On August 18th through the 21st, the Land of the Leaders NHRA Division 6 was holding their points race at Pacific Raceways.
On Friday & Saturday the temps were in the 90’s but the track crew did an outstanding job of prepping and maintaining the track. Thankfully for the Sunday finals, the racers and track crew got welcome relief from the heat.
Despite the heat, Chris’ ’71 Chevelle ran very well throughout the long event. The density altitude varied from 1253 to 2957 feet throughout the weekend. His quickest run was 10.548, his slowest full-power pass was 10.616. That’s excellent for a small-block over that widespread of density altitude changes.
On Friday, Chris qualified for the No-Box Gambler race. He won the first round with a 10.616 on a 10.60 dial. He lost in the second round when he ran another 10.616 on a 10.59 when his opposition had a better reaction time.
On Sunday in Pro Bracket eliminations, Chris easily won the first round with a 10.951 on a 10.55 dial on the brakes. In the second round against Don “The Worm” Elgin, Chris cut an excellent .011 reaction time and broke out by .002 seconds on the brakes running a 10.548 on a 10.55 dial, SO CLOSE!
An excellent effort by Chris with Paul helping with the dial-ins over a long weekend of racing! They also helped Barry Hobson and Joe Loch running Top Sportsman. Some pictures below!
Over the winter, Chris would like to change the rear gears from the current 4.71’s to the 4.86 ratio which should pick up the car at least a tenth. – Roger
Chris getting after it during a time run. – Jim Doyle photo
Barry Hobson made it to the semi-finals in Top Sportsman! – Jim Doyle photo
Joe Loch’s Chevy ran well in the heat but was eliminated in the 1st Round of Top Sportsman to a tighter package. – Jim Doyle photo
We’re VERY happy with the tune-up we have in the Chevelle. Running in this heat and high density altitude was a real test. If we put some lower gears in the Grocery Getter over the winter it will be back running in the 40’s again.