Well, we thrashed on it Saturday morning - stealing the entire rod that mates to the rod cap/dipper in the pic above from another engine. We put that rod in, buttoned it back up, and fired it up. Did some test runs in a parking lot and loaded up Saturday afternoon.
We decided to go to Numidia Dragway in Numidia, PA - up around Bloomsburg, as we've never been to that track before. The Dimino family is known for running a great track, having great programs and especially for being Jr Dragster friendly - as all 4 Dimino sons have come through the Jr program.
We were not dissappointed, the track is in a beautiful setting and Benjamin loved this return road as well - he had to come through the wall, down a short stretch and up a hill to the Jr shutdown area.
Long story short, we likely hurt that engine a little since it slowed down on us more than it should have given the high humidity yesterday morning. First run off the trailer was a 13.97 with an .051 light, bummer. The run 'round robin', so tossed in a dash of fuel and went right back. Second run was a 14.04 with an .021 light, not looking good for speed/ET but that's pretty consistent for a 12.90 car.
They run elims right away, so we went right back for round 1. We were the only 12.90 car in a 19 car field - so Ben was matched up to an 8.90 car. All of these runs are paying off, because Benjamin did everything right on this run: he dialed his own car (he didn't even tell me what he dialed), he left first of course and cut an .028 light - treeing the 8.90 car who had a .110 light. Then, he drove the stripe - knowing that the 8.90+ cars usually roar by at the line, but he looked around real quick at the big end and didn't see him coming so he got out of it! He pulled a 14.06 on a 14.03 dial! That's driving - and he's only 9, and only doing this part time for less than a year! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] We went out second round with a red bulb, but it was a good run for that since his foot slipped off the gas half way down the run - car was on it's mark though.
How proud! Now if the crew chief can only get the engine program together - looks like we are moving to Plan C this week, [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif[/img]
A few pics. Not much time to chill out in the pits as the second round of elims was done by 11:30AM!
Many tracks that don't run Jr's by Class will give a trophy to the 8-9 year olds who win a round. The Numidia owner and track manager tracked us down to make sure Ben got his trophy - he was unglued with excitment! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]
What fun times!