I have bad news or maybe good news. I have a heart condition where my heart loses beats and slows down, some times my pulse is 44 and the next time it is 80. My blood pressure goes from 150 over 68 to 110 over 50. So I guess my racing career is over, even my driving the car may be limited. I was going to part out the race car but if someone wants to buy the whole shooting match and race it I would like to sell it. I have both clutch and Powerglide setups for the car. It is a 1954 GMC that has 320 Cu. in. an Isky cam and lifters with 12.5 compression ratio, J and E pistons with Hudson rods. Best times are 118.06 with 11.28 et. I will deliver it within 500 miles @ .25 a mile. If somebody on the west coast would like the car I would meet them halfway. I have guy who is interested in the engine for Bonneville car but then I'm left with a race car with no engine. Roy
Roy, I am very sorry to hear about your heart condition. I am sending you a PM to talk about it. Keep your head up, we are all putting in a good word for you. Tom
Don't assume you have to quit. Find a good, no, great cardiologist and find out what to do about your condition. I finally went to the Mayo Clinic to get straightened out. Without their help I'd be a walkng zombie, or worse, today. Your car is so quick you can practically make a pass between heartbieats. Regardless of what you do drag racing-wise I wish you the best of luck with your mecical condition.
Roy, I agree with everything bobw said. Second, third or more opinions are in order. There is a lot of new medicine and procedures out there. I can only speak for myself, but working on these cars is great therapy. Over the last 10 years having a race car to work on was the best thing for me to help get over the hump. You will know when it is time to step out of the seat. Keep use informed and we will all be putting in a good word for you.
Roy, Don't assume this to be the end. I have a friend who found himself with the same problem you are facing. Thanks to a good, careing doctor that put him in touch with a cardiologist with the desire to look at all resources, he now is more active than ever. At 89 he works cattle, tends to a large garden, and flies with the Civil Air Patrol as a spotter. He drives all over the place. Is still active in his church. And is sharp as a tack, and a wonderful source of information on all things older than me. Keep us informed and remember you are always welcome here with us. We will keep you in our prayers
I took a ride in the ambulance, and spent two days in hospital for a diagnosed heart condition. Turned out to be an inner ear problem! I had an eye doctor tell me I coudn't race anymore, because of a thickened area on the eyeball that would rupture if (when) I hit anything. Current exam shows no lump, no problem! There are reasons these guys say they "practice" medicine.
I have had two heart attacks, quadruple bypass and three stents. Now I am walking along and suddenly I get dizzy and about fall down, when my pulse is checked at that time it is somewhere below 50, my EKG is a wobbly nightmare with skipped beats. Old 28 told me his story and he sounds about like me. I just don't want to hurt somebody by driving 120 moh and suddenly be dizzy. My Doctor said that I should never drive vehicle by myself and if the attacks become more frequent I should stop driving. I asked about a pacemaker but he said pacemakers don't work with what I have and drugs are the only remedy but he said I need to put off using the drugs because they do have bad side effects. I am going to go to another cardiologist just to get a second opinion. Roy
Roy take special care of yourself and I hope that the next Dr. finds out the problem and corrects it. It almost sounds like a problem with electrolites.
Roy, best of luck with the next oppinions, it saddens me to hear you are having problems. I know a fellah that runs well over 200 at Bonneville and has a pacemaker, don't give up yet.
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