Why race your supercar

[sYc]

Rob is out of town for a couple of days, following a successful night at the track. He and a friend went to Test and Tune at Memphis last night, only to find the place packed, with both racers and spectators. He was afraid that he might not get to make very many passes, but ended up making a total of eight, all in the 12s. He even set his, and the cars, personal best of 12.799. On top of that, the car was a huge hit. After his first pass, and once the announcer and the crowd realized that there was a "real" Yenko Camaro atttending, Rob was swarmed by fellow racers and fans. He was barely able to tune the car between passes because of the attention the car was getting. Everyone was asking questions, with several taking pictures. He finally took shoe polish and wrote "its real" on the back window.

That is one of the neat things about owning/racing a Yenko, the attention it generates where ever you go. And, it allows the newer generation to see first hand what our cars and out hobby is all about. Believe me, racers of all ages have respect for any car that can run in the 12s in factory stock trim. It is one thing to debate whose/what car is faster on buliten boards, but a whole different game at the track.

In closing, I would encourage any one who owns a supercar to do the same. And, I am sure many of the guys who have raced at a SCR event would tell you the same. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/[/img]

[Casey Marks]

Way to go Rob !!! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif[/img]

[T Billigen]

Anyone with a matching number "Super Car" would be crazy drag racing it! Thats like an unrestored original, "its only original once" You blow part of your drive train, there goes your originality! I'm glad I got drag racing out of my system years ago! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/[/img]

[sYc]

Then why bother paying the big bucks for a big block supercar if not to drive/enjoy? If only to impress the judges at Super Chevy, a low HP car is a lot less expensive. The supercars (as well as all muslcecars) were built to perform, not show. Joel's guarantee was not "if people do not look at your car, I will refund your money, but a 11 second ET or your money back". Fred Gibb, Don Yenko and the others did not set out to create show cars.

The day I stop enjoying the brute force of my Yenkos will be the day I stop breathing (or at least I hope so). [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

And by the way, the original engine for our Camaro is being redone and hopefully will be installed in time for SCR6 and the Pure stock Drags.

And, I can not wait to see what it feels like to drop the hammer on our '69 427 Yenko Nova. Hopefully is is not a "lethal weapon" as Don was quoted as saying. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

WHY? You see, in reality, they (the cars) are only bunch of over priced sheetmetal. A blown engine, damaged sheetmetal, minor details. Anything on the cars, and if needed, a whole car, can be replaced. What IS important is enjoying life, including the cars. How many times on this board have we expressed our concerns over the untimely passing of some ones loved one. Now THAT is important. Even though I did not know the young man who lost his young son in a fire (another thread), I guarantee he would trade a whole stable of supercars to have his son back. Who wouldn't?

You see, I have almost been there. When Rob was 17, he flipped/totaled a very rare, numbers matching 1964 Corvette, which he and I had restored. He was ejected, landing in the middle of the road. My wife and I were called to the scene, which I will never forget. Ambulance, firetruck and wrecker lights flashing, people crowded around a back board which Rob was strapped to. Being around the funeral/ambulance buisness all my life had not prepared me for this. They loaded Rob in the ambulance, with my wife going along to the hospital with him. I was left to sort things out at the scene and then drive up. That is when things became real clear. Upside down in the middle of the road, in a million pieces, was what I once thought was everything, my "Vette. Not anymore. My everything was in the ambulance. Fortunantly, the good Lord took care of Rob that night, as after 8 days in the hospital, he left with only minor damage to a disk in his back and a lot of road rash.

So now, hopefully you see why I feel the way I do. I am simply honoring a deal I made that night, standing in the middle of the road, to cherish each and every moment I spend with my family and friends, doing the things we enjoy (including racing our supercars). You see, each second we get to do that is a gift from God, something that no amount of money can buy.

[T Billigen]

That was alright years ago before these cars became survivors and a important part of automobile history, I think it much better to try and preserve these cars than beat the snot out of them on a drag strip. My Opinion [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bs.gif[/img]

[Belair62]

The only one I haven't whipped the snot out of on the street is the Y Chevelle ! I took a friend outin the Camaro who never heard of a Yenko and beat hell out of it...he was a bit pale after that....and the Camaro is not even that quick...although it will beat Supercars' B/M car.

[budnate]

Interesting topic guys,Ö. I used to buy stuff and horde it away and was afraid to use it because it was rare etcÖ, But now at 40 I lean towards the Use it take Darn good car of it, but enjoy it crowd.
My car is a 48K Orig piece with an old repaint that has seen better days, am I going to run her down the strip you bet! But the orig motor will be under the bench when that happens, everything else can be fixed if it gets hurt.
I have seen to many old friends in the trade that never did much because they were saving for the cabin or the motor home etc, then they dropped over one day at work or were diagnosed with Cancer and lost that battle before they reached there retirement and Goals.

Lifeís to short guys, save for retirement but enjoy life and do the things that you enjoy even if it costs a few bucks, we never know when our number is up!

I donít own a Supercar per say, but my take on the whole thing is there enough on display and locked away, there is no reason to not run some of them without fear of them becoming extinct.

Hot rubber at ya, Bud.
[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/[/img]

[COPO PETE]

You guys racing these cars...... What are ya thinkin?????? It's OK to shift them on the street a 6 grand but not at the track! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]
Peter

[SS427]

I've said it before and I will say it again using WWII warbirds as an example. Life will be different the day people quit flying their P51s, Corsairs, P38s, etc. They are just not the same on static display. A good example is one recently discussed here. The P38 Glacier Girl that was pulled out from under the ice in Greenland. A priceless airplane that they wasted no time getting airborne. What a waste it would have been to retore this airplane only to let it sit in some museum somewhere which thankfully they are not doing.

Like anything else, enjoy them but take precautions and care for them. Our younger generation needs to see these cars/planes in action if we can ever hope to keep the hobby alive.
Rick

[70 copo]

Guys, I really have to tell you Tom is 100% right. I did a fanatical no expence spared restoration to my 70 COPO 9697 RS Z/28, won numerous awards with it and have displayed it all over the country. It is now stored in a bubble. What do I miss the most is driving it. Problem is - the car is still competitive as a show car. When I get the show thing out of my system the car will be returned to the street/strip. That is what this hobby is all about. As I look back on my memories I seldom recall the many trips to the stage to get the award. What I do recall is power shifting the car at close to 8000 RPM, and looking in the rear view to see the guy next to (and behind) me fading fast. I am fortunate to have other cars to "beat up" on the street these days- but none have the same feel. That is why the car will return, and again be driven. If the original engine blows... that event will become part of my history with the car. I have owned it for 24 years now. For the non show car guys you need to definately drive them. That is where the fun is. It is too late to have fun with your friends when you are gone, because the cars do not have fun we do- this whole hobby is about friends who come together for a good time. If you are "in to these cars" it has gotta be because you drove one in the past and were impressed with the raw power!

Look at Mark Hassett - and the cars that he has run down the strip. His ZL-1 was at 7400RPM at the end of the track at the 01 SCR. He has no regrets about driving/racing it, or any of his other cars.

Mark's dad has Clark Gable's Indian motorcycle- Mark's Dad was hit head on last year while riding this (one of a kind) bike on the street. His life was nearly ended by a 16 year old. He lived - and has recovered for the most part. The bike is now being rebuilt. Mark's dad will ride it again. The guy that fixed the heavy damage to the frame on the bike - delivered it himself to assure it would arrive in perfect condition -all the way from out west

There is a friend indeed!

I guess the key is to pass through this life with no regrets!

Tom, keep up the good work.

Phil [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif[/img]