Stupid Pit Tricks

Bobby Zlatkin · 02-04-2010, 11:55 AM

This one is funny, but also embarrassing. First time I've told it publicly, but it's been so long ago all involved parties are probably no longer around.

1971, first Div. 2 points meet of the year. Phenix City, AL. A friend & I had a new, first time out, 1969 Covrette F/SA we had just finished the night before. Accell had a pretty neat booth set up in the pits, They had a distributor machine there and were offering free testing. I don't remember why, but I drove the car right up to the booth and pulled the distributor there. Didn't notice when I pulled the dist. that I also accidently pulled the oil pressure gauge line off the fitting. After finishing on the machine, I put the dist. back in and fired up the car to set the timing. Remember, a Corvette hood hinges are in the front and it was a wide open shot. It was windy out and the wind caught the oil and absolutely wiped out the Accell booth/display including and whole rack of yellow Accell jackets and the big banner.

As soon as I realized what was happening, I shut the car off. The Accell rep was talking to a couple of guys and none of them saw what had happened. We quickly and quietly pushed the Corvette back and then to our pit spot which was quite a ways away. The Phenix City pits were unpaved, with lots of trees and, almost, above ground roots, but we were running on adrenaline.

I didn't walk by the Accell booth the rest of the weekend.

Remember, this was 39 years ago and I'm sure the statute of limitations will protect me.
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02-04-2010, 11:55 AM	#5
Bobby Zlatkin Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mills River, NC Posts: 417 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Stupid Pit Tricks This one is funny, but also embarrassing. First time I've told it publicly, but it's been so long ago all involved parties are probably no longer around. 1971, first Div. 2 points meet of the year. Phenix City, AL. A friend & I had a new, first time out, 1969 Covrette F/SA we had just finished the night before. Accell had a pretty neat booth set up in the pits, They had a distributor machine there and were offering free testing. I don't remember why, but I drove the car right up to the booth and pulled the distributor there. Didn't notice when I pulled the dist. that I also accidently pulled the oil pressure gauge line off the fitting. After finishing on the machine, I put the dist. back in and fired up the car to set the timing. Remember, a Corvette hood hinges are in the front and it was a wide open shot. It was windy out and the wind caught the oil and absolutely wiped out the Accell booth/display including and whole rack of yellow Accell jackets and the big banner. As soon as I realized what was happening, I shut the car off. The Accell rep was talking to a couple of guys and none of them saw what had happened. We quickly and quietly pushed the Corvette back and then to our pit spot which was quite a ways away. The Phenix City pits were unpaved, with lots of trees and, almost, above ground roots, but we were running on adrenaline. I didn't walk by the Accell booth the rest of the weekend. Remember, this was 39 years ago and I'm sure the statute of limitations will protect me. . __________________ Bobby & Norene Zlatkin L/SA