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for speed. In case you are not familiar with them, they continue to extract relatively large horsepower and reliability out of antique four bangers. Many of 300+ vehicles are shown only at this annual event. The gathering included Ford four bangers, flatheads and inline engines. The unique brands on-hand were Studebakers, Hudsons, Crossleys, Nashes and a nice mix of Ford model T’s, A’s, and B’s. We saw a 1930's sprint car sitting next to a chopped, channeled, lowered, and sectioned 27 T coupe rat rod! How about the Beerster with the beautifully detailed Buick straight 8 and hand made body that rallied across America in the Great Race, or a chevy powered champ car, or, or, or...well you get the idea. Man what a variety!
Below, Dave Seely from Utah, with the Thatcher Darwin "Darwin Beetle" car, tells of his experiences:
 "I have never drag raced before, but I have road raced the Darwin Special, (and even set the XF/VOT record at the Wendover White dyno), but how hard could drag racing be? It's paved, and straight and only a quarter mile long! Shoot stomp it through the gears, right? I was shooting for 100 mph, very attainable for a car like the Darwin."
"Just like always as a racer we sweat out the tech inspection. You think, 'dangit, what were the dates on my safety harness' or 'did I wipe the oil off of the bottom of the pan' or, well, you know the drill. The techs mumbled as he went over my car, handed me the paperwork, looked at me and said, what the heck are you still doing here? Get that pile out of here! Techs, ya gotta love 'em."
"My first pass showed me why road racing tires are no good for drag racing, as the heat had caused them to become oval shaped. Usually a warm up lap rounds them back out, but a quarter mile wasn't long enough. My first pass 65 mph with tires a hopping, unimpressive to say the least. I put on the street tires, and again avoided the bleach box, the second pass I turned 86 mph, better, even though I got the clutch smoking. Maybe if I dropped the gear ratio a little and got some spindle mounts put in heavier pressure plate...that itch is back."
"Steve Serr brought his gorgeous miller head reproduction. He was also showing off his T5 to enclosed drive shaft conversion. The folks from Taylor engineering were there with their bottom end stuff, drilled for oil pressure and counterbalanced cranks. Roto Phase ignitions, and Gene Scott and Gordon at Antique automotive industries were also showing their wares. Top notch stuff."
"One drag race competitor had some trouble with his car, so he prudently pulled to the right side of the track. The only problem was that he was in the left lane. I don't think he used his mirrors and turn signals, but no paint was exchanged."
The weather was clear and good. The pits were packed, but this event was more about having a good time and visiting with fellow enthusiasts than hardcore, high-pressure racing.
Thanks for the Show !
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