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Category Archives: Gregg Racing
Gregg Racing – End Of 2012 Season Party
Written by Julie Helvey- Social Media Guru & Fuel Chiller for
Gregg Racing, Inc.
Our Awesome 2012 Racing Season ended with the annual Gregg Racing Crew Dude Party that Gregg and Robbie throw for us Crew Dudes at the end of every Season-This year was no different from the previous Season’s Parties- It was AWESOME!!
It started off with Happy Hour, as we all sat around and chatted about the great 2012 we were celebrating, especially our return to the Winner’s Circle at the LODRS Race at Woodburn the past July, with everyone just enjoying each other’s company. Gregg BBQ’D while Robbie and Irene, (Gregg’s Mom and the Team Chef), put everything else together in the kitchen, and all of us Crew Dudes just relaxed for a change, something that we are NOT accustomed to doing in each other’s company. Normally when we’re together, it’s “Mach 9 With Our Hair On Fire” as we work PROUFOUNDLY hard and as fast as we can, like a (fairly) well choreographed Dance Team- trying not to run into each other as we work in such a confined area, working SO closely together- each with our own Job and area of Responsibility- All with VERY tight Time Constraints. The Car MUST be ready on time- and…… it MUST be right. Nothing like a little Pressure! That’s what made the Party SO different! And SOOOO Nice!!
Clutch Dude Jake decided to build us a nice bonfire, albeit an “upside down” fire, (you would have had to have been there- OR, you should feel free to ask him about it next time you’re at the Track with us! Jake’s a pretty Funny Guy- and his take on building a Fire is a perfect example on his perspective on most of LIFE- upside down from most everyone else!! LOL!! BUT, that’s why we LOVE Jake!!…) He actually did a pretty good job of building a Bitchin’ Fire in Robbie’s Fire Pit.
After dinner, we all went down into the Family Room and got comfy on the couches, while Gregg readied his Slide Show that he spends OODLES of hours making every year- (and I DO mean OODLES)….
Just prior to beginning the Slide Show, Gregg offers his thoughts on the Season, which always includes his sharing how much we each mean to the Team, and how much he and Robbie appreciate us all, but more importantly to them (and all of us Crew Dudes too!) are the relationships that are built and the true friendships and families that are created from working so closely together. We all LOVE this part, ‘Cuz it is soooo true.
Next came the Slide Show we were all anxiously waiting for- Gregg does such an incredible job of doing this, right down to the music he picks out, and making sure that the beat of the music hits where it is supposed to-NOT an easy task! We all sat back, and re-lived the AWESOME Season we had in 2012, and remembered some dear friends that we lost along the way as well~ But BEST of all…was reliving that MOMENT….the one where we KNEW…
WE HAD WON THE WALLY!!! I am pretty sure we were all crying, watching those pictures roll, frame by frame, right up to the ones of us Crew Dudes literally EXPLODING on the starting line as we saw OUR win light come on!! OMFREAKINGGOODNESS!!!
The Slide Show was SUCH a hit this year, that we convinced Gregg to share it with MORE than just US Crew Dudes!!!! So, YOU now are able to be a part of our Year- The AWESOME Year that was 2012……… As WELL as the Relationships that we build along the way. More to come on this to follow.
After the Slide Show, Gregg customarily hands out gifts to the Crew. This night was a little different. While he and Robbie always make sure we know JUST how much we are appreciated with Gifts- This Year we each got two pictures, one from our Night of Fire Race, (with the header flames shooting out. Who doesn’t LOVE Header Flames??!!!…) and a Winner’s Circle picture, with a personal note written by Gregg to each of us and then signed by Gregg. These Gifts are pretty “Standard”- BUT, 2012 WASN’T a “Standard” SEASON! So, THEN…we EACH got……..OUR VERY OWN WALLY!!! They actually got us each our own Wally, and not just some cheap imitation, either, but identical Trophies to what Gregg received in the Winner’s Circle!!! These Wally’s are SOOO COOL!!! 🙂 Made us one VERY Happy Crew!! It was a pretty awesome moment, for sure…just sayin…
Gregg and Robbie are such an amazing couple, have a great Team to work with and for, and are BY FAR some of the best Friends you could ever ask for- I know I, along with the rest of our crew, cherish them GREATLY!!
Thank you, Gregg and Robbie, for a Great Party, Stellar Gifts, and more than anything, for your Friendship!!
