Edwards & Young Racing – Seattle & Kent, WA.

April 16, 2016:

Just a quick update and we’ll have many more details early next week. Paul won the 1st Swift Tools E.T. Races in Sportsman of 2016 at Pacific Raceways, running a 12.01 in the final with a .004 reaction time! Congratulations to Paul and the entire Edwards & Young Racing team, we’re off to a great start!

Paul Young taking the stripe vs Nick Douglas on April 16, 2016
Jim Doyle photo

Paul, Sportsman Winner April 16, 2016
(L to R) Ed Garfield, Paul Young, Isaak, Chris Young, Peyten & Melodie Young
Jim Doyle photo

Chris went out in the 2nd round of Pro Bracket breaking out by .001-seconds in a very close race! We’re pleased, the Chevelle is running very consistent this year!

Break-out loss to Rob Lindley. Rob ran a 9.082 on a 9.08, Chris ran a 10.559 on a 10.56 Tight racing at the stripe!
Jim Doyle photo, Saturday, April 16, 2016

Anthony Hutchison photo of Chris in the 1st round on April 16, 2016

On to the 2nd race tomorrow, April 17th at Pacific Raceways! – Roger

April 17, 2016:

Prior to his first hit this morning, Chris tightened the extension on his front Strange double-adjustable shocks to slow the pitch rate of the car. The car responded with a 10.52 @ 125.7 MPH, the quickest run this year for the Chevelle. We’re sneaking up on the proper chassis adjustment. 

And Paul ran a excellent 12.02 @ 112 MPH on his first hit this morning.

2:05 PM:

Both Chris and Paul won their 2nd rounds. The atmospherics are deteriorating rapidly and they are dealing with headwinds making it challenging for dial-ins. Seems ever year the air density gets worse.

Good job guys, keep it going!

2:55 PM:

Just got an update from Chris, Paul lost in the 3rd round in Sportsman, and Chris lost in the 4th round to Dustin Ward in Pro Bracket. After this weekend Paul was in a solid 2nd in the Sportsman points chase!

Chris launching on April 17, 2016
Jim Doyle photo

Overall a very good showing for Edwards & Young Racing early in the 2016 season! – Roger

After-action report:

April 19, 2016: Today Chris and I installed wheelie bar springs with a higher spring rate hoping to control the height on his launch better. With the softer springs the bars are topping out and pushing the nose down too hard. – Roger

Need trailer repairs while at Pacific Raceways?

Call 206-391-9695 for a price quote!

On March 26th, Jim Doyle caught us as we were preparing for our first hits at the TNT at Pacific Raceways. And all this before we had our coffee! 🙂

This was our first day out at Pacific Raceways for a Test & Tune on March 26th 2016.

With the rebuilt Aldan rear shocks, the Chevelle was hooking hard today! After the first run we lowered the wheelie bars, snubbed the front travel and tightened the new Strange front shocks but the car continued to reach for the sky throughout the day. Even shortening the header tubes 4″ didn’t stop the Beast from putting on a show.

The Chevelle ran three consecutive runs of 10.569, 10.550 & 10.571 with respective 60-foot times of 1.422, 1.410 & 1.415 on a green track. The crew at Pacific Raceways always does a good job! We also didn’t see any real change between our old Motown intake and the new Edelbrock Super Victor. 

On Paul’s first hit, the Mustang had a bad miss and we found a cracked plug insulator. After the repair the car ran a 11.92 and the rear suspension was working well running consistent 60-foot times. And Paul reports a BIG improvement with the brakes compared to last season. 

We tried the old 830 cfm carb on Torri’s Pontiac but it had a slight hesitation on the launch so we put the old 750 back on and Torri was again running 12-teens in her hotrod! Overall a good day for the team. Below we have video taken by Pam on Saturday. – Roger

Robert Fedyk excellent video from this TNT:

Robert Fedyk photo of Chris’ first hit on March 26, 2016 @ Pacific Raceways!

Need trailer repairs while at Pacific Raceways?

Call 206-391-9695 for a price quote!

Robert Fedyk photo
Paul, Chris & Roger – “Triple Trouble”

I’m a very fortunate father, in having a family that enjoys a common interest, and a family that works well together melding our various strengths to overcome our individual limitations so that we can all have fun enjoying drag racing.

We do have separate ambitions and like all teams, at times view problem solving from different perspectives, but we come together to put together and maintain four separate race cars. The boys have literally grown up around racing, and it has been a pleasure to share my automotive knowledge and watch them learn and bring skills to the team beyond my capability.

Bremerton 1983. Chris & Paul

In our Chevs, we design and build our own engines – less machine work – that have proven over the many years to make good power. We set up our own rear end gears and can maintain the Doug-Nash 5-speed in our ’57. We do need to farm out the maintenance on our automatic transmissions which at times has been our Achilles heel. And this winter Chris put his unique talents together to build Dad a new set of 1-7/8″ fenderwell headers, which is above my pay grade!

Speaking for myself, racing the ’57 would be impossible without the love and devotion of Chris, Paul & Pam. This old guy is rapidly approaching 67, no longer has the strength or stamina to R&R an engine by myself, or wrestle a heavy 5-speed between the frame rails. It is only with their help that I can take the car out to the strip a few times a year and grab gears like in the old bygone Modified Production days of my youth.

