Why race your supercar

[T Billigen]

Maybe next year. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif[/img]

[T Billigen]

Out of curiosity, how many people actually drag race their car at the reunion? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif[/img]

[sYc]

Did some checking. During four SCRs, we have had over 35 different, documented supercars compete. This figure would have been higher, except for the fact that SCR2 was rained out. That year we had over 20 cars signed up to race, including ZL-1 #1 (which is coming back this year). I realize that 35 may not sign like a lot, but remember this is 35+ different cars. And, several of them are the rarest of the rare, such as Ray Morrison's one owner, all original '68 Gibb/Harrell Nova, a '67 Yenko, several ZL-1s, etc. Think about it, when was the last time you saw a real supercar make a pass? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif[/img]

And, add to this list the number of cars that make a pass or two in the parking lot before/after the show, and/or during the cruise, and I would say that 3/4s of the cars participate in showing off the performance of their cars. Just watching the cars in the lot before and after the event is a sight to behold. Charley's ZL-1 #3 in the rain, Dennis Hartweg's early Saturday morning warming up his ZL-1, Joe kicking in the 2-4s in the rarest of rare, ultra low mileage Harrell Chevelles, Tony filling the night air with tire smoke in his ZL-1, the list goes on and on. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/[/img]

Now, I do realize that this is not for everyone. Some of the cars that attend the SCR are for show purposes only. No problem, that is why I spend several $1000s to have the show portion of the event indoors, in one of the nicest indoor facilities in the US, to allow the cars to be showcased in the best venue possible. But, I will admit, I do my best to get all owners to show the performance side of the cars (at least a little). If I had to guess, I would have to say that the cruise is the most popular event at SCR, because most owners do enjoy driving their cars, regardless of the risk. Well, except for watching 40+ supercars exit the building into a nice, big parking lot. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif[/img] Last year the cruise took over 30 minutes, at times through heavy traffic. WOW what a sight, with the majority of the cars attending the event participating. But, as Rob mentioned earlier, even though the cruise is the most poplular event, it worries me the most. No one, and I mean no one, would hate for something to happen to one of these rare cars any more then me. So, that is why I doubled the budget for SCR6, to allow for a safe venue to show case the performance side of the cars. That venue is Gateway Int. Raceway, a state of the art racing facility, which we have rented for the day. That way, any owner who would like to "show off" a little, can do it in the safest of enviroments. It does not have to be in a side by side, 'balls out" drag race. Any owner who would like to simply chrip the tires and then cruise down the track is more then welcome. As I have said a 1000 times, the ET does not matter, just as long as the car is there. To me, that is history, in the making. Before we leave the track, I hope to get every musclecar there to cruise (do a parade lap) down the track. Talk about a Kodak moment. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif[/img]

[T Billigen]

Out of curiosity, how many people actually drag race their car at the reunion? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif[/img]

[SS427]

One other item crossed my mind last night while thinking about this thread. If not for me going to the drags in the 70's and 80's and seeing these cars running, I would not be in the same place I am today and likely would never have gained the interest that I have today. My daughter sees these cars in my shop all the time and when her friends comment on "just a green car with stripes", she informs them exactly what these cars are. She is only 14 and a girl but knows the difference! If we don't let our youth experience these cars, they will never gain the interest and appreciate them. The reason rice burners are sought after ny our youth is because they are everywhere. On the streets, at the shows, at the drags and in the movies.
Rick

[T Billigen]

You are right about that! My son grew up on muscle car stories about my experiences from the sixties, I guess that is why he is a gear head today! He likes to do his thing with his 01 Camaro, he told me he would never want to take the Yenko Camaro down the strip though. "to unsafe" He never really experienced going through the traps at 120mph with slicks that had only 6lbs of air in them! What a ride! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] Hey, still waiting to hear how many of you "Super Car" guys drag race them?

[Kim_Howie]

Tom, I raced my 427 nova for 10 years. I also went to Indy Super chevy and raced there. Mick Price, Ray Morrison and Gary Dyer showed cars that year also and NOTHING was announced about any of them. What a disapointment NEVER been back. My 70 ZL-1 will also be raced. I have the best of both worlds, I can go out and race and also show the car. Kim Howie

[Chevy454]

Without going back and looking it up, I'd say we probably average 12 Supercars at the drag strip each year. The cruise drew about double that last year.

It's interesting to see the reactions of different Supercar/Musclecar owners over the years when we bring up drag racing at the track. About 90% of the time you get the "are you crazy!" response...they usually follow this up with how unsafe it is at the track, and how they don't want to tear up their car.

But, let's stop and think about this for a second. How many of the Supercar/Musclecar owners have taken their cars out on the street and ran their cars up to their redlines before shifting, whether it be giving a neighbor kid a ride or just a short jaunt on a lazy Sunday afternoon? I'd say the vast majority. Also, I hear stories (and see pictures on this site!) of owners doing burnouts in the street, parking lot of a show, etc. How is this any different from racing? Answer: it's not. I'd rather do my thing in a controlled environment (ie. drag strip), where you have a miniumum of 30ft. in EACH lane, you don't have to worry about someone pulling out in front of you, you don't have to worry about anything (rocks, liquids, holes, etc.) being in the track, and if worse comes to worse, their is ALWAYS immediate medical personel watching each and every run.

Just curious, Tom: why does your son feel your Camaro is "too unsafe"? Have you scared the bejeezits out of him with a couple of short blasts?! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[T Billigen]

No, but he scared the hell out me in his car! He doesn't like the steering and the brakes., also he says the steering wheel is to big! Hell, these brakes are great compared to the brake drum GTOs. He went and seen 2F 2F last night. He said they ran the wheels off the Yenko in the movie. There was an article about this car in Motor Trend Magazine: it ran 13.4 at 110mph. Not bad for something they just put together for a movie. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif[/img]

[JoeG]

[ QUOTE ]



I'd rather do my thing in a controlled environment (ie. drag strip), where you have a miniumum of 30ft. in EACH lane, you don't have to worry about someone pulling out in front of you, you don't have to worry about anything (rocks, liquids, holes, etc.) being in the track, and if worse comes to worse, their is ALWAYS immediate medical personel watching each and every run.
-------- On this I agee with you 110%---- I wish we had more adult guidance when I was street racing , some of my good friends would still be with us. ------ [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]