LIVE from Union Co. S/SS
 

Luckily Mark Lewis is a man of his word and they let me in the gate at Union County Dragway in Union, SC, where new manager Alan Carpenter has put together a $60 entry, 100% payback S/SS combo for us. We are part of the many advertised attractions at the pre-Easter Bash, including 4.70 index cars, a Jet dragster, and full bracket program. As we saw at the Pro-Am last year, advertising has drawn a solid spectator count. The pits are chock full and spectators are both in the stands and tailgating along the fence. I read on their forum that they're going to try to produce a video from the event.

First qualifying session went off for us about 4PM. Air is 80.6 F, 47%, 29.48 Baro, 2391' DA, with a pretty fair tailwind, 'sposed to be 5-10mph all day.

Counted 11 cars, with a healthy mix... A couple front drivers, a few crate motor cars, a couple old school SS/Production cars, a 'traditional' car or two, as well as Bobby & Norene Zlatkin's new 2bbl G/PS combination in their Nova. Norene is shoe'in, so that's three ladies in the bunch, including Stacie Ridings and Jamie Southards. Good to see Mark Lewis and Mike Petrie out again as well.

Got in a smidge deep 1st hit and was -.006 red. Car was slower than predctions, but if I recall, it was like that for the Pro-Am too. Certainly not downhill like zMAX!

Re: LIVE from Union Co. S/SS
 

Rnd 2 Qualifying was at 5:55pm, 82.5 F, 44%, 29.47, 2505' DA

Getting close to Rnd 1 now... Feels like it's cooling off a bit, wind is still up and down.

Re: LIVE from Union Co. S/SS
 

Some Rnd 1 action...
SS/PD-1 Chevy II was red to Petrie (6.88 under 6.91)
SS/DM Vette .001 and -.006 under vs Beard .024, +.03
SS/Production Vette timed out vs Harry Morgan
Didn't see the rest...

Re: LIVE from Union Co. S/SS
 

Some Rnd 2 action...
Harry Morgan .01 above for the W vs the G/CM Nova Randy Layton
Beard .002 vs Stacie Ridings -.008 red (after she's been .000 and .003 today... Killin' it!)
Jamie Southards over Mike Petrie

Re: LIVE from Union Co. S/SS
 

In the super stock production class, what does the 1 or 2 represent after the class designation?

Re: LIVE from Union Co. S/SS
 

Darrin 1= 4bbl & 2= 2bbl

Re: LIVE from Union Co. S/SS
 

ok, I give...............what the hey is super stock production?

Re: LIVE from Union Co. S/SS
 

Lb per cubic inch hood scoop cars, I guess a little restrictive than Modified classes, gotta be production style cylinder head...

How 'bout the two front drivers still in at three cars?

Harry and Jamie are also running Modified ET, and both still in.

Re: LIVE from Union Co. S/SS
 

Harry Morgan takes the HF/SA Escort (11.48) to the finals when Jamie Southards breaks out, 6.829 (6.83) after a double-oh light. Beard is .017 on the bye, 9.910.

Re: LIVE from Union Co. S/SS
 

You SSSSA guys are tough! Now don't you pick on poor Harry, he's gettin old! Jim:D

Re: LIVE from Union Co. S/SS
 

Harry had me on the tree .058 to .059, but didn't cover, so the Duck Tape Turismo picked up the win by .011.

Total brain f*rt. Gotten so used to leaving first that when I was chasing Harry, my brain was thinking it was a long spot. I watched his first two bulbs come down... "aw crap!" I knew I was late! Turismo was good though, pretty much was heading for a .91 or .92 every pass after the sun went down. Ran 9.943 (9.90 dial) to Harry's 11.45 (11.42)

Harry and Jamie both made the semis of Modified too. Great night! Thanks to Union County and Alan Carpenter for having us.

Re: LIVE from Union Co. S/SS
 

Congrats to all. FWD ? What's dat? lol

Re: LIVE from Union Co. S/SS
 

Way to go slow cars! Nice job Michael!

