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Post by kdog on Dec 29, 2007 15:15:37 GMT -7
Phil Thanks, I enjoyed the story even more this time around. For those that don't know Phil owned & ran the drag strip in the St Louis area that I cut my teeth on when I was a youngster, and spent many weekends watching. Very COOL story ! Kdog
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Post by SKR on Dec 29, 2007 15:19:35 GMT -7
Great story Phil.
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Post by johnbalich on Dec 31, 2007 12:42:13 GMT -7
Great Story! I bet you couldn't get him to do a "back-up run"! (I'm sure you have more tales of your entrepenuer racing days!)
If any of you have tales of race memories or slot race memories, please share them. They needn't be lengthy or spectacular, just bring them anyway. Participation will help improve PsychoSlots til it is a 'must see' stop on the net for slot racers. if you enjoy PsychoSlots, then participate. Pics, tips, tales, (tall or otherwise) are all welcome. If you are new just look over the topic areas, and if you have questions bring them too. The best resource is the combined knowledge of all the racers here, or sources we know of.
I have just a short snap shot memory. I was about 13 years old on a cold night (weren't they always) at Lion's drag strip. At this age I was still pretty much in the 'wide eyed wonder' stage of my drag race enthusiasm. I recall two cars at the starting line, one of which was a canary yellow Fiat altered. For some reason I don't think it was a "Double A" car, maybe an injected chevy or something. Anyway, the driver was 'asleep on the tree' and left very late. To compensate, he put his foot to the floorboard. The little Fiat responded, the rear wheels moving mightily forward. Unfortunately, the front wheels were a bit more sluggish, and instead of moving forward, began to climb skyward. Now I won't tell you the angle was vertical, but it was definitely a HUGE wheelie! Much to my delight, the little Fiat held this impossible pose for about 20-40 feet. The driver did what any sane person would at this point, but perhaps a bit violently. The sudden loss of throttle, and who knows, maybe some brakes too, brought the little warrior earthward, in a sudden collapse. The front springs, if there were any, or perhaps frame flex, caused the headers to scrape the asphalt in a glorious display of red-orange sparks. The car bounced a time or two more, bringing fresh demonstrations of carbon steel meeting the track surface. What a treat for the eyes. To this day, I still think drag racing at night is the best. Like I said this is just a snapshot memory, but its a very vivid, dear memory to me. This memory coupled with the AMT Double Dragster kit, have made Fiat altereds my favorite drag configuration. Anyone who likes to build car models who hasnt built this kit in this lifetime, I suggest you get on Ebay and buy one NOW. I think the Mead boys have a Fiat altered Body that they sell. (their bodies fit T jets and JL T jets.) I havene't got mine yet, but when I do it will be painted canary yellow
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Post by allstarhr on Jan 5, 2008 22:53:40 GMT -7
kdog. If you cut your teeth at SLIR while I owned it I want you to know the statute of limitations on filing a medical claim has run out. You don't say "cut" or mention damage any kind of body part to a track operator. Gets us nervous! While it didn't involve an injury, there was a "kinda" Pro Stock racer from back then who filed suit against me and the track for his car burning to the ground at the top end of the track. We emptied about 14 fire bottles on the d**n thing plus I had to pay a $400. bill to the Granite City Fire Department just because it was reported to them that someone "could" be dead in the fire and they came running out with their trucks. (At that time the track was just outside their city limits in an unincorporated part of the county.) I found out later that he only sued me to keep the creditors off his back for a while as he had built the car on credit. He really thought he would make enough money at it to pay it all back! His name was generic...like Smith or something. Not Glidden!
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Post by kdog on Jan 6, 2008 2:50:29 GMT -7
Oh my back!
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Post by allstarhr on Jan 6, 2008 16:37:29 GMT -7
Your back? Now if you had gone for splinters in your butt from the older bleacher boards I would probably still lose! I learned that a fresh coat of white paint on old bleacher boards just makes it easier for you to find the splinter in your backside. NO it wasn't lead based paint from China!
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