Live from Atco, NJ - NHRA PC Richard National Open
 

Hi kids - this morning I've got good news and a little bad .After a nice 100 plus mile drive I've arrived here at Atco amid sunshine and very blue skies for today's test n tune .And here comes the bad -- the track has asked the fast cars not to use parachutes as its very , very windy and most are not going past the eighth mile under power .Slower Stockers won't be bothered but after I get 'big red' teched in its back in the box .

Other than that ot much to report yet - other than don't buy your diesel fuel in Pennsylvania as its fifty cents a gallon cheaper in New Jersey.That and if you're a little chilly here this weekend I've got a few hoodies with me .And I'm parked 'in the hood' - ask anyone-- they'll tell you where that is .

Couple of last things - if you're looking for a great place to eat - on rt 73 northbound is Tullias - nice 'eyetalian 'joint . And then there's the boss -our own 'yo ken' - MIA again ! !

Later ..........

Re: Live from Atco,NJ - NHRA PC Richard National Open
 

Not trying to hijack the thread already, however a couple of weeks ago diesel was $4.11 here in Mass! Good luck this weekend and hope you make it to Ohio next weekend!

Re: Live from Atco,NJ - NHRA PC Richard National Open
 

Ha! Diesel hasn't been lower than $3.79 here in Florida in over a year. $4.21 yesterday! Robbery! Jim



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Re: Live from Atco,NJ - NHRA PC Richard National Open
 

Despite the wind several racers set NHRA National Records ---

Dave Thomas - SS/EA

Young Bardicoff in GT something

Chris Butcher G/SA

Nick Reiter D/SA

All are pending teardown which will take place tomorrow morning .

Re: Live from Atco,NJ - NHRA PC Richard National Open
 

Don't have much to report, finally got my Shelby back to the track. I have been busy sorting a few bugs. I did get two shots of a cars that have not seen.

The weather for todays testing was super about 600 ft above, only problem was the head wind. A steady 15 to 20 mph gusting to 25 to 30 mph. The traction was great, at least for me and the cars that I saw run.

Racing starting tomorrow at 9:30 am for time trails. The weather for tomorrow, mid 60's partly sun with the wind shifting to a tail wind. Rain coming in late evening, but we should be okay.

Re: Live from Atco,NJ - NHRA PC Richard National Open
 

Congratulations to all the record setters, especially the stocker dudes, Rod/Chris Butcher and Nicky Reiter.

Anyone know what they set the records at?

Re: Live from Atco,NJ - NHRA PC Richard National Open
 

x2

Re: Live from Atco,NJ - NHRA PC Richard National Open
 

All have fun...Be safe.....Jack keep the reports comming. Congrats to the "NEW" record holders. Sorry we can`t make this race...........Thats my friends Sox & Martin car (Dave Collette).

Re: Live from Atco,NJ - NHRA PC Richard National Open
 

Good morning - We here at Atco are being welcomed this AM by a very bright Sun and very chilly temps and I'd love to tell you just how cold it is but since I swapped coaches this Winter the charger for my weather station has dissapeared and my station is dead as a doornail . But I can tell you when I woke up it was 49 inside and I couldn't get the heat on fast enough ....brrrrrrrrrrr ! ! ! !

Other than that no long lines to get in and plenty of good pit space left thanks to the Atco folks expanding the pits that were formerly mud/sand .

Start time is to be at 9:30 .........

Re: Live from Atco,NJ - NHRA PC Richard National Open
 

x2

Jeremy

Re: Live from Atco,NJ - NHRA PC Richard National Open
 

X3

Dan

Re: Live from Atco,NJ - NHRA PC Richard National Open
 

x4

Re: Live from Atco,NJ - NHRA PC Richard National Open
 

OK- here's the poop - Record runs will be held again today so teardown will be later on .And here is another twist - Chris Butcher -who set the G/SA record yesterday will attempt to set the H/SA record today and has a good shot at getting it .His dad Rod told me this morning that its just a matter of adding 130 lbs and with no wind today and bit of luck.........

