How excited do you get about racing ??

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Brooks James

Brooks James

VET, CPT, Huey Medevac Pilot
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Havent raced in years. When I went to the track, I would start shaking from a massive rush of adenalin. I was more excited than I had ever been. I learned to put Vodka in the wiper water reservoir, ran a hose under the dash, because I needed it to calm down on the way home. One night I forgot to remove the shoe polish showing my et.( /6. ET 17.60,
Melling cam, Clifford headers, Carter BBD adapted to the manifold), LOL) The next morning my dad jumped on top me while I was in bed and beat my ***. He took my Duster keys for a month. It was worth it !!
 
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It's fun, and I have friends I wouldn't see outside the track. But to be honest, as a Test-n-Tuner, the cost and time vs passes doesn't work out well in my favor.
60-75 dollars for the round trip. 5 hrs average out of my day. What did I get for my money/time the last couple times out ??? 16.4 seconds combined in two 1/8 mile passes. That's right, 60-75 bucks and 5 hrs for 16 seconds. Then the pressure. I, the driver, MUST get it to hook and make my pass count !!! Blow the tires and blow the pass. Then my wife, she has to have the camera right to catch the pass and view we want for the video, there are no do-overs. It is still fun, but I'd rather go on a long overnight cruise in my classic.
 
In a world of lies, drag/road racing is about the absolutes. You either win or you lose. There's no bullshit (well, sometimes there's still bullshit). But it's a proving ground where your hard work, $$$, sacrifices all come together to make a statement. Doesn't matter who you are, what you look like, where you came from. The track doesn't care. All that matters are those little lights above the time board.

The concept is bigger than cars, which is what attracts certain people. It's a place for thinkers and dreamers.

And some assholes :)
 
Brooks James said:
Havent raced in years. When I went to the track, I would start shaking from a massive rush of adenalin. I was more excited than I had ever been. I learned to put Vodka in the wiper water reservoir, ran a hose under the dash, because I needed it to calm down on the way home. One night I forgot to remove the shoe polish showing my et.( /6. ET 17.60,
Melling cam, Clifford headers, Carter BBD adapted to the manifold), LOL) The next morning my dad jumped on top me while I was in bed and beat my ***. He took my Duster keys for a month. It was worth it !!
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:lol:Beat your *** for racing a /6 with an ET 17.60 at a strip!!!!!!! Man, most guys (me) were doing that on the street with bigger engines, no controls or safety measures. I love that story.
 
I don’t gamble (never been to a Casino ever), I don’t do drugs, I used to enjoy drinking but I don’t think I’ve had a drink since the presidential election, (not sure what’s up with that) not married, kids live out of state, don’t fish as often as I wish I would, don’t hunt anymore and don’t shoot near as much as I should. So yes I get excited but not as much as I used to. I guess it’s to easy to sit in my chair and post about racing. That’s gotta change.
 
Straight razor here though a drink or two isn’t taboo. Everything else is out.
I like going to the track and yea I get real happy about it but no pressure. I spin? Take easier next round. Work my back to as much as possible. The track is an hour away.

I get the biggest charge out of my car at the track. I also have a dedicated driver and a general hot rod. It’s pricey going to the track, so, it’s not often I go but as long as the car is working and I have the money, I’ll go.

Im new to this area and big car meets aren’t seen as much as back where I was. I could find at least one where I can find a minimum of 100+ cars everyday of the week so long as the weather was nice enough. I can think of two spots where the car numbers exceed 4,000 every week.

In the meet, you’ll find the back street alley racing people. So getting a race was pretty easy. Bring lots-O-cash. No one runs for free.
 
When I was smoking (quit, cold turkey, almost twenty years ago), I was a pack and a half a day.
On race day, I took four packs to the track with me, and I was smoking butts on the way home.....
 
Not very. Nearest track is an 1/8 mile. It's actually like 25 miles away. Not bad. But the bad element is down there all the time, so That's off our list. The other track is about a two hour ride. Maybe.....MAYBE later this year or early next year we may be in a better place to do somethin about it.
 
Excited about racing? Born and raised in it, so yes it still jacks me up. True story, when I was finally old enough to go to a race with my father and his buddies I rode on the beer cooler in the back of the parts van pulling the car. My job was to hand beers up front to the guys driving and sitting in actual chairs. They allowed me a sip per beer as I had to open them and pass them up front. Need to pee? There was no stopping, simply pull the side door open and let it go. Yep pee down side of van! When we finally arrived at track and rolled up to tech they opened the back door to the van and all the beer cans they had unceremoniously thrown at me the whole trip fell out on the ground. The official was not amused and demanded a cleanup. They gave me the order and trying to show I belonged and was mature I stood up in the van and started to walk out, I promptly bashed my head on the top of the door jamb and fell very ungracefully like my feet had been jerked out from under me onto the pile of beer cans. The official looked at my Dad and said I believe this one is done and walked away! I don’t remember how old I was, but just tall enough to stand up in a van! Maybe 10? Different times, from long ago. yet the smell of the track still gives me the same feeling all these years later. It is in our blood!
 
