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Carl Battis · 10-11-2023, 10:20 PM

My first event was 20 years ago at Bakersfield after I finished building my car. I had been going to the races for a few years as a crew member helping my friend, and I learned a lot during that period which really came in handy when I was finally behind the wheel.

Like you, I had experienced some problems at my first event beginning with a broken starter on the Test N Tune on Wednesday. Before I had even figured out what was wrong the guy in the pit next to me walked over and said, “You might need one of these. You can give it back to me the next time you see me.” He handed me a starter for my 396. That gentleman was Larry Belden, and we became good friends starting that day.

It sounds like you had an incredible time and met a lot of the fantastic people that make drag racing such a special sport. All of the names you mentioned have been fixtures in Division 7 for decades…..quite an introduction to driving I’d say.

Gregg Luneack once remarked to me that there are a thousand ways to lose, and if you race long enough you’ll experience them all. He went on to say that the Book of Winning is a pamphlet, but the Book of Losing is an encyclopedia. Congratulations on winning your first round on Saturday. It’s addictive to see that win light come on!

Welcome Aboard - see you in the lanes.

10-11-2023, 10:20 PM	#2
Carl Battis Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 100 Likes: 24 Liked 183 Times in 36 Posts	Re: Bakersfield Experience My first event was 20 years ago at Bakersfield after I finished building my car. I had been going to the races for a few years as a crew member helping my friend, and I learned a lot during that period which really came in handy when I was finally behind the wheel. Like you, I had experienced some problems at my first event beginning with a broken starter on the Test N Tune on Wednesday. Before I had even figured out what was wrong the guy in the pit next to me walked over and said, “You might need one of these. You can give it back to me the next time you see me.” He handed me a starter for my 396. That gentleman was Larry Belden, and we became good friends starting that day. It sounds like you had an incredible time and met a lot of the fantastic people that make drag racing such a special sport. All of the names you mentioned have been fixtures in Division 7 for decades…..quite an introduction to driving I’d say. Gregg Luneack once remarked to me that there are a thousand ways to lose, and if you race long enough you’ll experience them all. He went on to say that the Book of Winning is a pamphlet, but the Book of Losing is an encyclopedia. Congratulations on winning your first round on Saturday. It’s addictive to see that win light come on! Welcome Aboard - see you in the lanes. Last edited by Carl Battis; 10-11-2023 at 10:22 PM.