03-26-2021, 08:40 PM (This post was last modified: 03-26-2021, 08:59 PM by Terry Bentley.)
Chapter 73
Things are at a complete stand still tonight. It is late and I dont feel like going to sleep just yet. We are finally making our second practice day and time feels like the clock stopped. Becasue time isnt going forward fast enough for morning to come anytime soon. It feels more like Christmas eve a few years ago when I could not wait until morning to find out what was under the tree.
I am sitting here bored out of my mind but started thinking about just a couple of years ago how cool all of the karts were. In the back issues of Rod and Custom, HOTROD, and CARCRAFT were artcles covering the new karts. They were the next trend to set the world on fire and looked so awesome. Well at the time they really looked so cool. Comparing those early models to the modern 1961 racing karts today, they dont look all that great now.
I remember seeing the first ad from Go-Kart Mfg. It is like a dinosaur compared to the newest Go-Kart 800. That first model was nothing more than what could have easily been made in someones backyard. It looks that outdated. The front axle is just a straight piece of tubing. No different than the frame rails either. With at least four inches of ground clearance.
So way back like four years ago the first Go-Kart was being sold as a kit. This was about as basic as a kart frame could be made. It seems like everyone that saw the Art Ingles kart just did a copy and sold it with a different name. Well at least the hand brake has fallen out of favor for a foot brake.
For $129 you could buy the complete kit including a Westbend engine. That same engine that came on McCulloch lawn mowers. For some major safety concern these were all recalled and taken out of service. Well I know one of those mowers that didnt make it back during that recall. It is now chugging right along and cutting grass with the best of any lawnmower out there.
Thanks to some slightly expensive Steens "C" oil, saved that little smoking engine from the scrap pile. This oil should be called a miracle in a can. Because it actually has kept that engine from self destructing since Steves dad had started mixing it with the gas. This oil costs about $7.50 a gallon, but sure has proven its worth. Steves mom finally got off the soap box about replacing that mower since over the last few months it has been running like top notch.
But back to the transition to the more modern kart chassis of today. After that first Go-kart came out it didnt seem to take very long before discovering the major deficiencies in design. From 1957 and into 1958 the kart took on a major transition. Now it had a dropped front axle and rear frame rails bent up instead of being straight. This lowered the chassis down a good two inches closer to the ground. I think this is a major improvement. The new model Go-Kart 400.
So for 1958, with the frame dropped down a bunch, actually looks more like a real racing kart. Well sort of. It took another year before someone got smart enough to add side supports to the seat. Maybe after a few drivers found themselves unable to stay seated and ended up on the ground might have been a good clue.
Another improvement was ditching the welded steel bar type steering wheel and replacing with a semi-circle cast aluminum steering wheel. The same as what is commonly used on 1/4 midgets. It was still very small in diameter compared to what is available for todays karts.
Also addition was dual spot brakes for the rear wheels. Maybe a kart doesnt stop so well if the one tire with a brake is off the ground. There was still a major down side to these "dual" spot disc brakes. It was actually just a lever next to each wheel with a single pad pushing against against one side of the axle gear. Hmmm. But at least a step closer to making a better mouse trap, so to speak. The new Go-Kart 400B
Even in to early 1960, just a little bit more than a year and a half ago, Go-Kart had made the final improvements. But the kart now looks really outdated. You can see it in the transformation of other brands. Especially from Bug Engineering and that awesome Caretta from Ingels-Borelli.
So the last improvements to the fading Go-Kart 400C included dual internal expanding rear brakes, a larger diameter full round steering wheel that is bolted on. Azusa pedals replaced the short steel plate style, and dual engines a very common option. One step closer to the modern karts we have today.Go-Kart 400
A few months later the all new Go-Kart 800 was introduced. Wow, what a fantastic looking kart. This as Frank would say, "Is built for all out racing." A totally new design more in line with what is selling these days. A live rear axle was the big improvement for just about all major brands in 1960.
Looking back to an older issue of HOTROD magazine, actually the August issue of 1959, I see such a wide range of karts advertised that look so out of place. If you were to see most of these today at the track, it would guarantee more than a few laughs from most of the serious racers.
There are only a few karts back then that really had a racing stance to them. Everything else was like a homemade version of something that should have never been. It is amazing how much difference there is in karts from just a few years ago. Back then, before I was even 12 years old, those karts looked so cool. How much I wanted one. But now they all look so out of date. Like finding a live dinosaur, just so out of place.
Bug Engineering seemed to have the jump on everyone else. Even their first model was a more refined version of the original Go-Kart. But not by much. By 1959 tho they had a new prototype Scorpion. It vaguely follows the general direction of newer the Go-Kart 800 frame design. But is completely different from their original Bug chassis.
I am not for sure, but looks like Bug may have been at the forefront of new innovative design of kart frames. That first model was nothing more than their adaptation of the Go-Kart 400B. On the other hand, this Scorpion is nothing like any of the models available in 1959 that I have seen in the magazines.