Let’s do it again in 2013!!! 🙂
Be a Part of our Slide Show, AS WE watched it!! You will need to set aside just over 25 minutes to view it all, but I PROMISE you- it IS worth it! We’ll give you a Money Back Guarantee!! We’ll return every dime we charge you to download it IF you don’t LOVE it!! It’s available up to 1080p, so if you have the time to let it queue, PLEASE do! Then, you can watch it on your Big Screen AND, MOST importantly, Like the Hot Rod, it’s MEANT to be…… LOUD, so TURN IT UP!! J
This Slide Show was prepared primarily as a Thank You for the Gregg Racing Crew Dudes who worked SO Hard on the Car all Year, HOWEVER, there are a GREAT MANY Friends who have ALSO helped in a VARIETY of ways. For ALL of the Friends of Gregg Racing, who have helped in ALL the MANY WAYS- and YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE- This Slide Show is ALSO for YOU!!
The Gregg Racing 2012 End of Season Slide Show is below.
Enjoy!
Written by,
Your Gregg Racing Social Media Guru & Fuel Chiller Crew Dude~ Julie Helvey
Silverton Christian School Auction – Crew Dude Position – Gregg Racing
Our Hot Rod on Display ~ Crew Dude Position for Auction??
May 04, 2013
Silverton Christian School was the venue for the Gregg Racing Team to give back to our community as the Team worked VERY hard for a couple weeks prior to this charity event to get our Hot Rod all dressed up and ready to go. This Auction, held at the Silverton Christian School, a Preschool through 8th Grade Christian School in Silverton, is an annual Fund Raiser for the School and is VERY popular in the community. Most Auction items are a bit more “traditional”- i.e.~ a load of Bark, 1000’ square feet of turf, an Elk Hunting trip in Eastern Oregon, various Lawn and Garden equipment donated by many great local merchants who all support the School- Our entry certainly “Stood Out” as we had our A/Fuel Dragster prominently parked right out front, all 32’ of her Loud and Proud and on Display for the attendees to see what they were bidding on- and, in fact, to that end, allow me to share what that was! Here’s a copy of what the attendees saw on the handout that they all received, prepared just for them, describing the rather unique Auction item of- “Being a Crew Dude on an A/Fuel Dragster Team for a Race Weekend”.
A/Fuel Nitro Dragster
Be A Crew Dude
On a 260 MPH, Nitro Dragster Team
- Be a Member of an A/Fuel Nitro Dragster Team for a Race Weekend, with your Entry & Pit Pass Provided for the Entire Weekend!
- Sit in the Driver’s Seat for a Nitro Warm-Up in the Pits as YOU Experience TRUE “Sensory Overload”, With the Smell & Feel of Nitro, as the 4,000 HP Rumbles Through YOUR Seat!!! Incredible!!
- Be at the Starting Line with the Team, in the Restricted Area and FEEL the Chest Pounding Thunder When a PAIR of Top Alcohol Dragsters Leave The Starting Line!
- Go to the Top End With the Team to Retrieve the Hot Rod & Driver
- Get Your Hands Dirty, Working on the Car with the Team All Weekend
- Receive a Framed Picture of YOU, Taken With the Car, Driver & Team
- Awesome Food, Great Friends & Lifelong Memories- Many Experiences That You Will
TRULY NEVER Forget!!!! Don’t Be a Spectator! Come and Be a Part of a Winning Team For a Weekend!!
The Auction went GREAT, with our Winner and Newest Crew Dude……ette being:…… K’Lynn Wiley. She won the Auction, made a VERY Generous contribution to the School and has made her choice as to which race to join us for- Her choice? The Night of Fire Race- July 26 & 27th. This is a GREAT choice, as you can’t EVER go wrong with Nitro Flames at Night!!
So, we’re welcoming K’Lynn to our Team for the Night of Fire Race in July! Please Come by our Pits and say hi to her! Please make her feel welcome, a part of the Team and Family! Check out the Pics from our Auction- it was a Great time for our Team!
We’re making big progress getting our Car ready for our first Race June 8th & 9th. Stay tuned for updates as Parts are arriving by the day! As always, Thanks MUCH for you interest in our program!
Gregg Racing….
Good Times and Good Friends…
at 260 MPH!!!! God Bless~
Goin’ Racing 2013 Pre-Season Updates – Gregg Racing
We will continue to provide updates to you periodically as to how we’re doing as we prepare for our 2013 Season. Actually, it’d be more accurate to say- “WHAT” we’re doing, as until we get back to breathing some Nitro Fumes out the Pipes, we’re kinda’ Jonesin’ – as any REAL Nitro Junkie ALREAY knows! But, to prepare for ‘13 with our New Hot Rod and all, as the saying goes……… NOTHING is easy- well, at least nothing worth doing. But, Jerry (that’d be Jerry Darien, just in case you’ve been asleep so far) told me long ago that I can always quit……… tomorrow. Someday, I’ll get around to that……… probably tomorrow. BUT, for today, we’re working diligently on getting all 10,253 details ready for the Season. This included the realization that it was time for not ONLY the New Hot Rod- (a Chassis Upgrade- a McKinney Car we acquired over the Winter in case you’re new to the Gregg Racing family), but also a recognition that we needed some serious upgrades in our Parts- in two major areas.
