Forum Activity for @frank-hager

Latest Trick

Current NASCAR

Using the suspension rubber bushing for fore/aft movement has been around for years. The use of an expensiveBithermic Rubber isn't necessary.

The auto companies having been using "Voided " bushings for at least 30+ years in front/rear suspensions. I got involved with this during my work assignment in the vehicle suspension study lab at Michelin Tire in the late 70's.

To improve comfort levels, the suspension bushings are frequently made with an internal "void" in the rubber (meaning no rubber, just a vacant space with no rubber) in the 3 and 9 o'clock positions to allow more suspension compliance (controlled movement) in the fore/aft directions).

The more void, the more movement. The same trick could be used inrear trailing bushings to accomplish a rear steer effect under application or releaseof torque on the rear suspension.

Igot involved with some work with Ford shortly after the 5.0L Ford Mustang went to market to fix a rear axle tramp problem. They used voided bushings in the rear arms which allowed fore/aft movement under standing start torque application. I filled the bushing voids with plasticand the problem was solved, but at the expense of reduced comfort levels, which Ford couldn't live with.

Ford eventually went to a horizontal mounted small torque damper (shock absorber) on each side to cure the problem. The '90 5.0L Mustang I have in my garage has those pieces on it. So, it was used for years.

With comfort levels not being in the equation, this voided bushing could be a great racing chassis "tuning" device while still remaining within the truck arm rear suspension rules. No need to go with 4-links, which I don't think isNASCAR legal.

SHELBY SPEEDWAY

Vintage Oval and Road Course Racing

Glad you're doing OK up there. As I prevously said, I wish you and your crew much success.

We never had a good gauge to measure the performance of the coupe to your current crop of cars. That's unfortunate for both of us because it may have influenced your decision making and eventual number of cars coming to race.

I had a vision of an coupe/coach class in the future. There's a serious number of potential coupe/coach race cars in the Charlotte area just waiting for a place to run. Many are northern/mid-Atlantic transplants working in Mooresville with a background running less fenders.

Here's a suggestion for you. Next time a guy shows up that's been there before to support your effort, let him race that night and then tell him not to come back if they're gonna' be DQ'd. The worst penalty you can give a true racer is telling him/she that can't race, especially when they work so hard on their stuff to get there.

In this and a like situation it would havebeen better for both concerned parties if you talked directly to the person and not send an intermediary that's down in your chain of command.

The total experience disapponts the driver, crew and fans in the stands that came to watch their driver perform. None will probably return in the future.

Also, as you are aware, you're in the entertainment business. The racing is just a venue to compete for those entertainment dollars.

As for my comments, my more than decade longwork as a sponsor and race tire representative with several major televisedrace series gives me a significant amount of training and education that others don't have.

SHELBY SPEEDWAY

Vintage Oval and Road Course Racing

Johnny,

If this Shelby deal is so great, why doesn't "W" have 20-30 cars in the pits running for that purse you reference? I agreed to run just for tow money, not purse money.

This isn't a "Bitch" session, it's a "matter of fact" session. I could discuss more facts about what I saw happening there, but won't.

If I wanted, Icould go back there with any of three other"legal" race cars I have inmy race car stable, but I doubt I will. All I wanted was tohave some fun and cultivate some fan interest in the old coupes & coaches. It didn't work out and that's OK. I view it as "W"s loss. I'll save my time, energy and money for something else that's more appreciated.

With that all said, I still wish "W" much success with his "Field of Dreams", and I'm sincere when I say that.

Now, back to work on my '56 Ford race car.

SHELBY SPEEDWAY

Vintage Oval and Road Course Racing

Bill,

Do yourself a favor and stay home. The Friday nightrules state '37 and later, so your're already illegal.

You won't be welcome with no fenders. The 8 1/2" tire thing isn't valid.

There is no real deal unless your tires stick out less than 5" past the bodywork.

Frank

SHELBY SPEEDWAY

Vintage Oval and Road Course Racing

Dyno Don,

I've kept my mouth shut for several weeks after being DQ'd up there after doing nothing more than showing up to race after receiving an invite and OK by all the owners and drivers the previous race that they didn't have a problem with my car running.

I have a story to tell ya' about one of your buddies. I'll give ya' the detailed version next time I see ya'.

Here's the condensed version: "W"stopped down and spent a couple of hours with your buddy several weeks ago looking for advice to get more cars.

Now your buddy left outa' Shelby with $2,500 in his pocket after two races. Not too bad for a $4,000 investment in a car thatI found for him. The advice given "W" was to make sure the cars that run there look like his. This was reinforced to me by "W" himself the night I was DQ'd.

So, "W" doesn't have a clue as to what he wants to run there, except he wants it to look like your buddies car.

Just make sure your tires don't stick out past the bodywork more than 5", even though there's a picture of an open wheeled modified on their web site. (might be gone now, I don't know 'cause I haven't looked recently).

Having an old car that folks in the grandstand can identify with doesn't count for nothing up there. But bring a cut up beyond all recognition car up there that doesn't look like anything ever produced and you're welcome to run, just so long as the tiresstick out less than 5".

HOW DID HE DO THAT

General

Bone Head move of the race Award goes to Kurt Busch. At that point they weren't really racing.

42nd to 1st says something about patience, skill and luck.

Anyone ever heard of Saugerties Speedway?????

Historic Speedways and Ghost Tracks

Yeah, that would be neat. Keep in touch so we'll remember.

Always good to BS old racing stories.

Anyone ever heard of Saugerties Speedway?????

Historic Speedways and Ghost Tracks

Bill,

Great pic.

Most folks associate the Pinto RevoIution with the Judkins 2x and Flemke, but if my memory serves me correctly Bergin drove the Pinto before Flemke. Bob said that Gene was a great driver.

Every November when I head to Ponce Inlet, FL for vacation I stop by and see Judkins in Edgewater. Sometimes we sharespaces at the Turkey Rod Run swap meet at the Speedway. He's a way "COOL" guy and about as sharp a mechanical mind as you'll find.

He has his daily afternoon coffee meeting north of his place at the "Dunkin' Donuts". A great bunch of guys/gals show up.

Frank

Anyone ever heard of Saugerties Speedway?????

Historic Speedways and Ghost Tracks

I started racing around about the time Wimble got hurt at Lebanon Valley, which ended his career. I ran Fonda several times from '73-'76, but wasn't a regular there.

Here's a pic of the #7 'Cuda I ran '73-'75. This pic was taken at Lebanon Valley.

Anyone ever heard of Saugerties Speedway?????

Historic Speedways and Ghost Tracks

I checked all my sources and could not find any record of a track in Saugerties.

But, as already mentioned here, "Stretch" was from that town.

That pic of Pine Bowl Speedwaybrings back some memories. The first year I raced, we ran Lebanon Valley on Sat and several times at Pine Bowl Sunday afternoon. That was the last year Pine Bowl ran. Think that was 1966 or '67. From what I remember, Pine Bowl was the first paved oval track in New York State. As a kid I remember Kenny Goodermote #62jr, Gene Bergin M-6, the Sharkey Bros.#44 and a host of other GOOD cars running there. They also had midgets and real late model "new" car races there. I remember Goodermote winning in a new '55 Chevrolet. Pretty sure the big races were run under the UNITED scanction, with Harvey Tattersall as the promoter.