NMCA Points Have Been Posted

Three More Races to go!

As you can see from above — I'm holding down my standard 4th place (finished 2008 & 2009 in 4th and need to improve that) and 5 rounds seperate1st and 7th places. There are 40 cars so far in the NSS class. Actually, I think there's going to be a correction where Doug Duell will be in second with 1440 points and Kurt in third with 1340 points — as Kurt was mistakenly given 100 bonus points for being at all of the races.

Generator Courtesy In The Pits

I'm hoping I can get a couple of Amens here. I'm far from a tree hugging Greenie — but there are two types of generator courtesy problems in the pits that can be easily rectified.

The First is carbon-monoxide exhaust from the bigger rigs.

As the rigs coming to the track get bigger and bigger — so do the generators. I remember when a big generator for a 34' motorhome was a 4500 — but now the standard is the 12,500 Quiet Diesel that I have in my motorhome. Today we're powering three ac units, two big TVs, a toaster, coffee pot, two laptops, and a microwave all operating at the same time. Then there are the big trailers with their generators for the lift, ac, a dozen flood lights, air compressor, welder….

Two years in a row in Chicago, I've had a rig a couple of feet from my lawn chairs and cars pumping out a kabillion cubic feet of carbon-monoxide exhaust at my family, because the racer didn't have the courtesy of having a $107 generator exhaust pipe for his $500,000 rig. From the motorhome the exhaust is captured under the motorhome to the left's awning — killing the family in that pit with skull splitting headaches. The trailer generator exhaust pipe is pumping 3' from the car that we're working under or around.

People need too show a little courtesy and spring $122 at Camping World or $107 at Amazon.com for an exhaust pipe that pumps the exhaust 12' up to where the wind carries it out of their neighbor's pits. These things are so easy to install — that if you can't do it in ten minutes — you shouldn't be in a race car. If you have a motorhome and/or trailer with a mounted generator and don't have an exhaust pipe routing carbon monoxide out of your neighbors pits — you need to show some courtesy right now, click the above links, and order a pipe so you will have before you come to the next race.

The Second Problem is Noise.

While the newer rigs have $9000 Quiet Diesel generators that are pretty quiet — many of the teams operating out of a pickup and trailer have an old less expensive and worn out portable gas generator, which they set in the pit of their neighbor — making the enjoyment of their pits unbearable from high pitch rattling of 11HP B&S engine with worn out rings from running on a pint of ten year old oil.

There are some new generation 4-stroke portable generators which are 1/5 the size (a fat briefcase), burn less gas, and have 1/20 the noise that those racers should be considering. Honda, Yamaha, and Honeywell all make and excellent 2000 unit — and you can hook two together with a parallel cable if need be. Yes — many of us are on a budget and find it hard to justify spending money when the old rattle trap is still cranking out 6 Billion Db of noise — but the reduced storage, gas savings, lighter carry around weight, and whisper quietness make them well worth the upgrade. Consider regulating the rattlebox to emergency backup duty, and make your life and the life of others easier with upgrading the generator for the price of a quality fuel pump.

The pits are different places then they were years ago — with the generators growing because of the power needs growing. It is time that racers show some courtesy to their neighbor and spend a couple of bucks to make a four day weekend in the pits a little more pleasant — especially when it is already 100 degrees.

• I think the track and racing organizations need to patrol the pits one time after everyone is set up — and give the warning to have an exhaust pipe on their generator the next time they show up — as it is really their responsibility to make the pits as safe and pleasant as possible.

• Racers need to stop with just putting up with breathing the exhaust of generators all weekend — and tell the racer of how they're lack of courtesy is affecting your family's comfort.

• I think that the racing magazines need to take a more proactive approach of informing those who haven't gotten it yet — and shaming the class of those who just don't care.

Can I get an Amen?

Click the above to read the 4-page feature

Click here to go there. Competition Plus magazine just released a very nice article that can't help but to promote Nostalgia Super Stock Magazine. There are a couple of minor errors, misunderstandings, and maybe misquotes — as you always see in a magazine article collecting information from a lot of people — but it is a very good article just the same.

