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Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Another week of Jr Dragster racing at Thunder Valley in Bristol, TN is in the books! More pics to come, but a whole lotta this last week:
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...pscd3aa263.jpg Hmmmm.... What do we need to do next...... Note to self, don't install a new clutch system 4 runs before going to Bristol, that track is hard enough to figure out! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/mad.gif[/img] |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Ben doing a gear change! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] We put the new engine on and went from a 6.0 gear down to a 4.55, but didn't see the mph we wanted. So, we went even further with a 4.33 gear! Still blew the tires off at the hit - even before breaking the beams, with only 6 pounds of air! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/eek.gif[/img] Traction issues.... We eventually hooked when they prepped the line and we moved to 5 pounds, this really wrinkled the tires - made me wish I had bead lock rims installed....
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...psff20bd26.jpg http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...psd752a4d0.jpg |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Spare engines & food! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img]
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...psd9426f02.jpg Chapel service: http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...ps3845b54e.jpg A little R&R at the bowling alley: http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...ps3dbad97d.jpg Maple Grove Raceway Pizza Party: http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...ps5b0d4828.jpg Kids hanging out playing cards: http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...ps3bf01ac2.jpg Won round 1!! http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...ps8ac8058f.jpg Then the rain: http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...ps86f8dc57.jpg Went out in Round 2, but a great time nonetheless! |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
I hope the 1st picture wasn't breakfast.
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Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Nah, we have a light breakfast at the hotel then head to the track.
A few more: Rolling up into the tunnel where 'Cowboy' checks their safety gear and we wait for the 'start your engines' command http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...ps29807d39.jpg This is 'Cowboy', the kids love him! http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...ps56718d3a.jpg Then it's out to starting line to go through the water box and then the burnout routine http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...ps2b43dcfc.jpg Hurry up - and wait, time to relax after your run (there are 700 Jr Dragsters there, so it takes about 4 hours to cycle through!) We park the golf cart up in the grandstands in an entrance way and watch http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...ps76f90b12.jpg Each car usually has their home track entourage out at the starting line for their run, makes the kids feel great - especially for Round 1. The week builds for Round 1 of The Big Race, and there are so many people between the tunnel and the starting line that sometimes us Dads need to clear a path for the kids to drive out to the starting line! What a wonderful event, great memories - win or lose. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...psc7f4ac61.jpg |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Anyone wanna guess who is in the red boots and/or the ZMax Jr?
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...ps41f24cb8.jpg http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...pscadff23e.jpg |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
No guessing? Not even Sammy? [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img]
BTW, we found a new way to lose - spin the tires so hard that you kill the reaction time [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/mad.gif[/img] The red line is engine RPM, the gray line is the jack shaft RPM (think drive shaft). The gray line should be a perfectly even arc from 0-6500'ish, but when the tires are blown off the line will jump sharply and then come back down when the tires hook. In less than 4 inches, the jack shaft speed was over 1,000 RPM - absolutely killing his light and the run. It took a while for him (us) to get over this one. This is after moving from the typical 6.0 rear gear to a 4.55, and then to a 4.33 with 6 #'s of air and treated/wrapped tires! Bummer! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/frown.gif[/img] http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...psd2895edf.jpg Oh, the engine RPM spikes to ~7,500 at the hit, and then the clutch system 'shifts' at a peak of ~8,100 RPM (that's the red vertical line) - and these are relatively low RPM's! Our previous engine like to shift at 8,500 and then go through the stripe at 8,500+! When a rod goes, it will really 'window' the block! |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Need more pics of the girl we're guessing at!
