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 Technically,
I could have removed 150 lbs. from the car and ran in H/CM
trim and certainly have ran a 10 something but that weight
is permanently mounted and would have been a lot of work to
remove at the track. And, when I built this combination I
boldly predicted I could run 10s as a I/CM. I finished off
the weekend by losing first and second rounds respectively
and went home. I was pretty disappointed not to have come
away with a 10 but over all I was pleased to have run what
I did considering the conditions, and the sixty foots and
big wheelies were a nice bonus.
I had pretty much decided that the race in Earlville was going to be the last time out for the year until 2 weeks later when the local weather man got me all excited in a good way. We have been having unseasonably good (read warm) weather around here this fall but the coming weekend was showing promise for some good ETs. It was forecasted to have highs in the mid 40s and a gentle northeast wind. Well, he got it half right anyway. My buddy Kramer and I decided to give it one last shot for the year and brave the elements. As
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predicted the temps were in the 40s allowing some decent HP production but, you guessed it, we had a killer head wind! We were estimating sustained winds of 10 - 15 mph with gusts of 20 plus. Oh well. Determined to do something spectacular I ran at I/CM weight once again (3180lbs.) and let it eat!
To my surprise the traction at CFR that day was excellent and I thought maybe, just maybe if I couldn’t get a 10 second et in the quarter against the head wind I could get the first 6 second ET in the eighth mile. I’m happy to report that for once I got a break and was rewarded for my efforts! As the photo will attest ol’ Muscrate hooked up real good and rocketed to a 1.426 60 foot, 4.433 at the 330’, and a 6.991 @ 95.49 mph ! As evidenced by the relatively low mph at the eighth the wind was already starting to catch me and the quarter mile numbers were 11.154 @ 117.09. Considering that on my previous aforementioned best run at Earlville I had gone 118.92 mph in the quarter and only ran a 7.08 ET in the eighth it clearly shows that I was robbed of my first ten second ET by the stinking wind! And, this was at I/CM weight.
So, all in all I came away with a decent sense of accomplishment for the year and a car that remained in one piece after running its best numbers of the year, what more could a racer ask for? Aahh, this is just the beginning. Coming up in the next article I will reveal the future plans for Project Muscrate, but for now let's just say that I plan on doing a lot more racing next year and over the next few months I’m going to be a busy guy. Things are definitely going to be looking “up” and the future looks “Super” from here.
In closing, I would like to thank some of the people and companies that have helped me along the way this year in making ol’ Muscrate a bonafide success. In no particular order I give great thanks to Kyle Fickler at Aeromotive Fuel Systems for the outstanding fuel system components, Scott Witmer at BG for the “work of art” otherwise known as a 650 Speed Demon, Scott Hall and Rick Moroso at Moroso Performance Products for a number of items, most importantly the block saving Main Cap Girdle, Tony Kane at Hughes Performance for the outstanding work on my converter, Chris Padgitt at Comp Cams for the excellent advice and products I have relied on for years, Todd Ryden at MSD for answering all of my questions and providing a great product, Ric Panetin at CP Pistons , my awesome wife Amy for not only putting up with me but actually helping stoke the fire, and last but certainly not least the big man himself, DRO head honcho Jeff Burk for allowing me to be a part of the greatest Drag Racing magazine PERIOD! And to my loyal fans, all two of you, thank you for showing a interest in my struggles otherwise known as Project Muscrate. The best is yet to come!
Remember, when in doubt, DO A WHEELIE !!
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