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View Full Version : It's time for Ben's news report!



Saleen91
12-07-2005, 09:05 PM
For those of you who missed the finals of the Clash of the Titans race let me give you my personal viewpoint in 10 seconds. I had tire issues. I had no spares or tools to fix it. Brad Lind jumps out of nowhere to help a rookie out (me) in his first heads up class and Brad is in the same class. Not only does Brad do most of the work to fix my car up, but I get the opportunity to line up against him in the 3rd round of qualifying. He snaps the output shaft on his tranny and I make my best pass EVER and turn on the win light! Just now I go back over the time slip and realize he tried to chop down the tree on my ass! My sucky .327 RT vs his -.012 (RED EYE BABY!!!). I never knew until just now that he had red lit on our run! Bottom line, great guy, would do anything he could to help a fellow racer out, and was the ONLY guy I saw in my class that was there by himself without any crew/family/help/etc, yet he was still racing! I'll defintely do anything I can to try and return the favor to him and it reinforces what I've said before..."People make this hobby fun!"
It seems the the IHRA and the NHRA can't agree on anything. SN-95 helmets (and yes I own one) are considered planter pots with the NHRA after 1/1/06. The IHRA considers them good for at least another year! So would anybody like to buy a used SN-95 helmet? :)
Our very own Otis turned 40 this past week. If you haven't wished him a happy birthday, or given him a spanking, please do so at your earliest convenience.
You know the internet is an amazing thing. This isn't news, but I thought I would share it anyway. I've got some parts for sale currently. I've had 4 people in the past 2 days contact me about those parts. People whom I have never met, talked to before, nor are local to me. ALL of them have started off with "Are you the guy who's convertible got smacked up earlier this year?" :eek:
If you pay attention to Outlaw 10.5w racing then you know who Tim Lynch and Steve Petty are. I've talked with Steve Petty several times and I feel comfortable in saying he knows who I am. I have never talked with Tim. In fact I didn't even know what he looked like until this past month. Everybody oooh's and aaah's over their car. It's an incredible piece for sure. But I have to say I've just noticed that Tim is a bad-ass driver. The results from the latest ORSCA race are in and that guy is consistent as hell!! 4.47 @ 167, 4.46 @ 168, 4.47 @ 170! Then yet another 4.47 the round after that! This guy deserves as much credit as the car itself!
As a side note to Lynch @ ORSCA, do any of you FFW guys remember the name Keith Szabo from about 4-5 years back? I believe he used to run FFW/SSO. There was also a scandal about him selling hot cars a while back that didn't seem to pan out. Anyway, he seems to have become a regular fixture in ORSCA.
NHRA Chassis Certifications - 2005 is the last year you can get your car certified for 7.50 without a funny car style cage! There seems to be a rush to locate a chassis guy right now.
Need a beefier block? It seems our friends over at DART have been working their CNC machine to the nub! DART is now offering BILLET aluminum blocks! Unfortunately for the blue oval crowd, their initial offering is only with a bowtie standard. Rumor has it that billet hemi's will be the next big offering.
It seems the Menard's T/F dragster has a new hot shoe. J.R. Todd, 23, is billed as "The Quickest, Fastest African-American in Motor Sports". It's about time a brotha hit the 300mph mark in front of the camera!!! I envy this guy... 23 years old and has a 300mph PAID ride!
In my last news post I talked about how the sponsor for NHRA's Pro Mod class has withdrawn...rumor has it that Toyo Tires is in talks with the NHRA about picking up this class. So maybe it's not dead yet!
For those of you who haven't been on top of the Fun Ford Weekend bicker , the rules for 06 have been released. The SSO weights have changed and the short version is that everybody has to add about 100#. Guys like Lynch/Petty and Glidden. Glidden has apparently freaked out about the weight gain, even though the weight spread between his SBF Nitrous car and the SBF turbo cars is exactly the same...and has let it be known that he will NOT be racing with FFW next year. For a guy that "races for a living", I wonder where we can see him next year? He's the most popular with fans and definitely the most controversial with other Outlaw racers.
Houston home-town Pro mod favorite Thomas Patterson seems to be a Mopar lover! He has worked a deal to purchase a NEW PRO-MOD! For those of you who visit hotrodgossip.com's sponsored race events, you may remember a lime green Mopar pro-mod that debuted at one of the Clobberthon events driven by Chip King. Expect to see Patterson in a Dodge Daytona body style, similar to King's, instead of a 40's Willies!


