Been too busy to update this page lately. Ross and I are still framing his 14X18 shed - no mean feat considering the number of windows involved. But it is progressing rapidly even though it's a "design on the fly" LOL. 
As for the VW project(s) I lined them up on Wednesday and took stock of what works, what needs replacement, and started a "wish list" of new parts for the resto project. Don't laugh but the one in this pic with the missing front sheetmetal is actually the best of the three and is the long term replacement for my old primer spotted Golf that's been in the family since it was brand new in 1991. The 4 door Jetta drives and runs great and will be cannabilized for parts for the other two. It will give up it's front sheetmetal, wheels and some of it's drivetrain for the resto Golf. Hopefully the original Golf will keep on running until the project car is finished.
This coming Wednesday night's Test and Tune session will mark the start of the 2008 season at Cape Breton Dragway. After much post season soul searching and hand wringing I have been persuaded by a large group of racers / friends to reconsider my "retirement" from active duty at the track.
The decision to come back was not an easy one. Between concern for the condition of the track, the loss of dedicated track workers, CBRDA politics, the constant scheming by some racers to try to outwit the rule book and the status of the agreement with the Airport Authority I decided it was not worth the stress it was generating in my life. One factor in my return was an effort by some of the CBDRA Members to initiate a "Quick 8" program at CB Dragway. That sure got my interest going again with a chance to see a field of 7 second cars(or faster) in Cape Breton. Another one was the pressure from some local racers to return citing the proposed improvements at CB Dragway for this season. I just hope it works out..........
Elsewhere things are heating up at NHRA's Route 66 Nationals. JOLIET, Ill. Latest news from Drag Race Central: http://www.dragracecentral.com/
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 Ashley Force |
But when she drove her Castrol GTX Ford Mustang to a 4.759-second pass at 329.10 mph during the second round of qualifying at the Torco Racing Fuels Route 66 NHRA Nationals on Friday, those numbers stood for more. They proved her young team, in only its second year together, is becoming the kind of consistent and comfortable team that posts competitive, winning numbers, like her career-best speed.
"That's definitely the most exciting part for our team, even over that No. 1 qualifier and E.T., is that speed, because we're racers and we love the quick speeds in drag racing," Force said. "It doesn't seem like four miles per hour is a lot different, but from 325 to 329, we're pretty pumped up."
Qualifying concludes with two rounds on Saturday at Route 66 Raceway near Chicago. If Force's performance stands, she will be the first woman to earn a No. 1 qualifier in Funny Car. Eliminations for the event, the halfway point of the regular season in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs, are on Sunday.
The biggest difference between her first season and her second, she said, was with her team.
"Definitely just consistency (is better), a lot less mistakes for all of us," Force said. "The driver; my team. Working on the car. When you get all the kinks worked out things go so much smoother that you're able to build on things and go rounds and that gives you confidence. That makes a big difference as well, when you can get in these cars or prepare these cars and know that you know what to do, even against people who have been doing it over 30 years. We're a new team, so to have that kind of confidence from round wins definitely makes us better."
