Mike Koppien Wheelstand
 

Mike Koppien had the wheelstand of the year in the first round at Topeka. The front end went way up, the bumper barely clearing the track, and it stayed there until he went by the 330-foot marker. Don't know if he damaged anything, but I've never seen a Stock Eliminator car get the wheels that high and keep them there that long without crashing or dragging the bumper. The landing was a bit wobbly and he got close to the wall, but he managed to avoid the concrete. Dunno if any of the photogs got a shot of it or not, from their body language, most missed it.

- Larry

Talked to Mike this morning...he told me his dad (Steve) was in the trunk, did some damage to the headers, otherwise ok, just guessed wrong with setup & good starting line....still made a race of it.

Mike, Billy, DJ see you in Joliet..







He who dies last, must pay the bills....
Is that a 'Hemi'?

What a ride!

Just like Mike stated on the tech forum a week or so ago:

DON'T LIFT!!!,

Pelle B/SA 1700 , Sweden

Hey Mike, when you said you wanted to learn how to fly, I thought you meant in an airplane!!!

Hey Dave Young. If you really feel that way, why don't you bestow you knowledge on Mike first hand instead of backdooring him on the internet?

If you listed all your aliases on the other site, you would be bankrupt http://www.classracer.com/html/happy.gif JIM.

Was there really any doubt about Auto Imagery getting it? [:-lookhappy-:]

This time it was Richard Shute behind the camera:

<a href=http://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCPhoto.asp?ID=136713#indextop>Mike Koppien wheelstand</a>

Dave Kommel
Auto Imagery Inc.
www.autoimagery.com

Hundred bucks says that aint no factory oil pan!

If you mean the silver pan you can see, that's the transmission pan, not the oil pan. The oil pan looks like the one we have, and it is a stock GM pan. At least, best I can tell.

Alan Roehrich


Bring "AA" classes to NHRA Stock Eliminator!

Hey rocketblocket........I will take that bet!!!!!!!!

this is the easiest $100 I ever won......

EDIT: Sorry Alan, I guess you won the $100
Auto Imagery, Richard...Great shot!!




He who dies last, must pay the bills....
Is that a 'Hemi'?

I cheated, the car I build engines and transmissions for, as well as crew, looks just like that underneath. Those headers are what makes it look funny.

Alan Roehrich


Bring "AA" classes to NHRA Stock Eliminator!

The headers are from the sixtys--I believe they were a special set from Peanut Watson made of special space age material that went to the moon--anyway that is the word on the street--

They are a new set of Stahl headers.

We have a set just like them. Killer headers, we love ours.

Alan Roehrich


Bring "AA" classes to NHRA Stock Eliminator!

I believe the pan in a mercruiser pan, and completely legal. From what i understand its a factory produced pan and not a problem.

I'm thinking that because of the drain plug being in the center, however i could be wrong.

Completely legal however in any case.

Just another case of the assumption that if you are successful you are illegal.....which as we know is not always the case, most times the most successful racers work to be completely legal because they're scrutinized the most.

Good post Brian. Most are quick to point the finger.
Another great photo from Auto Imagery.
Where are the wheelie bars? That's tough on the new headers, pan, spindles and rims..... Very nice car Mike.


Barry

I know the oil pan was made from light weight silver--my great grand dad was a minor and supplied nascar pans to junior jhonson and the petty family--built 1 for a big block--Priceless--

^^^^^^^^^
[:-confused2-:]

Alan Roehrich


Bring "AA" classes to NHRA Stock Eliminator!

Alan Roehrich


Let's not bring "AA" classes to NHRA Stock Eliminator. Just cause the stuff you build can't run with the "A" class cars, you want a special class for the slow dogs.

Great picture Auto Imagery! Mikey, I just wish you would have done it in the final round in front of a packed house...I bet that would raise some interst in sportman racing!

That makes me want to pull the wheelie bar back off [:-grin-:]

Troy Henderson
5118
A/S

this was the best wheelstand ever done in stock!!!! i was just behind mike in the burnout box when it happened and it was unreal, each gear it went higher the pic is great but it doesnt show actually how high it went, the thing was straight up for over200ft before it started moving towards the wall and came down !!!!!