One really big selling point in the 1958 ad for a Bug kart is the kart comes completely assembled and ready to race. Just ad gas and go. The Go-Kart was selling for about $20 less as a do it yourself kit. That means you got a box of tubing and instructions on how to assemble everything.
I would bet there were a lot of kart kits sold that never were completed. That would suck in a big way. To almost have a kart to race.....Well except it had to be welded together then all of the parts assembled first. Even worse if the kart didnt get welded and put together immediately. Not even six months later it was obsolete before you ever make the first lap.
I am picturing in my head certain people attempting to weld one of these kits together. These same people have trouble turning a water faucet the right way to open. The same people that cant fix a flat tire on a bicycle. The same people that end up with a smashed finger every time they try to use a hammer.
One thing that both of my grandparents had mentioned one time or another. "The people that can, then do. The people that cant, then teach. I had asked both of them why would you let someone teach something if they could not do it themselves? They both gave be similar answers.
Just because someone cant actually do something, does not automatically mean they dont understand the principles of how to do it. Not everyones brains are connected directly to their hands. They might try over and over, but never achieve the intended results. But can explain to someone else that is more than able to get it done correctly.
The 1959 GKCA Nationals was the proving ground of the direction to what karts would become. Immediately the dead axle was a thing of the past. Many non competitive models were still available, but would never have a chance against what was proven to be the next evolution in karts after the nationals. All of the major brands immediately updated their models with live axles and better brakes.
Another strange phenomenon taking place by the 1959 Nationals that came as a shock. What supposedly had started out as a family sport immediately turned into a team sponsored rivalry with deep pockets. That race was no place for kids to compete. It was an all out race for the g0ld among overly competitive adults.
Anyone buying one of the thousands of karts equipped with a bushing engine and dead axle had no chance at a major sanctioned or national level race. On the local level it was still a family event. But the layed back atmosphere was getting more competitive requiring the latest aftermarket parts and serious modifications to the engines.
I noticed all of the new engine parts available. The small stock float bowl carburetors were not going to do the job as more power was being pumped out of those engines. Slicks were becoming the only way to go on a live axle kart. By the time I finally made it to the track earlier this spring, the karts I am reading about and seeing advertised in these older magazines no longer exist. Most are retired in back yards, alleys and garage sales.
Just for me to be competitive locally, I have done a lot of things to these Clintons. Improving on the original Clinton that was on the kart I got from Mr Cates is what I hope will make me and Steve capable of running in the junior bushing class. There are some fast local guys running. Several of them may even be competitive nationally, since there is a junior class for them now.
03-28-2021, 08:34 PM (This post was last modified: 03-28-2021, 08:43 PM by Terry Bentley.)
Chapter 74
Once again the big day rolls around. It is early Friday morning and there is no way I can sleep in. Out to the garage, I go over everything that was planned for today. Checking my list of things to test, I collect everything together and have a box full of parts ready to load up in the Ranchero when Steve gets here around lunch time.
Except for fixing the front end on my kart, neither of the karts have actually been worked on for the last couple of weeks. But it still makes good sense to go over everything really well. Check tire pressures and adjust the chains. Look over the tierods, wheel and axle bearings, and make sure the steering doesnt have any slop or issues. It would also be smart to put in some fresh gas and fire both the engines up. Nothing has changed since the last trip to the track. We should be good to go today.
So I just wait for Steve to get done working and then we can head out to the track. Looking on the wall at a clock, I see it is just now ten minutes past nine o'clock. Geez, you have got to be kidding. I have everything ready to go right now, and still three more hours waiting. OK, what can I do to pass the time? This is going to be an eternity.
While sitting here, I am thinking seriously about going ahead and changing out the intake manifold on my engine. This way I can use Steve as a reference to base how well the engines ran the last time out. OK that makes some sense. As my fingers were backing off those nuts holding the carburetor, I just stopped cold and froze for a moment.
This is when I realized my engine still had that completely stock intake manifold on the engine. I never swapped it back over. Both of our engines had modified manfolds. The reed opening had been enlarged a lot. More than enough to make a big difference with the HL-15 carburetor. Wow, that could have cost some down time at the track. Glad I caught it before we loaded up today. But should I go ahead and put the Palmini on or go back to the modified manifold for now?
Yes, go ahead and change it out now with the Palmini like I had decided. Both of the engines were running almost identical before this completely stock manifold was put on to try out. I could go back to square one and wait until we have everything running the same as before at the track. No, I have confirmed what doesnt work, so the Palmini manifold will get put on the engine this time.
When we arrive at the track, the first thing to do is get Steve back running comfortably. I will follow him around and make sure he is right there up to speed. This will also give me an idea if the Palmini manifold makes much difference over the modified stock manifold. With the four pedal reed cage, it is more than double what the other manifolds now have. But will it be too much for the Clintons? From everything I have been reading, this manifold and reed cage should definitely help a lot.
