Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

9.06 in SS/FA. That's unreal. Congratulations to Tony and Co.

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

Well folks, no 7 seconds runs this year. We tried our best, but even with all the timing pulled out, the track could not hold power. David did get the car to hook father down the track on the last run, but as soon as the timing started to ramp in, the tires let loose.

Steve Bell did manage to get down the track and run a 8.12 , but he a had to pull a ton of timing out to do it. It was still an impressive run because he went 171mph. I think that is the fastest Stocker run ever.

Racing is still going on, 4th round for stock. There has been a lots of down time to do breakage.

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

Is there anywhere we can see round by round results?

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

Gotta tip my hat to Sonny Hall on the 11.33 run in K. Pretty sporty for these old school 302's. Congrats!




Bret Velde
2003 SS/LA

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

Congratulations to Jimmy Hidalgo in SS and Rickey Kastner in Stock Winners at the Div 4 Belle Rose National Open

Finals
SS
Q Car #Class Driver Car Type DI RT ET MPH
1 42 SS/GA Jimmy Hidalgo '99 Firtebird 9.48 0.024 9.486 135.48
7 4789 GT/GA Hagen Gary '02 Camaro 10.03 0.055 10.023 121.00
Stock
Q Car # Class Driver Car Type DI RT ET MPH
11 4248 F/SA Rickey Kastner '73 Duster 10.91 0.022 10.950 114.91
2 400D B/SA Slate Cummings '00 Corvette 10.04 0.078 10.020 114.35

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

Yes sir Tony has made the quickest pass for a F or FA class car... That's the baddest run of the year!!

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

Thanks Joe for all the info on the finals. I'm on the road heading back home. I have some more photos and thoughts on the race and will post when I get home.

Thanks everyone one for tuning in on the last race of the year and all the kind words.

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

I thought Bell was in SS?

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

Mr Bell has one of each and keeps both spotless.

So who all set records and how fast did they go?

Thanks Ken and Joe for the reports and updates.

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

Here's my unofficial list:
Stock:
Jimmy Hidalgo Sr. G/SA 10.576 124.05
John Duzac C/S 10.270
Matt Pellicino C/SA 10.088
Nick Reiter D/SA 10.369
Gary Robillard FS/H 10.312

Super Stock
Tony Hewes SS/FA 9.062 144
Jeff Colvert GT/A 8.792 150
Jimmy Hidalgo Jr. SS/GA 9.407 139.78
Owen Birkett SS/MA 11.006

There may be a couple more this is the ones I know for sure

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

Tony Hewes 9.06 in SS/FA gets my vote for the best run of the year!

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

Thanks Cooter

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

How about that Jeff Covert! Impressive old fart! Fine man as well.

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

What about The Country Dog G/SA ? glad we aren't in the same zip code
I will stay out of the SOUTH!

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

4781 K/S Sonny Hall, Sweeny TX, '88 Mustang 11.338 12.55 -1.212

Yeah, that's sick. Nice run!

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

Here are the rest of the photos from the weekend. The first has to be a first, with two Stockers dialing in the 7's. The red COPO is Steve Bell's, seen behind his car, and David Barton walking in front of the white COPO.

It was a very frustrating weekend, but David was always positive. Even though he could not get the car into the 7's he had a very productive weekend with the GM Performance engine development team. These guys have a real passion for GM's performance engine development. If you are fan of the new COPO's, you will be very happy with GM's commitment to the COPO engine programs. Personally I was very impressed with them.

This was my first time at Belle Rose. The track officials, and D4 division director, Trey Capps were very welcoming. Everyone was so polite and friendly, this includes all the racers and fans, you always get a polite hello and smile. They had a free cook out, and from what I heard it was great. Forgive me, but I don't know the person or persons who put this together, they definitely have to be thanked. I guess its true about southern hospitality, or should I say Cajun hospitality. All in all I came away with a good feeling and a good time at No Problem Raceway.

I put this video together to show the frustration of trying to get the COPO down the track. On a side note, Steve Bell was also trying hard to get down the track. He had a little better luck than David getting down the track, but he had to kill lots of power, killing any chance of getting into the 7's. Steve is a real gentlemen, super nice guy. In my opinion there is no doubt Steve could have had a 7 second run if he could have got hold of the track. Judging from what I saw from both COPO's. David could have gone a mid 7.80 and Steve a mid 7.90. That's just my guess, but we will have to wait until next year to see that 7.

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

Steven Bell is a fine gentleman, and gave me some very good advice, put me onto some great software last year. Thankful for that. He is bad fast. I can not imagine going that fast on 9" tires. He is braver than I also. LOL

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

Great stuff Ken! As always, thanks for all that you do. Next time, need to get a little more Cajun like buddy.

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

I noticed from DRC that TD & TS had 1/4 mile times in qualifying but ran the 1/8 mile in eliminations.Was that due to track issues or planned that way?

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

Thanks for the kind words! I enjoyed visiting with David and Ken. They made a long trip down to try to get in the 7's. I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!

S.Bell

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

Nice runs Stephen! Glad to see things are working out well for you & your COPO's.

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

The strong crosswind and track temp after sitting idle for two hours due to racer, Thriller, found dead in his car while in the lanes for first round. Thankfully, CPR and three hits from the defibrillator brought him back with a pulse after ten minutes. Hats off to paramedics provided by Acadian Ambulance Service.

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

Amen to all that helped in an instant which saved his life. I have been wearing the "Thriller" comp champion shirt all day and plan on a bus ride to the Saints games soon. Get well buddy!! Stephen

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

Just went see the thriller tonight. He was his usual self, but he is still going to undergo open heart surgery soon. Keep the prayers going so he can have a smooth surgery and speedy recovery!

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

I hadn't heard of that. I'm glad he's OK.

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

Yo Ken! Thanks for the cool picture of the car, sorry I wasn't as social as I usually am, glad we got to chat some, the car wore me out all weekend, I think the only things not broken are the engine and rear end! LOL...hope you guys can make it down again next year!

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

No problem Allen, I understand, I was busy myself. It was great to meet the D4 racers and don't normal see. Looking forward to being there in the future.