It was at our last outing in ’12 when we threw a Connecting Rod out on a Qualifying Pass at the 2nd Divisional Race at Woodburn in September and didn’t have a Spare Motor ready that I knew I HAD to do something about the lack of a ready spare Motor. I’d dodged this bullet of not having a spare Motor for 10 years, until that day. But, if I’d have had a spare Motor then, as fate would have it, we’d have made it to the Final Round. DOH! I DID have TWO spare Blocks at the Shop, but they didn’t match what I was running now, so it wasn’t practical to put them together anymore. They need to find a home somewhere else- as they ARE good pieces- they simply no longer fit MY program. So- It’s time for a 2nd Short Block. It’s only money.
Then, it became clear that I needed to upgrade Cylinder Heads also. Our Heads ARE good, but Brad (BAE- Brad Anderson Enterprises) now has BETTER Heads that DO seem to work better with the lower Nitro percentages we now must Run- they seem to help the Motor Rev up better at the hit of the throttle. It’s only money. HUMM- There’s a theme here! The GOOD news is I have TONS of it – I simply need to convert it from the Aluminum & Titanium form it’s currently IN, to the 100 Dollar Bills that we NEED. NO PROBLEM! Well, maybe a SMALL problem. So, how ‘bout YOU?? Wanna’ set of A/Fuel Heads, a KB Block or two, or a Crower Titanium 6 Spring Clutch? Okay, so you’re NOT yet ready to go A/Fuel Racing- I get it! BUT, you CAN follow what WE’RE doing as we’re setting up a “For Sale Stuff” page on our Web Site- Watch this Page on our site. In the meantime, we’ll keep you posted periodically with what we’re up to, as we ready our Hot Rod for this upcoming Season, our hands shaking, heads twitching a bit, all waiting to hear that Cackle in the Pipes and smell that Nothing-Else-In-The-World-Like-It-Smell- Nitro in the Morning! Here’s today’s Update- Oh Yeah- and as always- Thanks for your interest in our program- Nitro Gregg.
We have the Block that has been repaired from the ever-so-unfortunate Rod exiting incident I referred to above. It is waiting to be shipped back to us, having been repaired by its Manufacturer, BAE. We’re acquiring a second BAE Block from Jerry Darien – So now we WILL have TWO!! Jerry will be taking our New Block out to Brad’s, who will ship both back in one shipment, which should save a ton on freight.
We have been working on the New Hot Rod, but we are finding that there are SOOO Many things to Change/Build/Adjust- and even more importantly- to BUY, that it is going to take us longer than we had hoped for to get the new Car ready- along with the parts upgrades of the Spare Motor and upgraded Cylinder Heads we need ………. So, we’re going to need to run the Old Faithful, Wally Winning Hot Rod (outfitted with new BAE VIII Cylinder Heads, however) until the New Car is completed later this Season. This way, we will stay current on all the New Technology & Tuning Updates that come out each Year and we’ll learn how to go faster with our new Parts, all the while STILL Building our Cool NEW Hot Rod!! Another benefit is that it allows the Crew to both get their “Fix” and to stay sharp in their skills. BOTH are important- I’m just not sure which is MORE important- we’ll save that discussion for another day.
Be sure to check back with us, as we will have MANY more of these updates, all under this same heading “Goin’ Racing- ’13 Pre-Season Updates~” Lemme’ tip our hand now as to our next Update- Our Rear Wing is being re-fitted for strength and safety for the new Season. We’ll Post Pics and a story about an updated Emergency Parachute Deployment Cable System soon. You’re NOT gonna’ BELIEVE the DAMAGE that Tire Shake can cause to a Rear Wing! OMG!!!
