Live from Reading, PA - NHRA Keystone Nationals
 

Hi gang - First things first -yeah,yeah I know its no longer the Keystones but to many of us it will always be the 'Keystone Nats' and nothing else .And oh BTW, it doesn't have an official name this year so its fitting .Sponsors are hard to come by and hopefully Maple Grove will find one for next year .Next we'll get to why things are late - its my fault - smooth is not what things have been the last few days for me and even now I'm not yet at the track but will be soon.The boss is gonna make me pay ...............And dock me for sure ! !

Today is parking and tech - maybe he got a few shots this morning as I will also this afternoon ......later .

Re: Live from Reading, PA - NHRA Keystone Nationals
 

Thank goodness for the fact that you're going to make it. Believe me I was sweating nails wondering if we were going to have a "live" feed. Thanks Jack and be safe this weekend along with all the other racers.
Walt:)

Re: Live from Reading, PA - NHRA Keystone Nationals
 

Parking started at 10, and seems to be going well. It is a nice day with temps in the low 70's, It should be like this until Saturday as a cold front moves in with some rain.

The first photo is from Charlotte, forgot I took this one. I thought It was kind funny seeing these two characters setting together. I wonder what they were talking about, anyone care to guess. Just in case you might not know who they are, Sal Biondo on the left and Anthony Fetch on the right.

The other photos are just the usual wait, getting credentials and bs'n while we wait.

Re: Live from Reading, PA - NHRA Keystone Nationals
 

Jack, lets not slack this week. Take care of us who cant make it. lmao

Re: Live from Reading, PA - NHRA Keystone Nationals
 

So you're looking for a nice place to have dinner - let me guide you - want to earn some points with the Mrs.? Here's your chance - Emily's on Rt.10 north - only a few miles from the track .Its a converted former Post Office from the nineteenth century with plenty of charm .Great food with prices you can afford .You'll thank me .........

Re: Live from Reading, PA - NHRA Keystone Nationals
 

Well parking and tech are done for the day. It all went smooth with still plenty of room for the rigs coming in tomorrow. Some random shots of the day. The first photo is Anthony Bongiovanni's brand new 2014 Cobra Jet Super Stocker.

Tomorrow stock is out first at 8:45, weather will be cool in the low 60's for the morning shot.

Re: Live from Reading, PA - NHRA Keystone Nationals
 

A few more...

Re: Live from Reading, PA - NHRA Keystone Nationals
 

Is that place to get a good sub still open on the road near the track ?
It was on the main road out to the track, stoped there many times.

Re: Live from Reading, PA - NHRA Keystone Nationals
 

Agreed. Very cozy place, with great food. Excellent recomendation.

Re: Live from Reading, PA - NHRA Keystone Nationals
 

Good morning all - Waking up this AM was no treat as the temps dipped into the forties last evening and at this moment its a brisk 54 degrees .But all is not bad - the barometer is now 29.52 and climbing with 56 grains of water humidity is only 56% and that will burn off as the Sun rises .Throw in a little fog ........well you get it .

This morning we'll get started around 9am if everything goes well and Stock will test the 1320 first -one qualifier then Class elims .

Re: Live from Reading, PA - NHRA Keystone Nationals
 

The fog is burning off nicely and looks to be a great day for racing. The weather numbers are very good for this mornings run.

Temp 56
Humid 72%
Bar 29.53
DA 782
No wind

Jack, the start is 8:45 and we get 2 qualifiers and then go onto class, did they change the schedule?

Re: Live from Reading, PA - NHRA Keystone Nationals
 

Has to be how fortunate they are to be able to race, and with such wonderful folks Ken!
(Either that or someone has a pot of sauce on for ravioli's later:-)

Re: Live from Reading, PA - NHRA Keystone Nationals
 

First ten spots factory shoot out cars, guess the rest of us need to go home and work on our stuff. Well maybe Tom Fletcher won't have to work so hard -1.04 under.

Re: Live from Reading, PA - NHRA Keystone Nationals
 

I feel there are many old cars which could go 1.10 or even 1.20 or more under but they would face punishment (HP/AHFS - ie. Larry's truck)

I think a good solution would be to allow all cars to run with no penalty no matter how fast they go - at meets where NHRA wants to show case the FS class.

Ron

Re: Live from Reading, PA - NHRA Keystone Nationals
 

What a Joke, why doesn't anyone protest the crap out of these cars instead of complaining on Classracer which does nothing. Rules should not be Subjective, what is the point of indexes..."Can't Fix Stupid"

Re: Live from Reading, PA - NHRA Keystone Nationals
 

A good idea Ron. Should have come up before. Just like National Opens. But would many of the older cars want to show how fast they can be?

C/SA 10.09 129.80 04/28/13 Gary Richard - Bay Shore, NY
'69 Chevy

National record.

That's 1.31 under..... just one example. Old 396 with iron heads. Not exactly beat to death as they would have you believe.

LT1's and LS1's really show their hand?

Re: Live from Reading, PA - NHRA Keystone Nationals
 

I posted this on the other topic about FS not getting HP:

Until people quit showing up to races with their older cars nothing will be done. What do you think NHRA would do if a national event had only a handful of the new FS cars show up? ONLY THEN would they address the problem with some type of real solution. If people keep complaining at a keyboard, and then pay their entry fees, there isn't a problem in the eyes of NHRA.

Scott

Re: Live from Reading, PA - NHRA Keystone Nationals
 

Its been a busy day, and I see DRC has all the latest action up. I have lots of photos and 5 in car cams. It will take awhile to get them edited and uploaded, so please check back.

Some impressive times in the FS class with Mike Skinner running 8.50's and David Barton running 8.70's Victor Cagnazzi took Dave Connolly out on hole shot. Victor had the performance advantage the round before but spun hard against Dave. It should be a close final with David and Victor. Victor's COPO is running stick for those who did not know.