Honestly I've been excited to run the car I'm building. it's been 20 years since I've made a pass, HOWEVER... I go to the drag strip and watch, to SUPPORT my local track.
Renegade raceway.
Near Yakima Washington
 
I hadn't raced roundy round since the 90's, then my daughter asked me to build a racecar for my son-in-law, who has done really well I-racing against Nascar guys and others.
1st year he took 12 of the 23 trophy avail, and we were told to move up in class !
After 4 yrs he took the Championship last year, and we just won the first 2 events of this year.
We're on track to break the track record, with the oldest car, oldest mechanic, novice driver .

Getting a kick ? ?
You bet your *** ! ! !

 
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Physically excited in the car? No, I have to stop myself from thinking too much. I enjoy running the car and improving. I really enjoy the multi day trips with the group and the ALL the time at the track. Well rain sucks. We eat great, tell lies and enjoy a beer at night. It’s relaxing. It’s camping with racing.
 
33IMP said:
When I was smoking (quit, cold turkey, almost twenty years ago), I was a pack and a half a day.
On race day, I took four packs to the track with me, and I was smoking butts on the way home.....
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Wow. When you are down to smoking butts you are gunning sticks really fast. Damn. That’s impressive really. Your lungs probably don’t think so, but outside of that, that’s pretty impressive.
 
Very!!! been doing it almost every weekend for the last 35 years...I haven't been doing that great yet this year due to a new engine combo but I am getting closer to getting it dialed in to 11.50 .. actually ran twice last weekend Points race on Saturday in the Dart and ran my pickup at a Nostalgia race on Sunday losing second round both times due to screwing up the stripe.. I get upset for a day or two then I am anxious and counting the days and hours until its race day again

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My son smokes I think because of racing. He smokes very little but would probably die if he didn’t have a cigarette in the lanes. Several guys I know have to have their weed before racing to calm them down. For me I just hop in the car and go.
 
Rat Bastid said:
Wow. When you are down to smoking butts you are gunning sticks really fast. Damn. That’s impressive really. Your lungs probably don’t think so, but outside of that, that’s pretty impressive.
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I was lighting up on the shut down. Couldn't wait for the return road....

To me, there are two really exciting moments as a car guy. First fire of a new motor, and first lap with a new car/ new combo at the dragstrip.
 
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A day at the track gets me going, literally. When we were still going to the track regularly, I was up early, had my bags packed, the ice chests loaded, double checked to make sure we had all of the gear we might need before my partner Bob came to hook up the trailer. My thoughts were, "A bad day of racing beat a good day at work, anytime".
 
I'm pumped up for this season. I have a long way to go before it hits the track but I got it out of storage on Saturday. It ran great but had a small fuel leak around the filter near the electric pump. Since I've only driven this car 4 or 5 times I have all the safety things to check, torque specs, front end, brakes. Pretty much everything before it goes down the track.
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dartindanno said:
I'm pumped up for this season. I have a long way to go before it hits the track but I got it out of storage on Saturday. It ran great but had a small fuel leak around the filter near the electric pump. Since I've only driven this car 4 or 5 times I have all the safety things to check, torque specs, front end, brakes. Pretty much everything before it goes down the track.View attachment 1715924688
Click to expand...


Good luck this year. Have fun.
 
Excited to start my second season, I run sportsmen at Waglers Motorsports Park in Lyons Indiana. Finished second in points last year.
 
Brooks James said:
Havent raced in years. When I went to the track, I would start shaking from a massive rush of adenalin. I was more excited than I had ever been. I learned to put Vodka in the wiper water reservoir, ran a hose under the dash, because I needed it to calm down on the way home. One night I forgot to remove the shoe polish showing my et.( /6. ET 17.60,
Melling cam, Clifford headers, Carter BBD adapted to the manifold), LOL) The next morning my dad jumped on top me while I was in bed and beat my ***. He took my Duster keys for a month. It was worth it !!
Click to expand...
Turning 70 this year. Didn't race for 15 years. Used to run 5:80's in the 1/8th in last car. Rented the track last year and invited 15 friends, we all ran high 8's low 9's I made a trophy. Didn't win. But the adrenaline was so powerful I thought I would have a heart attack. But just had a long talk with myself and kept going. Will be doing the same event this year.
 
Bought a 74 360 Duster in 1975 been racing it every year since 1976. It ran 15os then now 8.60s .Can't imagine life without it. All the people I've met and friends I made. Met my wife at the track. Every year I look forward to seeing the people as much as racing.
 
I run my street trim fox body mustang convertible, it isnt fast but its fun Running it also prompted me to tune it up and fix a few things etc. I am excited about this season and making a few passes.:)
 
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