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Friday 29th April was a night destined for greatness. An informal Eastside contingent decided to make their way down the long cold road to Calder. With gates opening at 4pm, and racing from 5pm it meant for early test time for the early birds. Unfortunately problems at the track meant no early start, 5.45pm and racing finally began… Early results were mixed with everyone running times consistent with their personal best, except for Ado. He obliterated his 13.9 hope with a 13.7 on his second pass. I started with good signs with a string of 13.1 early mixed with the occasional 13.0 to tease me but that was still a PB. Macca ran consistent 11.5’s - a PB for him. “Shubes with the Cubes” drove to the track, took the air filter off and ran 11.7 just like that. NOW THAT’S A TUFF STREET CAR!!! He shortly followed it up with a 12.1 with wheelspin. John went out and gave it his best achieving low 15’s. That leaves Dave… Now our faithful Prez had pulled some favours and “borrowed” a 150hp Nitrous Kit. Some “testing” had proven promising so time to see. Unsure of the best method for his application he decided to wing it. Experimenting with when to “gas it” with mediocre success, managing mid 12’s at best, with the car breaking down at the top end. Back to the pits for a tinker. Meanwhile the temp dropped and the cars got better, well most. Ado’s grin only got bigger as he ran a 13.4 consistent for the rest of the night. Macca achieved a PB of 11.2, pretty damn good with slicks. Shubes, casual as always cemented his new PB, running three 11.7’s in full street trim minus air filter. What else needs to be said…… I was still running 13.1. Dave returned and decided the launch was the spot. He gave it the full hit on the line. Making a great launch and 60ft. It was a very quick pass, till half track where it all went wrong. He heard noises and shut it off, Ado and I saw chunks from the side line. Dave rolled over the line for a 12.2, his best for the night but at a cost of his diff, tail-shaft, auto and floor pan!! Needless to say he was towed back and our small army lifted and pushed his car onto the trailer as the wheels were scrubbing on the wheel arches. The track closed for 1 hour of cleanup - “Oops!” During the break I tweaked my timing and decided now or never. Hot oil and cold water, I pushed my car as far as I could and started it only where I had to - the pre stage. Ado and I manipulated the lines and raced each other. Both as bad as each other, we made lots of smoke in our warm up; with the commentator remarking we should have gone in the skid comp! Nothing makes racing more fun than being against your mates. We were close all the way but I finally ran a PB of 12.8 with Ado missing by 0.002 of his. As I said earlier, a night of greatness, 4 PB’s and Dave was just spectacular! Club Cars In Attendance:
- Paul |