Wow, what a full weekend. Here is my long winded, foggy account of what went on from my viewpoint:
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...
I arrived 8pm Thursday to a great sunset after sloshing through a rain storm on I-44 E of Okie City. I was greated by two corner workers, a father and son duo, scott, and a 50lb turtle up at the covered spots. No other racers were to be found except for a Legends guy around the corner and down the hill somewhere.
I ran 4 sessions on Friday burning up around 20 gallons in fuel, I guess you could say I got my moneys worth for the bargain $95 Friday entry fee. There were probably no more than 10 cars on track total for most of that day. Some time that morning Lisa (#13L) found a 1lb box turtle which was affectionately named Buford T. Hallett, and appropriately placed in a box and kept all weekend as a mascot. Disappointingly though, even after much discussion the turtle races for the weekend never occurred. I was guaranteed a podium spot with B.T.H. as a ringer.
On Saturday while coming in from the 2nd practice session I noticed a really bad exhaust manifold sound from the car. Upon closer inspection it looked as if it might be a valve train issue. Dr. Doolittle (D Donovan) waltzes up, turns an ear toward the offending passenger valve cover, has a quick, indiscernible conversation with the ‘bird and proclaims it to be a broken rocker arm stud or loose rocker. After pulling the belt & alternator (required on LT1s), and valve cover it became clear the #8 intake rocker was listing off to the side. The top of the self-locking rocker arm NUT had broken allowing it to back off thereby loosening the rocker. We checked the rocker, pushrod and stud and all was ok. I ran around the pits for about 10 minutes only to discover with all the GM boys showing up no one had a spare rocker nut. #13 had run down to the track shop and found a couple Grade-8 speed nuts that would fit. After much lamenting we decided it was best to just use both of those nuts, locking them both securely in place. At this point the call was made for Qual. I tried to get the car back together but there was no way I was gonna make it. I started DFL for R1.
R1 was fun, did some battling with #9 that left #95 a little thinner on the left side quarter & a little darker on the left side door. We both decided to occupy the same time-space coordinates going up the hill to Turn-4. Everyone knows that’s a major violation and asthetic damage ensued.
Holy heck did I have to battle #55 all weekend. R1 was just the start. We both made major mistakes and swapped positions more times than honeymooners on the big night. I earned a nice big donut on the LF fender when I stuck the nose in as Mr. Radio got loose in a corner too. Finished 5th on that one I think.
R2 wasn’t as much fun. The main highlight is I became “The meat in a mustang sandwich”. Going into The Bus Stop (T2) #13 decides to take an inside look by way of late braking…. Very late braking. Errr, too late braking. He over shoots the corner to the inside as we turn the corner comes back on to track facing the wrong way. Danger Will Robinson, Danger! The inevitable happened as we team mates did our best imitation of Eskimo Kisses while Boudy crashes the party bringing up the rear. Much hand waving, fist pumping, finger pointing, and yelling took place in the following 2 seconds. Worked my way to a 3rd place in that race. Again that darn Black & White gave me fits. The visiting #22 from CO also put up a good showing & did well with a 2nd place. The beautiful #95 was no more. Hood LF was bent, headlight cover was mangled, bumper cover had a big ol’ slice about 2’ long, The nose support smashed (again!), and some underlying corner metal relocated. Thankfully no damage to frame rails, oil cooler, or radiator. It looked real ugly. The rear cover had a minor tear and didn’t quite line up as it should as well as the trailing edge of the LR quarter near the tail light looked to be rolled under some. I did my best arts & crafts work taping the cover back up and straightening the metal for the next day. I wasn’t happy.
Sunday was a little better. However, at the start of the 1st hot lap in the qual session I heard a grinding noise from the right side. I nursed it around and into the pits. After pulling off the RR tire #13 spotted a missing caliper mount bolt. He found a replacement in his stash of Secret Mustang Bolts box. EGADS! I can’t believe I have a Mustang part on my car. It apparently helped. I started DFL, again, as I didn’t get a qual lap in.
It was a beautiful start for R3 as I picked off 2 CO guys by the 1st corner, and got the 3rd by the time we came back around to Start/Finish. #13 unknowingly had throttle body problems reducing him to Driving-Miss-Daisy speeds allowing an easy pass on lap 4. Off in the distance I see that dang #55 again. How long is this race? I try to hit all my marks to reel him in. Slowly the distance closed. I kept studying the flag stand hoping for yet another lap. Finally on lap 8 I monopolize on a mistake and took P3 from #55. Just up ahead I see the sole LAW representative as he concentrates on staying with #3. Again I am reduced to just hitting my marks and pleading with the flag man for yet another lap. After 4 laps I eventually catch #9 and camp out behind his bumper looking for an opportunity. Finally the flag man gives me the finger. You know, for 1 to go. I’m work as hard as I can just to take the fastest line and get an opening. The race is almost over for God’s sake. I finally find it as Mitch scrubs off too much speed defending and P2 is mine. With half a lap to go I hold him off and keep it.
Man, that was a great race. Probably the best performance of my career, and the most memorable behind the night race at MSR-H back in early ’06.
R4 had great potential. Old #3 decided to forfeit his pole position start in favor of a more challenging DFL try. I tried to hang with AI #7 as he feathered the throttle for entertainment but in the end #13 and eventually #3 both took me and I drop to P3 for the final finish.
It was a great weekend. I’m very happy I attended. You an add me to the list of TX folks that proclaim Hallett as their favorite track. I’m glad to finally meet and race ALL of the CO boys.
Thanks Rueth Racing (except for R2! :wink: ), Scott & the Hallett crew, and all the other sponsors.
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Originally Posted by Boudy
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