[Cglrcng]

Following our return to Boulder City Sunday night, I stayed over, and by Monday afternoon I had already prepped the car, changed the oil for the first time, and am ready for more fun in the Sun before the off season. i packed only what I will need at the track in the car, taking home a full load.

The car so far, except for my changes, and after that Test n tune Wed. (and catching up with them), so far fantastic, add air to slicks in the AM, add gas after a couple of passes, charge the battery when sitting, warm it up properly, Check tire pressures, and go race.

And the topping was actually having 4 guys- Scott McClay and 3 Crew Members and Winning The 2nd Race of The Double Header in Comp. Elim. w/ his C/ED Combo. (It is a 4 man operation, not a 2 man operation as we were Thurs/ Fri). Helping crew while racing takes the boredom away from the Hurry Up and Wait of STK Elim. Racing, but it is a lot of hard & dirty work (and a real hard struggle if under-crewed).

I will have more this Winter Off Season, after the Las Vegas LODRS, I will also save everyone the round-by-round stuff, and just add the further build stuff / updates I have for the car planned (replace the shifter aftermarket, something I can slam, instead of slow slide), replace the stock ECM/PM w/ a Holley ECU and full engine wiring harness to all sensors and Throttle body, to tap/tap laptop tune finally (the engine is still pulling hard at 7,300 when it hits that rev. limit feature in the stock ECM), convert to full manual brake system, from vac. assist/ add a data collection unit and a few addl. sensors- Engine RPM, Driveshaft RPM, and others, request a combo review, and a few other things.

But, this car now is, if driven the same every pass, is a slow ride, but very consistent now compared to back in 1993-1997 (I am still playing some games on track I cannot play in my garage, or off of the track, as I am collecting data still on the project). It is hard when other than viewing flags on pre- determined tables, and otherwise being locked completely out of the ECM/PM (by the EPA), so you must try things, and log everything on paper and review both the new, and 26-30 yr. old, log book data.

Looking good on paper and in reality so far though...

So, It is not "project go a lot faster" quite yet, on Our "Slow Ride', Take It Easy", as I weigh in Min. at 2,795 lbs. Car and Driver, and raced it at 2,845 lbs. last week or 50 lbs. heavy, and a full 550 lbs heavier than McConnell's "Slo Roller" Dodge Omni).

That old fashioned ancient beam scale at Famoso really stinks, But I love the track, hook, and that tree! (The flies I can live without!)

Again, I wish to really thank the Irving's a Ton! Thank you John & Jon for everything so far my friends. You have made my return much easier, and I certainly appreciate it all, as does my bride of 35+ yrs.

Also, Congratulations to Scott McClay on his win again! Congrat's to all the Class Winners! (I also know why I don't own a dragster, tripping 6 foot long wheelie bars, and head cracking low wing endplates). If it isn't 1 I come home scarred up with, it is the other.

If all of that was not enough, "RIP Donald A. Martin", POP, my Father-in-law & former business partner (who has lived with my Wife and I for well over the last 20 yrs., and her beloved Father), passed away on Friday Evening Oct 6th in a Banner Hospital in west Phoenix, AZ after 2 very serious operations on the prior week Tuesday/ Wednesday Sept 26/27, all happening during and between the double header.

He was able to see (be with), or talk to all 3 of his children, and his grandchildren, & great-grandchildren, and other family members, and it was a very peaceful passing in the last moments.

I wish to also thank Our Own Racer's In Christ. Thank You Gentleman and Lady. (You made things easier and prayerful given the distance).