Norwalk 2002

[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