Anyone else bummed that you just can't get it together?
 

Just venting.

I have a car. I have the motivation.

I just can't get anything to go my way when it comes to racing.

I have the potential to win at any race. The luck I have built up over the last 5 years should guarantee me a win (ok, that's a stretch).

So, to all you Fathers with priorties (that put Drag Racing at the bottom of the list), I salute you and feel your pain!

I know what the right thing to do is.....I just am feeling sorry for myself as I just can't get it together.

Sorry for the rant, but I can't be the only one...right?

Haha!:D

Re: Anyone else bummed that you just can't get it together?
 

Hang in there Jeff. Are you getting close to getting out with your car? Talk at you soon and hope to see you at the races.

Re: Anyone else bummed that you just can't get it together?
 

Hi Bob!

So close to running it hurts. Even the last few things to do are a huge obstacle.

I have called in way too many favors to even get this close.

I'm just feeling sorry for myself. I'll get it together for next year (but I have said that for the past few years (hahaha!)

Thanks for responding! Makes me feel a little better....:)

Re: Anyone else bummed that you just can't get it together?
 

What parts are you missing?

Re: Anyone else bummed that you just can't get it together?
 

I have to get my (Gary Rouse's) heads to Rod Stults to have the rocker stud bosses repaired. Rod has helped me so much already I feel bad.

My last race (Seattle '09) Tech hit me hard with a bunch of little fixes. Again, I have to ask people to help me get it done. I really hate asking for any help, but the reality is that if I want it done right, I have to have the right person do the job.

Just a bummer for me, which is why the old Wagon sits....

Re: Anyone else bummed that you just can't get it together?
 

My son's are out of the house now and i havent race stock since 95! There will be a time when it all comes together lol hang in there!

Re: Anyone else bummed that you just can't get it together?
 

Thanks David!

I know it'll work out, it's just been a really long time for me!

Re: Anyone else bummed that you just can't get it together?
 

I know what you mean bracket racing just doesn't cut it. I am tires and a tranny away from cleaning of my cob webs! Nice wagon by the way very cool.

Re: Anyone else bummed that you just can't get it together?
 

P.S. When I said I have the potential to win any race, that sounded cocky.

I retract that statement. LOL!

I meant to say that just getting to the track gives me an opportunity to win.

It's been far too long since I have raced!

Re: Anyone else bummed that you just can't get it together?
 

I feel your pain brother. I have my Chevy II bracket car that is actually "pretty close" to being ready to run. Maybe next spring?

My stocker, I dunno? The actual car, is still setting on jackstands, partially disassembled. I have various pieces, the roll bar, subframe connectors, the Cal-tracs and springs, wheels, ect, setting in piles. I have many engine pieces. Some still in boxes, others in piles, a few in the cleaning tanks. All waiting to be used.

If only work and life didn't stand in the way, maybe I could find extra time to work on these cars, LOL! As to making passes down the drag strip, my partner and I last raced our bracket car in 1988. I personally, haven't driven a competitive pass since, I believe, 1977!

Sounds like you're close. Keep working, you'll get there. So will most of us, for me, just don't know when?

Re: Anyone else bummed that you just can't get it together?
 

Jeff, just remember that you can only do your best, nothing more. Everything happens for a reason, whether it makes any sense to you at the time or not.

I've had my wagon out three disappointing times this season, so I can understand how you must be feeling! I'll step back for a while, the motor has to come out, AGAIN, due to a problem with my low oil pressure (the car's not mine!) I'm not a happy camper, but this is the mission I've given myself. Indy will have to wait another year, but I'm not upset, not yet anyway. I just pray that G-d gives me enough time to do everything I've planned to do.

Hang in there!

Lew

Re: Anyone else bummed that you just can't get it together?
 

Jeff,

My old buddy Don Kennedy used to have a sign in his old straight truck that said " The luck will come if the money holds out". True for most I presume. But I said, "If you don't have any to start with, it just takes longer". Stick with it my man.