Gregg Racing~
Good Times With
Good Friends at 260 MPH~
Thanksgiving Weekend – Ed Beacham – Gregg Racing
I spent a really COOL Holiday weekend with My wife, my Mother, my Niece and my Nephew this past weekend~
We went to Sisters, to do some Christmas shopping and spend a little quality time together- While there we visited Ed Beacham, who owns his own small Biz~
It is a VERY cool Clock Shop that Robbie & I always check out when we’re here. This time when we went into his Shop, I noticed one of his particular Grandfather Clocks had a VERY unique & Mechanical type of “Movement” that I’d never seen before. We ended up talking for quite some time during which, I discovered that he had INVENTED that particular type of Clock Movement! The guy is a genius and yet, he is quite humble!! I was amazed! Eventually, I shared what we did- and he appeared equally impressed- although he shouldn’t be, as in fairness- we only ASSEMBLE Parts, albeit they are REALLY expensive Parts, but, we “only” assemble them nonetheless~
Mr. Beacham actually MAKES all of his own components- out of the Bare Stock!! There ISN’T any “Brad Anderson” of the Clock World to call and order Clock Parts from to build what HE built! I saw Brass Bar Stock hanging on the wall, as an example and the CNC Equipment he used to build each piece. I’m attaching a few Pics here of some of his “Handy Work”- ABSOLUTELY STUNNING feats of Engineering!!! I really am clear that these pictures in NO WAY do these Marvels of Engineering any more Justice than a Still picture of OUR Hot Rod does at Conveying the MAGIC, REALITY & true POWER of our A/Fuel Nitro Dragster. They are simply all I have or that I can offer for now! I felt a real connection with Mr. Beacham for his Engineering Prowess AND for one more thing: The two Clocks Mr. Beacham designed and that are Pictured here are EACH one of a kind- ON THE PLANET! And, although he was able to use a CAD/CAM Program and system to aid him in both designing and in manufacturing the components necessary to build EACH of these Mechanical Marvels, the fact remains that in order to even BEGIN to design the VERY FIRST PIECE, for EACH of these two very different Clocks the ENTIRE CLOCK was FIRST Built and each was WORKING PERFECTLY, down to the LAST detail- ……… in HIS MIND- I refer to this as “Beginning with the End in Mind”.
The Clocks had to FIRST work PERFECTLY, every component interconnecting with the next one in his Mind’s Eye FIRST, before the the production or manufacture of ANY gear, shaft or lever was even started! WOW! This process is the same one used by all of us who have a Dream or a Vision.
For example, I already know what our new Car will look like- I’ve seen it make it’s first, Non-Tire Smoking Launch (a little inside humor there!!) Front End Up and dangling for the first 50′ or so, then, at about 150′, as the Clutch REALLY begins to come on Strong, I have already seen in my Mind’s Eye, the Front Left Wheel Lift up off the Track yet AGAIN, as all the Pipes behind me THUNDER with the sound of most of 30 Gallons per minute of Nitro Methane Exploding out of the 8 Headers as they shoot the telltale Yellow Flames, visible after Dusk, all the way up to the Massive Rear Wing. I’ve seen the Car then accelerate past 220 MPH in just over 3.5 seconds as I go blowing by the Orange Blocks – aka “Cones” that mark the Half Track increment as the Car continues to Accelerate down to the Big End of the Course – to where the Speed Trap Cones come at you so fast – they are simply a Blur – I’ve seen this in my mind’s eye all happen as I cross the Finish Line in 5.2 seconds at 270 MPH as the Chutes then come out to bring the Car safely to a Stop-
While running a 5.20 Pass at 270 MPH hasn’t yet happened on the Track- it first had to begin in my mind’s eye- as with Mr. Beacham’s Clocks- from there, it took the right parts, as it will for us.
Last year saw a huge increase in the needed pieces for Success, as several new pieces of Equipment were added to our Team. This is also true now with the investment now in our new Chassis- a significant upgrade for us. There is much more needed and to come in the way of Performance upgrades, or my performance goals will not be possible. So, please stay tuned!
For now, it was a weekend trip to Sisters with a visit to a Master Clockmaker that reminded me of the importance to begin with the End in Mind!
If you’re ever in Sisters, you REALLY must stop in and see Mr. Beacham and ask him if he’ll show you the two Clocks he designed! They’ll blow your mind! Not only is he an AMAZING Engineer and Clock Builder, he’s ALSO a REALLY Nice Guy! On a personal note, thanks for all the time you spent with me, Ed! I was in awe!!
Have the Courage to Dream Big, Begin with the End in Mind- Then?……….. GO DO IT!!
Nitro Gregg
Gregg’s Turkey Day – Happy Thanksgiving – Gregg Racing
So… Here we are, Thanksgiving morning, and I’ve spent 2 hours making a 30 minute Fruit Salad! Holy Crap! I only can hope it TASTES better than a Costco Fruit Salad I coulda’ bought for about – 8 Bucks. I figure, with Time & Materials, given that I routinely bill $125. / Hour for my time, I have roughly $312.65 into THIS bad boy! So, the Bar is set kinda’ high on this one!! Costco is sounding better all the time- except that NOW I’m all done, so at this point, it’s “over the River and through the Woods to Grandmother’s House we go” – with the World’s most expensive Fruit Salad in tow- of course! We arrived at “Grandma’s” (aka- “Mom’s”) house and not only is our Race Crew Mom/ Crew Cook able to wonderfully Feed and Hydrate our Race Team Event after Event – BUT, having owned her own Florist Shop for several years, she’s also VERY good at making our Holiday Tables look AMAZING!!
