the nats

Blue · Post by **Blue** » Tue Aug 03, 04 7:51 pm

Well done everyone involved in running this event, it really is a one off! Even a bunch of my Chevy owning friends come along as they well know there's nothing else to match it! I didn't get to meet as many people or see as much racing as I'd have liked as Paul was having no end of trouble with his '73 Charger, and as he has his unfair share of problems I've sort of taken it on myself to look out for him. It was great to share a pitch with Trev and his gang, and also hang out with Ivor and co, Friday night turning into the usual alcohol induced carnage! It was great to see Desoto Dave finally get his Dart to the nats and then run a 12.2 on only his 4th ever pass down the track. Also met up with a few old friends who havn't been to the nats in many years, Jason Wood, Tim Fennel and Gary Mills. To cap it all I won an award and got to drive off into the sunset for a fantastic drive home in the Sox Barracuda, what more could you want? Night racing? next year? YES! YES! YES! It must be done!

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Wed Aug 04, 04 1:06 am

MilesnMiles,
yes !! it was my first time with a car actually going down the strip !! why dont people believe me !

Philf,
for half that ?300 i'd've dropped off pinkie and come back up for ya !!! (on the quiet.... i'll do recovery at ?1 per mile each way ! )

Post by **MattH** » Wed Aug 04, 04 9:08 am

Truly fabulous weekend, definitely the best Nats yet, despite no Mopar of our own there. So good to put faces to names and meet so many MMA members, plus recruiting 18 more over the weekend.
Club stand was a good place to be for meeting people and seeing the racing, it was also close enough for Martin Bennett (commentator) to see me with his binoculars and drag me up to the control tower, where I had a microphone stuck in my hand with no script. I was then back up there the following day just in time to have FireForce do its stuff 10 feet below me!
The plywood and angle iron did not feel at all adequate, and moved about quite a bit.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Wed Aug 04, 04 2:11 pm

What can we say, fab event, wonderful weather. Nice people and smiles all round. Touch of rivalry, but most of all big grins no matter what. Even sunburn didn't stop any of us lining up for the next run. Cars hot but drivers even hotter, let alone the others pushing. Fun Fun Fun. First time for us at Pod. Terry was sure the truck would not get us home, so we put her on a lorry. That was fun in itself. My heart was in my mouth going on and coming off. She stayed together for all her runs on Saturday. Terry wanted 14.00 but got 14.33, still had fun trying. Spent Saturday evening cleaning hour and a half each rear tub, due to lots of rubber and track. Made all worth while when we came in the top ten mopar cars. Thank you guys for a well organised event. Coming next year.

Only problem we had was when we got back to the yard 11.30pm. NO REVERSE. In fact the truck was pushed in the garage (got used to pushing her at the track) after we had drove it home praying we would not need to go backwoods at any time. The gearbox is now in bits on the floor and it would appear that the welds have gone on the bands. No Ace Cafe for us today, or NSRA meet. Trying for Billing All clubs. Reverse has always been dodgey for our dodge

Thanks again Sharon (Pit crew etc)

Holly · Post by **Holly** » Wed Aug 04, 04 8:09 pm

Hugh - sorry, I think I was the one that gave Miles that impression

Terry - It was great to see your history file! The LRE looks better the closer you look too ...

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Wed Aug 04, 04 9:49 pm

thats ok James, meant nowt by it and no offence was taken from any comments, in fact, i'm pleased by all the positive comments i've received, made it all worthwhile, but most people are/were surprised to learn that it was my first time down the track !

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Wed Aug 04, 04 11:46 pm

You need to practice the burnout Hugh. Not enough rpms or heat in the tyres.
But apart from that you were doing very well indeed! That is a damn fast car for a first time run. Takes some danglies that does.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Wed Aug 04, 04 11:59 pm

Hugh although i didnt hear any rumours about your track experience you sure made it look easy mate.Now i know it was your first time i dont think i want to meet you and pinkie at a set of lights.Well done mate

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Thu Aug 05, 04 3:34 pm

Hugh, its called a backhanded complement mate! Ive no idea what et my car should expect when finished but, if i managed not to embarrass myself i'd be pleased, let alone get into the numbers that i was hoping for.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Aug 10, 04 3:53 pm

Still havent stopped grinning like an idiot.
(comes naturally anyway some would say!)
bigger and better than last year, ... and i ran the low 15 i was after...... now for the 14s' !!!!!!!!!