Tell Us About Setting A Record

[Jerry Terry]

I can remember when I couldn't wait to get to the mail box to get it now I don't miss it would rather get on Class Racer and read what's going on. Larry I'm 72 and did set a few records and enjoyed it now if I could only remember where I put them.



Jerry
Retired 3490 3492 STK SS SST

[Jared Jordan]

Friday, November 5, 2004. Las Vegas Motor Speedway. I was driving Grandpa's 1965 Plymouth Belvedere in SS/BA. Earlier in the year, we had put the car in the 8's at Mission Raceway Park, but the record was (and had been...) held by John Armstrong in his Camaro (Brian Oakes' ride now...) and we weren't quick enough to outrun it.

But...fast forward to November and the record had reset to the SS/BA minimum. I ended up setting it at an 8.92 @ 146 on my first qualifying pass. It was a single because Gallina's Regal broke. I was .009 on the tree, too.

The backup run was what made the story cool. To that point in my driving career, I'd never run next to Grandpa. He had set the SS/AH record that same morning. Our backup runs ended up being side-by-side and I've got the photo of us leaving together framed with my record certificate. He had an identical frame with his record certificate.

Because he knew I was .009 on my first pass, he must have decided he was going to try and leave on me. I'll never forget seeing the timeslip. I looked at his side first and saw .006 and thought I'd had another good light, until I realized I was looking at the wrong lane. Looked over and I was .000. Old guy thought he was gonna steal one from me. It was bad enough I had to look at the back of the Barracuda driving away from me for 9 seconds!

Can't forget E1 from that race either. I Forrest Gump'd my way to another .000 and ran .018 over. Only to lose to Robert Burgin by .0002. He was .005 and .013 over.

I had the record for about 3 weeks. Wasn't long after that Armstrong went to Montgomery (I think...) and put the record down to an 8.83.

[rick winchester]

Set the I/SA record at Indy n/o in 2005 , Had to teardown for the second time in 4 weeks after doing it at the US Nationals. No problem here, its the way it should be. Travis just smiled and said I better get started ,when I tried to get out of it by saying the rtv wasnt dry from Indy. It was well worth it,one of my best moments racing. I dont know who reset the record but know that Mr Tueton ran almost 5 tenths quicker the next year. I guess I didnt have the right horse for the race. Still worth it . Rick. 11.32@115.81

[Shadylane]

I have set two records in my life. The first one was an AHRA record at the 1971 Winternationals. We were runner up in SS, with a 1962 Ford Galaxie, 390, two fours, auto. The class was Formula 1 G/SA. 12.80 @ 110.00 mph. I was 20 years old.
I did not race between 1971 and 2017. I did go with friends sometimes so I tried to keep up.
Second one was NHRA 46 years later. T/S Record was at a minimum. It was the first outing with the car after building it.
Salt Lake City August 2017. The car didn’t pass fuel check first round do to a mix up with declaring what fuel type I was using. Rookie mistake. Drained all the fuel, put in some fresh C-12, all was good.
I was really nervous about the tear down even though Gary McGlasson built the motor, I was new to the process. Passed without a problem. Quite a thrill.
My car is not the fastest T/S car in North America but we have a lot of fun.

Kelly

[ALMACK]

Originally Posted by DYER

national records died when they didnt put them in national dragster anymore that one page of paper most have been a big savings !!

Yep, they needed that one page so they could print a grainy black and white photo from a 1950's event.

I just don't understand why Nat. Dragster cannot publish the current records at least 4 times a year

[B Parker]

Part of the problem with setting records other than at an open is. Set the record on Sunday get HP on Monday. BP

[spike1]

I'll make this short. In the 55 years of NHRA racing I've set over 20 records in S/SS. The quickest tear downs were with my SS/BX Buick where a quick look over and a cube pump test took about 20 minutes. Set record 4 times that year,lol. My last record was the only profitable one, 2 years ago I set a record with my Dragpack along with Dennis Breeden with his, and we got paid $500 each from Dodge. Dodge has quit that program now and I have no desire to set anymore records......I'm just going to enjoy racing while I can. My fellow racers are the greatest friends a person could ask for, thanks for all the good tmes!

[Steve Polhill]

Originally Posted by DYER

national records died when they didnt put them in national dragster anymore that one page of paper most have been a big savings !!

If they gave National record holders a $20 discount at Divisionals and a $50 discount at Nationals I bet you'd see people fight over them again.

But you are right. National record cost more than they are worth.

[Rich Biebel]

Originally Posted by Steve Polhill

If they gave National record holders a $20 discount at Divisionals and a $50 discount at Nationals I bet you'd see people fight over them again.

But you are right. National record cost more than they are worth.

Once upon a time if you were a National Record Holder you got in for free to race.

Some Local tracks honored that and I can recall getting our entry back at a WCS race at Sanair. Pre entry was required.

[Casey Miles]

I set the National record in F/S in 1974,75 and I think 77, but it might be 1979. I had one of the fastest 69 Z/28's in the country, now I think I have the slowest. Go figure!

Casey Miles
248H Stock