So, after my “Over the River and Through the Woods” Trek to get here, I walked in a bit frustrated and perplexed at how in the WORLD Costco (& others like them) can make stuff SO cheap when mine was SO much work and MUST be the equivalent Value of the Gross National Product of any Small Third World Country!! Glad we’re not trying to SELL this darn thing for a living!! We’d end up with very skinny children!!! So- a bit frustrated, I walked into a Norman Rockwell scene of serenity and peace here at my Mom’s house- full of traditions I’ve grown up with- from the Montgomery Wards China set my Father bought for my Mother when I was a small boy that we will be using today, along with the Silver Serving set we get to use- also a gift from my Dad to my Mom many, many years ago. We will be enjoying these and many more traditions my Mother has maintained that mean so much to me today. Mostly, it’s that we get to be together, spending time together with those we Love the most. Those who Love us- no matter what & whom I Love – no matter what!
So, I pray that you too get to be surrounded by traditions that are meaningful to you this Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend, but mostly that you will have at least one to be with that Loves you unconditionally – and whom you Love the same. If not, may I encourage you to be bold and to pick up the Phone and reach out to someone you may not have connected with in a long time? We can build more Race Cars- we CANNOT build another YOU! As long as there is Life- There is Hope! Relationships are what matter. Thankful for You this Thanksgiving Day!
Nitro Gregg~
Gregg Racing~
Good Friends & Good Times at 260 MPH!!
NAPA Day Races – Gregg Racing – FUEL ALTERED BABY
NAPA day at the Races- 09-21-12- From Gregg- Can you say- FUEL ALTERED BABY! Here at Woodburn W~ Car Owner Art Mendoza & Russ Parker, Driver of this Bad Boy! HOW COOL IS THIS!!
Fall Classic- Fuel Altered- It’s Baaaaack!!
Robbie and I were here at Woodburn Dragstrip with our 3 Granddaughters for the Fall Classic last weekend and I had a unique opportunity to be a spectator. Although I’m not a particularly GOOD spectator, it was our Granddaughters first time to EVER be at a Drag Strip. So, we had spent our time trying to explain how LOUD each Car was compared to “Grandpa Gregg’s Car”, attempting to get their little minds around the reality that, YEP, an A/Fuel Dragster is INDEED louder than that Super Pro Car they’d just heard! For Lacey, 8, Bethany, 6 and Caidence, 5, they’d never HEARD so much as a BBC Car with uncapped Headers, so it was INCONCEIVABLE that Grandpa’s Car could POSSIBLY be louder than that! HOW COULD IT BE?!
I sat in the East Grandstands just past the Starting Line with Robbie and the Girls, getting used to the idea that I was a spectator for the day, feeling the angst to go help, well, pretty much ANY of my friends who had Cars here at this event, our Car being home with a Rod hanging out of the side of the Block! As Homer Simpson says, DOH!!!!! The BB/FC show began and we watched many of our friends put on the show that is Blown Alcohol Funny Car Racing. The Girls eyes got bigger as the sounds got even LOUDER and the smoke got even THICKER from long smoky burnouts. And then Russ Parker, a dear friend of mine since the early ’90’s, doing double duty that day, finished driving his BB/FC and headed back to the Starting Line to jump in his second ride of the day- Art Mendoza and partner Jim’s Fuel Altered. I had been doing okay at being the obligatory spectator, caring for our Girls……. Until….. Until, they fired the Fire Breathing, Kick Butt, Fuel Altered, Short Wheelbase Mean Machine. I swear, I felt a chill go up my spine, as I sat up in my bleacher, no longer needing the full seat, as I only occupied the edge. Russ pulled through the Water Box, slowed to almost a Stop as the Beast Cackled with a Mean-Ass Nitro Rage known to all who’ve ever heard a Blown Fuel motor run. It’s gonna’ Go or Blow, but it’s gonna’ be SPECTACULAR either way, and everyone is watching! Russ eased into the throttle as the three big Red Butterflies squeezed open slightly and the cackle now turned to an Ear Ripping blast of Nitro induced pain- but a good pain, of course! The Car JUMPED up on the Tires, Smoke Billowing off of them, rolling high into the air as the Car launched forward past the Starting Line. I was captivated. Two of the Girls were now in my lap, squeezing my neck in fear. I didn’t care. I was engrossed in this Bad Ass Fire Breathing Nitro Machine with Flames TRULY Licking out of the Headers. OMG, I want OUR Car to do that! If the girls hadn’t been in my lap, I’d have run to the Starting line to be a part, but I restrained myself….. for now. In the other Lane, my other good friend, Gary Eickmann, is driving Claude and Lisa LaVoie’s AWESOME Nostalgia Fuel Funny Car that Gary had been tuning to low 5.90 runs at over 240 MPH.
