I'm getting the Valiant ready for approximately 600 miles of driving this weekend. Tomorrow morning I drive to Fort Stockton, Texas, to be part of the Big Bend Open Road Race again. That's an old photo of my Valiant on the home page. 480 Miles round-trip from Lubbock, about 100 in and around. The return trip Saturday evening will be warm, but doable. They're calling for 94F at 4 PM.

Since 2005, I've been a volunteer gate guard or flag man out on the course. Before dawn I'll park the car at the designated ranch gate out on US 285 (Legally closed down for the race), make some shade, and do my part to keep the race safe. In return, I get to be very close to the cars at speed, listen to the race control radio traffic, and take all the photos I want. There have been a few situations I've had to handle, but so far they've just given me stories to tell.

The Valiant is my preferred ride for this, even without AC. It's a car-guy event, and even daily driver '60's American compacts are appreciated there among the Vettes, Vipers, Porsches, classic Mustangs, etc. It carries my gear well, offers a hood for a field desk, and doesn't mind being pulled onto the grass or dirt as far away from the road as the fences will allow. And I like driving it.

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"When you find a big kettle of crazy, it's best not to stir it." - Pointy-haired Boss

1964 Valiant V200, 225/Pushbutton 904
BBD, CAI, HEI, LBP, AC, AM/FM/USB, EIEIO

No slant sixes were running in the race again this year. There were some GREAT looking cars, though!

Got PICS for anyone interested.

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"When you find a big kettle of crazy, it's best not to stir it." - Pointy-haired Boss

1964 Valiant V200, 225/Pushbutton 904
BBD, CAI, HEI, LBP, AC, AM/FM/USB, EIEIO

Cool beans. This is something I'd like to try. I should start setting aside money so I don't put it off too long. This year's big racing expenditure is the 24 Hours of LeMons. I can afford one expensive race and a few /6 bracket races a year without feeling too poor.

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Joshua

Well, come on down!

Which Lemons race are you doing?

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"When you find a big kettle of crazy, it's best not to stir it." - Pointy-haired Boss

1964 Valiant V200, 225/Pushbutton 904
BBD, CAI, HEI, LBP, AC, AM/FM/USB, EIEIO

Thanks SV!

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

Joshie, I did some graphics for a lemons car last year. I think it was a big old Chrysler or Dodge , car was in great shape before the race, not after though.

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Grandpa's 1974 Dart Custom 4 door 225 auto, Aluminum Radiator, 1920 Holley.

Thanks for the update.

I wonder if this will coincide with SFSF 4 in LoCal next year?? Sounds like a great combo trip to me, at least in my dreams.

The Dart is getting a new motor this year with 20-40 more HP and 40 fewer lbs (cast cranker). Guess I better put a rollbar in this thing...

Cheers,

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Fernley, NV in 3 weeks!

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Joshua