I recently sold my rail to a new guy called underdogexpress. I don't think he feels very welcome and sees a lot of bickering going on here. We are all very opinionated. Lord knows I am one of the worst. We need to all try to get along here. It is easy to take these written mesages the wrong way, without the sound of the voice to add the meaning. Let's try to watch what we write, so it may be understood in a positive way. Please make new participants feel welcome. New guys post an introduction and let us know who you are. We need to have a policy of attraction, rather than promotion. The best way to attact new members is to appear that we can get along and have fun.
Underdog' (and everyone), I'm presently eyebrow deep in three hobbies with the most dedicated, fanatic, passionate, downright rabid people there are on the planet. That's narrow gauge model railroading (30 yrs), volunteer Rose Parade float building (13 yrs) and now HA/GR drag racing (2 yrs). The folks in each of these are so passionate about their feelings and opinions that we've come nearly to knuckles on many, many occasions ........ and we've all drawn out of that some of the most unique, beautiful and original work also on the planet. As a result I have no stronger nor more enjoyable friendships than those grown in these hobbies. It's exciting being part of something exciting. In my never to be humble opinion there's not a more vibrant and satisfying way to exist than being among folks with this level of enthusiasm, bruises and all. Remember gentlemen, it's the passion we bring that this thing feeds on and grows from. That "eyeball to eyeball in the quest for the same goal" level of passion. Hell, I wouldn't be here if it weren't. I once penned a limerick for our train club that, to my surprise, found a permanent place next to our entrance door. Opinionated and willed are the boys of the Slim Gauge Guild, so meticulous bent that a month of dissent may go by ere a hole may be drilled. The members, to a man, take a nearly obscene pride in that very attitude. I fully believe that it's the true reason we've done what we've done there, and I see the same thing here.
Rand Man is Underdog Express up North? Anyway next time I see his signature I'll sure say a good hello. As to the passion, no one could be more passionate about this form of drag racing than I and I just drew a line in the dirt daring anyone to step across and say different. I agree sometimes we get into rants but we immediately make amends for our harsh words. Many times I come across as horses rearend when in reality I am just so passionate about the point. When we get together you see the genuine friendship that just radiates from the group. So if your new just remember we love this sport more than sex. Roy
well, thanks guys and randy. my concerns went to a little broader audience than i intended but thats ok i guess. after trying to "recruite" 5 other friends(including my dad), i've observed what i call the 3 stages of ha/gr'itus . first stage is always the same, wow those cars are cool, followed by taking inventory of what engines they have under the bench to use ,etc.. much excitement! stage 2 is a tough one. what do you do with it? where can we race? what format? well, i dont really know. some places they are legal, some not. no format or leadership. this is the bewilderment stage. stage 3 is the forum. the only place for ha/gr info that i know of. the responses after reading that stuff range from "whats that got to do with racing?"," you gotta be shittin me?" to " i need to go home and scrub the grout in the shower" . the final stage always cures anyone from going any further. thats just the 5 people i've introduced to you guys. perhaps others have had better results. just an outsiders observation.
underdog, you will find that this type of racing is not for everyone. I have always had an interest in nostalgia drag racing. I got out of the "rat race" of the sanctioned motorcycle drag racing scene as it was beginning to be nothing but who had the most money type deal. I got interested in the HA/GR's when the first three showed up at the HAMB drags in '05. I knew right then that I was building one. I still have friends that wonder what I see in all of this. They do not have the passion for this type of racing, it does not fit everyone. They do not understand how I can have fun running 4-5 seconds slower than I did on a bike. Like the others have said, a lot of times we come across wrong on the internet as we are not talking face to face. Once you meet some of the drivers and crew members, you will understand the passion that we have for these cars. If they never become "mainstream", it will not matter to most of us, we are just having fun at what we enjoy doing. Welcome aboard and do not take any of this personal, it actually passion. Robert
Who are you calling old?? Dang young whippersnappers just don't give us no respect. That said, hang in there Rocky, I should have some pictures and an update in the next week or so. What he said.......we would be building and racing these cars even if we could only run them on backwoods dirt roads. It's truly a passion and shared insanity that keeps us going. Welcome to the fun underdogexpress. We may seem grumpy and opinionated at times, but it is our shared love for this stuff that gives us life and keeps us focused.
