The new power supplies worked out very well. At 12.4 volts, we did not have nearly as many breakouts as we did the last time. It appears the index times will remain the same for the future, so no changes there.
The numbering system for the cars worked out very well. Certainly made it easier to enter the cars into the computer during qualifying. Just wish the print out would have made Bob's job easier. Bob and I looked into that afterwards, and think we have an idea to help out there.
While the new heads up classes were small in the number of entries, they provided some very close racing. I have to say I was really impressed how close the Funny Cars ran with the Sting Ray motors.
Starting off with the Stock class, Matt with his flamed Ford had the quickest reaction time to claim TQ. And going thru the eliminations, he ran consistent 1.45xx times, making him very hard to beat with a 1.45 index. On the bottom side of the ladder, Jim with his L'il Deuce Coupe, came from #11 qualifier to meet Matt in the final. In the final, the win light was shining in Jim's lane.
Next came the Hot Rods. Though being 1/32 and smaller than the the other classes, the racing was exciting to watch. Running his new Corvette for the 1st time, Phil had the best reaction time to earn TQ. But unable to keep the guide in the slot took him out in the 1st round. #10 qualifier Matt was able to work his Camaro thru to earn his way to his 2nd final of the day. On the bottom side of the ladder, Matt with his #12 qualifier E-Lemon-ator dragster, made to the final, ensuring himself a Sick Puppy plaque no matter which car would win. The E-Lemon-ator came out on top.
Back to the big cars, the Comp Eliminators came out to play with a 1.25 index. Dickie had the best RT to earn TQ with Go Ape Gasser Willy, but because of having to run against his other entry in the 2nd round, handed the driving duty over to Jordan. Jordan then took the Willy all the way to the final. On the bottom side, Matt took his 121 Modified from #13 spot into the final, making it the 4th time he did so in only 3 classes . His bid for a 2nd Sick Puppy plaque however, was squashed when Jordan ran a 1.2570, proving again, that girls do belong in drag racing.
With the Index classes done, we turned to heads up racing. Starting with the smallest class of the day with 5, Dickie earned his 2nd TQ with his Rickie Smith Firebird. With consistent 1.29xx runs, also made it to the final, where he met up with Jim who earned his 2nd final round by beating out Matt twice. With 1.2971 pass, the blue STP Firebird grabbed the win light.
Next came some very cool looking Gassers. With 8 entries, Cliffie with his new Fireball Express truck, earned TQ, only to be knocked out in the 1st round by Dickie's Ohio George Willy. Dickie would take the OG Willy to the final where he would meet up against Jim (his 3rd final round appearance) with his Terrible T entry. With a 1.2938 run, the win light was shining over in Jim's lane giving him his 2nd Sick Puppy plaque.
With cars getting quicker, the Funny Cars came out to play. With some very good looking entires, Matt grabbed TQ honors with his Mongoose Duster entry (this car won the last race at NEMSM). The Mongoose would make it to the semi round, where it was taken out by Matt's other entry. his new Stone Woods and Cook Mustang. On the bottom side, #3 qualifier Cliffie, driving a crowd favorite Chi Town Hustler, worked his way to the final round. Once again, Matt's bid for a 2nd Sick Puppy plaque came up short, as he red lighted and handed the win to Cliffie who ran a 1.1365 pass.
Saving the most popular class for last, the Top Eliminators came out. Running heads up for the 1st time in a while, Dickie earned his 2nd TQ with his new "SOHC it to me" Falcon. With 21 entries, we had a "race off" of the lower qualifiers in which they had to race to earn the 16th spot on the ladder. Despite a DNF, thanks to red light from his competitor, Phil earned the 16th spot. In the ladder, despite being TQ, Dickie tripped the breaker in the new power supplies and lost in the 1st round to Phil. #4 qualifier Matt, with the Matt's Rat entry, made his way into yet another final round appearance. Any guesses who he would meet? Yep, Jim, who came from #2 qualifier. Jim was the only one running under a second throughout eliminations. In the final, he did it again, running a .9878 and earning his 3rd Sick Puppy plaque of the day
It should be mentioned there were a couple of perfect reaction times during the day. Jordan and I believe Jim turned in perfect .0000 RT's. Just can't beat that!!!!
All in all, a great day of drag racing!!!
