First Car to the Strip - Page 2

JGrossijr · 01-08-2021, 09:58 PM

Car: 1972 SS Camaro 4spd with a transplanted 427
Year: 1980
Track: Orange County International Raceway.

Experience: The car ran 12.90's. When they called for eliminations most of the lanes were full but one was almost empty so I pulled into that one. I felt lucky to be racing a "slow" car for my first race. I was a first round gift to Jerry McClanahan.

Went back the next weekend and when they called for eliminations I pulled into the short lane again. There was that slow car, and this time I was going to teach him a lesson. You guessed it, I was a gift to Mr. McClanahan again.

I continued going to Orange County, but learned to stay away the short lanes.

Mike Gray · 01-08-2021, 10:55 PM

Like a number of you I made my first pass down a drag strip with a 390 Ford. I purchased a 1967 390 GT Mustang fastback on graduation day in 1974 and took it to Irwindale raceway on Wednesday grudge night. It was a little tired 70k mile 390 C6 with 3.00 gears. Ran 15.30 on first pass with some tire spin. Freshened motor and added headers and it went 14.70 still spinning. Pulled the 3.00 gears and installed 4.11 and it went 13.90 with lots of spinning. Didn’t know enough to switch to a locker or spool back then but as a 18yr old it was more fun driving around town and being able to smoke a tire most of the way down the block.

Marty Knox · 01-03-2021, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marty Knox

1963 Biscayne station wagon with a 230 and 3 speed, Fall of 1969 at Englishtown. First time out I was runner-up in U/Stock - I couldn't shift the column shift very well. I put a Hurst floor shifter in and won class the next 4 Sundays. Times were in the 19's.

I still have the runner-up trophy and my first Class Winner trophy. After that I took the money, $10 for a class win.
I also still have the red metalflake helmet I wore.

jmcarter · 01-03-2021, 04:58 PM

Great thread, would love to hear about Bobby Warren’s and John Livingston’s first time at the track.

Lee Valentine · 01-03-2021, 06:47 PM

1962 Dover Dragstrip 1955 Chevy convertible K/S 265 3 sod been racing non stop ever since. Wouldn't do it any different if I had the chance.ugh

01-08-2021, 09:58 PM	#1
JGrossijr Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Brentwood, California Posts: 99 Likes: 387 Liked 463 Times in 60 Posts	Re: First Car to the Strip Car: 1972 SS Camaro 4spd with a transplanted 427 Year: 1980 Track: Orange County International Raceway. Experience: The car ran 12.90's. When they called for eliminations most of the lanes were full but one was almost empty so I pulled into that one. I felt lucky to be racing a "slow" car for my first race. I was a first round gift to Jerry McClanahan. Went back the next weekend and when they called for eliminations I pulled into the short lane again. There was that slow car, and this time I was going to teach him a lesson. You guessed it, I was a gift to Mr. McClanahan again. I continued going to Orange County, but learned to stay away the short lanes.

01-08-2021, 10:55 PM	#2
Mike Gray Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 627 Likes: 317 Liked 704 Times in 203 Posts	Re: First Car to the Strip Like a number of you I made my first pass down a drag strip with a 390 Ford. I purchased a 1967 390 GT Mustang fastback on graduation day in 1974 and took it to Irwindale raceway on Wednesday grudge night. It was a little tired 70k mile 390 C6 with 3.00 gears. Ran 15.30 on first pass with some tire spin. Freshened motor and added headers and it went 14.70 still spinning. Pulled the 3.00 gears and installed 4.11 and it went 13.90 with lots of spinning. Didn’t know enough to switch to a locker or spool back then but as a 18yr old it was more fun driving around town and being able to smoke a tire most of the way down the block.

01-03-2021, 04:58 PM	#4
jmcarter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Richmond Hill GA (and Port Ludlow WA) Posts: 4,308 Likes: 2,421 Liked 3,227 Times in 981 Posts	Re: First Car to the Strip Great thread, would love to hear about Bobby Warren’s and John Livingston’s first time at the track. __________________ Jim Carter 2340 Super Stock 2340 SST/2340 Stock Set another place at the table

01-03-2021, 06:47 PM	#5
Lee Valentine Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Brookfield, CT Posts: 708 Likes: 13 Liked 319 Times in 68 Posts	Re: First Car to the Strip 1962 Dover Dragstrip 1955 Chevy convertible K/S 265 3 sod been racing non stop ever since. Wouldn't do it any different if I had the chance.ugh __________________ Lee Valentine 1661 STK