Jerry

Re: Anyone else bummed that you just can't get it together?
 

Hello Jeff

I may know how you feel. To date I have made twelve passes with my '55 in the last eighteen years! Not nearly enough to satisfy my needs.

Sounds like you are not far off though. Hang in there and see you at the 2011 Mission divisional.

Allan

Re: Anyone else bummed that you just can't get it together?
 

No worries, you have company!!

Re: Anyone else bummed that you just can't get it together?
 

Jeff, we haven't seen you out for a couple of years. We stopped at Camping World in Burlington on our way home from Seattle and were thinking about you, hope to see you out soon.

Jim Mantle

Re: Anyone else bummed that you just can't get it together?
 

Wow! Thanks guys! I really didn't think anyone read any of my posts. Haha!

I'm feeling a little inadequate lately. Just a little down on myself.

I really appreciate the support! I know it will come together. I'm just a little impatient during racing season.

Best of luck to all that are racing this season.

I reeeeeallly hope to get the old Wagon back out next year!:)

Re: Anyone else bummed that you just can't get it together?
 

Woops

I meant 2012 not 2011.

Allan

Re: Anyone else bummed that you just can't get it together?
 

If you want to make a few passes to get the blood flowin again my wagon is sitting here waiting for you, It even has gas in the tank. Light the fire kick the tire and come have some fun!

Re: Anyone else bummed that you just can't get it together?
 

Jeff, at least you have a car close to running. I sold my super gas car to build a stocker and then the recession hit. My income is almost nothing and I have an empty shell of a car and some boxes of parts sitting in the garage.

Re: Anyone else bummed that you just can't get it together?
 

Good morning Jeff. I totally understand where you are coming from. I last raced in 1997 and it is very frustrating sometimes. I fix some of it by going to events and helping/visiting with old friends. I was at the N.W. Nationals and the division 6 race at Pacific and had a great time. I vivited with Toby and Jody Lang, Mark and Gary Faul, Don "the worm" Elgin and many, many more. This weekend I will be at Bremerton for the Nostalgia race and cacklefest. I was there last year with Ken Martin and his funny car and had a BALL. To put everything in perspective, I was going to visit a friend, yesterday, who has cancer. I called and his wife said that he didn't want any visitors and he stayed in bed all day. I hope this helps, but hang in there, your time is coming soon, Ron.

P.S. I first started racing in 1969 and had a stocker for a brief while (1973).

Re: Anyone else bummed that you just can't get it together?
 

I don't want to put words in Rod's mouth, but I think he'd be happy to help get the wagon going again!!!!


It might cost you a dinner at Olympia Pizza to nudge him though!!!


For those that don't know Rod Stults bought the wagon from Jeff. Ran it for quite a few years then sold it back to him after I bought Jeff's Malibu that I run in Super Stock now.

Stay positive Jeff it'll happen!!!

Re: Anyone else bummed that you just can't get it together?
 

Thanks everyone! It was really great to come home after a bad day at work and see all the positive posts!

I have a little of my Faith back!:)

Re: Anyone else bummed that you just can't get it together?
 

I will give you my story and it might make you feel better. A couple of years ago I took my bracket car down to be dyno tuned. While I was there the owner of the shop took me to his house and showed me his super stocker. Right then decided to build a stocker instead of the super pro car I had been planning. I have been working on it for a couple of years now while still bracket racing when life did not get in the way. This spring I was 99% done and was ready to go make some test runs and planned to run a couple of local bracket events with it before I went to a div. race. Then may 25 my shop and home took a direct hit from a tornado for the second time in less than 5 years. Among many many other things the car was destroyed. Three months later I am still sick when I think about it. It could have been alot worse nobody was hurt and we so far seem to have plenty of insurance. Two of my neighbors homes were not so lucky. I just keep telling myself to keep digging and sooner or later I will get there. The bad part is untill my shop is rebuilt next year I am somewhat unemployed. So I have a ton of time on my hands to build another car. The really bad part is I have no shop to build it in LOL. One of these days I am going to run stock just not this year but mark my words I will one day.There is always something that gets in my way of getting it done just so happens this year for me it was a F2 but you name it over the last couple of years it was always something holding me up. You have to just keep digging till you get there.

