"Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

We folks, I'm as surprised as you all are. How they got me down here is beyond me. David Barton wanted to get Gary Wolkwitz's COPO into the 7's. They missed it at the Dutch buy .008. Knowing there was one more shot at it, they had to head south. David ask me a the Dutch, are you doing anything on the week of the 18th of November. I told him, I don't think so. Well that's all he needed to here. He said great, your driving the rig down, so here I am.

I will have some videos and photos of David's attempt on the 7 second zone, along with photos from the rest of the race. There were a few cars out today. I pulled in 4pm just as David got here from the airport. It was good timing.

I will talk to you all tomorrow with more updates. Rumors are Holbrook, Skinner and Bell might be here to also try for the 7's.

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

Yo Kenny

What it down there, they will need fresh Jersey Gator Bait,if Jeff ask ya to go for a ride, bail on him. Have fun, LOL

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

While we were fishing yesterday, we had to fight with a 10 ft gator for the corner point between two little bayous. Late in the season, but he surfaced on the side of the boat, and we did not get a conversation going with him. Looks like Sat is the day, a little wind and should be cross track. We are leaving for the long 45 mile journey about 8. Got lots of beer. I really hope we get a good turnout. Just looked at Accuweather. Looks like good weather. High 70's tomorrow afternoon, cooling, high 65 on Sat. Cooler most of the day. Low humidity for us 35%, I'm sure the barometer will cooperate. Winds are lower than I thought @ 9 or 10 steady from the north. I think the track goes east, but I will look on google earth and see. More as it happens. Thanks to Ken for being here. Lots of pictures, but I plan on teaching him some Cajun language. Track runs east slightly southeast, tree line on the north side, don't know if that will stop some of the north wind.

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

Don't forget Sherman's Shootout!

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Who is driving the Mendes Bros Mustang ? Did they sell it ?

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

Well boss this is one time I wish i was along for the ride.Although it will be seventy here today in Pennsylvania most of us Easterners have no idea what it's like there in he Bayou country so maybe you could fill us in on what the weather is like there .

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

90 or so; 70's 30.20 100 entries by now

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

Good morning all, its already 75 and it will be a warn day. Test and tune starts around 1. We will be able to set records around 7, but just one run. The weather is supposed to break tomorrow with highs in the mid 60's, so the morning run should be quick for all record setters. The barometer is 30.10 and going up, it should be fun tomorrow.

John, I will see what I can find out about Mendes Bros Mustang.

Here are a few more shots, still not many cars here, but there are rigs coming in.

Be back when things get going...

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

My second hand update from test and tune........................ everyone be flying. Tonight's "top stock" race should be a large time. I wish we were fast enough to play,but alas we are not. So instead of just sitting on the porch I'm in the shop looking for a little more power.

I keep hoping Mr.Jim B. is taking the winter off, but in all honesty, I think I would have a better chance winning the Loto without buying a ticket, than that happening.

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

Top Stock just finished up with their first qualifying. I don't have a sheet, but it looks like 8 cars were in the field. The were many running high 9's, it should be fun to watch. I will try to get more info, but I have been busy with Barton. We made two passes, both ended up aborted. The car left good, 1.19 60's, but as soon as David pulled second gear the tires broke loose. Steve Bell is here and he went a 8.18@169 in is 2016 COPO. The air is about 2200 ft now. Its getting cool and there about to call Stock and Super Stock to the lanes. I will try to get more info on Top Stock later. Here are a few shots of the Top Stockers...

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

Here is the 1st round qualifying for Top Stock. The rules are a 8.25 weight break using your NHRA factored hp rating.

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

Thanks Ken Please keep us posted

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

We did not get into the 7's tonight. David got the car to run a 8.10, but its still spinning pretty good when it hits second gear. Steve Bell went a 8.13 so tomorrow should be interesting. They are still running Top Stock, I will get you more info when it becomes available.

Here are some random shots of the day. I few night shots, but the track is very dark, so its hard to get good photos at night. As soon as the finish up with Top Stock I will give you the winner and runner up. It looks like a good turnout, I counted at least 50 cars in Stock, I'm sure there are more, and more will be here tomorrow.

I have video to edit, but it may no be good, its hard to get good videos with a dark track. I will be back later and post it anyway.

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

I almost forgot, Nick Reiter is here, he is going for the D record. He went a 10.44 tonight, and might have a good chance to run some low 30's tomorrow. Nick is my hero, living the dream, racing all over the country. He did not even know this race was being run. He was heading back from the west coast and said what the heck, lets just stop here see if we can get a record before we head home.

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Britt Cummings took out Slate Cummings with a hole shot win in Top Stock, 9.83 to a 9.81.

