January 3, 1969
Naugatuck News ~ Connecticut
"The Scourge of New England Dragstrips"
Bob Gaudreau of Torrington, Connecticut will again campaign his
1968 Hemi Barracuda this year.
The 26 year-old is the driver of this SS/B Barracuda. The #3175 lb.
car is powered by an Elephant-sized 426 Hemi and backed by a
Hurst-shifted 4-Speed Transmission.
The 'Ace Mechanic' is 25 year-old Ed Kovitch of Bristol, Connecticut.
Ed is a 'Tool and Die Maker' by trade.
The 'Candy Cuda' has never lost a Match Race, and Bob states that
they have won 85% of their 'Heats' in SS/B Class.
Bob is one of the top shifters in Super Stock, and 'The Dawg' has been compared to Ronnie Sox of 'Sox & Martin'
Bob Gaudreau >
"Ronnie Sox has been the only guy running a SS/B 4-Speed Barracuda that has out-shifted me. He beat me at the 1968 Super Stock Magazine Nationals in August 1968 at New York National Speedway in the Class Finals."
In 1968, the 'Candy Cuda' has run a best of 10.34 @ 136.6 MPH.
Bob is now looking for low 10.00's this year.
Ed Kovitch >
"We're experiencing with various Camshafts. We've had '2' Racer Brown units in the Hemi, and they worked out real well last year. We have a 'secret' Cam in the engine now, and we will test it out at the Winternationals in Pomona next month.
The Team bought the Super/Stock Barracuda in April of 1968 for
$5100 with the help of sponsors, the 'New England Plymouth Dealers'. After 1-month of preparation, the Barracuda was on the Track.
Bob Gaudreau >
"When we started, the SS/B Index was 10.91. After a few test runs and a couple of adjustments, we were running 2/10's under the Index.
The 'Candy Cuda' leaves the line at 7500 RPM's, where Bob dumps
the clutch. The car is shifted at 7200 RPM's for 2nd-Gear, and then
brought back up to 7400 RPM's for 3rd-gear, before revving to 7600 RPM's for 4th-gear. The Hemi hits the traps at 7600 RPM's and
usually at 130+ MPH.
The Barracuda is key to traction with 10.5" M & H Racemaster Slicks,
and in the Dana Rear sits a set of 4.89 cogs.