Re: LIVE from Union Co. S/SS
 

More photos...

http://www.staginglight.com/photos/union11/pits2.jpg

http://www.staginglight.com/photos/union11/pits.jpg

Tailgaters lined the fence on both sides of the track
http://www.staginglight.com/photos/union11/fence.jpg

There's no need to fear... Underdog is here!
http://www.staginglight.com/photos/union11/morgan.jpg

The eventual finalists pitted next to each other, on the edge of the spectator parking area. It was a pretty full house! And yes, we fixed some things with Duck Tape and a zip tie.
http://www.staginglight.com/photos/union11/fwd.jpg

Top 8 Doorslammers put on a good show, running on a 4.70 Index.
http://www.staginglight.com/photos/union11/top8.jpg

Re: LIVE from Union Co. S/SS
 

http://www.staginglight.com/photos/union11/lanes.jpg

The track is only a couple of years old, and the surface is smooth as a pool table.
http://www.staginglight.com/photos/union11/track.jpg

Here's a view you probably don't see too often! Shot into the rearview mirror in the shutdown area, so you can see back up the track.
http://www.staginglight.com/photos/u...backwindow.jpg

Pearson put down a near perfect run first round with a .001 light, but broke out by mere thousandths.
http://www.staginglight.com/photos/union11/pearson.jpg

It was great to see the stands full of appreciative fans!
http://www.staginglight.com/photos/union11/stands.jpg

Re: LIVE from Union Co. S/SS
 

New Day Photography was on hand along with their mobile photo lab, printing photos on-site. They'll probably have a full photo gallery from the event available on their site this week. http://newdayphoto.phanfare.com/

It's got to take some skill to be able to pan with that! :p
http://www.staginglight.com/photos/u...mo_union11.jpg

http://www.staginglight.com/photos/u...nion_win11.jpg

Re: LIVE from Union Co. S/SS
 

Its pretty much the same as the old AHRA Formula Stock. If you are not old enough to remember that more details can be provided.

Bill

Re: LIVE from Union Co. S/SS
 

Thanks to Mike Petri, Mark Lewis & Union track manager Alan Carpenter far making this meet happen. Each played a part. A fun meet, reasonably close to home and realistic entry fees make these association races a viable option.

The spectators actualy enjoyed it when these cars came to the line instead then going to get their hot dogs. And when a super stock had to give the "Underdog" a six second spot, guess who the spectators were rooting for? Although I admit I felt sorry for the super stocker, he needed nerves of steel to sit out that spot.

And thanks to Mike & Mark for getting me off the R/R tracks and out of the mean neighbor's driveway. For getting my rig towed to the track and arrangeing to get my truck fixed at the track between rounds. I know that's what they mean when they say the racing community is one family. Southern hospitality doesn't hurt any either.

In spite of my problems, I had a great time.

Re: LIVE from Union Co. S/SS
 

Congrats Michael on your win and Harry on your runner up. Michael I think your winning percentage is pretty good at Union, I think it is 2 races 2 wins isnt it. I guess if you keep that up the price on the Turismo might start climbing.

Re: LIVE from Union Co. S/SS
 

Does Petrie still have the crate motor in his Camaro?

Re: LIVE from Union Co. S/SS
 

He put the crate motor combo back together at the first of the year. It was pretty tired and needed a good freshening. Just runnung inbracket mode with bias tires.

Re: LIVE from Union Co. S/SS
 

Thanks! Nope, two finals, but the first one was a R/U to "The Mongrel" John Boyer last summer at the Pro-Am race. And nah, price is still $5K for the car, even with the $1,500 in wheels and tires I've added this year... but don't wait too long... :rolleyes: It's making money! :D

Keep doing what you're doing Stacie. I'm proud of the big strides you've made!

Re: LIVE from Union Co. S/SS
 

The DVD from Union is now for sale. I copied the comments below from the Union County website track forum photographer. www.unioncountyscdragway.com.
It was Easter weekend, so how fitting that the Duck won! Thanks Michael for the compliment. I've been doing my "home"work.:)
The UnderDog and Jamie must have filled up a page in their log books!

"Here it is everybody a sneak preview, working on putting it all together and overlaying the audio tracks. We have about 54 minutes of some awesome footage along with several interviews from the pits and staging lanes. Pre order on here or call me @ 864-978-6747 or email photojones66@yahoo.com. 3rday productions is a class act and you will love this presentation. Those that order by thursday we will have it at the track this weekend. $30 for close to one hour of action, and that's no commercial breaks !" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyBftUs513Q