MAMEWorld Forums - The Loony Bin - Was telling these stories today, not sure if I ever shared them..

Reminiscing about my "racing days", two random stories to share:

I pulled up to a light in my '68 Mustang, right next to a Viper (back when they were new). It was after midnight, no one else around, so I gave him a few engine revs. Guy looks at me and laughs. I had enough sense to realize I didn't have a chance, but was not going to pass the opportunity up. Light turns green, I floor it. Viper sits at the light for a second or two, doing absolutely nothing. I continue to floor it, but figure he's had his fill of punk kids wanting to race him. Next thing I know a red blur is flying by me. Blew past me like a damned rocket. I let off the gas, and never felt better about getting the snot kicked out of me...until...

I was fooling around at the 1/4 mile track on Grudge night up at Union Grove, WI. Same Mustang. I do my burn out, and get set on the line. Nobody has paired next to me yet, so I'm just sitting there waiting for a few seconds. I start to hear this faint "bwap, bwap, bwap..." coming from behind me. Then it gets REALLY loud, and extremely smokey, quick. I look over just quick enough to see the flames shooting out from the bottom of the car next to me. An alcohol funny car had just lined up next to me. My jaw dropped, and I was completely oblivious to the fact that the Christmas tree had started to turn colors. Jaw still wide open, lights turn green, and that car took off like nothing I've ever seen. You just have no real concept of how fast those cars travel until you watch one blow your doors off. I was still breathing in his tire smoke at the starting line when he crossed the finish. By the time I finally hit the gas, my trip down the track seemed like it took 15 minutes.

Bonus story: Learned an important lesson in that car about matching your cam and transmission to your pinion gear. Replaced the 2.79 gear with a 4.11. No other mods. The 2.79 was unbelievable at the top end, pushed that car to 120mph and still had room to play. The off the line response SUCKED. Installed the 4.11, couldn't leave a stoplight without chirping the tires. Never really pushed the top end past 55mph with the new gear before going to the track. When I finally did get to the track, I left the line like a bat outta hell. As I picked up speed I was ready to take in my best 1/4 mile time ever. Midway down the track I hit 77 mph...and stayed there. My 13-14 second car was now a really torquey 17 second car with a top end under 80mph. Drove home, ripped the 4.11 out that night.