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Black Bar

The latest update as of July 17, 1998

HELLO, is anybody out there listening? I guess the answer is YES, because I've received a few interesting e-mails this week. Even got a response to my little "sound-off" about NHRA two weeks ago. It made me think about how the w.w.web is a great soapbox for the "little guy" and at the same time, a way for people to hide in their little cubbyholes and spout off at length on any subject they wish to explore. The people that know me personally have all commented about what a loose tongue I have at times . . . a real talent for saying the wrong things to the wrong persons at the wrong times. I just can't help it, I say what I think and worry about the consquences later. Despite what our parents told us, sometimes honesty is not always the best policy.

But the fact is that NOTHING in this world is perfect and nothing ever will be perfect. Our task (as I see it) is to make the best of what we've got and work towards the day when it'll be much better. What the heck has this got to do with drag racing? Bear with me, and I'll try to give you a little insight into my current "mind-set".

A year ago I was sitting here with a blown-up 392 engine and a lot of outdated and/or used-up parts. My two major assets were a Chaparral trailer and a very low-mileage Brad Hadman chassis. After spending 15 years trying to run an alcohol dragster and far too much money to justify the results achieved, it was time for a make-or-break decision.

My choices were: Give up, sell off everything for 25 cents on the dollar and sit around growing old and bitter about it ... or, mortgage my future and build a new car with all NEW state-of-the-art parts and give it another try. If you're a regular visitor to this site, you know which the wind was blowing that day! Now it's the middle of the 98 season and what's happening with the car? The simple answer at the moment is . . . nothing. We're a long way ahead of where we were 12 months ago, but no matter how much I budget, it just never seems enough. At this point, the chances of running before the end of the season are growing dimmer by the day. And what about the big   "DownUnder" adventure? It's still on the table, and finished or not, the car will be shipping out for Australia before the end of the year.

To sum up, (and try to make some sense of this ramble) I've put myself in a tight spot, but I'm not giving up. The car WILL be finished, the car WILL run, it WILL all turn out right in the end. How far down the road that day is, I can't be sure of at this time, BUT I know it WILL come. Whether the new car debuts on an NHRA track or an ANDRA track doesn't matter, just the fact that it will be out there matters. And whether it debuts in 1998 or 1999 or even (god forbid) 2000, again it doesn't matter. I've often said that I'm in this for life and since I'm not planning on dying soon, the car will be ready . . . when it's ready.

Enough on that subject already, what's been happening on the Northern Thunder website? Lots of changes, lots of improvements, lots more pictures and stories. Unfortunately, some of the pages " load " a little slower now, but the wait (and results) are worth it. At least all the text comes up quickly, so you've got something to read while waiting to see all the NEW Aussie Drag Babes. Be sure to check out all the new sections in the Thunder Downunder section too. Some of the pages on the site are still under construction, but bear with me, it'll all be done in time. .... Now where have you heard that line before?

Don't forget ... It's almost NITRO time again ... Seattle ... July 31st through August 2nd. With the Canadian dollar/peso/ruble sinking faster than a rock, better buy those VERY EXPENSIVE tickets soon, if you can still afford them, that is. At least get down for the Friday night Fuel Qualifying session, if nothing else. It's usually the highlight of the weekend. And with a new surface at SIR (first time in 35 years) it should be quite a show. That is if everybody hasn't gone broke and given up by then. Oops, there I go again .... Better sign off for now before I get in any deeper. Just remember, there sometimes is a reason why they call it DRAG racing.

Black Bar
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