I was watching the post race interviews from the Cup race at Kansas.  After talking with the winner, it was time for the “Agony of Defeat,” interviews, not to be confused with the “Agony of De’ Feet,” that many of us old timers suffer from.

The interview that caught my interest was with one of the supposed up and coming young drivers who was eliminated from the chase, due somewhat in part from his failure to lift his right foot from the accelerator, causing him to run into another competitor and causing the dreaded aero damage to the front of his racecar.

Taking time to mention his sponsors, wearing the obligatory designer sunglasses which probably cost close to a factory worker’s weekly wages before taxes, taking a refreshing sip of his favorite beverage, he finally spoke about the race.  He said after incurring the damage to his car, his day was essentially over he was just out there logging laps waiting for the race to end.  Poor guy looked like he just got the news that his girlfriend ran off with his best friend.  And took his dog, too.

I thought about his words and how bad his day was.  I imagined him telling this to some guy who pumps septic tanks for a living.  (No offense intended to anyone who does this!)

Septic Tank Guy:  “Let me get this right?   You get paid a truck load of money to drive a racecar, hang out with half naked chicks and you had a bad day?  Dude, let me tell you about my day.”

Flashback to a Friday night in July 1971, Spencer Speedway.  We are there in pits with our modified.  Dude pull in, parks next to us with what could best be described as the remnants of a Late Model. He is alone.  He starts to unbind his car from the trailer.  We ask him if he needs a hand with anything until the rest of his pit crew arrives?  He says, “Pit crew?  They’re here.  It’s me.”

We end up helping the guy get his car ready.  He runs his heat race, gets some minor fender damage to the right front.  I use my finely honed skills with a hammer to pound out the fender with a 3 pounder so he doesn’t damage one of his top quality used racing tires in the feature.

Guy runs the feature, and finishes close to last in what were then 24 car features.  He pulls in behind his trailer, unbuckles, crawls out smiling, raises his arms in the air like he just won the race and lets out several loud “Woo’s!”  High-fives hadn’t been invented yet so he came over and grabbed our hands and shook them, thanking us for helping him have a great run, how it was a blast out there racing and how he can’t wait to get back next week and……. wait for it…… “turn some more laps!”

Yeah.  I understand that the pressure to win at the top levels of racing can be intense. I know about aero push.  I know that sponsors demand a lot for their money.  I can understand that it may be difficult to give an interview when you have a bad race.  I can imagine that pumping septic tanks might not be a great job.

But, I also understand that some people enjoy driving racecars and logging laps.

Back in the late '60's and into the '70's, many of the Asphalt and Dirt Mods used a Vertex Magneto (Mag) ignition system.  I just noticed a picture of Roger Triechler's Vega at Lancaster back in the 70's and his hood cut out in order to clear the Mag made me think about why I see so few of these anymore?  Polar Vortex?  Super Moon?  Some othe reason?

Back then most mods did not have a charging system (ate up horsepower, I was told) and they could always be push started.  We used to put the charger on the battery before a race and usually had enough power for starting and gauges.  If the battery was low, no big deal, get a push.

Here are some questions:

"Why don't more racecars today use a Mag?"

"Is there a major advantage or disadvantage to using a Mag?"

Also I'm considering using one on my Vintage car.  If anyone has an original Vertex for sale, send me a PM.

Thanks,

Moselli

I'm curious what is involved with the conversion and set up of a Dirt Modified to run on an asphalt track? 

I saw some races with these cars at Chemung this year and I was quite impressed with how well they seemed to get around the track.

If one were to purchase an existing Dirt Modified, what is involved to change it over and run asphalt?  Anyone who currently competes in this class willing to share informaiton on what changes they make?  Bigger brakes?  Caster?  Stagger? Ride Heights? Springs?  Etc?

Also interested in opinions as to whether you think this class of mods is going to grow at the local tracks in 2014 and the coming years?

Appreciate any comments and thoughts on this subject.

Regards,

Moselli

I watched some of the Race Hub tonight on the Speed Channel and during a segment they played some of the in-car radio chat from Kurt Busch during the Phoenix race last Sunday. 

My immediate impression from the profanity laced communication to his pit crew was that the money spent on anger management might not have been a worthwhile investment.  My other impression is that this man has little or no respect for the hard working people on the team that allows him to race and he is not likely to change.  Having driving talent is one thing but treating people badly usually doesn't work to your advantage in life, or in racing...

I'm now wondering how long he's going to last with his new ride? 

Anyone else getting the same vibes?

Moselli

I need a power steering pump for my Big Block Chevy Vintage Modified Project.  I'm using a standard GM steering box.

Can anyone tell me if I can use the brackets and pump from a small block on the big block or if they are different, is there a way to modify the small block pump and adapt it to the big Block?

Appreciate any help or advice that anyone can give me.

Thanks and Regards,

Moselli

What is the proper way to tighten and set the free play for a wide five hub bearing?

Also would like to know what is the best grease to use for these wide five bearings?

Interested to hear advice from the experienced mechanics and car builders on RaceNY?.

Thanks,

Moselli

Does anyone have any experience with the older model vs. the newer model Wilwood, Superlite, 4-piston brake calipers for 1.25" rotors?

I have a set of the older calipers that use the cotter pin to retain the brake pads.  I bought a new, used set of the later version forged Superlites that use the bolt and bridge spacer to retain the shoes. 

The new version uses a different brake pad style but the physical dimensions are much the same and the older pad will fit the newer calipers with the exception that the bolt and space will not fit through the retaining hole that is designed for the cotter pin..

Question:  Can I use the older pads with the newer Superlites and use a cotter pin in place of the bolt and spacer so I don't have to buy different pads??

Note:  I'm a Vintage Modified guy, so my car is being built around used parts, modification and innovation, not money and new parts.

Thanks,

Moselli