Now, keep in mind, if you would, I’ve made hundreds of Runs in our Car, many at 260 MPH, in the low 5 second range, and as awe inspiring as they are, I must confess….it IS DIFFERENT to stand BEHIND the Car and FEEL it than it is to even be IN it. Being IN it SUCKS THE AIR OUT OF YOUR LUNGS as it accelerates from 0 – 80 MPH in ONE FREAKING SECOND, and then as it further accelerates from 0 – 220 MPH in 3.5 Seconds on its way to 265! This IS virtually SPIRITUAL, as I explain to all who will listen that it feels like being rear-ended by a School Bus going 100 MPH……. WHILE Your Head is in a Paint Shaker!!!! Being BEHIND IT, is equally spiritual- it’s just different as you FEEL the Power POUNDING down through your Heart, your Guts and then down to your Feet! It’s just a different KIND of Cool.
So, I’m watching Russ and Gary Stage their Cars…. They bump in, the lights go Yellow… and all you hear is Massive Nitro Explosions from both Cars as the Fuel Altered EXPLODES out of the Gate with a FURY to a .949 60’ ET that MY CAR has to be on a good run to match. The Altered then has trouble, Breaks a Blower Snout, Oil from the Snout shoots ALL over Russ’ Visor; he brilliantly manages the Driving job and lifts, safely handling the Car to a stop. Gary thunders on down to a 5.92 in the low 240’s again! ME? I am in AWE! I told my Bride…. OMG! I NEED to Drive that Car!
NAPA Day at the Races- FUEL ALTERED BABY!
Now as Ron White says…. I told you THAT story to tell you THIS story!! So, now fast forward one week to Friday, 09-21-12 and now I’m back to Woodburn at the NAPA day at the Races, where Car Owner Art Mendoza is back with his partner Jim, along with Dave Hix helping with the Tuning duties. Dave and his wife Heidi are former Fuel Altered Owners, who successfully campaigned a BITCHIN’ Fuel Altered for years, helped by Ronnie Mankins. Ronnie is also here today. Dave KNOWS how to set these things up.
The air is WAY better today- not a LITTLE better- a LOT better. I’m concerned for my friend- Russ. So, I called Russ this AM to offer a bit of input on Mag settings to see if I could keep this virtual Satanic beast from killing him today. Essentially, More Mag means, More Power- to a point, of course. But, with the WAY better air, conventional wisdom would STONGLY suggest that if we want to keep the Heads on and have any CHANCE of “making it”, we MUST back the Timing off a bit. (Did I mention, this car is SO cool?!!) Russ does SUCH a good job of driving this Car, but I want to be here to watch, help and just see what the future might hold. I mean, you never KNOW what the future might hold! I mean, Russ COULD get hit by a bus…. He COULD, you know?!!! The jokes abound in the pits as Russ makes sure all check my hand size against his neck for future forensic needs! Russ is such a dear friend that it makes it fun to joke about such things, knowing I would never displace him for a driving job. Thankfully, I already HAVE a driving job! But, it’s fun to joke about such things!
We’re posting a couple Pics of this Cool Hot Rod, one I took today here in Art’s Pit area with the Body up and then one Action Shot where ALL THREE Wheels and Tires you can see here in the Pic are OFF THE FREEEAAKING GROUND!!! OMG! HOW COOL IS THAT!! And, a video with the sound that will allow you to experience a bit of what I’m sharing.
Today was a rough day for Altered Reality Team Racing, as at the top of the first Burnout, a few of the Rods decided they’d simply had enough as they made a Mass Exodus of their Warm Home and came out the side of the Block. My Mentor, Jerry Darien told me once, long ago when I was complaining about how TERRIBLY Difficult it was to run My A/Fuel Car… He said, “Gregg! If it was easy, the Pits would be FULL of 3rd Grade Girls with A/Fuel Cars!!” I have NEVER forgotten that lesson. Nitro is NOT easy. Anyone who thinks it is…. Has never tried it!
It will be VERY interesting to see what the future holds for Art’s Fuel Racing. He has big dreams and many good friends to help keep him within the Non-Negotiable boundaries that Nitro INSISTS upon. Stay within those lines and Nitro will do AMAZING and inspiring things. Step outside those lines by a few thousandths of an inch- and it becomes an indiscriminant destructive killer. If it were easy….. But WOW, is it cool?
Thanks much to Art for letting me hang out… And to God for giving me the most AMAZING friends… Russ Parker, Gary Eickmann, Dave Hix and my Mentor, Jerry Darien- All Men of DEEP Character, Talent and Intelligence. Some day when I grow up, I want to be just like THESE guys! For now, thanks for following us here at Gregg Racing. We value each of you for checking us out! We have much more to come, so stay tuned….
Gregg Racing…. Good Times and Good Friends… at 260 MPH!!!! God Bless~ 🙂
Woodburn Dragstrip Season Opener – Gregg Racing
This Post was ready to go shortly after the conclusion of the Woodburn Season Opener, however, the accident in Mission (see Post- “Stan’s Unlucky, Lucky Friday”) took precedence. That behind us now and Stan on the mend, I did want to report on how our first outing went, so…. Here Goes!