More news - American Muscle will not be run at this event as of this morning .Also the CIC race will be held today .That and the Stock / SuperStock combo will not happen as they have decided to race Stock and SuperStock as seperate eliminators this weekend .

Tech is being held in the lanes -- and they'll call us very soon for the first time shot .

Later ........Saddle up !

Re: Live from Atco,NJ - NHRA PC Richard National Open
 

Stock is done with their first time shot and Super has just been called to the lanes. The weather is excellent to day with a mild tail cross wind.

Temp 61
Humid 24%
BAR 29.92
DA 493
Wind 5mph tail cross.

If I can get a qualifying sheet I will be sure to post.

Re: Live from Atco,NJ - NHRA PC Richard National Open
 

After making a qualifying pass in one class it is not legal to change classes. So will he set the record again today and move to another class tomorrow? I call BS. Jim

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Re: Live from Atco,NJ - NHRA PC Richard National Open
 

You pay again, there is no qualifying at opens as it is all run random pairings. It would be like he just came in today and entered in h instead of g. it cost him , but no travel expenses 2 times. I think it is a good idea and only saw it done at opens

Re: Live from Atco,NJ - NHRA PC Richard National Open
 

Yes, racers have been able to set records in two classes for several years now at Opens. Marty Bernard did it in 2003 or so, set O and P (or maybe P and Q) on back to back days at The Dutch.

Re: Live from Atco,NJ - NHRA PC Richard National Open
 

I'd be interested to find out if this has been done in any other Division. Does ANYONE know what the G/SA record was set at? It's a shame we can't get any results anymore.

Hope the car was at least scaled, sealed and fuel checked by NHRA officials! It would be real sloppy to not do so when not doing tear down for over 48 hours. Jim


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Re: Live from Atco,NJ - NHRA PC Richard National Open
 

Jim - The G/SA record was set at 10.81 and he went 10.88 this morning in H/SA

Re: Live from Atco,NJ - NHRA PC Richard National Open
 

He would have had the H/SA record if it hadn't already been set by an altitude corrected run! Oh well -1.27 will get the AHFS up and running. Too bad it was for nothing. Jim


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Re: Live from Atco,NJ - NHRA PC Richard National Open
 

D/SA Record?
M.Lind

Re: Live from Atco,NJ - NHRA PC Richard National Open
 

Jim, there is NO AHFS at National Opens. Go as fast as you want.

And yes, they scale, fuel check and seal a cars engine when teardown is done the next day.

Re: Live from Atco,NJ - NHRA PC Richard National Open
 

The H/SA record was at 10.91, and G was at minimum, so young Mr. Butcher has gone quicker than both existing marks. My brother called from the track to tell me he sheared the wheel studs on the back up run for H. It's not clear if they'll allow a back up run during the last qualifying session- the flyer leads me to believe they might not.

I wanted to be there badly, and spent lots of money this spring to take a shot at one of these records. Broke a driveshaft right off the line last week, which in turn allowed the engine to freewheel for half a second, which broke a lifter puck, which fell into the cam tunnel and broke the cam.

To be honest, I don't know if I could have topped a 10.88. Probably not. These guys are to be congratulated on one of stoutest records in the eliminator, and kudos to anyone who volunteers for a teardown like that.

Re: Live from Atco,NJ - NHRA PC Richard National Open
 

Also learned that Steve Szupka went 11.05 in I/SA against an 11.21 record.

Re: Live from Atco,NJ - NHRA PC Richard National Open
 

Tony, sorry to hear about your breakage, I'm sure you will rebound better than ever! You are correct about the H/SA record is 10.91. I'm not sure where I got the idea that it is 10.82. Jim


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Re: Live from Atco,NJ - NHRA PC Richard National Open
 

Jim Wahl, I think a few years ago Jack Matyas set a record on Thursday with one car and raced a different car in eliminations at this race? I think it`s up to the division director on how they do different things at these racers. Tom

Re: Live from Atco,NJ - NHRA PC Richard National Open
 

Is that a Boucher engine in the Camaro? Or other?

