. Found out the starter has PLASTIC GEARS inside and with a high compression engine, not good.

Pic's of the "good" coming soon.
Pic's of the "bad" No Sir!
Blake and Margaret, the Journey Continues.
http://s803.photobucket.com/albums/y...-40%20Dragway/

[mickeywestsr]

Well Blake, I know exactly how ya felt. I was hoping it would come a loud clap of thunder and everybody would be gone before the roll back arrived but no luck.
Just curious, it was 110 bucks to bring me from Cleveland to East Ridge (about 65 to 70 miles for him)
and I thought that was pretty good. What do you think?

[5ive5ive]

Well, the good was really good, the bad was really bad. At least you went 4 for 5 and know the starter problem. I sometimes wish they would send the plastic back where it came from. charles

[finallyhavea57]

Well, the story made for a great read! Hope the starter issue gets resolved with a better solution.

don

[B/MP]

Originally Posted by mickeywestsr

Well Blake, I know exactly how ya felt. I was hoping it would come a loud clap of thunder and everybody would be gone before the roll back arrived but no luck.
Just curious, it was 110 bucks to bring me from Cleveland to East Ridge (about 65 to 70 miles for him)
and I thought that was pretty good. What do you think?

Yeah, it was embarassing. Mine was $150.00 for an eighty mile round trip. That's close to the same. Your's sounds pretty good at $110.00. I gave him a twenty buck tip because he was real careful with the car and he turned the air on high for the ride back. If time allows I'll see you at mile straight. Blake

[carls 56]

that was good read, thanks blake. sorry about the bad.

[mickeywestsr]

Originally Posted by B/MP

Yeah, it was embarassing. Mine was $150.00 for an eighty mile round trip. That's close to the same. Your's sounds pretty good at $110.00. I gave him a twenty buck tip because he was real careful with the car and he turned the air on high for the ride back. If time allows I'll see you at mile straight. Blake

Troy & I both plan on being there. Maybe get all three cars together for a picture.

[chevman57]

Well Blake that sounds like a great day with a not so great ending but all-in-all it could have been worse. Glad to hear the ride and yall made it back safely, even if it did take a wrecker.
Terry

I thought for sure this story would end with Cristine being put through the garage wall or something horrible, what a relief....LOL

[B/MP]

Originally Posted by gconnsr

I thought for sure this story would end with Cristine being put through the garage wall or something horrible, what a relief....LOL

Nope, not yet. Actually, I was the typical nervous Dad watching her being winched up on that rollback. Blake

Yeah Mickey, The starter is supposed to be in tomorrow, so if all goes well I'll see you and Troy Saturday. Hope he's in the 55. Blake