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Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
"...red boots" <span style="font-weight: bold">>>>>>>>></span> Nancy Sinatra! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/shocked.gif[/img] (the older fellas will know what I'm talkin' about [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif[/img] )
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Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Oh! The 'boots' gal is Bob Bode's wife, who always wears brightly colored boots to the National events. His crew picks the color she wears at those events. Well, she wears them to little Bode's events too! This year was red, [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img]
The ZMAX Jr is Antron Brown's son, who was at the big event this year, pretty good racer - I was impressed with his lights. Antron has a 'hired gun' running the car for him since he is typically away at the National events, and this tuner is very good - even with the 12.90 stuff. The Professionals kiddies have now entered the world of Jr's, not a bad thing. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Take some outta the box, and put a lower chip in it. :-)
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Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
There's no box, and no chip! This is 'tune by ear & graph' because you don't have 'seat of the pants' and can't really rely on a 10-11 year old to relay the info you need! It's all fun though, I wouldn't trade these times for anything! We only have 8 years of this per kiddie, gotta take advantage of it when we can.
We'll get back to this..... someday [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img] http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...inWelding2.jpg |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Had a good weekend, clutch changes during TnT at Maple Grove on Friday night yielded the desired MPH and ET we've been searching for so we headed to Numidia for the weekend. Ben was stellar at the stripe, but the clutch setup slowed the car's reaction time a lot. He won first round on Saturday against a champ 7.90 car when he anticipated the tree with an .006 light and then drove the stripe to perfection. Then, he gave it away in round 2 with .0015 red [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/eek.gif[/img] He was loving the new clutch setup though, and the car was proving to be quite confusing for his competitors - just what we were after, [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img] Got to see a fellow Yenko Deuce owner at the track, what a great surprise!
In the pits: http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...ps5c8f0ef2.jpg Sunday was a little rainy early on, but then it cleared up and after 2 time shots we were off to round 1 - but Ben didn't shave enough off at the stripe. Buy back round - he win's in a heads up 8.90 race, and we are into round2! Ben drove the stripe against 3 more 7.90 cars, down to 6 cars from a 34 car field - and he is not feeling well. :sad: He wants to make the next run, but after sitting in the car for 20 minutes and his lips turning white - we decide to forfeit. A bum way to end the day, but I got him laid down in the trailer, some Advil, cold towel, some headphones.... he was feeling better about an hour later but.... We both felt wiser in the end, no responsible parent should send their child down the track at 75+ mph when they are not on their game. Third round: http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...ps1fe08d44.jpg Distractions! http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...psdb89ef4e.jpg We have 2 Half Scale Dragster chassis', and they sponsored Bob Bode's FC this past weekend - he might have needed some Advil as well after this!! http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...ps44b547a3.jpg |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
We got the car to hook!
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...ps0d3a2174.jpg This is a pic of a professional photograph that I had blown up to 24x36 for the newly finished basement [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
It's been 3 long years since we got started in this, and a very long learning curve (especially during 12.90) - plus more $$ than I'm willing to add up, but Benjamin went 5 rounds yesterday at Maple Grove Raceway on his way to his first Big Win! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]
I couldn't be more proud of him, especially since this is an 'all run' track and Benjamin took out several 7.90 cars along the way. http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...ps6278aede.jpg Thankfully, the whole family was on hand for this one: http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...ps5292e2d7.jpg Ben was really 'on' his game yesterday, and had two .000 lights in row during first & second round of eliminations! Then drove the stripe to capitalize on the tree. BBBenny - watch out for these Young Guns! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img] http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...ps6dce6ce1.jpg This alone is a noteworthy feat, but he just kept it going - round after round, nailing the tree and driving the stripe. http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...ps3f43a6cf.jpg Siblings 'goofing' on him before the Victory Lane pics, http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...ps15167a8e.jpg We've been dialing in our new package and made some adjustments lately to really get it where we needed it to be. Final round was an 8.958 on an 8.95 dial, with an .034 light to her .037 light - just the way you want it to go, a good ole drag race! What a great day, made going back to school today a mere distraction! Just me and Benjamin: http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...ps29f5e0fb.jpg |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Great stuff, M...congrats to you and the "shoe"! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]
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Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
The $$ don't mean squat compared to the time spent with the family and the smiles on their faces!
