Live from Indy National Open!
 

Got in at Gate 8 about 1:00 am this morning. Parked in line with lots of others. Then at 8:00 or so this morning when everyone started to move in, we cranked up the motorhome to move up and the motorhome would not move. So here it is almost 10:00 and we are still at Gate 8. In talking with people who work on Allison transmissions, it looks like the shift selector is not working. So now we are trying to find a new shifter. Larry has decided to go ahead and unload the car and get teched, since we are probably here til Monday. So if you are here or are coming, come on by to see us. We won't be hard to find since we are out here all by ourselves. But hey, we have had worst parking spots at the Nationals. Looks like there is a pretty good turnout, but I will let you know more after we run.
Patsy

Re: Live from Indy National Open!
 

Ran about 12:15. Air adjusted altitude was 785'. Temp about 60. 38 stockers went down 1st round. They just called us back for round 2. They announced that these are time runs and not qualifying runs until tomorrow. We went 10.48 in B/SA. Larry plans on running Top Stock tomorrow. We don't have a chance at it, but if the class still exists by next year, we might have a chance with the Cuda. So he wants to support the class. I think Mike Fuller is going to run Top stock, too. Others here is A,B,or C are Jason McCormack, Jim Bailey, Brian Livengood and 1 more A/SA that I did not know who he was.
We have someone coming to check out the motorhome this afternoon. One Allison place wanted to tow us to their place (10 miles away) for $600. This is sounding like it is going to be a very expensive weekend.
And of all things, I forgot my big chili pot. So I have to go down and see if Marlene Hardy has a big one for the chili tomorrow.

Re: Live from Indy National Open!
 

Patsy ~ I love reading your on-the-scene reports! Hope you find your chili pot!!

Re: Live from Indy National Open!
 

Thanks, Julie.

Do National opens count for AHFS? If they do, it's a good thing for Steve Polhill that today is not counted for qualifying. If the index was put up correctly, he was #1 this afternoon at -1.45 under. Others at the top were Rambo -1.16, Winchester -1.11, Summers or Zink -1.10, Greg Hill -1.08, us -1.07, Harrison -1.06. Whoops, I left out Schaeter @ -1.25 under. These are very unofficial, since a lot of the time, the wrong indexes are put up 1st round.

Super stock has made a run, but since we are out in BFE I didn't get up to watch. I heard them announce Schindler and Hodge and I know Tim Cole is here, but that's about all I know.
More later.
Patsy

Re: Live from Indy National Open!
 

Patsy,

Make sure Larry stays on top of who ever you have look at your motorhome. The shifter died in one of my trucks and it turned out to be an in line fuse. No one knows what the problem is yet but be sure to check all fuses/circuit breakers.

Bruce

Re: Live from Indy National Open!
 

Patsy,
I have given TOP/STK decals to Larry for his car. I believe placing them on the right windshield is appropriate. All Racers in TOP/STK or TOP/SS can run all week end as that class and show on Qual sheet as such for Sunday. Cover decal for a regular qual run if they want to compete sunday as regular class on Qual sheet. Thanks Lots of cars for Heads up Saturday.
Dick

Re: Live from Indy National Open!
 

Patsy we are coming over in the morning (only hour and a half) need me to bring a big pot for your chili?

Re: Live from Indy National Open!
 

Monte, wish I had read this last night. I still need a big pot. Guess I will just cook it in 2 pots. Come on over after top stock runs tonight.
Bruce, thanks for the info. Larry has already checked out all the fuses and wiring. They are saying that it is the ecu unit. Only $2200!! Real expensive weekend.
We had 84 stockers this morning with Pohill on top at 1.49 under. He was in the record lane. Got done to 36 degrees last night. It was 51 when we ran, with adjusted altitude 620'. Really good air for here. There were others in the record lane, but it was a little confusing, so I will let you know more about that later. Right now we are in a holding pattern in the middle of super stock running because Harold Leiter in the Hemi oiled down the entire track.
Looks like Jason McCormack has us all covered in Top Stock. He ran 10.12 this morning at 130 mph. That was in A/S, so he has to add some weight. Looks like there might be 6-8 running. We will get our time trial after the record runs at the end of the next time trial.
More later.
Patsy

Re: Live from Indy National Open!
 

