Dis is My Ride!!!

Have you guys heard the Bruce Springsteen song, Glory Days? Well, that's what it was. My heroes/friends are slowly disappearing. I'm now a retired school teacher at age 62 and there is still a "little boy" in my mind. Guys, tomorrow is promised to no one. What we have is TODAY! We need to do the most with it. I could go on and on about my fun days of drag racing. Do any of you remember Starvin' Marvin Schwartz? He was another friend and very unique. He was a master parts scrounger! You couldn't help but like him; the perenial underdog that would never give up. I had a collection of Hemi parts back in the day...a set of Bob Lambeck Pro Stock aluminum dual plug heads and a 5/8 stroker crank I bought used from Jerry Gwynn (Darrell's dad who ran the alcohol funny car, the Baby Huey). Marvin had already run close to the Top Fuel record with motors built from peoples scrap. Well, he talked me into loaning him the heads and I gave him the crank. He robbed a set of fuel pistons from Chuck Quenzler and I think he got a blower from Art Malone. We went to Gainesville and as I remember, he was number 2 qualifier. Garlits was number one and Garlets beat Marvin but it wasn't a cake walk. Marvin really respected Don. When we got out of the truck at Gainesville, he told me, "Pat, if you want to see how it is really done right, go over there and watch Garlits put on a tune and see how Ed sets up a clutch". It wasn't long after that when Marvin lost his life in a crash. I don't know what ever happened to my heads but I don't care. I'd have Marvin back if I could...and Ronnie...and Billy....and Dick...and Reid....and Nicholson.
Garlits emailed me this morning to ask if I would go on the trip to Virginia Motorsports Park in May with him. Of course I'm going. We have a lot of fun. I met another FABO member on my Trip with Don to Ocean City, MD and it was Tony Harlen, know as HEMI GTS on the site. You should see his awesome Dart!!!
Don still hasn't gotten the new Hemi Challenger race car yet from Chrysler. I think the financial mess will nix the whole thing. You know he was flown out to Bandemere in Denver to race it against Judy Lily in a similar car. Don won the match race. Then the car went back to Detroit. Don still hasn't gotten the new duallie they promised either. I love the one he has now! I guess that's all I have to say for now. Best wishes to all you guys.
Pat