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Yo Ken - Thanks for the pics and reports. Tell Nicky we're all pulling for him!

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OK....it's Tony Hewe's driving the Mendez Bros. Mustang !! I'v never known them to travel that far !!! He's out of Sparks ,Nevada and the Mendez Bros.out of Sacramento
The Mendez have been racing for a long time.....even Half Moon Bay drags !!

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

Will do Bob.

The video is not great, but what the heck. The first part of the video which I think is kind of cool is two guys from Chevy's performance engine development team pushing David's COPO. Chevy looks like they mean business. Chris Cogan on the left and Jerry Joles on the right are having a great time. They are eager to see how they can help the COPO engine program move along. I was very impressed with there insight, knowledge and most of all passion for developing the best possible engine packages for there customers.

David runs a 8.10 on this run.

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

Most impressive run to me thus far is Tony Hewes 9.10 144 mph in SS/FA!

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He ran 9.10 in SS/FA....goin to back it up for the record saturday

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Yo Ken. Thanks for all the reports, wish I was there. Is that green Camaro Barry's old ride?

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

Yes I think that's Barry's old car.

Good morning all, the weather is right this morning and should stay about the same for the rest of the day. The weather numbers in the photo says it all. If David can get down the track, 7's should be no problem.

We are supposed to start at 9am, I will be back later with more info. How about the Mendez Bothers Shelby going a 9.10 in SS/FA, they Should be able to get in the 8's today..... with a Super F car, man that's fast.

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Well Ken once again you've made me even more jealous about being there as it must be very exciting racing there racing at night plus you being part of Davids' team in his quest to get into the sevens first .And I'm sure the Chevrolet brass that were helping out in your video were happy even though David didn't reach his goal - but the good news is that the 'other' guys didn't either .But there is always today - and another shot at it - good luck to everyone ...............

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Ken would a round by round report of the top stock race be doable? A lot of us porch dwellers would like to know. You don't have to figure split times, we can do that. LOL

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

Car count as of Friday night:
TD 10
TS 7
SS 18
Stk 33
SC 9
SG 2
SST 6
#1 in SS: SS/FA.. 10.45.. 9.107.. -1.343.. 796 Tony Hewes, Reno NV ,'69 Mustang
#1 in Stk: E/SA..11.70..10.369..-1.331..4022 Jeff Teuton,Houma LA,'10 Challenger

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

Today is the day. 51 temp, baro 30.43, DA -877, 50% rh 8 to 9 crosswind

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

That E/SA number is humbling......'nuff said.:o

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Wish I had copied Jeff's times that showed up on live timing yesterday...amazing. I can't seem to get the live timing link to work beyond one run and then it freezes. Look forward to the Yo Ken's continuing reports..

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

Larry, I will do my best, but I have been very busy helping David, its hard to get all the reporting in.

No 7's for the first run. The air is so good and the car is making more power than the track can handle with a 9 inch tire. Steve Bell lined up with David, we were thinking someone is getting into the 7's. It was not to be, both cars spun. Be back after we try it again.

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

Ken, thanks for all the photos and reporting. Looks like great weather and a great time being had by all. I hope each racer achieves his or her goal down there.

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Stephen Bell went 7.84 in his SS stick COPO!!
Incredible! Congrats!!

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Great run by Bell!

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Is there live timing?

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

Jeff colvert GT/A 8.79@ 150

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Qual sheets would.be great. I bet some awesome runs are going on over there.

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I have not seen a q sheet anywhere, I will try to hunt one down. Looks like there will be no 7 second record. Both Barton and Bell spun hard as soon as the got into second gear. The still have a shot at a 7 second run for first round eliminations.

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

Stephen Bell & PB Candies just ran side by side 7 second SS runs!
Way cool!!!
Still no luck with the stockers to get into the 7's yet.

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Hey guys, here are the final qualifying sheets. First round of Stock just finished up. I know I sound like a broken record, but we spun again. Even with a ton of timing out, its still breaking the tires loose after second gear. Bell had similar issues and did not get down the track. Both drivers won so David and Steve Bell will get another shot at it.

I don't have the record runs, but I'm sure you can tell by the qualifying sheet.


http://classracer.com/npstk.jpg


http://classracer.com/npss.jpg

Re: "Live From" The Belle Rose National Open
 

Thanks for all of the reports and Q Sheets! Wish I was there!

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Stephen, tell me if I am wrong; but that 9.10 may be the quickest run ever by a SS/F or SS/FA. Several years ago, Jeff Colvert had the SS/F record at 9.12; but I don't know of anyone running quicker than 9.10. Say hi to your Dad for me.