Event Coverage 2011 MELTDOWN DRAGS -VINTAGE DRAG MEET- July 23-Byron, IL

Just pulled the Muncie out of my 55. So far, things look better than I expected with the clutch. Hopefully the trans won't have much wrong with it either.

If my 55 isn't together in time, I may be just a spectator. Last week the upper rear control arm in my 59 broke. The frame bracket tore in half, so it's in getting welded. Hmmm....Maybe it's a good time to add another upper control arm.

 

Come on and bring that 55.....we are expecting ALOT of shoeboxes and quite a few shoebox fords for match racing....something not often seen around here....

 

Eric you better have that 55 ready my 49 chevy is


well ready for the car show LOL......

 

Is this 49 going to be ready...or is it just a legend?

 

See what I mean? Like I said, I think the chances of the van racing in 18 days are extremely slim. I'll take the 59 if it isn't. I need to EARN my special Meltdown decal to complete my Heads Up*Meltdown Drag Series waterslide set!

 

Sure man.....bring the 59...not sure I saw that one yet....GET YOUR DOUBLE DECAL!!!

 

Just curious, what are you guessing the car count will be? I would be coming from Ohio (only as a spectator this time) but it is a long drive for me, and would be a little dissappointed to only see 20 or 30 cars show up.....I tried to guess by last years pix but couldn't tell.

 

Leadsled51....for 2011 we have spent the entire year advertising...and we are well over 100 race cars....the guess would be 150 + GUESSING if weather is good.

Car show....unknown....but alot of people that used to do Goodguys have contacted us and are coming.......if the weather looks good it would be worth the trip....

I was told hotels are full or nearly full....I would call and reserve a room asap, you can always cancel it....

 

We had about 100 cars racing at the Heads Up plus 100 in the pit show on a cold overcast day when everyone thought it was going to rain. The Meltdown guys passed out something like 5000 dual Heads up-Meltdown postcards between January and now, plus what we passed out, plus the one we handed out at the Pileup. A lot of people don't like Great Lakes for some reason, but love Byron... so I bet the MD gets a really great turnout.

 

Ok cool.....100 cars would make me happy......150 would be heaven! Ill book my room.....hope next year to be racing!!!

 

Hellfish, I think the final count between your club the Czars and the Fugitives as far as the double sided post cards go, was 10,000... and we are almost out.

 

Eric, are you going to race your car this year? Or are you going to just drive it down the track again?

 

Tore the Muncie apart today and it looks really good inside.....Or else I need a new pair of glasses???

About the only thing that looks odd, is an extra pair of thrust washers between the front main bearing, and the oil slinger, that is on the input shaft. So, it's mainly just reassemble the trans, put it back in the car, and try some 6500 RPM shifts.


By the way....Here are some pics of my 55. It looks SOOOO much better without the front bumper, the new exhaust and the cheaters.
It just looked too street-rodish, before.

 

AWESOME 55....we hope you can bring it...very cool.....alot of 55's will be there this year....that is for sure

Ryan....I will try not to shear all the ring gear bolts off again.....do you need a head start? Tom will you flag us?

 

Thanks. I heard that there were a bunch of 55's at The MeltDown last year.

Also, my older brother is bringing his 57 Chevy 4 dr ht. He has been racing it off and on since 1969....Mainly down at Havana. My nephew is also planning to drive his 55 4 dr sedan 150, which he has raced some for the last five years.They're both coming up from Washington ILL.

 

Car show....unknown....but alot of people that used to do Goodguys have contacted us and are coming.......if the weather looks good it would be worth the trip....


Well I know you will have at least 2 cars my dads 41 Willys an my 49 Fleetline.

 

Yeah, guessing the car count on an event's 2nd year is like guessing lottery numbers. It will depend on weather, but with the amount of advertising and buzz around this event, I am guessing well over 100 cars racing.

 

Torkwrench.....seriously I would not be surprised if there are 40-50... '55-57' Chevy drag cars this year....I know we are at around 30-35 that I can think of...plus all the unknowns that just show up....AWESOME!! I am sure alot of guys will say it has been a long time since they saw that many showboxes running Gas.....
DO NOT MISS IT!!!

 

Ryan....you trying to decide if you need a head start or no ????

 

What time is driver check in and when will the racing start? And the race fee covers my spectator fee than ? Thanks, Bill

 

Eric, no head start needed. I don't want you to think that is the reason why you lost.

 

Gates open at 9:00am...and I would advise being there well before...if the weather is good we are expecting a HUGE event....

There is an ordinance so engines cannot be run until 10:00am.....so 10:00am until 12:45pm....you can test run, tune and FIND YOUR MATCH RACES...

at 1:00, 3:00, and 5:00 the official match races begin....froom 1-3 you can run rouund robin as many times as you want, we have the 1, 3 and 5, for the guys that are doing the best 2 out of 3 matches......but there are no eliminations each race has a winner/loser...fun and bragging rights only....

If you guys like VINTAGE racing...you are gonna love this...it is not a Goodguys event....it will be more period correct!!!

And yes the $30 covers you and the car.

 

Weather Forcast for 17 days out is a DRY WARM WEEK......so make the trip...this will be a DO NOT MISS IT EVENT!!!

 

That skull you just put on it will be burned in your memory about 2 car lengths in front of you.....

 

Pics of the new lettering....guess you will have to wait until July 23rd to see....

 

Eric, the new lettering on your car really adds some attitude to the car. Good thing too, because that little 301 just wasn't doing it.

 

That was good....where is Bilina at? I think both Paul and you need to rematch him...Green and Gold paint scheme not that cool, but your flat black machine would look good with a green streak on the side...

 

Ugh...this sucks, reading all this is making me sick, lol.

Im layed up in bed looking at my gauges and my two rims. Was on my foot all day at work, so def needs a rest so I dont keep stressing it.

This is what it looked like on Sat after it happened....
http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x27/blinkltjfan/?action=view&current=IMAG0282.jpg
This is what it looks like today....
http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x27/blinkltjfan/?action=view&current=IMAG0301.jpg

Saturday Ill get my 195s mounted on the 5-spokes

Tuesday I can take the stitches out and get to work on the car.

But keep it up guys! I cant wait!! And Im trying to get a 1955 8mm camera for the event so I can have some "old tyme" footage

 

You have time...I am thrashing with an engine on the test stand, tuning Mech. F.I. and need to install and still make a drive shaft...

You can do it!!

 

i'm still here just waiting for somebody that wants to play the two rematches sound good to me i hope the fiat got some good slicks this time