Today we took the ’57 out to Pacific Raceways for its last field trip of 2013, and Paul was driving Torri’s Pontiac in Sportsman attempting to wrap up the 2013 Sportsman Championship.
After the drizzle cleared up in the morning and the track was dried, I was first up with the ’57 in Pro Bracket. Once again we buzzed the tires on the starting line and only mustered a 10.971 @ 124.14 mph. The good news is after Chris replaced our old fuel tank with a foam-filled fuel cell prior to this race our high gear drop of fuel pressure is resolved. I had 7 psi in the lights.
We lowered the launch to 7300 for our 2nd time hit and the car left much better (pictured below) but the transmission blocked out going into 2nd gear. This also happened in the 1st round so we have some transmission issues – likely the 2nd gear pro shift ring and slider – to address over the winter. We’ll also be replacing our old, crusty Kustom headers with Stahl headers and putting on new Hoosier slicks since Goodyear has discontinued our tire size.
See It Imagery photo – CLICK TO ENLARGE!
The Tempest was running well today but Paul was a bit late on the tree in the 1st round and lost, but he did pick up 30 valuable points and is still currently the points leader. Paul then went into the Gambler race and went a couple rounds before being eliminated by a -.007 redlight. After this round Chris jetted the carburetor for the upcoming Division 6 ET Finals at Spokane next weekend using the data from Boise – both tracks are similar elevations and predicted temperatures, so the Tempest is ready to go! After the Spokane race there is only one points race remaining at PR which could decide the 2013 Sportsman track championship.
Hiking the left front wheel, August 24th 2013
My thanks to Chris, Justin, Paul & Pam for all their help with the ’57 this season. Not the best season by a long shot but the motor held up well so I’m happy! – Roger
Torri & Peyten cheering for us from the stands!
It was nice to see Dad out at the track putting some more hits on the ol ’57, just too bad the 5 speed was having some issues but I think we will have it squared away for 2014 as Dad stated.
I sure learned a valuable lesson in the 1st round in overthinking and not just trusting myself as I had 2 good lights in qualifying but totally blew it in eliminations in losing by .005 as I broke out by .001 trying to catch my opponent. I feel a little better after most of my competitors went out in the same round or 2nd round so hopefully my points lead is still 75 going into the last race. Also, as Dad stated I raced in the Gamblers race and took out Martin Lambert in the 1st round as he broke out by more than I did as I had a better light. I will tell you first hand what a difference it is having racing someone that is going 33+ mph faster than you as really don’t have much time to be messing around at the stripe as you just have to trust your dial-in.
I am looking forward to going to Spokane for the ET Finals as I think that this past race gave me a renewed focus on my driving in just trusting my abilities & instincts as I will have a good crew around me at this race too so it should be a fun trip.
Will keep you all posted!
For a 1957 car, that’s amazing to still be getting it up to 124mph. Then again those Chevys were born to be beasts!