I know. My second p*** I'm getting ready to go soon. Been taking with a lot of people and catching up with friends.
But from everything I’ve seen Squirrel build, he probably built his own GPS from old cast off military surplus electronics!
Good chatting for a short bit with ya, you still had to change the car over to street trim and didn't want to bother you then. I did notice you stayed quite a while after that though. I went down to the 1000 foot mark and watched p***es from there and cars at speed, it's a whole different perspective from there. Looks like most of the heavy hitters were having a tough time hooking to the track also. Left early to beat the traffic home. Good luck tomorrow and enjoy the trip back home.
I have a few issues with that statement I also have a few issues with this IMHO, not everybody can do what Jim does. There are many that can. Jim sets the bar high for all to follow. He proves it can be done year after year. LMAO last year when trans went out on tow rig in New Mexico, park the truck and drive the chevyII the rest of the way ... He did same thing last year. Just from NM instead of AZ 50 miles further. Lets play a game ... pretend we broke down Jims chevy and duplicated every nut bolt part that creates that car. rods, pistons, carbs, shocks brakes ... A big kids model kit. Then give the same parts to another racer to build their car. Then race = cars during drag week. Keep it fun, lets say it was Tom Baily against Jim Forbes building the same car. I love Tom Baily. Tom is no slouch, holds the fastest drag week time he does a lot of his own work, still he has a full time mechanic and a crew that follows him. Put Jim & Tom side by side with the exact same parts ... who gets a better race car? Just saying, lets give Jim credit where deserved. Not all mechanics are created equal. Jim is the architecture, the engineer, the fabricator, the mechanic, paint & body, the driver. No he is not Jesus! Just because he can do it, does not mean I can do it with the same success.
Im a firm believer in alot of guys can ***emble a car. The true skill is making it safe; reliable and fast. It takes a special set of skills to make a truly fast street car that can be driven a thousand plus miles at a crack. Drag Week is no bs possers standing around talking about how fast their car is. Its the real deal. Put up or shut up. Thats why i like it so much. I miss doing this year with my friends.
Jim proves it is doable. All who say it can't be done, are wrong. He proves it over and over. But, if ANYONE could do it, why are there so few that do? Because it's difficult. That's why he deserves all our admiration for attempting it and making it happen.
I agree it’s not easy but yes anyone can do it if you are willing to learn how to do it…I have the utmost confidence in the stuff I build, never afraid to drive them anywhere. Do I have breakdowns once in a while? Of course, but I can say they are rare now compared to when I was young. My point is I guess if you want to do something you need to put your mind to it. Nothing is easy at first. I give Jim immense credit but is there anything he has done that is so magical that if anyone worked hard enough they too couldn’t? I’m pretty sure he’s human…
Local Rockford TV covered Drag Week at Byron last night and again tonight. Saw Squirrel’s car on the coverage tonight, but they didn’t interview him.
Living vicariously for Drag Week from locked-down Sydney. The avatar is in the driveway with a busted axle (Number 1 Son was a little over-enthusiastic at the drags), and can't leave home to replace it. Unfortunately nothing like Drag Week Down Under. Looks awesome, and love the intent. Go Jim, Go! Cheers, Harv
Just got home from Byron, good times. If you haven't ever gone you should. Found Jim's car in the pits but he wasn't around, but he was three cars behind me when I left the track. Now I think I need to build a car and try this.
@racer-x I first thought of using you as a example Instead of Tom Bailey. I honestly think you and Jim are so close that it would be too much fun. Different cl***es ... but same fun. Please do not think bad of me because not used you for example. I hope next year you are ready to run and race again.
Here's the link to the article that includes the above photo of Jim Forbes Chevy II. https://www.motortrend.com/events/day-3-road-trip-hot-rod-drag-week-2021
The second reply to this thread, kinda sad that he didn't get to watch squirrel, Tony, and Joel compete this year and how is this not a featured thread?
We had a fun drive yesterday getting around Chicago. The route had us on the tollway south of the city. I hit it at the beginning of rush hour. It was slow going, stopped a few times, but not for long. Car got up to 225 degrees at one point, I bail around 235 or so, so that was OK. There were just a couple cars pulled off when I went through. I did find Tony in the parking lot at my hotel, haven't seen Joel here, I guess he's at a different hotel in Kalamazoo. Racing starts at 10 today. We have a nice relaxing morning, no need to rush. One more p*** to complete, then I get to figure out which direction I want to drive home Here are a few pics from yesterday. Sorry I haven't had a chance to do much reporting....the little free time I have seems to all go to talking with people. Alex Taylor has a new car, it's almost hamb friendly, right? not. But she's such a nice young lady, I met her on her first drag week in 2013 We got to chat a few times this year. I guess Discovery is filming her adventure this year. Neat to see her doing so well. The drive from Rockford to Byron is always beautiful. Wayne's Nova (it's really a Nova, mine is just a Chevy II). It has a 540 with an 8-71, modern transmission/converter, EFI on the bug catcher. Running a second quicker than me. Pulls the wheels really well every run. the fast car in Hot Rod, which is Joel's cl*** leaving Byron I was behind this ford pickup and the trailer went to the side, and sparks flying out. They forgot to tighten the nut on the hitch. That's why all the trailers that people own have a pin, so you can see it's not latched. Lots of my time looks like this. shenanigans at the last check point. It's traditional to do a trailer burn out when you leave. I don't have a trailer, I didn't do a burn out.
Last day of you tube live coverage on now More direct route. (147) Day 5 - HOT ROD Drag Week 2021 - YouTube
...nice time talkin with Jim yesterday before he headed out,...his Chevy II is so consistant, lots of great racing yesterday, all those cars are so fast....a good selection of racers this year,I saw race cars from all over the U.S., Oregon state, Texas, New Jersey, Connecticut, Arizona, and even Canada. here's a few HAMB friendly ones,,,
I have heard that the racers have had to suffer the consequences of multiple oil-downs, mainly from folks using power-adders on cheapo LS engines that went boom- but the bad part being that they did not pull over, but drooled oil way down the track- lots of lost time to cleanups
@Los_Control --- If anyone is caught with "a crew and mechanic following them" they will be immediately disqualified. You have a lot of people watching you throughout the week to make sure no one tries that.
Some interesting equipment showed up The Falcon Delivery had a little problem- underscores why you don't drag race with an 8" rearend
The Jalopy Journal