2012- Season Opener~ May 19-20
We had a major thrash getting our old Gal ready, as we were making plans to have a new car for this season. After countless hours of devoted work from Stan and Mike along with help from our faithful Clutch Guy Jake, we finally arrived with VERY high hopes for the 2012 Season Opener at Woodburn where we were pleased to have our whole team together again for the first time this year. An acknowledgement of the Team it takes to put this Show together seems very appropriate here-
- Stan Wise ~ The one who knows more about where everything goes on this program almost than I do. Dedication, Passion and Faithfulness OOZE out of Stan.
- Jake Vaage ~ Kick Butt Clutch Dude- This guy KNOWS how to make a Clutch Flat- That’s “MISTER Flat” to you!
- Mike Cady ~ Our 10 Year Groupie, Now Crew Dude who’s doing an AWESOME job- Pure Passion.
- Keith McCurdy ~ We’ve been doing this together a VERY Long time- Great Friend, and a WEALTH of Engine Building Knowledge. Very Cool Cat Under Pressure.
- Shelly (LouLaBelle) Kinney ~ My Niece and our Data Entry Specialist. She enters all the VOLUMES of Data this Car generates into a VERY Cool Spreadsheet I developed. Tedious and Important Work- She’s VERY Good! Now, she’s learning Motor work!
- Mom (Irene) ~ Feeds us all as if we were at a 4 Star Restaurant! Unbelievable Food- and its WONDERFUL to Race with your Family!
- Robbie (Gregg’s Sweetheart & His Bride) ~ Packs the Chutes, Fuels the Car & Cleans the Oil Pan. She knows more about what to look for in the Bottom of an Oil Pan than 90% of the Veteran Racers I’ve been with. She makes my Racing worth doing- Faithful & NEVER Complains. I should be more like her!
That’s our Team- These People invest COUNTLESS Hours on our A/Fuel Dragster Program and make it all possible. We have a Car that consistently is safe and that “nothing falls off of”, all because of the hours invested by these people. I owe them a debt of gratitude and wanted to express my Thanks Loudly here!
On to The Season Opener~
The Car has a fresh Motor this Year, with new Sleeves, new Rings and the same Tune-Up it had when we ran the 5.420 ET 264.39 MPH last year. I knew that having a fresh, tight motor would make MORE power, but no one could help me determine how MUCH more. Our first hit of the year showed this to be true, as we went “up in smoke”, completely blazing the tires. I have one Pic of that Run I’m posting here that is telling, in that is shows the front tires off the ground, so it WAS trying. If it had the front tires up (as it did), transferring the weight to the rear tires and STILL smoked the tires (as it ALSO did), then, well, then we were simply WAY off in our Power to Clutch settings. Darn.
Compression and Clutch changes were made and we’re ready for Sunday and…….., and…… and I want the WEATHER Man’s Job!!! That’s the job where you can be wrong 60% of the time and STILL keep your job and get paid pretty handsomely! The forecast was for a pretty nice day. We woke to anything BUT a pretty nice day! The constant rain forced them to call the event, leaving us to only wonder what coulda’ been! Darn! Nothing’s hurt and we’re ready to go! We will schedule an Outing to come back and Test soon. Stay Tuned, as we’ll announce when we’re coming back for testing…….
Stan’s Unlucky, Lucky Friday in Mission – Gregg Racing
Stan Wise
~ Mission, BC Canada May 25-27, 2012 ~
I have chosen not to travel this year, owing to substantial investments made into our Racing Program this year. An announcement of major significance will follow later this week. I would first like to speak to an event that occurred this past Weekend at a West Regional event held at Mission Raceway Park, Mission BC Canada. My Key Crew Guy, Stan Wise, went to help another race team- the Dave Germain Top Alcohol Funny Car Team. Dave has been a friend for many years and needed a hand from a seasoned Crew Dude. Getting Stan to agree to go racing is much like getting an alcoholic to take another drink- not too tough! 🙂
We often talk of Drag Racing being a dangerous sport, all the while not really thinking that anything bad is going to happen to us. Well, guess what? Friday was NOT Stan’s lucky day. In a very unfortunate Starting Line incident, as Stan and the other Crew were attempting to Start Dave’s Funny Car, with Dave strapped in the Car, ready to make his first Qualifying Pass, an accident occurred where, once the “Mag Wire” was pulled, which would allow the Motor to come to life, the Motor revved way up, causing the Car to lurch forward. Each of the Crew was affected in this incident, but sadly, Stan took the worst of it, as his right foot was caught between the Header of the Car and the ground. This resulted in a pretty bad break in his ankle and leg, requiring surgery. (See Pic)
Stan’s Broken Leg & Ankle- OUCH!