Got something to add? Feel free!!!

OK91LX
12-07-2005, 09:14 PM
It's cold and snowing.. I'm ready for spring already..


*** Addition **** Mud Duck (Chris Derrick) has gone to twin turbo's.. Rumor has it the car went 16x mph in the 1/8 a few weeks ago.. This was before the FAST installation.. Look for him to fly this year and be back towards the top in some of the major events.. FFW, NMRA, COTT, etc...


That is all for now..


Todd

Saleen91
12-07-2005, 09:30 PM
You know I saw the Duck's TT setup at the COTT finals recently. It's an amazingly nice setup. Additionaly, the long block from that setup is currently FOR SALE ($20k). Owner Mike McCullough says "they've decided to run a different combination".

For those of you with the budget, here's the ad:


Steve Petty built 427" Turbo motor. RDI aluminum block, Lunati crank, GRP rods, Bill Miller pistons, custom Steve Petty camshaft, Danny Bee timing belt, Jesel lifter, Smith Bros. pushrods, TEA 318cc Brodix 202 heads, Glidden Victor manifold, Aluminum oil pan and valve covers, T&D rockers, the very best of everything. Motor was bought new at the beginning of this last season and was professionally maintained by Keith Craft. Rods and heads were replaced for maintenance and only have about 30 runs on each. Proven, winning combination. $20,000.00

Mike McCullough
405-760-6732

$20k for a motor doesn't qualify you as a PoMoFo, so you may have to move along! ;)

Stick Death
12-07-2005, 09:37 PM
its cold and snowy here also. my pile goes to the shop for some work at the end of the week. i have aprox 100 dollars worth of change in an ozarka bottle, nitrous kit here i come.

TxBandit
12-07-2005, 11:04 PM
I remember the name "Keith Szabo". As some of you know, myself, Outlaw98 and NintyLX have made a few road trips over the years. A couple of years ago we made the trek to Huntsville Alabama to attend the first ever "$20k to win" ORSCA race. At this race Szabo was the first ever Limited Street car to make a 4 second 1/8 mile pass. Yup, we were there, saw it with our own eyes. 4.99, no wheelie bars and all with a BBF/NOS combo.

No news to add from my stable.

Tyro

Saleen91
12-07-2005, 11:41 PM
No news to add from my stable.

Tyro

LIAR!!!!!!!!!!! :nuts:

Otis!
12-08-2005, 07:52 AM
I made the list! -I- made the list! My life is now 100% complete!

My news is pretty tame: working on transmissions has been and will keep me busy for the next few weeks. Hopefully when I'm done I can start and afford to rebuild the 4R70W I recently acquired; it's slated for the Fairlane, and that ought to complete the driveline as I've always thought it should be. One of these days I'll have to see if the black car can make it out of the garage and around the mile.

/me goes back to sleep...

Blue91
12-08-2005, 07:54 AM
Did you acquire that converter O!? It's a hell of a deal.

FE_rex
12-08-2005, 08:27 AM
uhuh snort FAIRLANE - did someone say Fairlane...

Bubstang
12-08-2005, 08:49 AM
Thanks Ben!
You're better than the yahoo news page. All interesting content.

You had asked me for my email, didja get it?

Bub

Saleen91
12-08-2005, 08:54 AM
Bub,

Yes I did.

Otis!
12-08-2005, 09:10 AM
Not yet Fred! I'm mustering the courage to spend money right, now...

BTW, it -is- a good deal, and about right for the combo I should have, I do believe...

O!