CONGRATS to all of you!!!!!!!! You guys "Get It" !!! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif[/img] |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Now THAT is AWESOME!!!
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Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
I can relate to this update with a one particular summer with my dad. Those 000 r/t time slips and memories with dad in the pits I trust will be with you for life.
Great Job Ben! |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Congrats to Ben and the whole family. Super accomplishment!
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Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Congrats!
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Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
One more pic from the MGR site, gotta love my little Amanda - striking the pose! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img]
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...ps9177e9f4.jpg PXTX said it best, we will never forget these times thrashing and hashing things out - the best is that I wasn't aware of either of Ben's perfect lights until I got back to the trailer since there is so much noise at the starting line that you can't hear the announcer! So, Ben got to tell me firsthand of each light - and they were even back to back - during elimination rounds! Priceless! Sure have come a long way in 3 years, especially considering that for the first year in this I didn't even know what a Track Championship was - I just figured these guys showed up each weekend to have fun. They actually win $$ [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/eek.gif[/img] |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
That is a great accomplishment. Things may start to seem easier now that you got a big win under your belts. Feels great I bet!
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Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Very cool. Congratulations to Ben, and the whole family.
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Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
That's awesome Marlin!
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Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: [email protected]</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That is a great accomplishment. Things may start to seem easier now that you got a big win under your belts. Feels great I bet! </div></div>
Benjamin and I have been high-five'n since Sunday! We will relive that day for a loooong time, everything just 'clicked' - finally! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img] Mom video'd the final round, cheer leading included [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img] http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...psf7da880b.jpg |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Nice run. He is on it. Glad mom wasn't to excited.
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Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
big high five. Congratulations [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif[/img]
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Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Wonderful story/experience Marlin. Soak it in. Thanks for sharing.
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Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Well a tumultuous season has come to an end, plenty of highs and lows, but this past weekend Ben was still amped up about his 2 perfect lights in a row and Big Win from the prior weekend. So, he goes red in round 1 on Saturday to a girl who had an .097 light and doesn't drive the stripe (a tough way to lose for sure), and then on Sunday the air got better and we ran under by 17thou to the kid that won it all.
These cars are quite the learning curve, and after a late start due to baseball schedules, and then a new engine that didn't like the clutch, then a new clutch that didn't like the chassis setup, then the chassis setup that didn't like the clutch setup..... Mix in a very sad start with my Amanda and it made us want to rethink this whole initiative. But, as parents we are to set the example on how to break down the problems, analyze, hypothesize, test, and repeat those steps until resolution - all with an encouraging attitude, no matter how bleak it might appear! That approach eventually paid off with a few small wins at small tracks, a runner up finish at Englishtown and then a Big Win at Maple Grove. Early this season Ben was doodling with a sharpie on a small section of 4x4 wood that we use to block the Dragster tires, and wrote his goals for the '13 Season: 1. Win a race at Maple Grove & 2. Place in the top 25 in points. He wrote these on his own which really impressed me, and drove me to upgrade his engine & clutch and change our setup so he had a better chance of beating the older kids in their 7.90 cars. Well, I saved that little piece of wood, and he got to write the date of his win on it - and he finished 26th in points. 'Close enough' I told him. Now he wants a brand new Jr Dragster from Half Scale! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/eek.gif[/img] Ah, the best laid plans. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img] So, in the midst of Fall Baseball we look forward to next year - hard to believe Ben will be 12 later this month, and has only 1 more year in the 8.90 class. Then we get to learn it all again in the 7.90 class! Regardless as to how the last race day ended, this is how we choose to remember the '13 Season: http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...ps29f5e0fb.jpg |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Marlin, that's awesome. Congrats for a sucessful season.
Thanks for continuing to share you adventure with your extended family....we enjoy every bit of it! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif[/img] |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Well, the next season is fast approaching and we are ready to dust off the cars! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/eek.gif[/img] Baseball is the order of the day for the next several months, so racing will fall in priority. But, might as well put a little attention into the golf cart; new wheels and tires, a few more speakers up above, and fresh tune up to keep us towing in style! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...ps01a2d3b0.jpg http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...ps07d2e280.jpg http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...ps2984a0e9.jpg |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Nice ride. What positions is he looking to play?