I don't understand. Where is stage 3 coming from? Are you talking about the HA/GR forum, or the H.A.M.B. forum? Do you know if they're actually finding the HA/GR forum, or the H.A.M.B. forum? What, specifically, don't they like? Thanks, Kurt
The problem as I see it is some particpants are constantly trying to change the rules, different tires, allowing this motor or that motor, transmissions, on & on!!! If you build according to the rules that exist and live with it, less dissention would result. Build to either Ha/Gr or SDRA rules, puts us all on common ground. Underdogexpress, if you want to PM me your phone or email address, I will get ahold of you when I go testing at WIR in Kaukana, Wi, you could come over & check us out!!!
I would like to say welcome to our two new California cars. I would like to hear more about them. As I see it the cars in that part of the world doubled at the last meeting. Joe Hamby
Welcome underdogexpress. You're lucky. You've got two guys near you with running cars and one being built in Green Bay. You guys can all go to WIR and run together. Regarding your comments: Phase 1. Lots of people get excited when they see something that captures their inagination and looks to be within their ability and finances to achieve. Phase 2. Then they begin to realize it will take a lot of work and a fair amount of money to field a car. Most fall away at this time. Anyone that hangs around their local dragstrip will know what the techs will require. If a person doesn't know, he better ask before building. To be 100% sure of running, a person can build to NHRA requirements. That's what I'm doing. Giving up a bit of the look to be NHRA legal. What do you do with it? Run it locally, at test and tune, or brackets. Look for nostalgia meets in your area. Go to MoKan. Do with it what you would do with any other drag car. Tinker with it. Make it go as fast and quick as you can. Improve it over the winter. Phase 3. Enjoy the diverse personalities, build styles, opinions and experience that makes the HA/GR board so damn much fun. If someone visits a time or two and forms a negative opinion, I guess that's their loss. I have never detected a dislike for anyone that posts here regularily. The support and comraderie exhibited here far outweighs the occasional disagreement or minor flareup.
Tom, I never thought about running my car on the backwoods dirt roads. Now you have me thinking. Talk about trying to get hooked up with 6" tires on a dirt road. This might be fun!!
2b and Bob helped three or four new chassis get built up North. What happened to those new guys? I hope they come back and the rails are finished. There could be a lot going on in the MN, WI, IL area. I know the economy has slowed down a lot of builds, but talk is free. Comunication is the key.
I understand underdog. When I first got on this board I did not feel welcome. I knew a few guys and that is what kept me coming back. Then I thought about it and I really dont care. I race because I Love it and secondly I enjoy the buddys I make. Then I also sat back and looked how inpersonable the net is and how it has no feelings and expresion or how it get lost or changed depending on my mood. So I say howdy and look forward to meeting you at the races and helping you feel Welcome.. P.S. Some you just have to over look in this board. (I might be one of them)
Sorry, I don't see where the complaint is coming from. The HA/GR forum is about as mellow as can be. The HA.M.B. forum is another animal. I don't get the "that aint racin" comment either. Thanks, Kurt
Let me jump in with sgtlethargic, here. I have received more help. more positive comments, and more encouragement here than I ever expected. Plus throw in a good amount of humor. The HA/GR group is the best! Sure there are different motivations for building/racing an HA/GR or SDRA. i.e. Build & race to win, Build to capture a bygone era, Race to enjoy the feeling regardless of the results, Build to satisfy creative urges, and so on. For every real or implied disagreement I have witnessed here there is a rapidly following apology or clarification.
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