Zmax NMCA — Dave’s Report

With the Motorhome and trailer loaded up my wife Deb, son Dallas and daughter Hope; our two Labs and Boston Terrier; and I had a rather uneventful trip to Charlotte, NC. We arrived in a downpour at about 6PM Wednesday, shown the staging area, and given number 6 to enter the track on the next day. Shortly after noon — we were led onto the track and assigned a pit. I assume they expected a much larger crowd than what ultimately showed, as the bigger rigs were crammed in pretty tightly. The generator exhaust was overwhelming in this tight area. Even though this was a combination of NMCA, NMRA, True Street, and a bunch of racers with Hot Rod Magazine — it had a lighter turn out than many of us in the pits expected. I’m sure the light turn out was partially because of the long haul, the heat, and maybe people knowing something we didn’t.

By 4PM we’d set up out pits, unloaded both cars and golf cart, established credentials and teched the cars in. The beer light turned on — however sadly we couldn’t enjoy our pits as the diesel generator of the toter next to us and the gas generator of his refer trailer smoked us out of our pits all weekend.

We were immediately impressed with the size of the pit surface and the huge grandstands — but unimpressed that the closest piece of grass for the dogs was at least a mile away. It wasn’t too bad for us as we have a golf cart to drive the three dogs to a field — but I felt sorry for those who had to walk their dogs there. Many did not and just let their dogs go in the pits.

In NSS, you could have thrown a blanket over the Top four cars before the new “Points Redistribution” program of the NMCA — but their Socialization of Champions Points closed it up. I was in 3rd, 250 behind the leader (Doug Duell) — but 5th through 10th were now all of a sudden within striking range. The new system uses two of the last three races (throw out one) + previous recalculated points from the first four races, plus bonus points for attending more races. It was important to me that I do well.

Friday had one Time Trial. A few things became immediately apparent. The first was that the track sucked for traction. Faster cars in all classed didn’t have any traction — including many of the faster NSS cars and all of the 4-speed NSS cars. NMCA immediately was aware of it as it was what everyone was grumbling about, and I’m sure they tried their very best to crack the whip on the clueless track personnel to make the track better — but they also had the announcers making excuses about how hot it was and how that affects VHT. It was hot — but I’m from Texas and know what you can expect from a hot track. This was a lot more than that. There was virtually no groove, partially from the track being new smooth concrete and green from little racing, and partially from poor prep. The other thing was track personal. They appeared to have as many cops as racers, and they and the other track personal were generally rude and incompetent. There was a mountain of complaints of people being told by the cops not to stand in the stands when cars went by, not to take a beer into the bathroom, and a dozens of other silly rules applied with a very heavy hand. The track personnel also applied a heavy hand with crew in the lanes, and doing a myriad stupid things like watering down the back of a car that had just finished their burnout. There is a thread on the NMCA forum that has some of these complaints. NMCA/zmax completely unhappy (1 2)

Because of all of the spinning in Time Trials, I changed my class from B/FX to C/FX before the first Qualifying pass — for the first time in two years. I figured I’d spin — but I could catch them at the top end. In my first round I drew Gerry Bates for the second time in two races. He was a gentleman. Knowing that I couldn’t hook and hadn’t made one decent pass in four — he gave me lane choice despite his better qualifying position. Class Act! I put a good light on him (.033 vs. his .103 — and after spinning to a horrible 1.69 60′ (giving up 4/10 second over my normal 1.29) — I thought I caught him at the top, but I was .007 short in the package. It was the first time in a year that I hadn’t gone at least 3 rounds in NMCA. Doug Duell (#1) was also out in the first round — but Skip (#4) and the Princess (#2) went a couple of rounds. I think Skip made it to the Quarters and Stephanie to the Semis — where I believe Brian Merrick took her out. The small Fords (Skip, DW, Merrick, Bates, Bud, and Kurt) didn’t appear to have the traction problems of the Mopars. The Final was an all Thunderbolt Final with Brian and DW. Brian got the win in a very close race.

