Race 2 GM's @ Carlisle June 26, 2009
Two weeks passed and it was time to make the trip back out to Carlisle to see how the GM guys celebrate their marquee. Ford enthusiasts were great to be around and lived the brand. We did not know what to expect from the GM folks, but were excited.
Once we arrived at the fairgrounds, what only two weeks prior was a show filled with thousands of Fords and enthusiasts, had turned into fields of beautiful GM products. This weekend we were going to race for sure.
The forecast was Hazy Hot and Humid with the chance of a thunderstorm. We took ownership of our tent on Friday morning. Ted Daros and his over the top 1970 Chevelle SS396 L89 Aluminum headed big block was a big hit with the many Chevy enthusiasts. Ted Daros is part of the SuperCar ShootOut Rules Committee and represents the GM camp. Ted was on hand to field any rules questions and tech issues.
John Suess wowed the crowds with his Restored 1969 Hurst Olds 455. It was no surprise when John took top honors on the SuperCar ShootOut fun field. Ralph Barbagallo brought back the Hemi Powered Plymouth to do battle. Not knowing how the HP2 would be received, we were reserved till we took the HP2 out of the trailer and the crowds starting coming over to check out the Plymouth. “Great car”, “I remember when those were new!” All of the comments were positive and well received. Jim Wagner even commented positively on the HP2.
At the GM show we met many great enthusiasts and future racers, One, Wayne Shipley, we found out, had ties to the group. Wayne purchased Scott Pierce’s F85 back in the spring of 2009. Wayne came over and introduced himself, asked many questions about the series and then told us about his F-85. It only took second for us to connect the dots. Excited to hear Wayne would be joining us in the future, we knew this was the right place for the SuperCar ShootOut to be- in the middle of thousands of great enthusiast able to connect with us. John Slavin also came out to support the series and pick up 4 support points toward the championship. John was buttoning up his Camaro and working out the details on a new trailer to haul the SuperSport to future SuperCar Events.
The afternoon came and we all made our way over to Quarter Aces Dragway to put on a show for all the GM enthusiasts. After we teched, we decided the racer who won the most rounds would be the top eliminator, and so on.
Round one Ted Daros took the Chevelle and claimed his first victory against the HP2. Round two, Ted Daros again against John Suess.
Round three, tuning on the HP2 became the must do for this round. Timing was rechecked and reset. After Ted took another win away from the HP2, a set of plugs were installed and the Elephant came to life, the only problem, Ted had 3 wins to Ralph 0. John had scored two victories.
The next round was the most critical, with only three more rounds total to figure out who would be Top Eliminator.
Ted and Ralph headed to the staging lanes, Ted picked the left lane. After the lights flashed and the win light came on for the HP, the crowd was shocked by the outcome. We had a race. The next round came, Ted took the right Ralph in the left lane did a big John Force burnout to bring the tires up to temp.
The hole shot was critical and with both cars leaving the at the same time, it meant the win would have to come at the end. Ted came up short by only inches.
With the count being Ted 3, John 3 and Ralph 2 this last race was important. Ralph on the Right, Ted in the Left, the tree activated and Ted put the Chevelle out front for the entire distance. Ted 4 wins, John 3 and Ralph 2. We had a Top Eliminator, runner-up and consolation winner. And many memories to remember the day. With the days activities coming to an end, Ted was awarded his prize money from SuperCar ShootOut and a set of Firecore wires for his work, along with the proper iron needed to decorate a champion.
Saturday was a fun day at Carlisle the temps were cooler and more comfortable. The crowds funneled there way into the fairgrounds. Ted, on his way to Florida for family vacations, left late Friday evening. John, Sharleen and Ralph stayed Saturday to take part in all the festivities. We were invited to the Celebrity lunch and met many GM Greats.
We were also asked to pick our favorite GM. This was up to Sharleen. With John and Ralph giving her guidance, Sharleen found herself looking at a 1967 Buick GS340 after spending time talking to the owner, who has known the car since the day he helped his dad pick it off the dealership lot back in 1967.
When he told his mom she should sell the Buick after his father passed away, and the car was too much for her to maintain, she told how his dad had always wanted him to have the car.
We knew we found a car that would represent the SuperCar ShootOut well. In 1967 Buick introduced its muscle car with the GS340 . The GS340 was known for it’s torque and styling cues, red stripe with color coded wheels bucket seats and chromed air cleaner. Congrats on your award, Dennis Eckler.
Enjoying this great event, we spent the rest of the weekend fielding many questions, handing out business cards, Firecore stickers and selling merchandise. The weekend had passed, it was time to gear up for the final race in the Firecore 50 Challenge, Chryslers @ Carlisle.
Race 1 Ford's @ Carlisle
Race 3 Chrysler's @ Carlisle