And I’m very proud of my sons and daughter-in-law Torri doing well at the track. Each time they win a round or run a personal best it is because of the team philosophy and years of acquired knowledge within our family. Running a 400 c.i. Pontiac motor is different than the 406 SBC in Chris’ Chevelle, or the 347 Ford in Paul’s Mustang, or the high-winding small blocks we have run in the ’57.

Setting up the chassis with a stick is different than the Chevelle with a trans brake, or the chassis setups in the Pontiac & Mustang that are foot brake cars. All have their unique challenges which for me, makes our family racing program always interesting and keeps you sharp mentally! In short, IT IS FUN!!

I also truly enjoy putting together our racing videos and maintaining our racing pages. Pam is the family master at taking the raw footage out at the track and I get to tinker with software to put it all together here in my “office” behind the screen. One day I will no longer be behind the wheel of the ’57, but I still hope to contribute to the team working on and tuning the cars and playing with software to keep the flame alive!

In short, life has been very good to me, to bless me with a loving family that works and plays together! You can’t ask for more than that!

And to think this all started many years ago when I, as a young lad, helped my father, Ralph, on our 1949 DeSoto with a flat-head six! And in my early years of racing, Dad was under the car with me working on the ’57, and in my mind I still picture Dad holding the back end of the ’57 in the water box at a divisional race at Portland International Raceway. We’ve come full circle!

Dad, Ralph Young, 1973

But who knows what the future will bring, perhaps Isaak or Peyten will catch the bug and keep the family legacy going for years to come!

In short, life for me has been a great adventure and one hell of a ride! And we’ve only started!

Roger

Updated April 29, 2016

We will be posting progress reports here as we do upgrades and maintenance on our cars during the off season. With four cars in our stable, it will require the cooperation of the entire team to get what needs to be accomplished completed. – Roger

‘71 Chevelle Wagon:

September 28, 2015: Modified roller lifters to provide improved oiling to the top of the 406. This will improve the life of the pushrods, rockers, lash caps and valve springs. Chris tested the valve springs and they are good to go for 2016. [Improving the oiling to the upper end of the engine has helped, we have 13-hits on the engine and have NOT had to adjust one valve thus far]

October 6, 2015: We’re also going to make an intake manifold change from our Motown manifold to the Edelbrock Super Victor and see it that improves the power: [We have not seen any performance increase with the Super Victor thus far, but the car has been very consistent with the new manifold early in 2016]

Motown left, Super Victor on Right

Runners are higher on Super Victor on the right

October 11, 2015:

We fired the motor with the new Super Victor intake on the car today which Chris matched-ported, and we picked up 200+ RPM of stall over the old manifold so it’s looking promising! With the lifter modifications we also have plenty of oil on the top end of the motor. Front Strange shocks are on the way for installation.  – Roger

October 16, 2015:

Today Chris got the new Strange double-adjustable shocks installed in the front of the car. Now to get the rear shocks back to Aldan for rebuilding and the Chevelle will be ready to go for 2016! – Roger

December 5, 2015:

Today Chris pulled the rear shocks off the Chevelle to send them back to Aldan for rebuilding. The right shock is dead. – Roger

January 28, 2016:

Today the rebuilt Aldan coil-over shocks are back on the Chevelle!

New Strange double-adjustable front shocks

February 6, 2016:

Today we installed the valvetrain on the Chevelle and fired it off:

‘85 Mustang:

October 17, 2015:

1. Installed 105-amp alternator and checked charging.
2. Reworked rear upper control arms to correct bind in rear suspension.
3. Ground lip of R/F lower a-arm to free brake rotor when tire is off the ground.
4. Opened hood cowling to reduce under hood temps.
5. Repair positive battery lug in rear bumper which had an intermittent short to ground.
6. Adjust steering column position to provide increased clearance between steering shaft knuckle and header pipe.

October 24, 2015:

Today we installed the 3″ studs in the front brake rotors and a taller air cleaner element. We worked on the brakes but are still not satisfied with the brake pressure at the rear calipers. Guys, when you install rear disc brakes on a disc/drum car it can create problems, it can be difficult to get enough fluid volume from a factory disc/drum master cylinder to move the larger pistons on a disc brake system! We believe we’ve found a solution, a Wilwood big-bore 1:1 dual master cylinder designed for 4-wheel disc brakes. We’ll know more in about a week! – Roger

November 1, 2015:

Today we installed the big-bore Wilwood master cylinder, but with that bore we could not get the required line pressure necessary for good brakes.

