Christmas continues for MOPAR rsacers

[Dave Gantz]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

That 69 Dart is suddenly a very good "dime rocket".

You're obviously a respected player in this game, Billy. But, good 69 Darts, and the parts needed, are getting a little scarce, don't you think? -Don't get me wrong, I love seeing combos that were never good before, become good. I never understood why so many cars weren't good before. I guess it had something to do with the muscle cars versus any other stock car. "Stock" was maybe about muscle cars, and not so much all of the other cars that we grew up with and were plenty happy to race , though NHRA didn't see it the same way.

[SStockDart]

There is a Division 5 guy that is always at the Topeka Nationals (with his family).....his car is a P/SA...I believe a 69 Dart....what does that make it, a 318 2 bbl? He is always there and I have often wanted to help him in one way or another....he can't run within .4 of the index. However, If I remember correctly, he went to the finals at Kearney, Nebraska race in the fall. Seems like he had 2 red lights and a broken car race against him......what a great story for a Dime rocket that can't run the index.

I said that all that to say this......This guy obviously does not have the money to commit to racing (great looking family), but he goes racing....isn't that what it is all about.....I don't know if his combo could become competitive, but that is what he races. However, I would bet that about $500 in engine work would get him to the index or better with his 2 bbl car.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Dave Gantz

You're obviously a respected player in this game, Billy. But, good 69 Darts, and the parts needed, are getting a little scarce, don't you think?

If you have to buy a nice Dart GT or any kind of 2dr yes. If I were wanting to do something like that I wouldn't want to cut up a nice survivor car anyway. At this stage of the game, I really don't approve of cutting up nice, semi-collectible cars. NHRA has given racers that have an existing car and can't afford a 340/440 car or banged their 15k 340 and want to go racing an alternative.
The reduction (for this combo) is given across the board. You can do a 4dr Dart or Coronet or a big wagon and they can be found reasonably.
If you're willing to do a "different" engine combo then why not a "different" body style?

[Dave Gantz]

I like the 4 door Dart idea. Thick rim glasses and an old metal flake helmet would be a requirement. Maybe a pair of "Bata Bullets", too. :-) Wagons tend to over load trailers! Seriously though, I get your point. As I attempted to say above (poorly written), I'm always glad to see the cars that never fit, in the mix.

I know you know (maybe somebody will read this who is learning) , the car chosen would be the one that fits the best overall. One reason Mike Smith and I chose the 71 (actually a 72 Satellite body) Road Runner (the red one) that we ran briefly in the mid 90's (We ran you once at an E-Town points race, you may recall, good race, you won!) was because it could've been run as a 71 or 72, Satellite, Road Runner and with just about every motor Mopar made. Different compression's, too, since they dropped after 71. Another thing we considered when we built it, besides the car itself, was the class. We built it for D/SA initially because there weren't that many fast ones around Div. 1 at that time. We weren't fast!

[Jeff Teuton]

You guys are tough. I just happen to think a metalflake helment is pretty, and I had red shoes on when I won Indy, but on the glasses, my children made me change them. I only use them for driving anyway. This Christmas my oldest grandson (age 18) was telling me that the new plaid shirt I was wearing was very stylish. It is about 20 or older and I think it's back for another run. Maybe I'm just old.

[Ed Wright]

About a month older than me, Jeff. So, yes you are. LOL

[GTX JOHN]

Plaid is very popular in Boulder City! The different colors
hide all the extra dinners quite nicely!

Sam is your car running very far under the NHRA index as of yet yet?
We could not get ours to run very well over 5500 Rpm with the 2 Brl.
and it screams 7000 plus with 4 Brl. when required.
Maybe we just did not work on it long enough!

[Sam Capizzi Jr]

Originally Posted by GTX JOHN

Plaid is very popular in Boulder City! The different colors
hide all the extra dinners quite nicely!

Sam is your car running very far under the NHRA index as of yet yet?
We could not get ours to run very well over 5500 Rpm with the 2 Brl.
and it screams 7000 plus with 4 Brl. when required.
Maybe we just did not work on it long enough!

I've gone 13.70s at Q weight at my home track. Loaded up and went straight to the Columbus Sportnational and went 13.82.
I have to shift at 5400 5600. Stops pulling on the top end around 5600. The last 200-300 it's just going along for the ride.... The reduction to 182 is going to be worth 55 pounds and about 8 hundredths in the 1/4. Not nearly enough.

[Marty Knox]

Originally Posted by Dave Gantz

I like the 4 door Dart idea. Thick rim glasses and an old metal flake helmet would be a requirement.

Hey! I still have my red metalflake helmet - it's hanging out in the pole barn. It's kinda faded.