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Kiwis
go drag racing in America Graeme, Tony asked me to do a
quick story for NZSCA website about us drag racing in LA recently.
here goes...
The trip really started 6 years ago when Tony & I began saying, "We gotta
go to America". It was more dreams than anything. But in November, when
NHRA began calling for cars to celebrate their 50th Anniversary, it got
inside our heads and we both started hearing the voices, "Go to the
Winternationals... you're mad if you don't go...".
So, some online research found us the best possible deal: Wellington to LA
return for NZ$1160. At that price, the voices in our heads started
yelling, "Do it... book before its too late..."
With that, we added Ashley (Tony's Son) and arranged everything, in a week
and there were "only" 45 sleeps to go.
Catherine & Sue, (Our better halves) reluctantly accepted it was the
ultimate boys road trip, provided there would be some presents returned.
The time whistled by, and early in Feb we we boarded the plane for
Sydney. To get the cheap fares, we went to USA via Australia - isn't it
obvious! Flying "cattle class" for 3hrs and again for another 14hrs with
a 4hr wait in plastic airport seats is as fun as going to a bull fight
dressed as santa - you feel smashed at the end of it and really don't want
to think you have to do it all over again in the near future.
On arrival in LA, we picked up the mighty Chevrolet Cobalt and following
the instructions of the most patient lady in the Nag Man (GPS) went south
to set up our home in Anneheim.
The Los Angeles Traffic could drive someone mad in weeks! In 10 days we
racked up 900 odd miles and must have seen a couple of hundred thousand
cars. Giving credit where its due, the bow-tie never missed a beat. To
tell you the truth, it was so reliable, I'm glad we picked it instead of
the Chrysler Not Rod (PT cruiser)- keep that under your hat.
Anyway, even with the GPS, you need to channel "the force" to drive around
Southern California. When you are motoring down 8-10 lane freeways at
75/85 mph and cars are passing you all around, it pays to look in the
mirrors and out the side windows more than out of the front windscreen
because people change lanes quicker than TV channels (with less
indication). I'm sure we have more grey hair than before.
One of the highlights we planned was a good old fashioned Bull-Shit
session and slot car racing at Buena Park International Raceway (BPIR)...But
we fell into the trap for young players, we got caught up on the Hollywood
freeway at 3pm. I explained to Tony, holding my thumb & forefinger up,
with a 1/4 inch gap, its only this far to go on the map. But they were
famous last words as we limped along the "5" for four more hours at a
blistering high speed of 15 mph (it saved wear and tear on 3rd and higher
gears).
Our hosts were fantastic, despite being over 6 hours late, Vince, ChrisM,
Jim, Paul, Gary, Octavian. Rickster, PapaDave, KeithD and so many more
wholeheartedly welcomed us to their track. DVan (Bracket500.com) had made
the trip from San Fran to see us and chat while DanT who came from Kansas,
was showing the way with his MM/PS car. There was a full on bracket meet
going when we arrived and we were invited in, but with no practice, we
didn't want to upset the fields (also we avoided getting our arses
kicked). The field was fast, these fellas know how to race - The cars
were all very high quality, everyone was right on their dial in. To see
Hardbody Gp20 cars consistently running .7s was awesome. The winner took
out an All Black (NZ rugby team) T Shirt.
Everyone made us feel so welcome sharing their pits, tools, controllers
etc as we had travelled light - we had a single Allen Key between us.
We talked for everyone for ages, getting ideas/tips etc and then had a
chance to run.
Tony had purchased a brand new WRP spring steel car built by Dave Nap,
installed a fresh Dragmaster 20, a lexan avenger body and with little
glue/lots of wheelspin ran in the mid-high .9s @ 60 odd mph.
I had bought 2 kiwi cars along, the first my 16D powered, scale chassis,
Hardbody Hombre Amco Fiat. With no glue it was skittish but after some
light gluing it ran in the 1.0s mid 50 mph.
The second was my uber nostalgia Funny Car. A WRP chassis, with genuine
Mura Green Giant from the '70s. Initially spitting sparks and brushes, a
few runs were needed to tune the chassis and glue the tyres, it got down
in high .9s at over 60 mph.
It was great to see Garth Hogan & Pete Lodge cars (NZ '70s racing icons)
running in California in 2010, albeit 1/24 scale.
More plans were made, including a tour of NZ before we shut shop at 11pm.
To quote Forrest Gump, "that's all I've got to say about that"
We did manage to meet with some of the guys before we came home:
Jim & his girlfriend Chris, shared a lovely evening meal, when many plans
were hatched.
Chris M & Gene (Slixx) met us at a scale exhibition/fair ant Wally Parks
Museum at Pomona.
DVan www.bracket500.com discussed
plans for later this year and how NZ can be involved.
The American guys gave us gifts (thanks heaps), advice. contacts and tips,
we can wait to put into practice.
We got on with the rest of the trip:
Highlights - Winternationals; T/F & F/C qualifying by night; side by side
3.8s; 6.5 Pro Stockers, HOOters & Universal Studios
Low lights - traffic; a broken wrist; 1 day in Pomona ER rather than the
track
I guess we must start saving for the 60th US Nationals in Indy
Later
Mark
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2010 Hard Body Nationals
Napier
Hi All
Just a little Reminder the 2010 Hard Body
National Championships are not far away in fact only weeks, Practice will
be on Friday 5th March with racing on Saturday 6th
and Sunday 7th.
At this stage we have confirm entries from
Auckland, Wellington and the host Club Napier, there has been a lot of
interest from racers in both the North and South Island, so if you are
contemplating traveling to the Hawkes Bay and competing can you please
email your entry to Chris Wong or Rob Dale.
This will be the first time this event has
been run so come along and be part of it, maybe bring you Wife/Partner and
make it a long weekend and enjoy Napier.
You will find all the information about
this event on NZSCA Web Site Calendar Page.
Programme & Info
Entry Form as
word file
or
pdf
Look forward to seeing you all.
Regards
Rob Dale
President
New Zealand Slot Car Association Inc
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