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Welcome to the October 1st, 2002 edition of "On The Road with Kenny Racing,"
the bi-weekly newsletter featuring the Landa Pressure Washers Super Comp
Dragsters of Alan and Jason Kenny.
We used the September 21-22 weekend, our first off-weekend in a while, to
wash absolutely everything. The truck and trailer were still sporting
evidence of our trip to Epping, while the dragsters were also in need of a
good cleaning following the dust bowl that was the IHRA National Event in
Epping ... not sure if we'll make that race next year.
We left the shop Tuesday morning, heading for Route 66 Raceway in Chicago,
Illinois. 13 hours later, we arrived at what has to be the best drag racing
facility on the planet. I've been to Bristol, and have heard about Las
Vegas, but I don't think there is any facility that can match Route 66.
Wednesday morning we got parked, and then completed tech a couple hours
later. We parked on grass, but we did have a clean asphalt road behind us.
This is probably the only thing that could be improved at Chicago. Paved
parking would be much better/cleaner. Plus, it would give us more room in
the trailer because we wouldn't have to bring our lawn mower.
Thursday featured two time trials in which Dad ran 8.89 and 8.92, while I
put up an 8.86 followed by an 8.92. We both dialed for 8.90 on the second
run and were slow ... still not sure why. The only reason we can come up
with is that the wind must've been pretty strong on the top end. One unique
aspect of this track is that the starting line is pretty much enclosed. The
grandstands come all the way up to right beside the tower, creating a
"stadium" type look. This also causes the wind to swirl on the starting
line, confusing racers as to the strength and direction.
Friday saw first round commence around 10:15am. Dad went up first and drew
Super Comp national points leader Brian Folk. I had just brought my car to
the lanes and went up to watch Dad. He dialed for an 8.90 against Brian.
Many racers were slow that round, so Dad figured to be pretty safe on the
dial. Brian got the jump on the starting line, with a .417 light, and then
let Dad take the finish line. However, Dad broke out running an 8.872 to
Brian's 8.906. That meant Folk put up a .023 package, so Dad pretty much
had no chance.
I was hesitant to adjust my dial much because so many people were running
.92's and .93's. When I went back to my car, I knew I was going to have a
tough race as I was surrounded in the lanes by a couple Bullets, Mitch
Smith, Tom Stalba, and Dave Dahlem. I ended up being the last pair in first
round, running Dahlem. Dave's car number is 38, meaning he finished 8th in
the very tough division three points standings. After division one, I
believe division three is the toughest as far as Super Comp depth goes.
The one plus about running Dahlem is that he is a 159-160 mph dragster, so I
knew he would be in front of me. I got the advantage at the starting line,
.408 to .412, but then broke out with an 8.897. I caught him around
1150-1200 feet, lifted and then jabbed the brakes through the finish line.
I took .014 finish line as Dave also dumped about 2 mph (or about .004-.005
seconds) in running an 8.907. Dave put up an .019 package. For those into
even more stats, when I hit the brakes, I hit -1.1 on the 'G' meter. When I
pull the parachute, I hit about -0.8 to -0.9 G's.
It's tough to get upset about these first round losses when our opponents
put up .019 and .023 packages.
Up next is the Pennsylvania Dutch Classic at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading,
Pennsylvania. This race is always fun and this year should be even more so.
Friday will feature a Top 32 race for the Super Compers. We always pay
the extra $20-$25 to try and qualify for these special races. However, for
this race, there will be no extra entry fee, meaning everyone is entered.
The way we look at it is that the bump to get in just went from an 8.94-8.96
to about 8.920-8.925. Who would have ever thought we'd be upset because
NHRA isn't asking for more money?
MOTORHOME UPDATE - Colours/fabrics have been picked ... again. No reported
problems ... yet.
TRAILER UPDATE - Trailer construction has begun. I am actually writing this
Monday morning as we sit at the T&E Auto Haulers shop. We are having a
couple small repairs done to our current trailer, as we don't plan to be in
this area again until December. The 'new trailer' axles were welded this
week. Looks like T&E will be done before the Monaco is ready.
ROADSTERS UPDATE - One of the roadsters should be ready for the painters
within the next week. We are currently finalizing the paint scheme for the
new cars. Both cars will feature black & yellow, however we would like to
maintain the current "Jason drives the black car" and "Dad drives the yellow
car." For those familiar with division seven's Jim Hughes corvette
roadster, our paint will be similar to that style. The decals on my car
will be applied to the yellow portion of the car, while the decals on Dad's
car will cover the black paint.
Tentative 2002 Schedule
October 10-13 = NHRA National Open @ Reading, Pennsylvania.
October 24-27 = NHRA National Event @ Las Vegas, Nevada.
October 31-November 3 = NHRA Divisional Event @ Las Vegas, Nevada.
November 7-10 = NHRA National Event @ Pomona, California.
November 13-17 = Bracket Race @ Bradenton, Florida.
November 20-24 = Bracket Race @ West Palm Beach, Florida.
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