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Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
He likes FB and SS. He's not fond of pitching even though he's pretty good at it (he's a bit shy and gets nervous...). His favorite is hitting, I've put him in multiple clinics, workouts and even 1:1 hitting lessons over the Winter - he's as ready as I can get him! He won't be able to blame equipment either, he has the best stuff available - especially the bright orange, all composite, 2 piece, Easton 'MAKO' bat. He put 2 over the fence last weekend in practice, so we'll see what the season brings.... [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]
Today at 5'7", 130. I have to buy him clothes that are too big just to get a season out of 'em. (good thing I bought him a Jr Dragster with an extended foot box and higher roll cage!) http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...ps71f763ca.jpg Just 4 years ago, where does the time go??? http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...pscd7efd43.jpg |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY</div><div class="ubbcode-body">he has the best stuff available - especially the bright orange, all composite, 2 piece, Easton 'MAKO' bat. </div></div>
I was just down in Florida last week visting with a family we used to play baseball with here and watched a 14U game........everyone was using the Orange MAKO. Evidently the DeMarini CF series is no longer the go to stick. Just like anything else I guess. Should by stock in the companies making the bats, most kids get a new one every year at $3-400 a pop and they sell like hotcakes. Most 13-14U kids around here have 2 as they start to get used to the transition to the High School drop weight bats and BBCOR requirements. Good luck - youth baseball is awesome. Jake |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RPOLS3</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY</div><div class="ubbcode-body">he has the best stuff available - especially the bright orange, all composite, 2 piece, Easton 'MAKO' bat. </div></div>
...Should by stock in the companies making the bats, most kids get a new one every year at $3-400 a pop and they sell like hotcakes. Most 13-14U kids around here have 2 as they start to get used to the transition to the High School drop weight bats and BBCOR requirements... </div></div> Yep, this is us.... he moves on next year, so we will move up early this Fall to get accustomed to the different drop weights... All 3 of my kiddies are playing ball, they've converted me into a baseball fan. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img] I never played or watched a game until Ben got me into it. I guess it's an even trade, he now likes racing and I like baseball. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] His 1st Home Run last Fall at age 11, 215'+++, with a straight aluminum bat, [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/eek.gif[/img] That's what 'earned' him a MAKO! http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...ps7f2bc2dd.jpg |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
I have a grandson who is growing like that. Sure helps dragging out deer. At 14 some play Pony ball here. Some of the traveling teams play 14&under though. Most try to make the cut to play freshman ball in school at 14-15.
Pitching gets more complicated from that age on. Especially when you need to start holding runners on base. 1st base isn't bad if you can stretch, and dig em outta the dirt. I enjoyed the years I coached. Especially at the Pony, and Colt level. We helped develop players for the varsity program. Keep him/them focused. At 14 the hormones start kicking in. Life gets pretty interesting when that happens. (cars, girls, beer.) Best wishes for a good season, and remember, homeruns are ok, but good consistent contact, and placement hitting, win ball games. |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
We actually found our way to a track this past weekend! The baseball tournament had weather related challenges, so we ran over to Englishtown, NJ for a day of racing. Ben is a little rusty on the tree, but managed .040's for most of the day - enough to get him a trip to Victory Lane and a nice trophy. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img]
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...ps4f403861.jpg In even better news, we met a guy from Long Island, NY at Englishtown who said he was buying Quarter Aces Drag-o-Way on Wednesday - and he did! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] He's going back to the South Mountain Raceway name, and hopes to reopen by mid July. Can't wait, another track saved. |
Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Cool stuff M!
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Re: The newest drag racer gears up!
Ben is a little rusty on the tree, but managed .040's for most of the day
I would have killed for .040's on any day [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img] Great job Ben and stick with it, it's a great sport. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] |
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