Pulling the Mag Wire should allow the Motor to Start. The Motor should NOT, however, rev up. Obviously, I was not there, so I’m not sure why the Motor revved up. Dave was kind enough to call me to discuss the incident with me. Ultimately – it was an accident. I wanted to be very clear that it was NOT possible for the Driver, for Dave, to have prevented this accident from occurring. Dave did all he could do and that is that. My understanding is that they are working to determine why the Motor revved up as it did. Clearly, this should not be. What is clear is that it was an accident. We understand going in that what we do is dangerous. We do all we can to minimize the danger, but ultimately, we cannot eliminate it.
What I do want to speak to is how this situation was handled immediately after the accident. Stan has been with me since 2008 and has been the most faithful, hardworking and dedicated Crew Guy we’ve ever had- especially in terms of hours invested in our Program. He has become not only an invaluable member of our Race Team and a big part of the future plans we have made together, but he has woven his way into our Hearts- for both Robbie and me. So we have found ourselves feeling quite protective of him, understanding we do NOT own him, nonetheless, we have shared a LOT of Nitro together over many years and have become QUITE close.
~ Dave & Kim Germain ~
Then I began to learn about what Dave and his wife, Kim, were doing to care for Stan after the accident. From the Fundraising that began at the Track (where I understand that by the end of the Race over $6,000.00 was raised to go toward Stan’s Medical costs- ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!), to how Dave had contacted DRAW (the Drag Racing Association of Women- a charitable organization within the Drag Racing community whose motto is: “Fast Help For Fast Friends” their sole mission being to provide financial and emotional support to qualified individuals involved in a drag racing accident at a track. This organization is helping Stan and we strongly encourage you to check out their website at: DrawFastHelp.org and to participate with them as you are able.) Then there were the countless hours spent at the Hospital with Stan, while STILL trying to run the Race, so this meant back and forth trips from the Race Track to the Hospital- up late- and up early again, then offers of assistance with medical expenses. I had offered repeatedly to come and get Stan to bring him home myself, but Dave drove his Truck and Trailer home after the event (I understand that Dave lives about 90 minutes South of Seattle) and then he returned in his personal rig with a Bed made up in the back for Stan to ride home in as comfortable as possible. I’m sure there are many details I’m not even aware of, however, I simply wanted to acknowledge those that I was aware of and offer a Heart Felt THANK YOU to Dave and Kim Germain for taking such good care of my adopted Kid! I know that Stan was overwhelmed with gratitude for the response that came by way of the donations from the Track and that which is now coming from DRAW. He is intensely proud to be associated with such an incredible Sport where those in it look after one another so profoundly. Dave and Kim Germain exemplify that model and I am deeply grateful to them.
Gregg Lawrence
Norm Christensen Memorial | Gregg Racing
Norm- at our House- Year End Crew Party- 2007
October 12, 2011- A Day Of Sorrow~
To all Friends in our Racing Community- Today we lost a Giant in our Sport of Drag Racing. We are grieving the passing of our dear friend Norm Christensen. Norm was a Giant in many ways- there are few people I feel I can look up to, both in stature and in character, but Norm was one I definitely could look up to in both ways. A very tall man, he also stood tall in our racing community as one of GREAT character! He has also worked on, or has been the Crew Chief on a great many high-end Top Alcohol Funny Cars, Top Alcohol Dragsters and A/Fuel Dragsters over the last couple decades. Most recently, Norm was the Crew Chief on Greg Ashwell’s NAPA sponsored Top Alcohol Funny Car.
Norm and I go way back – as we’ve worked together for years, strategizing on tuning ideas for my Gregg Racing, “CBM Means Business” A/Fuel Dragster that we campaign.
I have SO many “Norm” stories to share with you all- but for today, just one quick one – Norm and I headed to Mission in 2007 to run our Car as a last minute idea- with zero Crew (just me and Norm) for an NHRA National Open race with Gary Eickmann and his A/Fuel Nostalgia Car! GAWD, what were we THINKING!! We worked SO hard!!!
Mission – 2007 Gary’s Crew on the Left, My Crew? Me & Norm!
I am PROFOUNDLY sad as I have lost a very dear friend. Our hearts go out to his bride, Vicki as we will be continuing to pray that God’s peace finds her uniquely during this most difficult time.
A memorial Service will be held in his honor at the Wilsonville Holiday Inn, Saturday October 22nd, beginning at 2:00. At the end of the Service, I will be sharing a few brief (but pretty darn cool) memories of Norm, along with a short video presentation. After the Service concludes, there will be a time for those in attendance to visit with each other as refreshments are served. This portion will wrap up at 5:00.
Norm will be missed,
Gregg & Robbie
Gregg Racing 