Just because the track wasn’t slippery enough yet for the finals — Zmax made history by having 4 Jet cars go down the track at the same time between the Semi-Final and Final Rounds making sure to apply the proper amount of un-burnt oil on the full length of the track.

I would have called this a terrible week (and it was for me with regards to my personal racing) — had my son Dallas not won NMC (Nostalgia Muscle Car). Andy Warren (Dallas has had to go up against him twice in the last three races) was solidly in first, but between the new points system and getting knocked out of the first round — there is less than one round (100 points) between 1st and 3rd in NMC. Fortunately for Andy — you get to throw out one race — plus Dallas missed Bradenton and will miss out on 100 bonus points. Dallas would have to win another race with Andy getting knocked out in the first round to win.

Speaking of NMC — this site (and the two associated with it) are for both NMC and NSS. In a future post, I’ll explain how NMC drivers can submit their News and updates. Look in the posts above soon.

We leave for Milan, MI this coming Wednesday morning.

We left at 10:30AM Tuesday and drove until 1AM. Parked at a Rest Stop 50 east of Nashville.

Left at 9AM — and it rained most of Wednesday. While stopping to dump the holding tanks at about 3PM (in the middle of Virginia) — I checked the tires. I'd checked them about 60 miles earlier when I got fuel and they looked good — but now the wheel on the front of three axles on the right side had most of the tread chewed off. So we get out the drive on jack and get the middle tire on it, but the front tire still touches the ground. Naturally at this point the skies open up and it starts raining hard. Get the floor jack out and jacked the front tire off the airbag — but the lug spinner that is always in my trailer is gone. Go for my 1/2" breaker bar — and it too is gone. Naturally, no one took it out of the trailer and didn't put back!

I break the lugs put on by superman by jumping on the end of a 1/2 ratchet — and we get the tire off. Get the spare I bought with the trailer down from the attic of the trailer — and while it looks like the same wheel — the lugs nuts don't go into to the wheel (like a slick) so only 5 or so threads is holding each nut on. Then it is obvious that the tire is shorter. Instead of a 235-85-16 the spare is a 215-75-16. So I'm pissed and off it comes and the one showing cords back on.

I get on the CB and there's a Flying J service center 3 miles up. So I drive 45mph while everyone is honking at me and get to the Flying J. "Nope — we don't carry that size". After I ask who might he gives me a couple of numbers and tells me the WalMart ten miles back from where I came from might.

So I make the calls — and no one has anything. I look at the tire — and while it has air — there is zero rubber left on the tread and the steel is frayed and almost gone. It is after 5 — and if there was Goodyear within 50 miles — they'd be closed. I decide to chance it and drive to Walmart. Nope they don't have one. So I drive back past the Flying J and drove another 24 miles — to the next exit. Nothing in between except dead deer in the road. We go back to the Flying J and start getting on the Internet and making calls. After about 30 calls — no one still has that tire size.

I go into the Tire center at Flying J and explained that I'm from Texas — but will likely be living there at the Flying J — because I can't get a break of finding a tire. I asked how long it would take them to order one from Goodyear (they're a dealer). They can't do that because corporate doesn't authorize ordering that size.

I ask — can you think of anywhere I can get the tire. Nope! So I said — "if I offer $20 if you can find the tire — would you try harder?" Two calls later and she's found a LT (light truck) of that size at her father's NAPA store 40 miles away — and he'll wait until I get there if I leave now. While I need a trailer tire that holds 105 pounds of air — a light truck that holds 75 is going to have to do. I explain that my tire might not make 40 feet — would someone deliver for $50. He says he's by himself and can't do that. I asked if he knew of any kid that wanted to make $50 — and he said maybe his grandson. Sure enough — the kid wants the $50 and will be there in 90 minutes. Flying J tells me that they'll mount it for $25.

8:30 the tire shows and I get in line for the tire change. 9PM — I'm told that they won't do aluminum wheels. 30 minutes I argue — to no avail. I tell them I won't hold them responsible for damage — and both mechanics are adamant that they won't do it and they don't give a shit about my plight.

