Why race your supercar

[T Billigen]

I never had any trouble winning 1st place trophys at "Super Chevy". I also won a lot of 1st place trophys at the drag strip. But as I stated, let the young kids race there new cars now and retire the old ones. My son has a 01 Camaro that is in stock trim that turns 12.2s at 117 mph. He tunes it with a computor! How do you compete with that! I would venture to say he would clean the clocks of most of the old muscle cars. You can still come to Vette Fest, you don't have to compete with any other car, just yourself. Its all in the detail! See if you qualify for a Gold Spinner! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/[/img]

[sYc]

[ QUOTE ]
never had any trouble winning 1st place trophys at "Super Chevy".

[/ QUOTE ]

Me either, got a jacket to prove it, but got tired of playing the games. And, no offense to VF, but a Gold Spinner does not interest me. Cause now the only detailing I enjoy doing is changing jets, adjusting valves and checking the timing, air pressure, etc. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

As per competing with the young kids, that is the whole point. To show them what these cars were/are all about. I am not afraid, or ashamed to run one of these young guns. Yes, they may out run me, but it is amazing the respect you gain by just showing up and trying. More times then not they come away with a whole new perpective of our cars. I for one am not ready to retire, me or my car(s). [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/[/img]

[T Billigen]

I never had to play any games? Why don't you bring your car to Indy, you don't have to get judged (no games). You get to see and talk to tons of spectators, get to see all the drag racing you want and you get a 1st place jacket and the best part it is free! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

[sYc]

Matter of fact R. Gustin has invited me to do just that, more then once. And, he wanted me to bring along some friends (move the SCR). But, for reasons posted elsewhere, I/we choose to pass. Instead, my plans include taking my fuuny car to the Hot Rod Reunion in Bowling Green in a couple of weeks, a couple of cars to the York and Gibb shows, and of course, 2-3 cars to SCR6. In between I am sure Rob will not let the Camaro set idle. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif[/img]

[T Billigen]

Maybe next year. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif[/img]

[T Billigen]

Out of curiosity, how many people actually drag race their car at the reunion? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif[/img]

[sYc]

Did some checking. During four SCRs, we have had over 35 different, documented supercars compete. This figure would have been higher, except for the fact that SCR2 was rained out. That year we had over 20 cars signed up to race, including ZL-1 #1 (which is coming back this year). I realize that 35 may not sign like a lot, but remember this is 35+ different cars. And, several of them are the rarest of the rare, such as Ray Morrison's one owner, all original '68 Gibb/Harrell Nova, a '67 Yenko, several ZL-1s, etc. Think about it, when was the last time you saw a real supercar make a pass? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif[/img]

And, add to this list the number of cars that make a pass or two in the parking lot before/after the show, and/or during the cruise, and I would say that 3/4s of the cars participate in showing off the performance of their cars. Just watching the cars in the lot before and after the event is a sight to behold. Charley's ZL-1 #3 in the rain, Dennis Hartweg's early Saturday morning warming up his ZL-1, Joe kicking in the 2-4s in the rarest of rare, ultra low mileage Harrell Chevelles, Tony filling the night air with tire smoke in his ZL-1, the list goes on and on. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/[/img]

Now, I do realize that this is not for everyone. Some of the cars that attend the SCR are for show purposes only. No problem, that is why I spend several $1000s to have the show portion of the event indoors, in one of the nicest indoor facilities in the US, to allow the cars to be showcased in the best venue possible. But, I will admit, I do my best to get all owners to show the performance side of the cars (at least a little). If I had to guess, I would have to say that the cruise is the most popular event at SCR, because most owners do enjoy driving their cars, regardless of the risk. Well, except for watching 40+ supercars exit the building into a nice, big parking lot. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif[/img] Last year the cruise took over 30 minutes, at times through heavy traffic. WOW what a sight, with the majority of the cars attending the event participating. But, as Rob mentioned earlier, even though the cruise is the most poplular event, it worries me the most. No one, and I mean no one, would hate for something to happen to one of these rare cars any more then me. So, that is why I doubled the budget for SCR6, to allow for a safe venue to show case the performance side of the cars. That venue is Gateway Int. Raceway, a state of the art racing facility, which we have rented for the day. That way, any owner who would like to "show off" a little, can do it in the safest of enviroments. It does not have to be in a side by side, 'balls out" drag race. Any owner who would like to simply chrip the tires and then cruise down the track is more then welcome. As I have said a 1000 times, the ET does not matter, just as long as the car is there. To me, that is history, in the making. Before we leave the track, I hope to get every musclecar there to cruise (do a parade lap) down the track. Talk about a Kodak moment. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif[/img]

[T Billigen]

Out of curiosity, how many people actually drag race their car at the reunion? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif[/img]

[SS427]

One other item crossed my mind last night while thinking about this thread. If not for me going to the drags in the 70's and 80's and seeing these cars running, I would not be in the same place I am today and likely would never have gained the interest that I have today. My daughter sees these cars in my shop all the time and when her friends comment on "just a green car with stripes", she informs them exactly what these cars are. She is only 14 and a girl but knows the difference! If we don't let our youth experience these cars, they will never gain the interest and appreciate them. The reason rice burners are sought after ny our youth is because they are everywhere. On the streets, at the shows, at the drags and in the movies.
Rick