I wonder what some of the incremental times were on that 10.81 run? Must have been pretty handy to a sub 1.40 60'.

Jeremy

Re: Live from Atco,NJ - NHRA PC Richard National Open
 

Bub motor..Congrats to all you record breakers.. REAL FAST CARS !

Re: Live from Atco,NJ - NHRA PC Richard National Open
 

Tom - Yes I did that and I can personally guarantee you it will never , ever happen again .Boy did I get chewed out for that move .Me ? I thought it was pretty slick but the NHRA officials didn't agree .But they gave me a 'used car salesman ' of the month award for my approach .

Re: Live from Atco,NJ - NHRA PC Richard National Open
 

Jeremy he has a Camaro. Those Bub built 305's are packing some heat. May have to see about getting mine back out again.

Re: Live from Atco,NJ - NHRA PC Richard National Open
 

Hey Tony, Sorry to hear about your misfortune. Bad enough breaking the drive shaft let alone the engine. Sorry to hear but I am sure you will return soon. Regards, Joe Fasano.

Re: Live from Atco,NJ - NHRA PC Richard National Open
 

I hope we can get a national open down south. It would be really cool, but I am not sure we would have enough support down here for an open. It would almost need to be run before a division race.

Re: Live from Atco,NJ - NHRA PC Richard National Open
 

It's my understanding that Chris B was allowed to make a back-up run after making repairs. Definitely the right decision by D-1 officials.

Re: Live from Atco,NJ - NHRA PC Richard National Open
 

Cooter, you and your dad need to come up to Bowling Green, Memorial Day weekend for our d3 open plus the 5k combo race. You can let that GTO loose and see how fast it will go.

Re: Live from Atco,NJ - NHRA PC Richard National Open
 

Here are the qualifying sheets for Stk and SS. We are done for the day and will get one more shot tomorrow and then go into eliminations.

Jack will have more info CIC race along with photos. He will also have the records when there are done with tear down.

The qualifying was the second time shop of the day. There were some clean ups and some cars went faster then on the sheet. In the CIC race I wound up running 9.74 for a first round loss, still no were close to the new cars but I'm just happy to be in my Shelby again. We should have a another sheet for the final qualifying tomorrow thanks to Jack, he brought you these sheets.

The weather in the afternoon is as follows for you weather nuts.

Temp 66
Humid 24%
Bar 29.80
DA 812
Wind tail cross 5mph to 8mph




http://classracer.com/atco_stk.jpg


http://classracer.com/atco_ss.jpg

Re: Live from Atco,NJ - NHRA PC Richard National Open
 

The CIC race was exciting even with a shortage of entries .Four rounds of fun and in the final it was Anthony Bongiovanni in his awesome SS/BA Cobra Jet against Steve Szupka in his 305 powered eighties Camaro I/SA and in the end it was anti-climatic as Anthony went red handing the PC Richard sponsored prize to Steve .Great racing for sure.....Don't miss the next one ..

Re: Live from Atco,NJ - NHRA PC Richard National Open
 

I hope have another in car cam for tomorrow. This one is James Vignogna in his 97 Avenger SS/DM, its nice to James behind the wheel again.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8f42ot8rm5A&list=UUIPkN6w3aT8XGT1a4QTqU6g& feature=share"]Atco Open 2014 - 97 Avenger SS DM James Vignogna - YouTube[/ame]

Re: Live from Atco, NJ - NHRA PC Richard National Open
 

And yet they still wonder why not many want to participate in the CIC race.

Re: Live from Atco, NJ - NHRA PC Richard National Open
 

Here some more photos in the pits, staging lanes and tear down. Ed Bednaz got fresh paint over the winter, and the photo does not do it justice. The black paint is flawless and looks sweet on his Nova.

Jerry Panza in is newly acquired D/SA 67 Fairlane. Another clean look stocker, its absolutely perfect. This RJ Sledge's old car. Jerry had the interior redone and it also looks great.

Re: Live from Atco, NJ - NHRA PC Richard National Open
 

new record for Guy Desjardins SS/FA 9.374 at 141xxmph