[jimrws6]

Just got back from Ennis today. Drove up to catch the racing portion for the Pontiac Southern Nationals. Thought the turn out was very disappointing. I am guessing that a lot of folks did not want to get the clean car dirty and then try to reclean for tomorrow's show @ Sewell. Any one else go or have a different idea?

[jimrws6]

Just got back from Ennis today. Drove up to catch the racing portion for the Pontiac Southern Nationals. Thought the turn out was very disappointing. I am guessing that a lot of folks did not want to get the clean car dirty and then try to reclean for tomorrow's show @ Sewell. Any one else go or have a different idea?

[mikeb]

I was there; had problems all day with the car and finally gave up. I was .25 off my usual 1/8 times right off the trailer and it just kept slowing down all day. I was expecting 11.70s and ran 12.03, 12.06, 12.10 and then I put it on the trailer after seeing a temp of 240 on the gauge. It was trying to run scorching hot all day so I think something is amiss under the hood. Still seems to run OK, and there is no missing water and no milkshake in the oil. Very strange.

The weather did turn out very nice; it's a shame that more people didn't come on out.

And thanks to all of the people at the end of the track that stopped to make sure I was OK (every one of them that came by actually). I had to stop a couple of times down there and raise the hood to cool the engine.

[thirdgen455]

I wish I could have just made it to even watch but major lack of funds this week. such a nice day to race too, I really need to get the tranny of of the TA and rebuild it. if anyone has pics of the races I would sure like to see the cars I missed.

Mike did John show up? he said he was going to try and bring his moms 4th gen if the 77 was sold, just wondering what happened.

[Steve C.]

My take on the light turn out...

Many who travel long distances stayed home because of the threat of rain. Our local news and the weather channel the night before was not very encourging. But as we know the day turned out ok. Also for many to make travel plans and schedule the time without knowing far enough ahead IF they were even going to have the event had some impact. Lack of advertising in the Pontiac magazines might also have had some impact. And as suggested the car show on Sunday after the race not before as in past years.

On the performance levels.... quite a few indicated their times were off. Some said 2 to 3 tenths! Personaly with my T/A it could only muster 11.30-31 runs where as last year it ran consistant 11.06-11.08.

Dispite some real bad tire shake and getting out of the groove we did manage to make one nitrous pass with the Fairmont. On one kit only with a conservative soft tune-up it ran 8.79 at 155 mph. The car is set up for 1/8 mile racing and with the 1/4 mile and nitrous use the trap rpm was way high at or near 7800 rpm. Plus after that run the track officials got on John for having his NHRA licence expired.... so he ran footbrake at 10.00 flat ET during elimination rounds.

[Floyd Hand]

What Steve said, the weather, late planning of the event, etc. For the first time I got to watch the race instead of racing. Friday morning as I was finishing up changing cam and intake,I tried to stab the distributor and after a few failed attemps, I crawled up on the engine and looked down into the dist hole only to see one ear left on the oil pump drive shaft.I shut the hood and closed the garage door, after all it was only Friday the 13th. Since 1995, this was the first race that I have missed because of car problems. I run at least 10 scheduled races per season plus the test& tunes in between.

Several cars were having problems, Nolan Parker's green 64 GTO slowed from 11.70's to 12.0's.during time trials. I enjoy seeing QUITE 11-12 second street cars running such as Steve's, Nolan Parker's and others.

[Larry Navarro]

Well....it was a disappointing turn-out.
I was the only "vendor" and "one-man" swap meet in the area.
As usual with these events, its great to put "net-persons" and faces together. Thanks to the PSN(and PY) "regulars" and others who came by to chat, even "Big Injun" Dave Anderson came by to talk Pontiac, despite our past differences in header vendors .
I was wanting to see the new Tomahawk intake but air travel and supplier problems hindered his attempt.

I sold a few WFO products but was hoping for a better turnout of folks, like last year.
Didn't sell my '78 either, but received many compliments on the paint/body work.
Hopefully, things get ironed out at an earlier time and we have a better event next year.

[mikeb]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Thirdgen455:
Mike did John show up? he said he was going to try and bring his moms 4th gen if the 77 was sold, just wondering what happened. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

John was there but he didn't bring a car to race. He said he has a deal working on the 77.

[Ron]

I talked to Big Injun Dave Anderson last night Larry. Says your T/A is one fine ride.

