Hey Folks,

N. Wilkesboro was a blast as always. Just got back this morning. Meril Bruner bested Ron Hamby in the finals for his first race win in a while.

Meril was running his new, and VERY slick D50 pickup with cab/engine 1 ft set back to 8.70-8.80s times. Bodywork and paintjob are some of his, Larry C's, and relative painter's best work. Meril took out Ron H in the final with a really sharp run. Guest Larry Smith was consulting with Meril all night over timeslips, dials, and such...

We convened at Empire Chrysler from 9:30 - 12:30 on Sat for some bench racing and car admiring. Tim Harrold generously sponsored our race again this year and it was great hanging out with him and his staff as always.

Not our best turnout, but still solid. 15 cars showed up and 13 made 1st round. Norm and Barry H bowed out with mechanical glitches, and Ron Hamby had to fix a blown fuel line after 2nd rnd qualifying, then got the bye run in the 1st round.

Meril
Lou
Charlie S
Leighton Drake
Judy Drake
Michael Glass
Dave ??? (Michael's buddy in Ram pickup)
Rodney
Gary Bruner
Brian Mimken
Joe Nelson
Larry Chesney
Ron Hamby

Notable absences were the Myers clan, Derrick Daugherty, Dale (trans prob), and Ron P (blew slick loading up Fri night). Jack Parler showed up but said wagon was busted.

Next up is Knoxville on Aug 23-24, which should be big too. Ella and Meril Bruner are promising a big feed before the race at their place, just 1/2 mi from Knoxville Dragway.

After that, Bristol should be a great turnout with the attraction of Glen Terry 2007 National Champion coming from the West Coast.

Almost everyone at NW said they were coming to both races.

I was happy to win a round in each of Slant 6 and footbrake, and got the car almost into the 10s with my new cyl head and tuning.

Best,

Lou

_________________
Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Congrats to Merrill!

Thanks for the write-up Lou. If all else fails you, you can always be a reporter.

_________________
Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

Glad to see Meril take one home!!

Had a blast running the '73 duster and making it through two rounds even though by pure luck. I was took out in the 3rd round by winner Meril Bruner's sharp looking orange d50 that was running consistant all night long.

As mentioned some of the more familiar names were not present as I expected. Turnout was decent though. It was extremely hot and humidity was to the point of being miserable.

On another note the duster ran TERRIBLE all weekend due to vapor locking. I borrowed a friends electric cigarette lighter fan and plugged in it between testing to cool the carb and fuel temps. It seemed to help but at this point only a new carb will fix it. It was flooding so terribly that it could not be staged properly at the tree thus preventing any chance of the really good lights I can cut with the silver '71 duster . My only hope was to feather it out the hole and hope it made it down ths track.

My best friend John Guthrie ran the only 4wd pickup at the event. And was pulling amazing lights grabbing gears with his 4 speed and running extremely consistent 14.0's He did redlight during first round but as always smiled and said what a fun time he had.

My first two rounds were with Joe Nelson and Lou Madsen. Both victims to the red light syndrome. We have all done it more than more than once though so I say it happens and I' have gotten in to big of a hurry more than once.

We were stationed right beside of Norm' and he kindly helped us with our many questions about his setup and just talking in general. Like most everybody you will meet in the SL6 series the Fosters are great people. We were dissapointed when his flexplate bolts came loose and knocked him out of competition A real shame because I always enjoy to see the little white car fly down the track. I offered to trade him my 1bbl straight up for his injection system and laughingly replied "yeah right"

Watched Charlie and his valiant drop some nice 9 second passes I was very impressed to say the least.

Lou's dart with the new head on it was running real good to say the least. I dont remember when he had it painted but it looks amazing!

Ron Hamby was a strong force as well. Had a fuel leak issue and got it fixed in time to keep in there. He would face Meril and strong duel for the finish...

The Drakes Simca was running like a bat out of you know what, with what he described to me and John as "very little boost"

That pretty much sums it up. A special thanks goes out to everybody that showed up,raced,or whomever I talked to. Very special thanks goes out to Lou Madsen as well...

NW was a blast!! Congrats to Meril and his great looking truck!! Sad to say that I red lighted in the first round, but the comraderie in the pits made up for it. Hated to see Norm break after traveling that far. The weather was hot and humid, but I think everybody found ways to survive. I'll see everyone at Knoxville!!

_________________
Flyin' Brian

74 Duster, 225, rear-mounted blow through turbo at 12psi boost, street/strip car
"Sixy Beast"

Yep, good time in the hill country. Congrets to Meril; I've never seen an orange anteater before, but it turned out pretty well!

I went red by .002 in the first round - ouch! I had been slow on the tree all night (as usual), so I tried leaving on the second yellow and it got me just a little too close! Next time I'll remember to experiment during trials...

I tried the gasser look with the tbars cranked up, but it still wouldn't hook up with the short tires. Made it ride funny too. At least the spring clamps killed the wheel hop I've been plagued with.

Best of 11.6; lost .4 from sitting around too long; car and I were both rusty.

Good to see everyone again!

Lou - thanks for the encouragement and good attitude. That is a fine looking car, too.
Brian - thanks for the shade and the entertainment (was that your parents first race?)
Charlie - you'll find that miss yet. Still want tail lights? Let me know...
Ron - way to not give up on a broken car! And by the way; Hello Kay, my name is Joe
Michael - I need a re-match!

And, no, my car is not on fire...

_________________
O==\=/==O

"A mechanic is Somebody."
- Jim Preston

Think that is dissapointing? Try a -.0002 in the first round.


I will definatly get that peskey misfire fixed, and be back running mid 8's on the bottle.

I will get with you on those lenses.

_________________
Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225