Long time between updates, eh? Not much happening, or what? Well, we've been
working at it, as much as time, energy and funds permit... but we're still taking
two steps back for every step forward.. on the good days, that is. The bad days...
well, don't even ask. As has been the case for the past five weeks, I don't
really have time to do much of an update, but I'll try to fill in some of the
blanks.
As reported last month, the Winternationals was not the event we wanted it
to be. While the racing was great at times, the fact we were sitting in the
stands without a race car turned the whole weekend into one long torture session.
The week following the Winters saw the race car finally cleared through customs...
no, not delivered yet, but cleared through customs... then things really started
to fall apart. First, Tom Mohan, my crew chief and the real driving force behind
this project for the past few years, had to return to Canada. Then, more delays
in actually having the car delivered. Quarantine inspection, more cleaning of
the contents of the container (fudge under the seat of the truck, an old toothbrush
and some wads of gum... all three items being an obvious danger to the country)
and finally, clearance from the quarantine department.
Finally, on June 25th, the truck arrived at Ken's shop, with the container
aboard. Nearly three months after we closed the doors on it in Vancouver, we
finally had the race car out on the ground in Queensland, Australia. Halfway
across the globe and we've finally gotten the first big step completed. Now
comes the real work. Lots of it to do and barely three weeks to get the car
ready for the Winter Finals. Oh, did I mention that at this point we're nearly
out of money too? And I just know there will be a "few" items that I've overlooked
in the parts department.
The first week sees us making almost no progress with the car, aside from
rolling it in and out of the container a few times as we set up shop. Lots of
welding, fabricating, etc. uses up the days quickly and the race car looks no
closer to completion than when it arrived. At this point, my crew consists of
Darren Fahy, Dave Coles, Kevin Kent and Alan Broome, all Aussies and all "mad
keen" to see the car go down the track. Without their continuing support and
hard work there wouldn't be a hope of getting the car completed. Of course Ken
(Lowe) is still providing all the technical and specialty machining/fabricating
help that is absolutely essential to completing the race car.
As the clock ticks down to one week before the "Finals", it becomes (very)
painfully obvious that we won't meet our next (self-imposed) deadline. Remember
my "one step forward, two steps back" comment earlier? Well, now it's starting
to get really ugly. Nothing, absolutely nothing seems to fit without some modification.
Yes, the block fits in the chassis, the heads fit on the block, the crank even
fits... BUT that's about it. The main bearing clearance is fine, the rod bearing
clearance is waayyy too much. The head studs are too long, the tall nuts are
too tall, the rocker covers won't fit over the rocker assemblies or stands.
The oil filter bracket needs to be moved, the tow hook needs to be relocated,
the motor plate needs a little "loving", the offset drive for the magneto is
too tight a fit, the blower belt is a few inches too long, the throttle cable
is too short, the Lenco doesn't fit the bellhousing properly, the throw-out
bearing is just that... thrown out (and replaced with a new one)... I could
go on and on and on... but before this starts sounding like a Bill Doner advertisement
for "How Not To Get Ahead in Drag Racing", I'll just stop my whingeing and
get back to work.
As of today, the money has more than run out, in fact I'm having to live
on handouts from some very trusting and very helpful people. Why haven't I
pulled the pin and gone back to Canada and started generating some work income
to finish the car and prepare it for next season? Well, after being able to
arrange Tom's return flight last month in less than two days, I thought it wouldn't
be a problem when it came time for me to return. Guess again Bob. Remember,
this is Wilson Racing where "if anything can go wrong, it will.. and at the
worst possible time and in the worst possible way". So, when I phoned Qantas
last week to book my return trip to Vancouver, I was given the news that Thursday,
August 5th would be the earliest available. Yeah, I'm stuck here in OZ for another
two weeks, flat broke, with an unfinished race car and no prospects of getting
it done and running before the end of the year.
Think it couldn't get much worse than that? Who knows? I've given up being
surprised by all the roadblocks and obstacles placed in my path to "success"
(or at least a faint resemblance of such). Thank goodness the winter weather
down here has taken a good turn for the past few weeks. No rain to speak of
and daily high temps in the low 20's (low 70's F.) and cool, not quite cold,
nights. Still, it would be nice if we actually had some heat in the townhouse,
other than the oven, that is.
Not sure when the next update will be coming, but stay tuned for more of
Bob's "wonderful" adventures in the Land of OZ". Maybe I'll even have the nerve
next time to admit how badly I drove Ken's Modified (Super Comp) dragster at
the "Test 'n' Tune" on June 26th. A small hint: On the first lap it smoked,
not hazed, but bloody SMOKED the tyres until half track... then the next run
turned really bad. No damage, other than to my pride, but I'm hopeful of much
better results in my own Top Alcohol Dragster.
Last bit(s) for the day: Victor Bray set a new "unofficial" world
record for Top Doorslammer/Pro Mod cars last Saturday night with back-to-back
passes of 229.01 and 229.94 mph. Good on 'ya, Victa!!! Now about that overdrive...
has your calculator died, or did you just skip maths in school? Let's just say
it was a "taste" more than the (already very loose) Aussie rules allow for
doorslammers. Still, he made the laps and man, was that '57 Chev ever haulin'...
Congratulations also to Paul Shackleton who, after winning his
first Australian National Championship Event at last month's Winternationals,
backed it up with another victory at last Saturday's Winter Finals. Two in a
row. Another "good on 'ya" for Paul too.