After a 32 year hiatus, I hauled my car to the Fallout event this weekend. Held at Rock Falls Raceway outside of Eau Claire, WI, this is a nostalgia themed get together, pre 65 only and cars have to look 'period' to run.
I'd heard about it for a number of years. (think this one was year 7) I started thrashing on the car some time back with the objective of being ready, and I made it! Got there Friday morning. The reception I got was amazing. Lots and lots of people talked to me about my car. What a fantastic collection of cars. Everyone seemed to be in a good mood and having a great time. No pressure, no ego's, no nothing. Just plain fun.
Was only able to make one pass, against a younger guy who was racing his homebuilt 57 Chevy gasser for the first time. Very nicely done car. Big block Chevy with tunnel ram. I thought I was a bit nervous until I talked to him. He was awfully nervous. He really wanted the right lane. I told him to just go that way regardless of where the track guys directed him, and I would go the other way; they wouldn't know the difference. Before we staged we looked at each other, gave the thumbs up and got set.
Damn it felt good to stand on the car again after all this time! .289 light. 13.03 time. The car had done in the 12 teens 32+ years ago. MPH was not as high as it was back then, but the car got a bit soft about mid track and didn't seem to be pulling as good as it did the first half. I made some changes while preparing for this outing: different cam, roller rockers, new valves and springs, 727 now instead of a 4 speed, 4:56 gears instead of 4:89 and shorter slicks because I couldn't find any as tall as I used to run. So I've some sorting to do. He was even slower on the lights than I was. I had him pretty good from the start. My car still goes right down the track with minimal fuss. The sound!
I went over to talk to him after the run. He was grinning from ear to ear. It was great to see him so enthused.
It started raining shortly after that pass. Waited around a while and the rain sort of came and went. I finally packed up and headed home. I needed to get back home as my Mom had died Thursday night. She was 95 years old. Had lived a full life and wanted to go, so I was happy for her. Because of that I didn't get back to try again on Saturday. But, I will be back!
Couple photos before I washed the car and removed the white lettering from the slicks.
I'd heard about it for a number of years. (think this one was year 7) I started thrashing on the car some time back with the objective of being ready, and I made it! Got there Friday morning. The reception I got was amazing. Lots and lots of people talked to me about my car. What a fantastic collection of cars. Everyone seemed to be in a good mood and having a great time. No pressure, no ego's, no nothing. Just plain fun.
Was only able to make one pass, against a younger guy who was racing his homebuilt 57 Chevy gasser for the first time. Very nicely done car. Big block Chevy with tunnel ram. I thought I was a bit nervous until I talked to him. He was awfully nervous. He really wanted the right lane. I told him to just go that way regardless of where the track guys directed him, and I would go the other way; they wouldn't know the difference. Before we staged we looked at each other, gave the thumbs up and got set.
Damn it felt good to stand on the car again after all this time! .289 light. 13.03 time. The car had done in the 12 teens 32+ years ago. MPH was not as high as it was back then, but the car got a bit soft about mid track and didn't seem to be pulling as good as it did the first half. I made some changes while preparing for this outing: different cam, roller rockers, new valves and springs, 727 now instead of a 4 speed, 4:56 gears instead of 4:89 and shorter slicks because I couldn't find any as tall as I used to run. So I've some sorting to do. He was even slower on the lights than I was. I had him pretty good from the start. My car still goes right down the track with minimal fuss. The sound!
I went over to talk to him after the run. He was grinning from ear to ear. It was great to see him so enthused.
It started raining shortly after that pass. Waited around a while and the rain sort of came and went. I finally packed up and headed home. I needed to get back home as my Mom had died Thursday night. She was 95 years old. Had lived a full life and wanted to go, so I was happy for her. Because of that I didn't get back to try again on Saturday. But, I will be back!
Couple photos before I washed the car and removed the white lettering from the slicks.