A big THANK YOU!

This is why I love drag racing. You see it happen from time to time, but when it happens to you it's just UNBELIEVABLE, in the words of Tony Bartone. So, bear with me...

On Sunday, we had to change an engine and fix fire damage after our kaboom before the semi finals. As we rolled into our pit the help and offers came.

Just to set the record straight, after the thrash we had no time to start the car. The engine fired up in the water box for the first time and Marc told me it sounded to him like we were ready for another mid 5.50. Unfortunately, the oil pressure gauge took a hit in the explosion and fire causing it to malfunction giving us the impression that we had no oil pressure on the line. Marc wisely shut it off and that's what took us out. The car was fully 100% ready because of each person who came to our rescue.

And now I want to thank each person for making it happen.

Lee Littlefield. She cleaned the tin, packed the chutes, etc, etc...and etc.

Mert Littlefield. He came through with parts we needed, then we made him put them on!

Brad Littlefield. Did everything Mert and Lee wouldn't do.

Larry Miersch. Jumped all over the spare under the bench and never looked back. Then jumped all over the car to get it ready for bullet number 2.

Bernie Harrington. Practically offered us the keys to his house. "Anything I have that you need is yours".

Mike, Cheryl, and Doug Gordon. The list from them is too long for my tired fingers to type, and we were racing them if we got it fixed in time. What's up with that?

Ruben Nodall and his big brother. They were all over the place doing everything Marc was asking them to do.

And a big thank you to Dennis Taylor's Plumbing Concepts team. Dennis sent his best guys over to get all dirty in their new crew uniforms. And we were proud to rub some grease on them. They include:

Jerry "Bing-Bing-Bing" Crawford. He kept my chest pains to a minimum and stood tall as a tripod while scurrying to make it all happen.

Andrew "Way Too Cool" Gude. He is the professor in DT's camp and a graduate of the Jim Dunn racing adventure. He was troubleshooting everything from the plumbing to the computer. Then he found the missing exhaust pushrods.

Dean Shiria: He jumped up on top of the frame over the bellhousing because there was no room around the car. Facing the engine, he traced every nozzle line, wire, clamp, wire tie, cable, bracket, etc. until he was sure it was all perfect.

Mark "Bear State Heating and Air" Nelson: Kept full cans of Brake Clean and fresh paper towels where needed and tried to remind me of how much fun this racing stuff really is after I broke off a drill bit in one of the sheared off studs in the blower manifold.

Then, there's my crew (who don't seem to be returning my calls today for some reason).

Big Mike, Daniel Oliver (who couldn't run his S/C dragster at Pomona because NHRA didn't run his class), Matt (the little general) Thorton, Pete (I'm just happy to be a millionaire and watch someone else spend all this money) Swayne, and our driver Marc (let's eat at Millie's tonight)White.

I know I'm forgetting someone, so feel free to jump in and let me know who you are.

To all: THANK YOU!



[ March 01, 2004, 11:13 PM: Message edited by: Randy G. ]

 

Cool Randy, that is what make top alcohol and sportsman racing so great. You got to try and hit Mission in May. I am putting on a golf tournament just to entice you to come up here. got a number of pics of your team at my site.

Dean

[ March 01, 2004, 11:14 PM: Message edited by: The Zone ]

 

Randy and Marc,

I must say very impressive numbers!

Seems whenever we're racing and "that thing" that always happens more often then we would like people always want to help out. There's been many a time when we're out in the shop or at the track into the wee hours of the morning fixing our stuff, often with another team's help. It's so great to be involved in a sport where everyone is glad to help out, even if it's the guy you would race next round (like in your case).

 

Randy & Marc,
Way to go guys, very good start for a new team. Keep up the good work!