The Demise Of Class Eliminations

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Originally Posted by JP1738

Not to sound like 660, but y'all wonder why the class is fading...

I really expected someone to say "Well I'd help you out" "I'd be happy to give you a hand" but no. You all would prefer there be one less car. lame.

Dawson, ask my class competitor here on the west coast Bill O'Connor, I would be the first one to jump in and ask if you needed help in a flash if you were getting torn down or broke, or needed a tool or part I have, don't have or even think I could get my hands on, am a night owl and can be up all night and still race the next day.

He broke first Q-pass on Class racing day, and I found him offered to help him remove his transaxle, go to my storage for spares I knew I had, chase whatever we could find at trans shops, salvage yards, or auto parts stores just so he may be able to race on Sunday (I knew we could not get it done between 8:30 AM- Noon for Class but was still more than willing w/ my and his tools and to work all night if need be).

This last Sunday a Racer (from Bakersfield), needed a gear puller set not for his race car, but broke the column shifter on his ramp truck also race at, and his towed travel trailer. He had to be off the property by 10:00 AM Monday and it was 11:00 AM Sunday, I knew I did not have my tear down Crate with my specialty teardown tools in my pit space as it was a bracket week, but did have it 10 miles away from the track in my storage unit... zero hesitation and no racer in need announced I requested my wife go get it for him as I raced the next round of Spt/Pro, arranged a fellow Racer only running Spt to get it from her, and get it to him ASAP. At end of day I stopped by his pit, checked w/him, did it work, did he still need it? (He could mail it to me if he still needed it), he had it fixed and would shift into gear by then, and was on final reassembly, all I asked is he take 1 minute to personally thank my wife as she made the run. He did and was very thankful. Then I asked if he needed anything else or any help further.

We are family, of course if you needed tear down help lotsa people will offer. I would be first in that Line brother.

I will tell you 1 more thing. True that I had my machine shop assemble my new Ross Pistons, pins, rings, and crank in my freshly balanced shortblock. I was there for every step. But I took that home and did all other final assembly step and along the way acted like it was a reassembly after a teardown, going as far as to make up coat hanger header hangers I carry in a used paper towel tube so it makes a future teardown quicker I may or not someday face. Pics on my phone. Marks on all pulley's, sprockets, belts for fast and accurate timing realignment, the engine was installed w/ a degree wheel attached to it at TDC and an old timing belt cinched tight and clamped to keep all the sprockets in alignment so when the head gasket and head is set in place the decreeing of the cam takes minutes, final button up is fast, but done right. Make a plan, follow it through.

Jon Irving was amazed when the night before we left for Bakersfield in 2023 I said I was going to change the cam at his Dad's shop outside in the yard....I was less than a 2 hr job taking my time and dialing it in correctly and accurately and I could easily do the same in an hr or less. But I wanted to win a class race! It is an overhead cam though, a lot easier.

You can do it, practice it when not racing. I just took the time to assemble the car and engine myself so I can do it anywhere now. Mine is easier than most but I can have the head on the table and a Rotating assembly in your hand in probably an hour if you or someone helps me lift the head off of the block. Reassembled in less than 3. But, I carry all the tools and gaskets I need save my engine hoist. But my hatchback is full when it gets to the track. And there is a large pile in my pit space too! Ring compressor, puller set, tap/die set, spring compressor, torque wrenches, spare parts, degree wheel, spacer, pointer, and dial indicator, adj. solid lifter, lightweight springs, plus all the specific tools to pull the valve cover and perform the cam dialing in or cam lift measurements are all together in their specific boxes inside 1 milk crate and 1 plastic container and 2 tool trays contain every tool I used on the car over 18 months of prepping that car to race.

In other words I prepared well. Someday it may happen, but rest assured I earn a Wally or I win check... I wanna keep it! And you need help and I'm on the premises you have help brother!

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I may be a rare breed though as I have a very low maintenance Stocker because I prepared it well, so I also crew for Scott McClay on his Comp C/ED entry because I get bored just making 1 or 2 passes a day. I need to stay busy at the track and you cannot run 1 of those cars alone. He needs the help. And I learn new skills.