Doesn't Jason McCormack have to add more weight than say a regular A/sa? Because he is a stick car, and his index is 11.25. I'm confused about this. I am sure this will be a fun race. I wish more racers supported it though. ps. I got my class number now 3961 stock. have a nice day everybody..I'm at work again..machinig hole in an engine block over 300 inches long..yippy skippy..

Re: Live from Indy National Open!
 

Thanks for the live reports, Larry, especially when there are no results posted on DRC.

Re: Live from Indy National Open!
 

ok just got off the phone with my dad. He said he was #6 qualifier @ 10.51 125.41. the changes to the carb didn't work and so he changed back. Jim Bailey ran a 10.41 right next to him and that is who he races in the first round which should be going on right as I write this or soon after. Also larry hills car broke traction real bad and came close to the wall. He ran a 10.75 so I think he is the F 8 car out of eight. I assume McCormack is #1 qualifier..air was a little worse than this morning. so more when I talk with POPs..later Jason

Re: Live from Indy National Open!
 

Top Stock:
1. McCormack 10.30, 129
2. Oakes 10.35, 127
3. Bailey 10.41, 126
4. Bennett 10.43, 125
5. Arnett 10.47, 124
6. Fuller 10.51, 125
7. Wells 10.64, 123
8. Larry 10.75, 125

We are only getting 1 time trial, then race tonight. Larry spun really bad and almost hit the wall. Wish we had Redman here to take care of the starting line. Nobody looked real good leaving.

No clean up runs this afternoon. Haven't been down to look at final qualifying. At the opens they usually don't use the qualifying to match up until 2nd round.

The chili is ready. Come on down.
Patsy

Re: Live from Indy National Open!
 

In Top SuperStock:
1st round Pacquet redlighted against Brian Oakes
Schindler beat Depillo after something went wrong with Depillo
Then in the final:
Oakes, 9.01 beat Schindler's 9.05

In Top Stock:
Arnett 10.41, 124 beat Bennett 10.43, 124
Bailey 10.40, 126 beat Fuller 10.46
Oakes 10.36, 127 beat Wells, 10.49
McCormack 10.25, 129 beat Larry 10.39, 125

At least our car left good that time. I had forgot that the Charger didn't have wheelie-bars on it until it about turned over that time. It hooked really well.

They've called them back up.
More later.
Patsy

Re: Live from Indy National Open!
 

Round 2:
Oakes 10.30 beat Bailey 10.33
Jason 10.17 beat Arnett 10.40

And in the final:
Oakes 10.24 beat McCormack 10.20 on a hole shot.

So Oakes wins both Top Stock and Superstock.

Well, we run 1st round at 9:00 in the morning.

And Reliable Transmission got our motorhome fixed!!
Later,
Patsy

Re: Live from Indy National Open!
 

Congratulations to our Son Brian (Quack) on his wins in Top Stock / Super Stock at the Indy Open.........wtg Mum and Dad are so proud................cya next week

Re: Live from Indy National Open!
 

Some sporty weather. The top 39 cars out of 86 were a second under their respective indexes.

Top 10:

1) Steve Polhill EF/S -1.495 What the hell, the Canadian Dollar is so strong, he can just call Patterson's right?


