Norwalk 2002

[Chevy454]

Well, quoting the magic 8 ball here..."Outlook Not So Good". I didn't get the brakes on the car finished up, and still have to tackle the trailer brakes, and the rest of the non-car related stuff on the list that I still have to do, on top of working. I know...excuses, excuses, but I just ran out of hours, and I'm REALLY bummed about missing this event for the 2nd year in a row, both times for a wedding. Have I mentioned that I really don't like weddings?

Hope you guys have fun, and I expect to see JJ & Pete at the top when the dust settles! Slam a couple for me, Tim, and tell your dad "Howdy" !

[COPO PETE]

Rob....THAT SUCKS!!!!!!!! Sure, leave JJ and I to fight off the cheatin' Hemi's and Buicks!
Peter

[MikeA]

COPO PETE,

Those Buicks donÃt cheat. Actually in 1970, œGM suppressed Buick performance to promote Chevrolet as the performance division”.

Mike

[mhassett]

Hey, went to NORWALK today brought my '69 Z-28 - made (1) run because of the rain. There was a COPO (original Iron block car) that had a New Crate ZL-1 engine. It ran a ( 12:16 and a 12:40 ). Going back tommorrow the weather is supposed to be better.
Mark

[jbsides]

Hey Mark,

I notice you didn't post any time for YOUR car. Back in 'the day' I didn't think twice about running my'69 Z down the track. The only thing I ever wore out was the clutch! Now, with so much cash in the car after a ten-year re-do I'm so paranoid about the potential damage of winding it up and dumping the clutch, I drive the thing like the old man I am! How did it do?

JB

[mhassett]

JB
Just had my 302 rebuilt and it has a little more power than the old tired engine and I came out at about 1/2 throttle and it spun alittle and ran a 14.9. Last year I spun 5 bearings and ruined everything. I want to go again tommorrow and make more runs and get in some practice, and get a better time. All the cars are stock, no headers factory tires (mine are Firestone E-70-15 Sportscar 200)
Mark

[jbsides]

Those bogus-ply tires were the reason I went through clutches back in 1971 when the car was only two years old with just 20K miles. But, with an investment at under $2KUS, who cared. For the most part, radial meats did not even exist, so wheelspin was a part of life, and life was fun! Let us know how you do tomorrow!
(Vicariously),
JB

[70 copo]

Hassett's car is a blast to drive. Chambered pipes- very strong the last time I drove the car. Traction limitation is the problem. The car really feels much stronger than a 14.9.

Mark - did you find the ideal launch RPM today? Would have come up to watch if I would have known you were going to run!

[jbsides]

Yeah, Mark, Inquiring minds want to know... how did you do today? Launch RPM, reaction time, ET, MPH, fun factor?

JB

[mhassett]

Phil and JB,
BAD---both me and My Son kept missing 2nd gear ( I think I damaged the linkage Saturday ) I asked Jim Johnson from Canada (Silver L-89 NOVA) to make a pass with my Z-28 to see how he'd do and he missed 2nd and 4th gear and still ran a 15.30. He adjusted the shifter, set the timing and adjusted the valves. But by now it was warm and the track was slick and we ran a couple of low 15's at 99 MPH. The car pulled good and shifted at 7500 rpm's. The problem with the 302 is you have to rev it hard at the line but then it fries the small tires. They need headers and slicks. As for a Fun Factor my son will try to post a video clip. Jim's Nova ran 12.40 (2nd place) and his friend with the white COPO (Zl-1 Engine) won with a 12.20.
Mark