November 27, 2015:

This past week we purchased a brake pressure gauge to isolate the problem. We had over 800 psi at the master cylinder but zero pressure at the rear calipers. Chris disconnected the brake line at the master cylinder and back at the rear axle and blew out the line, bled the rear brakes again and we now have the rear calipers working! Clearly there was some obstruction in the brake line running the length of the car.  – Roger [Paul reports the brakes are greatly improved in early 2016]

Factory front wheel studs

New 3″ wheel studs

November 28, 2015:

Today Chris installed all new heavy-duty toggle switches in the dash to replace the troublesome switches that came with the car. This should end that problem and should complete the scheduled updates for the Mustang for 2016!  In February 2016 we weighed the Mustang, 3300# with driver & fuel – Roger

‘57 Chev:

1)  Build new headers, have them coated and match-port header plates

2)  Replace factory single master cylinder with tandem cylinder

3)  Replace rear coil-over springs, reset preload

December 14, 2015:

Today we got the ’57 moved so Chris can begin modifying the 1-7/8″ Hedman fenderwell headers we purchased for an S-10 to fit the old ’57. This is going to require a LOT of patience and skill to move the tubes for proper clearance and tuning length. Unfortunately no one today makes a large-tube fenderwell header for the tri-5’s these days and would need to be custom made. So Chris has decided to handle this difficult project. 

I’ve also ordered new coil-over springs for the rear of the car as the left spring has sagged and taken a set. After replacing the springs we’ll need to reset the chassis preload and wheelie bars. – Roger

December 19, 2015:

Today, Chris started cutting & fitting pipe for the new 1-7/8″ fenderwell headers on the ’57:

Tacked welded right header. Chris moved the tubes back to give us more header to tire clearance. All tube lengths are within 1/4″

December 26, 2015:

Today Chris got the left side header tack welded together and ready for final TIG welding, and Paul and I got the new rear coil-over springs installed in the car. Next we’ll be installing the new tandem master cylinder in the ol’ buggy! – Roger

December 29, 2015:

Driver’s side header is nearly completed, new master cylinder and brakes lines installed ready to bleed the brakes. Chris is doing a GREAT job! – Roger

Driver’s side header finish welded, new master cylinder and lines installed for bleeding the brakes

New tandem master cylinder from Eckler’s. Features same 1″ bore as factory cylinder, identical pushrod depth.

January 1, 2016:

Today Chris and I got the brakes bled after replacing an old line, and adjusted the master cylinder pushrod length and the brakes are ready to go! Thanks son!

January 11, 2016:

Today Chris finished the headers and they are looking GOOD! Now out to be coated while Chris works on the header plates. 

During this winter we are conducting detailed component testing on our cars. Please see our new page devoted to Electronic Diagnostics. 

January 16, 2016:

Today Chris got the header plates done for the headers, and cleaned up the wiring going to the starter by mounting a power lug on the firewall. And Paul got the new headers out to be coated.

January 23, 2016:

Today we got the valve train setup on the ’57 waiting for the headers to return from Performance Coatings in Auburn, WA.  We also had the time to clean up the shop! – Roger

January 30, 2016:

Today we got the new headers on the car and fired it off. Plus we weighed the car thanks to Barry Hobson who loaned us his scales, 3633 lbs with driver. A video/slideshow of the finished project. A great job by Chris who fabricated the new pipes!

All that’s remaining to get it out to the strip is recheck the valve lash, change the oil & filter, & clean the old buggy!  See you at the strip! – Roger

Roger & Paul with Chris’ final product!

Like last winter when we built two motors, this has been another very busy off season! We have made excellent progress on Paul’s Mustang which is a work in progress, and the ’57 header work by Chris was a major accomplishment which only he on our team had the expertise to make it happen!

We’re looking forward to hitting the strip in 2016!- Roger

==========================

‘66 Tempest:

March 7, 2016:

Today Chris and I got my old refurbished 830 Holley installed on Torri’s  ’66 Pontiac Tempest, and adjusted for the strip. Still can’t believe how much pump shot her car has to have at the hit which requires 50cc accelerator pumps on both ends and .045 nozzles! We’ll see if the 830 picks her car up over the reliable 750. I’ve always had good luck with the 830.

The last time the 830 went down the strip was in 2003 on the Chevelle, and over the years it was cannibalized for parts for our other carburetors. This winter I put it back together to run again!

We also scoped her ignition system and charging system, all looks in good shape! – Roger

Need trailer repairs while at Pacific Raceways?

Call 206-391-9695 for a price quote!

Mike Gardner Photo

On September 19th, Chris and Torri participated in the GM Nationals at Pacific Raceways. Chris ran his ’71 Chevelle in Hot Rod and Torri was again behind the wheel in her ’66 Pontiac Tempest.

In the first round Chris broke-out with a .042 reaction time running a 10.498 at 126.62 MPH on a 10.51 dial vs his opponents .040 reaction time running a 9.059 on a 9.05 dial at 138.81 MPH. A tough loss but none of us were expecting the car to run a 10.49 on that pass even after looking at the data after the race.

Torri again drove well making it to the 4th round before also running a bit too quick to end her solid effort for the day when she ran a 12.120 on a 12.17 dial. Torri has driven well during the 2015 season and is learning the finer points of driving on the top end of the track and we are all very proud of her!

This marks the end of our 2015 racing season and work will begin shortly on the cars for next year. We want to thank Handan Trailer Repair & Sales for their backing and support this past season and we look forward to flying their banner again in 2016! – Roger

Need trailer repairs while at Pacific Raceways?

Call 206-391-9695 for a price quote!