I will be back....


Guys, please stay on topic, I understand some don't like whats happening with the FS class, but I'm doing a live from not I hate NHRA from. There already is a Thread to post on.
http://classracer.com/classforum/showthread.php?t=55144

Re: Live from Reading, PA - NHRA Keystone Nationals
 

oh I think he owns walmart can go as fast as he wants

Re: Live from Reading, PA - NHRA Keystone Nationals
 

I thought it was radio shack or something.....
either way as fast as he wants

Re: Live from Reading, PA - NHRA Keystone Nationals
 

Gary Richard is the CEO of P.C. Richard which is the largest chain of private, family owned electronics and appliance stores in the United States. The first store opened in 1909, and all of their stores are located in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. P.C. Richard is also the sponsor of the Div.1 National Open series, and Gary is a big supporter of Sportsman racing in general.

Re: Live from Reading, PA - NHRA Keystone Nationals
 

Yes I know who he is.......I was just pulling Mickey's chain. Now back to the race.....

Re: Live from Reading, PA - NHRA Keystone Nationals
 

We finished over an hour ago getting everything done in a timely fashion. Tomorrow stock will be getting two rounds instead of the one in the morning. Pending weather caused the schedule change.

First set of photos are from Super Stock in the lanes. The in car cam is Richard Kay in is 69 Valiant SS/BM. The video is a little shaky, my new camera mount is given me some issues, so todays videos will not be perfect.

Re: Live from Reading, PA - NHRA Keystone Nationals
 

More Super Stock in the lanes.

This video is David Barton driving Jim Daniels 68 Hemi Dart.

Re: Live from Reading, PA - NHRA Keystone Nationals
 

First round FS/B, Sal Biondo vs David Barton, with David getting the win.

Re: Live from Reading, PA - NHRA Keystone Nationals
 

Hi kids - Well I must say today was a super day to be at the races as they had it all here at Maple Grove - plenty of great class runoffs along with the Factory Showdown deal - then throw in S/S qualifying for good measure .What more can you ask for ?

Took a few pics during the day but I got a little busy - I'll sort thru them and post ASAP .

Re: Live from Reading, PA - NHRA Keystone Nationals
 

FS/B second round, Victor Cagnazzi vs Dave Connolly. Vic getting the win on a hole shot.

Re: Live from Reading, PA - NHRA Keystone Nationals
 

By now most of you know that David Barton ( in his '10 Challenger 426) qualified on the pole and went on to win the Factory Shootout over Michael Skinner in his '14 Cobra Jet ........Congrats to both .

I added this Video to Jacks Thread... The final FS/A vs FS/B

Re: Live from Reading, PA - NHRA Keystone Nationals
 

A few more 'just for fun ' pics ..............

Re: Live from Reading, PA - NHRA Keystone Nationals
 

FS/B Final, David Barton over Victor Cagnazzi.

Re: Live from Reading, PA - NHRA Keystone Nationals
 

OK - one last thing and I'm headed for sleepy time - the 'Rumor Mill' is churning here at the Grove - the latest is the NHRA is going to separate the 'new cars' into their own deal next year with an announcement coming in a few weeks .This reporter tried a bunch today to get anyone to confirm or deny this - but no luck either way .We'll just have to wait and see..........And ClassRacer will stay on top of this ! ! !

And NO - its not April 1st

Re: Live from Reading, PA - NHRA Keystone Nationals
 

Some great shots of todays action from John DiBartolomeo.

Re: Live from Reading, PA - NHRA Keystone Nationals
 

A few more...

Re: Live from Reading, PA - NHRA Keystone Nationals
 

sweet dreams JACK

Re: Live from Reading, PA - NHRA Keystone Nationals
 

Interesting to see that Victor is running a 5 speed stick. I predict this will not be the last FS/Stock car with a clutch. If it works in Pro Stock it will work in Factory Stock.

Re: Live from Reading, PA - NHRA Keystone Nationals
 

Hey Ken & Jack, Thanks for all the posts, pics, and updates so far this weekend. A broken foot prevented me from going, and will put me out for the Dutch too. So seeing all these posts etc. is comforting to say the least.
Thanks also for the pics of my best buds, the Smyth Family and Team Portatree. It was great to see Stephen get the trophy is CC/SA even if it was against you Jack. Was a close race from the numbers aspect. Please keep up the great efforts. Have a safe race everyone.
Walt

Re: Live from Reading, PA - NHRA Keystone Nationals
 

Good morning members - in a little over an hour Stock will head out to round one - maybe - even with the Sun up its foggy and may delay things a bit.Either way it'll be another nice day here at the Grove .With temps now in the high fifties and climbing fast and the barometer at a steady 29.48 the only problem seems to be the humidity which is at a little over sixty percent but should burn off with the Sun now up........

Re: Live from Reading, PA - NHRA Keystone Nationals
 

Guys I have a question. Not being a class racer but just a lowly bracket racer, although I do love everything about what you guys do, I'm not used to the way some of these engines sound. In the David Barton video driving the hemi car. When he gets in high gear just before he lifts, it sounds like the motor lays over. Did it sound to anyone else like it might have been a problem or just pulling the motor down with the loss of gear? Just curious about what I heard.

Thanks to those who do the Live From threads. I really enjoy the reporting. It has to to me a lot of work to race and keep us all entertained at the same time.

Curtis

Re: Live from Reading, PA - NHRA Keystone Nationals
 

Like a BOSS !

Re: Live from Reading, PA - NHRA Keystone Nationals
 

Man I Love Four Speeds!!!!!!!!!!
Victors car sounds SO bad!!!!!!!