2) Bob Gipson K/S -1.253 (set K record) 11.59

3) Rick Winchester H/SA -1.247 under

4) Jim Harrison K/SA -1.237

5) Dave Edwards B/FIA -1.220

6) Bert Morgan R/SA -1.213

7) Joe Schaechter J/S -1.210

8) Bob Gere L/SA -1.199

9) Dave Morgan F/FIA -1.197

10) Robert Bullock H/SA -1.183

Records:

Bill Dyer N/S

Bob Gipson K/S

Gary Summers O/S

Jimmy Gower M/S

Steve Pohill EF/S

Dave Schliender? GT/J

Rick South GT/EA

Other notable runs:

Capt Jack U/SA Q14 -1.147

Ellis Buth W/S Q 11 -1.161 only rear drive car with slicks that are narrower than the froon tires ( and it works)

Tim Weinzapful T/SA (old Cal Method, Fuller, etc. Car) -1.136

Bruce Witherspoon C/FIA -.95 ( those of you keeping track probably still at d weight)

Jim Hanlon G/SA -52 New car, still Boneyard fresh suspension

Jason McCormack went 10.12 in the morning session in A/S. Beast!

If the indexes were .2 lower, the cars qualified 79th on down would be over.

Re: Live from Indy National Open!
 

Great reports you guys..... and nice to see T/STK is alive and well in its original form!

Mike Keener

Re: Live from Indy National Open!
 

Well we are on our way back home after another 1st round runner-up. Larry apologized to me this morning for really sucking this year. Oh well, there's always next year, or next week. I think we are going to Reynolds next week.

This morning Larry red-lighted against Greg Hill again. Out of the 8 Top stockers from last night 5 red-lighted. Only Fuller, Wells, and Bailey are still in. There were lots of redlights and breakouts. The weather was really better than the guages read.

Our motorhome is shifting, so all is well. We don't know what the final bill is yet, but at least we are on our way home.

We plan to go to Reynolds next week, so I will give you updates on this final points race of the year. Probably will be lots of heavy hitters there.
So til next week.

Patsy

Re: Live from Indy National Open!
 

Forgot to congratulate Jason McCormack on his 10.17, 129 run in Top Stock and 10.12 in A/S
Good job!
Larry & Patsy

Re: Live from Indy National Open!
 

THANK YOU PATSY AND LARRY

it was a great year of LIVE reporting...
i truly enjoyed every sentence as i did not race april - august it was almost as much fun (and much cooler at home) as being there.
we are sorry larry sucked this year too, but then maybe he's just saving it for the old cuda debut next year (we hope) !!!

anyway thanks for the chili and queso dip dinner too bad top stock ran LATE and screwed up the dinner plans... everyone pay attention... momma hill's chili is killer !!!

see you guys next season, take care and hope the bill on the bus isnt too bad !!

captain jack

Re: Live from Indy National Open!
 

Larry & Patsy---Thanks for your "LIVE" reporting this year-it was very nice to have updates almost as they happened . That being said you guys can't leave us hanging--what exactly was wrong with your bus? I'm sure I'm not alone in saying-"inquiring minds want to know". Keep up the great work...................

Re: Live from Indy National Open!
 

The ECU (electronic control unit) went out. It is what tells the transmission to shift. Just the part was $2200 plus 2 service calls. But Reliable Transmission knew what they were doing. They spent about an hour on the phone with Larry chasing down electrics and fuses to make sure it wasn't that before they sent out a service guy. Then they came out Friday and got us moved up inside the gates, then came back on Saturday with a new unit programmed for our transmission. Larry said it shifted and did great coming home. Nothing was wrong with the transmission, just the brain that told it what to do. These guys work on Billy Harper's (Pro Mod) transmissions for his concrete trucks. Billy is from Paducah and Larry knows him. So I don't know if these guys called Billy, but when it was time to pay, he handed me a credit application and said to fax it to him on Monday. I think we are going to get them to rebuild some of our transmissions on our machines that we part out. So if you have any problems with your Allison transmission when you are in Indy, give these guys a call.


Patsy

Re: Live from Indy National Open!
 

I know I know. I just want you to keep the economy moving down here. Heck, you can probably afford to buy some good weather up there now. :)