Where do I start? I'm way to sun burnt to think straight so I'm just going to start throwing stuff out there and hope people can follow along. I was warmed up and ready when they made the call to the lanes Tue. morning, so I got the pleasure of being the first car to cross the finish line at the 04 Nat's. First thing I noticed was Beach Bend is using the new LED lights on the tree. After just two passes and hearing that others were also struggling with r.t.'s, I knew I had to make changes. I started changing staging rpm's and then went to adjusting the air in the front tires. It took awhile but by noon on Wed. I had a new "system" in place and felt pretty good about my r.t.'s. I tell ya, these LED lights are very different from the old ones but you can still do well if you keep a good attitude and work at it. If more tracks start going this way, I'll be getting some taller front tires. The weather all week was hot and sunny. I'll take it over rain any day. The pits were packed by late Tue. and many were out in the grass by the time ticket booth. I couldn't believe the number of chassie cars there. My car was running consistent in the high 11.20's with a best of 11.23. This equaled my best E.T. but this time I did it at 88 degrees instead of 50. For the Wed. gamblers race I was dialed in at 11.28 for most runs. The driver and the car were both doing their jobs and I was lucky enough to get by John Stevens for the win! It's always good thing to pull out free money to pay for your dinner . On Thur. I just chilled out all morning visiting with old friends. I got to see Todd Borlands green 10 sec 69 GS. You wouldn't believe how quiet this car is. Very cool! I did a few strolls through the swap meet as well as the pits. I also spent some time "chilling" in Bruce Hunters air conditioned trailer. Also very "cool". I took a time shot around 1:00 and got ready for that days gamblers race. A few more cars entered the Thur. race than did on Wed. This good, the more the merrier. If you've never done a gamblers race you should really consider it. Look at it as practice for Sat. race. It's very informal, run what ya brung and lots of fun. We get in lots of bench racing/BSing in between rounds. I did well in this race also going 5 rounds to get the win again over a very nice gentleman in a white Regal wagon that runs 11's. I wish I could remember his name (guess I was to excited), but it was cool because we both run engines built by AM&P. I'll also say the John Stevens was kicking butt again making it to the final three. It felt great to win back to back races, that's a first for me. Friday dawned to find me and several others under Paul Pirnats car with trans fluid up to our arm pits. He broke his converter late in the day Thur. I guess this will happen when a heavy car is clicking off 60 foots in the 1.20's. What a mess. Doug Hecker came to the rescue with a 9" Coan the he carried as a spare and by noon we were ready to qualify that afternoon. We didn't get a chance for a time run before Fridays gamblers race but since the air was couple of hundred feet higher than Wed. or Thur. and since my car is usually a couple of hundredths slower on the first run of the day, I dialed in an 11.34. Wrong Wrong Wrong. The guy I had in the first round was dialed in around a 10.30. I cut a .511 light to his .570 but as he was coming up on me at about 135 mph I took way to much strip and went 11.29 dumping 8 mph. Oh well so much for the three pete. The guy that beat me ended up getting the win. Of course you can guess who else was in the finals, yep John Stevens. He was running dead on, lap after lap. I then hooked up with some friends and we watched and cheered during the car show awards. Sat. morning it was bright, sunny and about 180 degrees in the shade. I got in two good time runs of 11.28 and 11.29. This placed me in B-2 which is 11.00-11.49. This also makes racing very easy because everyones mph is close. It came down to myself and Roberta V. in the finals. I totaly missed the tree but got lucky and got the win light. Roberta is a real class act racer and it was fun to race her in the finals. Next time she's gonna make me pay for sure. And there again in the lane next to us was John Stevens in the finals of B-1. Congrats John on a great week of racing. Off to the GSCA tent for some more money and a nice plaque and then pack up, hit the showers and find a steak. I can't even tell you how much fun I had this year in B.G. I got to visit with so many people and see all the awsome Buicks. Counting up the time slips shows 24 passes of which, 8 where time runs and 16 were in competition. Of the 16 passes in competition, I won 15. This was by far my best showing for a week long event. I hope everyone made it home safely and I'll see everyone in Salem
Pretty good summery of the week Shane, I looked for you after the finals but you didn't stick around long e-nuf, I don't blame you after 4/5 long days of racing in 90+degree heat we were all tired. Congrats on the win! I had a great week but came up short in all cases, had 1 semi-final finish, and 3 runner-ups. I told Robin I spent more time in the staging lanes this year then anywhere else! I got to visit with a lot of friends, had a great time, made some bucks, & got a nice plaque WHAT MORE COULD I WANT??? (other then a win of course) See you in Salem!
Congratulations Shayne, you were in the zone all week, It was a blast getting the 69's lined up even if I got spanked. :moonu: I will say I had the most fun of any racing event I have been at. I snapped a few for ya.
John - Yea, after standing in the staging lanes from noon until 5:30 I was ready to hit the showers. My clothes were so funky I thought they would jump up off the hotel floor and start walking around by themselves. See you in August, I got to remember the sunscreen. Todd - cool pics, Roberta's not afraid to light'em up :grin: . For thoughs that don't know me, I'm the tall ugly guy in the ball cap keeping Paul car running while he put in fluid.
Shayne your not ugly.... freckles are cute, I have a few of my own. The sun just seems to bring them out more! :bglasses:
Hey Shayne, Congradulations on your win, hopefully i will have my car back together by Salem so i can have something to play with.Always seems like it takes way more money then you had planned on when you start a new project!(stage 2 or bust):eek2: Well congrats and hope to see you in Salem.
Hey Shayne, 16 races and 15 wins.... WOW.... When dad decides to retire would you be interested in becoming my new driver? That is untill my Shane is old enough to drive:grin: Great Job!!!
Shayne, nice story of the week. Saw everyone working on Paul's car, you guys are great!! Was great to race you, just wish I had my groove on alittle better at the light, would have really given you a run for the money!:blast: There always next time!! See you in the lanes at Salem and Norwalk!:bglasses: :3gears: RV
Congrat's Hey Shayne, Just wanted to congratulate you again on all of your victories last week. An awsome job for sure!! Your car looked great, and ran great as always!! I better practice B4 Salem! See you there!! P.S. I had a great time in BG, in fact the best time in many years, and this was my 22nd year in a row. I sure did miss having my own car there though. Next time!!
Danie' - You're to kind, I might have been cute once.....about 36 years ago. Did get a lot of sun though. I expect to start pealing any day. Drew - Stage 2 eh. Thats awsome, I can't wait to see that!!! John - I do have some chassie car experience, all though I've only been 9.40's. Looking at your dads height and mine, I don't think we could fold me up enough shove me behind the wheel :grin: . I guess you'll just have to drive it yourself :grin: . Roberta - Laying in bed at 6:00am Fri. morning, I wasn't looking forward to crawling under Pauls car but it went pretty good. I'm sure you'll get your revenge on me sooner or later, you're not a racer to take lightly. Steve - It did look like you and your lovely wife where enjoying yourselves. Looking forward to seeing you guys in August. You can leave your jackets at home it'll be HOT.
