3 weeks till TX Race

[scottycards]

3 weeks from today we leave for the Big Bend Open Road Race. It's on Highway 285, from Fort Stockton, TX to Sanderson, TX. 60 miles each way of straights, hills and curves. There are 60 curves in the Southern 40 miles of this road.

The motor is going back in the car, slowly. This winter's teardown revealed an oiling issue- a piece had come loose from the dry sump system and was restricting the oil circulation, causing oil pressure drops under extended WOT conditions. We were great as long as we were on and off the gas, going through curves, but out on the straights, the pressure would fluctuate and drop, limiting our speeds.

This, in turn, caused a rocker on the intake of Cyl #2 to fail (see attached photo). So the oil pressure issue has been addressed, and there's a new set of rockers going in. New Holley 4150 HP 950CFM carb with a NASCAR Victor manifold is replacing the old 850CFM with a choke tower. "Say hello to much more power from 150MPH on up!!!"

The car we run is Elliott Sadler's former short track car- it's the #36 M&M's paint scheme from a few years back. We're in the Unlimited class, and from what I hear, there are going to be 5 or 6 entries, all capable of running 200+ on the straights. I'm just the lowly navigator, but it's going to be a heck of a ride. Race day is Saturday, April 28. The field is 150 total cars, ranging from target speeds of 95MPH on up to the 155 class, and Unlimiteds.

[starbreaker666]

Damn I am jealous..... Wish I could be there. Do you guys run the silver state classic in Nevada?

[Frebius]

Have a great time and be safe... Well ok as safe as you can be at 150+ miles an hour.

[scottycards]

Damn I am jealous..... Wish I could be there. Do you guys run the silver state classic in Nevada?

I first ran the Silver State back in the late 90's. Started in the 110 class and worked up to Unlimited, where we won with fastest overall with a 196 (and change) average speed over 90 miles. We were clocked at 217 top-speed officially that day, and saw over 220 on the GPS more than once. It was a friggin' wild ride.:eek:

We no longer run that event, or any that are sanctioned by that governing body, due to safety considerations. I understand the risks of going that fast, but I don't want to die in the desert waiting for a helicopter that may not know where I am.

We run the Big Bend race, and the ones sanctioned by MKM Racing Promotions (the folks who did the Shelby run recently)- the Bonneville 100 and the Pony Express 130 out of Elko.

The car show the day before the race is one of the best you'll ever see. Homebuilt cars, mostly (a few modified exotics), and really down to earth old school racers that just like to go fast.

[starbreaker666]

You must simply provide me with pics and video. I have been in love with open road races since I read that first article about RJ and Dan Gottlieb and the Big Red Camaro.. Dad always wanted to run is 94 Firebird in Nevada. I'd love to run my SC/SS Monte.. Oh many what fun. I'm getting it bad..

[REDLYNER]

Wow! I would love to do that. Good luck. I bet it is an unreal experience every time you go out.

[scottycards]

The car is running good. New carb setup is tuned, and headers are bolted up and in. It fired yesterday, and sounded strong.
Goes in the trailer today, and hits the road tomorrow.
We arrive in Fort Stockton on Thursday, and will probably shake it out a bit- 190 or so- during practice on a 5 mile stretch of road (closed by TX DOT) to make sure all is good.
Car show is Friday.
Green flag drops at 8AM on Sat.
There are only 3 of us in the Unlimited Class, so if the load stays together, and we can manage to keep it on the pavement, we should be in good shape.
There are 150 cars registered for the whole event, ranging from 95MPH average up to Unlimited.:thumbsup:
I'll bring back some photos, hopefully. Maybe even a vid or two. We keep trying to run in-car video, but the damn thing vibrates so bad that the camera keeps shutting off.

[starbreaker666]

Good luck! Can't wait to see the pics and maybe a vid.

[JKTODD]

Man I wish I was there. Post up some pics when you get home. Good luck and come home in one piece!

[scottycards]

Short version: car wasn't that fast, fuel pressure issues- we got 180MPH tops, and 50 miles into the 1st leg it died on us. DNF.
Bummer. Will post up pics later today.
The people who won the Unlimited class ran 215, set a new course record with a 172 avg, and really tore it up.
grrrrrrr........

[starbreaker666]

Pshhh Even Michael Waltrip is faster then that!!! GET IT TOGETHER MAN! hehehe kidding. still can't wait to see some pics.

[scottycards]

Here is an article about the race. I forgot my camera USB cable, so it'll be another day or so till I get my pics posted.
I have a killer video of a Ford GT 40 coming down a hill, and around the curve at about a buck-sixty five.......

http://www.swtexaslive.com/node/3995

[scottycards]

Here are a couple of videos, one of a GT3 Porsche and one of a GT40 coming down the hill.

GT3 at 165MPH: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTicA_MSt7I

GT40 at 165MPH: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PnHVw8dvEo

Since we broke down, I broke out the camera. Each photo has the description.

Clyde: dig on the 1962 Dodge Polara unlimited car. Runs 200 all day. I think it's in the 'hood of 800HP.

Full photo album here: http://s165.photobucket.com/albums/u47/scottycards/Big%20Bend%20ORR%202007/

I recommend viewing as a slideshow- you'll get each caption for more info.