White90GT
12-08-2005, 09:28 AM
New from my stable:
MPH will be painting my race car either in late december or early january. Going back with all white unless Mike decides to throw in some type of graphic or flame or something.
I'm picking up a set of 1 3/4" Texas Turbo headers with 3" flange for my car and have a sale pending on my MAC stuff.
The vert is still waiting on a back window with white canvas and course tooth zipper before I can really put it on the road. So if anyone knows where one may be, let me know!
Other than that, just prepping for the holidays, got a dance recital for my daughter saturday, got the wife's christmas party for work saturday. Got a christmas party next weekend and then like 3 places to go on christmas weekend. GEEZ

63T-Bolt
12-08-2005, 10:43 AM
My news...

Got my fairlane running.....

Have bought a TON of parts to make my project car come closer to being a running/driving dream........

Nothing else other than living life and drinkin beer.....

maveRick
12-08-2005, 10:49 AM
Good read, Ben. Thx.


<-- News
Mr. Neighbors recently did a helluva job overhauling my AODE (or whatever the hell it is) in my '94 F-150. Up-shifts/down shifts fine. My breath has never been sweeter nor my teeth whiter and my toilets have never drained so nicely (damn this guy is good!). I think O! even did something to the engine. It seems to be a little peppier than before (haven't looked to see if he added a turbo - or at least one of those 'Turbine" inserts - will report findings later).

Maverick: No new news. Still waiting to do SFI bellhousing and flexplate swap to fix starter issue. Truck tranny had priority on recent descretionary funds and now $anta Clau$e has reared his ugly head again.

89LX306
12-08-2005, 11:27 AM
Wow! I feel like I really have nothing going on now. Let's see...

I busted the vent window on the 'burb a couple days ago. Tried to close it while driving and it shattered all over the place and I was left with the handle in my hand. Oh well...now cardboard fills the void while the new window ships. $19.95 for a replacement...can't beat that.

I have had 3 consecutive positive experiences selling parts to people off of Westside. I'm buying a wheelbarrow full of lottery tickets today. :D

That's it for me.


And.... Happy B-lated Birthday Nay!!!!


1 late adder. I have something that appears to be ice on my deck this morning. I know that's not possible, but I swear it looks just like ice. Weird.

maveRick
12-08-2005, 01:41 PM
(From Bryan, TX) I had to pour hot water on my truck door handle and edges to get the thing open this morning. Yes, I used 'luke warm' water on the windshield to de-ice it.

Limbs overloaded with ice were laying all along the roads on the way into work this morning.

Just got back from lunch and checked weather.com : The temp is up to 29 degrees now! Whoo hoo!

pdogg
12-08-2005, 01:56 PM
News on my front: I will be moving back to Rio Hondo on the 23rd of this month, it has been great hanging with some of you and hope to do it again probably at a bigger event at the tracks around texas. I hope to see you all before I leave just to say bye and see yall later. If i dont well there it is Shane, Ben, Rick, Joe, Guff, Darrel, Brent,Fred and all their significant other ive meet thanks for the track times and the help.

C-Ya

Leo

Guffinator
12-08-2005, 02:21 PM
Sorry to hear that you're leaving us Leo, but I assume it's for good reasons so good luck to you and la familia.

Rio Hondo? Isn't that a John Wayne movie?

maveRick
12-08-2005, 02:34 PM
Best of luck to you, Leo. 'Hope to catch up to you down the road sometime.

Stay well and keep in touch.


-Rick

white87306
12-08-2005, 02:50 PM
No real news here other than the pile of parts in the trunk of my Fairlane is growing at a steady pace.
My wife made a brilliant comment last night as I loaded some of my latest aquisitions in the trunk.
" you sure have a lot of parts.... but aren't you putting them in the wrong end?...
She doesn't understand about needing a shortblock to bolt the accessories to. But the project is moving along.

pdogg
12-08-2005, 03:14 PM
thanks guys for the kind words Guff and Rick , im gonna start a new thread so I dont hijack Bens thread.

Fryguy
12-08-2005, 05:30 PM
No news from me except that I've decided to make my car a lot more streetable next year. I forgot to plug in my truck last night, so it didn't start, and I had to drive my car to work in 5 degree weather. It wasn't fun!