[JoePapa]

This was only my second PSN to race but I agree that attendance from all was horrible compared to last year. In 2004, there were a lot of vendors and a huge swap meet. The event started late and ended by about 1:30pm ish? I think Steve hit the nail on the head; there just wasn't enough advanced notice. A rumor I heard was that Sewell and TexasMotorPlex were very wishy washy on comitments. Hopefully the 2006 event will be nailed down sooner.

On a brighter note, I ran a new personal best before the heat and humidity kicked in (first run of the day). 12.81 @ 106 with a 1.64 60'


Joe Papa

[Lee]

The "late planning" was the #1 reason I was not there. Not nearly enough advance time for me to get vacation scheduled.

If I had gotten vacation, the weather forcast very possibly could have kept me away, too.

Floyd, did Jim throw away another cam??

Steve, 11.3's??? I would have called in sick and braved the weather to have a chance to possibly give you an actual "run"!

Lee

[MoJo]

I think I'll buy a hardened oil pump drive shaft.

[Steve C.]

I was real surprised, and worried at first, but at least it was consistantly slow. Went to the semi's and got $50... and put the Fairmont on the trailer

[Floyd Hand]

Lee, The cam did come from KC way, but new in the box remake of our favorite Wolverine 234-244 that we both like. I just took out one of Jim's throw-a-ways that ran a 11.45 in my car.

Joe, I cannot find a hardened shaft, who has them. This is the second one that I have lost. Both times no damage.

[Larry Navarro]

I forgot to mention that PY's Dave "Torqjunki" Sober had a fine day too in the sleeper D-port 455 powered '69 firebird, with consistant 10.40's .
He captured the "runner-up" spot in "Pro Pontiac" class, running against Sharon Wilhite's '58 Pontiac.

[MoJo]

Floyd, I'll send you an Email

[mikeb]

Did any of you guys feel like they were "hot lapping" us? I seemed to have "0" time in the pits to add gas and cool the engine before they were calling the next round. I guess maybe the track people wanted to go home early or something.

[Jim Robertson]

I have heard a few reasons for not attending and just a note as to why we were not there... The end of school year brings lots of activities that conflict with racing activities. Like Floyd said we have made most of the PSNs in the past and hated to miss this one but the date got us.
For DAPA: I know it is a lot of work putting on an event such as this. Please keep up the great work. A June date works but also consider a March or November date for future years.
My $0.02.

Jim

[Skip Fix]

Since we were done by 2pm I think they did rush us.We had time for more time trails before eliminations as well as the hot lapping between rods.

My PSN and Friday the 13th experiences. First wanted to get the new pump gasmotor in my 78, too many gremlins getting to and during the dyno to get it in. So was going to take my son's 81 TA. Dropped it off at a trim shop to put on a dash cap figuring they would do a better job than me. They had to redo it 3 times and wasn't ready til Friday morning(so I was REALLY glad I hadn;t tried it), wanted to leave at noon so didn't take it as needed some other minor stuff and loading on trailer. Good thing, running errands that morning my truck spring a radiator leak at the tank!

So I drove the 2004 GTO got in a pack cruising 90 mph from Houston and averaged 21-22 mpg while doing that. Best times Friday night and Saturday at PSN [email protected]. Down side once heat soaked the computer torque mangement strarts pulling hp out and times were all over the place usually 14.20-40s@97mph, but made quarter finals in the consolation bracket once I figured how much to get on the brakes!

We missed the rest of you guys.

I'l put my 0.02 worth in for 2006-most of the guys I know enjoy seeing all of the long time Pontiac buddies and doing some racing even if its 1/8 mile. I would assume the 1/8 mile tracks would cost alot less that the Motorplex.There are alot of even fast cars running series at the 1/8 mile tracks. Rather have an 1/8 mile even than no event!!

[Larry Navarro]

The management/personnel at the Motorplex have always treated the PSN group like a bunch of red-headed stepchildren.
There was absolutely no reason why they ran everyone ragged between rounds with no time to cool-down, tune, etc.
Those guys knew the turnout was light and used it to their advantage.
Too bad that the Houston area Pontiac clubs are so bent on having car SHOWS, instead of a "dual-purpose" event like PSN.
We have a great 1/4 mile facility here which is owned by one of Pontiacs legendary racers - Don Gay!
May be time for a change.