9/9/07: Frank Jr.
Last weekend our team went up to maple grove raceway for the first time ever. When we arrived early saturday morning the weather was amazing and it felt like a great day to go racing. We had never been to maple grove before and we were really impressed with the facility. Once the gates opened we drove into the facility and quickly realized that our enormous motorhome was not going to be very easy to park. We had to "circle" the parking lot a few times and eventually found a spot with our group that worked. We then all husled to get the cars out and setup the pit area. Since this is a one day race it is quite a bit of work to get things setup, get through tech inspection, and then be ready for time trials. But everyone worked hard and we did just that.
This is me getting my car through tech inspection
Our first time runs went well and we were very pleased with the track surface. We thought we would be able to get two time runs but the schedule delays started happening. All told I think there were easily 11 oil downs on the racetrack, most of them lasting 30-40 minutes each. The track and every compettitor was very frustrated with how many cars were breaking. I know that the majority of these breakages come from folks bringing there nostalgia car out that is raced only 3 times a year and just isnt well maintained. That is very frustrating, and very dangerous. I have very little tolerance for that sort of work ethic. If those break down track and get oil under there tires, I could be in the other lane and become a victim of there lack of preparation. OK I will get off of my soapbox now.
 .... 
This is Dad and I making our only time run of the race
So we started the first round of eliminations about 3 hours late, and at least 6 hours after we made our time runs.. ARGHHH The track and weather have completely changed and we have to try and run our cars on our index (RIGHT) So I get to race a front-engine dragster first round and he is a little quicker than me so I get to leave first. Well I ran the car hard and I could tell I was on a great pass, so i let out of it a little because I didnt see the other guy. Well that great pass felling was right but I didnt let out of it soon enough and went too fast. The good air and track conditions caused me to break, I ran an 8.96 on a 9.0 dial in. Then dad came up to make his pass and some crazy things happened. My dad was racing Gary Lagner in the first round and Gary had a problem with his trans brake. Apparently this problem allowed his car to roll forward before the race starter activated the timing system. This meant there was no timer on for the run and because gary moved he was disqualified. Not the way we want to win but we will take it. Unfortunately with all of the oild downs throughout the day the race ran too late into the night and we were only able to complete the first round of NETO eliminations. Then with the club heading to NJ for another race the next day it was decided to complete this race at island dragway in two weeks. Not exactly the decision we were looking for but oh well. We havent decided if we will make it up to island yet.
Thats it for now.
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