TRAXX
12-08-2005, 07:18 PM
News from the TRAXXsmith:

The last day or so, im just trying to stay warm! Low of 15 or so last night, said it MIGHT hit the single digits tonight :eek: Other than that, I just finished my fall semester of school so Im enjoying a little extra time. I plan to install the fuel system and bigger injectors on the stang, then its time to turn up the wick :cool: (course ive been saying that for a year now:\ ) Ive also been tinkering a little bit with the crotch rocket.

Saleen91
12-09-2005, 09:23 AM
FYI,

Here's a pic of Chris Derrick's & Mike McCullough's car and the motor that they have for sale.

http://realdragracing.com/photos/cott112705/images/PB270017.jpg

Fryguy
12-09-2005, 09:47 AM
Cool!!

TxBandit
12-09-2005, 11:08 AM
LIAR!!!!!!!!!!! :nuts:

Hahahaha.... :fu:

Tyro

MBR
12-10-2005, 08:05 PM
http://videos.streetfire.net/Player.aspx?fileid=69D64285-0A47-474F-8BC0-259BF3B218B4

Saleen91
12-10-2005, 08:17 PM
wooo thanks!

BTW, that was Brad Lind in the other lane. 347 with a 94mm turbo.

Timebomb
12-10-2005, 08:38 PM
I'm still collecting parts and tearing the car apart. The intake manifold I will be using should be here next week then the motor goes into the shop so that everything can be port matched. A lot of headway should be made on the car the week between Christmas and New Year when I'm on vacation.

Kinda hard to believe that in 1999 I was first introduced into drag racing, and had a 14 second car. Lots of things have happened in those 6 years and those are some of the best memories of my life.

2006 should be one of the best years of my life. The car will be finished sometime in March, and we have the birth of out second child in April.

HoustonLX
12-10-2005, 08:47 PM
Nice vid. Glad someone got it on camera since that was the only pass (happened to be Ben's best) of Ben that I failed to video that day.

HoustonLX
12-10-2005, 09:00 PM
For me, job change and Christmas put my new motor on hold for a short time. Will be picking up the block first week in January. Should have rotating assembly by February. Already have the heads I plan to run next year.

Still need:

intake
cam
injecters
MAF
TB
dampner
flexplate

Shooting to have it all together and running by FFW at HRP in May. With my luck, that will end up being FFW of 2007. :ashamed:

REX331
12-10-2005, 10:09 PM
I deploy in March. I will be in town tearing the 331 down and delivering the heads to Westside Machine to have Dan put some larger valves and do some port work to them. I will be installing a 4340 Forged I beam rod and a custom ground solid roller into the new dart block. My brother should have my 331 back together when I get back from deployment in October and should be making some test passes then. Planning on the shift points to be ~8500 rpms.

Rex

Xpldr99
12-11-2005, 10:57 PM
without any sort of surprises, i will be moving back to Houston in Feb. i'm planning on staying this time. when i do, i have no idea what i will do for employment but i will make something work out. hopefully being in a cheaper living situation in houston will also allow me to finally get a mustang of my own, gotta get that job frist though. when that happens expect me to turn into a semi active pomofo instead of being a stealthy luker.

Brent, i will help ya when i can with the coupe over vacation if ya'd like.
~Brian

Saleen91
12-12-2005, 09:26 AM
Brent is still collecting parts. I, however, will be doing a motor/tranny pull this Sat so feel free to come on out and supervise! :)

Fryguy
12-12-2005, 10:08 AM
Brent is still collecting parts. I, however, will be doing a motor/tranny pull this Sat so feel free to come on out and supervise! :)


Damn! Wish I could afford to step up again! What are you doing?

Saleen91
12-12-2005, 02:10 PM
Just pressure washing the engine bay

Thoroughbred
12-12-2005, 03:21 PM
Nota alota new here. Cept I feel that the car runs better with that A9P untuned than with the old A9L with tuning. Muy interesante......and I have come to the conclusion that C5 and C6 drivers become highly irritated when you pat the gas on them in ur foxbody.

Chad82GT
12-12-2005, 03:44 PM
Just pressure washing the engine bay
:rofl: :liar: :blue:

Fryguy
12-12-2005, 08:58 PM
Just pressure washing the engine bay

:)

Mine's looking kinda dirty too. Good idea.