Run/Tuff was more than a Pro tree/minimum engine
size/minimum car (open to dragsters, roadsters
and Funny Cars) weight eliminator. Included
in the rules, which dictated an alcohol- drawing
750 carb, engine sizes (Moparıs 360 engine was
the biggest) and composition (cast iron OEM
styles), a specific camshaft spec (flat-tappet,
.500-inch limit), flat-top pistons, steel rods,
an engine diaper and tools for the driver to
allow proper inspections, was a "claimer" rule.
This dictated that the engine be worth no more
than $3,000, and the "claim" -- that if the
winner was found to have an illegal engine,
the protestor could "claim" it -- was limited
to each runner-up in the series.
That, Silvey says, was pattered after circle
track claimer races such as the IMCA Modified
circuit, which he says ended up saving dirt
and asphalt racing on a local level, by limiting
the amount of money a competitor could put into
an engine.
At two races, the ones at IRP and Wabash Valley,
held in the fall, three or four cars showed
up, but the final round, Silvey said, couldnıt
have been better. "We had an ex-Jr.
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Dragster
racer and an ex-Modified Production racer who
just loved the idea of old school, heads-up
racing. The Jr. kid won with a margin of victory
of .009. It was like everybody said, Yeah,ı"
he said. "I predicted that after those three
races, there would be some cars built. I thought
there would be a line of people ready to go
Run/Tuff racing."
Silvey bought a P&G engine cubic inch checker,
and made sure that each track he held his Run/Tuff
series at had some scales. He even checked each
competitorıs alcohol with his own hydrometer,
and used a small flashlight to look into cylinder
holes for flat-top pistons. He also checked
the competitorsı engine camshaft lifts with
his own dial indicator. Racers in Run/Tuff went
off for a $1,000 winnerıs prize, with entry
fees going to the other competitors.
"Everyone would be equal," Silvey said of his
original idea he thought of six years ago. "I
wanted it to be the next step in bracket racing
-- no electronics other than a trans brake,
a specific engine size, a specific car weight
and a cheap way to go racing. I went all the
way back to Super Stock & Drag Illustrated magazineıs
heads-up eliminator of 15 years ago. That wasnıt
a success because there was one guy with a pile
of money who beat everybody. Thatıs when I came
up with the idea of circle track claimer engines."
It looked interesting to others, he says. "I
had people read the rules and tell me, 'Thatıs
neat,' and theyıd walk away and that would be
it," Silvey says.
"Iım disappointed, but Iım not giving up yet,"
he said. "I secured $20,000 from my sponsors
(DTS, Quick Fuel Technology, Performance Distributors,
ATD Transmissions, Gebhardtıs and PER Race Engines),
and Iım not going to tell them, Too bad.ı But
this may be it."
One addendum: Silvey now has the only Run/Tuff
car left for Eliminator competition. The ex-Jr.
Dragster kid is now racing Super Quick, and
the ex-Modified/Competition Eliminator guy crashed
his car at one of the races.
What do
you think? Send your email to response@dragracingonline.com.
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