Question for the old guys

Lyn Smith · 07-16-2025, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Shaw

I never kept score but over the last 50 years I probably was torn down 100 times with 13 different cars and trucks. National records, class wins, and #1 qualifiers.

And the Fel Pro gasket corporation thanks you dearly.LOL

Larry Merk · 07-16-2025, 11:12 PM

When I started reading this thread I really chuckled because Cal Method and I are friends and we've talked about tear down and records many times. In one 2 year period I recall going through tear down 12 times with him.

So a few minutes ago I got a text message from Cal. And I quote: "I can document 150 to 200 in 65 years, you have my permission to post that."

For the less-seasoned members of this forum, you've got to remember that years ago you got points for setting records. And it wasn't uncommon for another competitor with the same combo you ran trying to set the record at the same points meet you were attending. And this occurred at every points meet every year. And since the race was run off the National Record, not indexes, everyone was constantly looking for more horsepower. Kind of makes the AHFS look like child's play.

Mark Yacavone · 07-17-2025, 12:14 AM

I don't know ,exactly. I'll have to look when I get home next month.
I know I'll never beat Shaw or Cal. Between Cal and I, we set the R/Stock record 5 times in 1978, for the points
Cal is the first guy I ever saw using a battery drill in teardown.

I know I've been torn down by the best in the business..Farmer, Greg X , Rosie Holt, John Beidenkamp, Travis, Marty Barrett

Indy? I don't know the number, but every time !

TBC...

Lyn Smith · Yesterday, 03:08 PM

[QUOTE=Larry Merk;714439]When I started reading this thread I really chuckled because Cal Method and I are friends and we've talked about tear down and records many times. In one 2 year period I recall going through tear down 12 times with him.

So a few minutes ago I got a text message from Cal. And I quote: "I can document 150 to 200 in 65 years, you have my permission to post that."

And back in the day when Cal pulled into his local auto parts store the counter guy already had the head gasket kit laying out. LOL

GTS340 · Yesterday, 03:58 PM

Old guy here! After 50 years I get the pleasure to dust off 6 Wallies. No nationals. 4 class trophies that cost me 2 tear downs and 2 divisional wins. Been lucky enough to been asked to assist numerous tear downs. Paul Wong alone keeps the tools and gaskets handy.

Paul Haszlauer.

GTS340 · Today, 07:51 PM

Class wins came with a good paycheck many years ago. The guys that won most of that class money did see the barn way more often than Mr. runner up.

Paul

richie 2 · Today, 08:28 PM

won ss only one time, dragway park cauyga '82.....yup, cylinder heads. lol

Mark Yacavone · Today, 10:18 PM

Once upon a time, all class winners at Indy had to tear down at Paul Harvey Ford, to claim their spot in the eliminator.
One year, we set a record at Bowling green, the week before Indy. Three days later, we were scheduled for a class win tear down at Indy.

At BG, we happened to be tearing down next to Bill Holt with their SS Chevy II wagon.
Bill was the Div 2 head of tech., At Indy, he was working the class winner certification.
I forget who was in charge there. Might have been Dave Danish.
So, I said to Bill Holt,..here we go again..He says let me see what I can do. He comes back and says , pick up your trophy..You're good to go !

So I won't count that one that didn't happen . LOL

07-16-2025, 11:12 PM	#2
Larry Merk Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Kennewick, WA Posts: 212 Likes: 42 Liked 285 Times in 112 Posts	Re: Question for the old guys When I started reading this thread I really chuckled because Cal Method and I are friends and we've talked about tear down and records many times. In one 2 year period I recall going through tear down 12 times with him. So a few minutes ago I got a text message from Cal. And I quote: "I can document 150 to 200 in 65 years, you have my permission to post that." For the less-seasoned members of this forum, you've got to remember that years ago you got points for setting records. And it wasn't uncommon for another competitor with the same combo you ran trying to set the record at the same points meet you were attending. And this occurred at every points meet every year. And since the race was run off the National Record, not indexes, everyone was constantly looking for more horsepower. Kind of makes the AHFS look like child's play. __________________ Larry Merk

07-17-2025, 12:14 AM	#3
Mark Yacavone Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Miles From Nowhere Posts: 7,809 Likes: 2,899 Liked 5,110 Times in 1,948 Posts	Re: Question for the old guys I don't know ,exactly. I'll have to look when I get home next month. I know I'll never beat Shaw or Cal. Between Cal and I, we set the R/Stock record 5 times in 1978, for the points Cal is the first guy I ever saw using a battery drill in teardown. I know I've been torn down by the best in the business..Farmer, Greg X , Rosie Holt, John Beidenkamp, Travis, Marty Barrett Indy? I don't know the number, but every time ! TBC... __________________ "We are lucky we don't get as much Government as we pay for." Will Rogers

Yesterday, 03:08 PM	#4
Lyn Smith VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Pontiac,il. Posts: 1,198 Likes: 280 Liked 961 Times in 192 Posts	Re: Question for the old guys [QUOTE=Larry Merk;714439]When I started reading this thread I really chuckled because Cal Method and I are friends and we've talked about tear down and records many times. In one 2 year period I recall going through tear down 12 times with him. So a few minutes ago I got a text message from Cal. And I quote: "I can document 150 to 200 in 65 years, you have my permission to post that." And back in the day when Cal pulled into his local auto parts store the counter guy already had the head gasket kit laying out. LOL

Yesterday, 03:58 PM	#5
GTS340 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Las Vegas, Nv Posts: 866 Likes: 267 Liked 1,338 Times in 406 Posts	Re: Question for the old guys Old guy here! After 50 years I get the pleasure to dust off 6 Wallies. No nationals. 4 class trophies that cost me 2 tear downs and 2 divisional wins. Been lucky enough to been asked to assist numerous tear downs. Paul Wong alone keeps the tools and gaskets handy. Paul Haszlauer.

Today, 07:51 PM	#6
GTS340 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Las Vegas, Nv Posts: 866 Likes: 267 Liked 1,338 Times in 406 Posts	Re: Question for the old guys Class wins came with a good paycheck many years ago. The guys that won most of that class money did see the barn way more often than Mr. runner up. Paul

Today, 08:28 PM	#7
richie 2 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 969 Likes: 422 Liked 201 Times in 92 Posts	Re: Question for the old guys won ss only one time, dragway park cauyga '82.....yup, cylinder heads. lol Last edited by richie 2; Today at 09:17 PM.

Today, 10:18 PM	#8
Mark Yacavone Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Miles From Nowhere Posts: 7,809 Likes: 2,899 Liked 5,110 Times in 1,948 Posts	Re: Question for the old guys Once upon a time, all class winners at Indy had to tear down at Paul Harvey Ford, to claim their spot in the eliminator. One year, we set a record at Bowling green, the week before Indy. Three days later, we were scheduled for a class win tear down at Indy. At BG, we happened to be tearing down next to Bill Holt with their SS Chevy II wagon. Bill was the Div 2 head of tech., At Indy, he was working the class winner certification. I forget who was in charge there. Might have been Dave Danish. So, I said to Bill Holt,..here we go again..He says let me see what I can do. He comes back and says , pick up your trophy..You're good to go ! So I won't count that one that didn't happen . LOL __________________ "We are lucky we don't get as much Government as we pay for." Will Rogers