I finally get the lady to call her boss at home to tell him that I'll sign off on waiving damage. He says that he's ok with that if one of the mechanics says they'll do it. Both mechanics get pissed that she called the boss — one refuses and the other says he doesn't want to do it — but that she forced in in the corner. I tell him outside that I'll give him $20 if he can do it without damage — as he looks spiteful over this.

We get back on the road at 10PM and drive until 3AM. Got up at 6AM and got here at noon Thursday.

Friday it rained all day. We managed to get the cars teched in — but no qualifying happened.

Saturday we get a TT pass, and two Qualifying passes. Dallas' car is dead on. My car launches, dies, then goes like a raped ape for the rest of the pass. I'm getting a 140 MPH — but the car is only getting 9.6s and I need a 9.50. I spend the night looking for vacuum leaks, replacing gaskets, changing wires, etc.

Sunday, I draw Jeff Millward in the Other Woman — and he's tough. His car has been on the money and he's always good on the tree. He knows I've been having trouble — but I tell him I found the problem. He and I have run each other 4 times before — and are 2 & 2. My car does the same thing — but I stay in it and Jeff sees I'm going to catch him — and stays in it. He breaks out with a 9.9X on his 10.0 dial and I win. Dallas wins his round too.

Next round I have Doug Duell — and I'm his bitch as he's 3-0 against me, and I've beat myself in every race. After playing back my tachometer — I'm seeing that it is dying at the exact same RPM as my launch chip. So I launch my car with out the linelock (4-speed car) against Doug. Since I was in the right hand lane — I have to look over to the left at the light and my tach is on the right. So I have to launch my ear. I generally launch at 5400 — but must have launched at 6500+ as the car went straight up in the air — and I spun my tires through 2nd gear. I catch Doug just before the line and felt like I was going to break out — and lifted. I was wrong and Doug Won. Doug went on to win the event for NSS. Dallas went against Andy Warren — and they had a great race. Dallas put a fender on Andy at the end — and broke out at 10.98 vs Andy's 11.0. Andy went on to win NMC.

We left the track at about 3PM Sunday and drove all night (1640 miles) — getting home at about 6AM Monday.

NSS  Results Below.

Qualifying:

Top Speed 150.75 7066 John Dimino 7055 B/FX '66 Impala Chev 427 Stephanie Dimino Collegeville Pa 9.501 7270 A/NSS '64 Plym Savoy Mopr 535 Jeff Millward Columbia Station OH 10.009 7017 B/NSS '63 Dodge Polara Mopr 426 Joe Ewing Evansville IN 10.509
7681 E/NSS '65 Belvedere Chry 440 Jeffrey Hoblick Flushing OH 12.055
7106 B/FX '64 Thunder Bolt Ford 514 Jeff Roell Poughquas NY 9.559
7022 B/NSS '64 Thunderbolt Ford 427 Skip Koester Columbia Station OH 10.563
7193 E/NSS '63 Savoy Dodg 440 Cliff Sebrina Conowingo MO 12.08
7851 A/FX '64 Fairlane Ford 427 John Dimino Jr Norristown Pa 9.347
7601 B/FX '65 Coronet Mopr 580 Dave Schultz Richmond TX 9.634
7066 A/FX '66 Coronet Hemi 426 John Dimino Morristown Pa 9.412
7047 B/NSS '67 Fairlane Ford 427 Geary A. Bates Wintersville OH 11.74
7050 B/FX '65 Comet Ford 517 Kurt Neighbor Twinsburg OH 9.461
7777 A/NSS '64 Ply Wagon Plym 540 Doug Duell Newburgh IN 9.943
7464 C/FX '64 Dodge Chry 572 Joe Midile Medina OH 9.686
7434 B/NSS '69 AMX AMC 401 Lenny Mockalis Melrose CT 10.413

Eliminations:

ROUND 1 7681 E/NSS 4 Jeffrey Hoblick FlushingOH '65 Belvedere Chry 440 0.072 12 12.035 109.33 7047 B/NSS 11 Geary A. Bates Wintersville OH '67 Fairlane Ford 427 0.115 10.5 10.53 124.11
7050 B/FX 12 Kurt Neighbor Twinsburg OH '65 Comet Ford 517 0.047 9.5 9.528 134.02
7106 B/FX 5 Jeff Roell Poughquas NY '64 Thunder Bolt Ford 514 0.054 9.5 9.549 138.87