Re: Anyone else bummed that you just can't get it together?
 

Rob, I am very sorry for your loss.

That really puts things in perspective for me. I kinda feel bad for complaining now (LOL!)

But, I would almost put my Wife and 2 teenagers up against your F2 Tornado-they seem to have comparable destructive power! Hahaha!

I really admire your positive attitude!

OK! Let's get our cars going!:)

Re: Anyone else bummed that you just can't get it together?
 

Today's update....

Just as I am about to do something with the Wagon, my Central Air Conditioning unit decides to fail. There goes the $400 I was going to put into the car! :(

Everyone see how my luck goes? If I ever get to the track, Karma owes me a string of win lights.....

I appreciate all the positive thoughts for me. This alone will get me back to racing again. :)

Re: Anyone else bummed that you just can't get it together?
 

What parts do you need to finish the car?

Re: Anyone else bummed that you just can't get it together?
 

Hey Jeff,
I don't know you real well but all that counts is your one of the few Division Six
Super/Stock racers out there and you could use a hand. I can't offer what Rodney can do, and he's good at it, but I agree with Jody that he'd be more than happy to help you get the heads finished. As far as other stuff, parts, tires, etc. your welcome to any spare stuff I have.

Call my cell if I can help.
604-309-1222

Rick

Re: Anyone else bummed that you just can't get it together?
 

Me as well. Email me 68nova@telus.net

Re: Anyone else bummed that you just can't get it together?
 

Thanks guys!

Rick, you don't know me, but I sure know of you! I really appreciate the offer. I don't really need any parts, just some labor to fix what I have broken. I have to buy the parts new. No big deal, it's just doing it. It really is minimal money, compared to what I have already spent.

Thanks Bob, as always. Your concern and offer is much appreciated!

I'll get to it. I have to call in a few favors to get it done, but somehow I'll manage.

It just seems like everytime I am just about to see some light, something kicks me in the rear and sets me back again. Downright depressing.

But.......I have some of my motivation back!:)

Re: Anyone else bummed that you just can't get it together?
 

This thread really reinforces something that I have noticed about drag racing in general and stock in particular:getting to the track with a car that is ready to run is 99% of the battle. It took me a few years to figure out why I my hair would stand on end when someone would say something like "I'll just put a 440 in it and go run tens" or "If someone would just let me run their car I'd win for sure". This crazy sport that we're hooked on is tough!

So pat yourself on the back, you're almost there. As Nietzche said "whatever doesn't kill me makes me stronger..."

Good luck,
Chris Barnes
Stock 6621
Wagons of Steel

PS I just got my wagon back on the track after a two year "vacation" and it was worth the wait!

Re: Anyone else bummed that you just can't get it together?
 

Thanks Chris!

I've been racing since 1991, so I'm certainly not new to the struggle. It just never seems to get any easier.

I just had to vent the frustration I have been having lately. Talking to my racing friends-on and off the Internet-has really helped me.

I put an ungodly amount of money to get the Wagon running, only to have it break on the very first pass. That is unusual, even for me. To double and triple check everything during assembly, then find the one thing I missed, really bummed me out! It could have been catastrophic-luckily I got off fairly easy.

I'll get to it, but Family comes first. Sometimes I wish I could bump my priorities up a few pegs-but that just doesn't seem to happen.

I'll quit ranting now. I really appreciate you guys listening and supporting me.

The fact that I have even been a part of the racing community has been a high spot in my life. Looking at my one Wally on my shelf reminds me of all the great times and great people I have met. It pushes me to get this damn thing done and back out there.

Good luck to everyone the rest of the Season!