7193 E/NSS 7 Cliff Sebrina Conowingo MO '63 Savoy Dodg 440 0.049 12 11.979 112.88
7464 C/FX 14 Joe Midile Medina OH '64 Dodge Chry 572 -0.001 9.75 9.871 134

7601 B/FX 9 Dave Schultz Richmond TX '65 Coronet Mopr 580 0.148 9.5 9.816 143.46
7270 A/NSS 2 Jeff Millward Columbia Station OH '64 Plym Savoy Mopr 535 0.034 10 9.971 130.23

7851 A/FX 8 John Dimino Jr Norristown Pa '64 Fairlane Ford 427 0.15 9.25 9.249 145.5
7434 B/NSS 15 Lenny Mockalis Melrose CT '69 AMX AMC 401 0.034 10.5 10.424 120.55

7777 A/NSS 13 Doug Duell Newburgh IN '64 Ply Wagon Plym 540 0.177 10 9.897 135.97
7022 B/NSS 6 Skip Koester Columbia Station OH '64 Thunderbolt Ford 427 -0.074 10.5 10.457 128.08

7017 B/NSS 3 Joe Ewing Evansville IN '63 Dodge Polara Mopr 426 0.036 10.5 10.551 123.02
7066 A/FX 10 John Dimino Morristown Pa '66 Coronet Hemi 426 0.007 9.25 9.364 134.38

7055 B/FX 1 Stephanie Dimino Collegeville Pa '66 Impala Chev 427 -0.038 9.5 9.67 123.06
SINGLE 0

ROUND 2
7017 B/NSS 3 Joe Ewing Evansville IN '63 Dodge Polara Mopr 426 0.042 10.5 10.514 124.18
7193 E/NSS 7 Cliff Sebrina Conowingo MO '63 Savoy Dodg 440 0.007 12 12.051 110

7851 A/FX 8 John Dimino Jr Norristown Pa '64 Fairlane Ford 427 0.221 9.25 9.287 143.81
7681 E/NSS 4 Jeffrey Hoblick Flushing OH '65 Belvedere Chry 440 0.152 12 11.955 110.31

7777 A/NSS 13 Doug Duell Newburgh IN '64 Ply Wagon Plym 540 0.053 10 10.132 116.01
7601 B/FX 9 Dave Schultz Richmond TX '65 Coronet Mopr 580 0.075 9.5 9.763 138.31

7055 B/FX 1 Stephanie Dimino Collegeville Pa '66 Impala Chev 427 0.039 9.5 9.615 125.06
7050 B/FX 12 Kurt Neighbor Twinsburg OH '65 Comet Ford 517 -0.007 9.5 10.636 90.68

ROUND 3
7055 B/FX 1 Stephanie Dimino Collegeville Pa '66 Impala Chev 427 0.149 9.5 9.584 125.29
7017 B/NSS 3 Joe Ewing Evansville IN '63 Dodge Polara Mopr 426 0.049 10.5 10.494 125.06

7777 A/NSS 13 Doug Duell Newburgh IN '64 Ply Wagon Plym 540 0.101 10 10.005 132.14
7851 A/FX 8 John Dimino Jr Norristown Pa '64 Fairlane Ford 427 0.075 9.25 9.305 142.29

FINALS
7777 A/NSS 13 Doug Duell Newburgh IN '64 Ply Wagon Plym 540 0.05 10 10.124 114.16
7055 B/FX 1 Stephanie Dimino Collegeville Pa '66 Impala Chev 427 0.067 9.5 9.738 121.92

My guess is that puts Stephanie 'Princess' Dimino in first, Doug in second, Skip in third, and Dave Schultz in fourth. Joliet is the next race. There photos of the aple Grove event at:

 http://www.streetlegaltv.com/photos/showgallery.php/cat/534