It is now just after nine thirty. The manifold is changed out. It took more time than expected since the throttle linkage needed to be modified slightly so everything would work the same as before. Glad I decided to do the swap now, instead out at the track. That could have been too much wasted time. And not work as well either. I would not have thought to bring the extra parts to make the linkage work.
The next thing that made too much sense, is firing up the engine one more time and make sure it runs without any problems, now the parts are changed over. This again turned out to be the smart thing to do. I had to adjust this carburetor a lot just to get it running like the last time on the track. Completely forgot about that until now.
I opened the needles back to where they had been set before the stock manifold was installed. The motor seems to be very perky and maybe still a little bit lean. I adjust the low speed out just a touch more and now the engine responds extremely well. The temptation to change out to the modified carburetor is almost unbearable.
But I have plenty of time, if for nothing else but confirm if the carburetor will even run on the engine sitting here in the garage. OK that does make a lot of sense. This temptation could actually turn in to smart thinking. Maybe some of Franks smarts is rubbing off on me. Hey, I dont care who you are, that was really funny.
After a few attempts to crank the engine over it finally comes to life. It is sort of loading up too much at the moment. I lean down the low speed needle and it helps a little bit. But not really enough to keep the engine from dying. It wont start back up now. There is gas just about pouring out of the carburetor and on to the floor. This should not be happening.
After several more attempts to get the engine running again, it is now definitely flooded in a big way. I am sort of thinking it was not a good idea to do the swap just yet. But more than likely it would have done the same thing at the track. Why is it not working? I give up for a few minutes and decide to grab a bowl of cereal. Time for a much needed break anyway.
As I am pouring milk out of the bottle over corn flakes, it gets me to thinking of the gas dumping out of the carburetor. Why is it doing that? The weight of the milk in the bottle is pushing it out the spout. The small gas tank on top of the engine is sitting up high enough to be gravity feeding the carburetor.
Now I am wondering if opening up the pulse hole so the pumper diaphragm is working was a good idea? Did I miss something? It is time to tear the carburetor back apart and see what I missed or messed up before. After the soggy corn flakes were all gone, I lifted up the bowl and gulped down the rest of the milk. Well that did hit the spot.
Back in the garage, it is only a little past ten. Still plenty of time to remove the carburetor and check it over. Maybe I should put the HL-15 back on the engine and call it quits for now. That would be the wise thing to do if something doesnt just jump out and slap me in the face on this modified carburetor.
Sitting at the work bench, I pull the stacks off the carburetor. Sure enough there is a problem. The fulcrum arm is stuck down causing the needle to not seat. Or something is keeping the needle from closing. This is odd. A quick turn of the screw and remove the long pin that holds the fulcrum arm in place. I see the spring is good, but the needle is still sticking up for some reason.
After pulling the needle out, I decided just to squirt some air pressure thru the fuel passage feeding the seat. A quick shot of air and something goes flying across the garage. Whatever it was, is gone now. Another close look to make sure the rubber seat is still in place. OK, did I just find the culprit?
Only one way to confirm this is to reassemble the carburetor and put it back on the engine. The time is ticking away, and is now ten thirty. I need to get the engine back together with one of the carburetors. This modified carburetor had something causing the needle not to shut off the fuel. That explains why it was flooding. I just hope it is now fixed for good.
After a few more minutes fiddling with everything, the carburetor is now back on the engine and ready to start up again. It took a lot of pulling trying to get the engine running tho. I was about to give up and swap back to the old HL-15 carburetor. But the engine finally pops a few times. Then it fires up and is now running. Well sort of. The engine is really puffing out a lot of smoke. At least now it is trying to clear out. So I let go of the linkage to see if the engine will idle down or just load up again and die. It wants to stay running this time.
I blip the throttle a few times and it is trying to rev up. Sounds a little bit lean and is slightly nosing over. I did lean down the low speed needle earlier. First the low speed needle is opened back up. Now the engine will idle more like what I was hoping. I rev it up and the engine is clearing out now causing the tires to break loose just sitting here on the floor. Cool! I hope that is a good sign for today. I let the engine run for a few minutes and finally satisfied with the results. No big surprises and especially no big disappointments...yet.
Out of nowhere, Steve comes in running and shouting for all it is worth. Hey man, its been like a long time! Are we actually going to the track today? Wow it seems like forever ago. I remembered to bring my helmet and stuff. Uh, where are you? I look up and over towards Steves voice and cant see anything around me. Wow I was so focused on getting this engine running, didnt even notice the garage had completely filled with smoke.
Steve immediately grabs the handle on the big garage door and pulls it all the way up. Then he looks around for the fan. Oh yea, I forgot, that fan took a dump a while back. Oh well. Hey!, you need to get out of there. Like right now, before you start choking and end up sick to your stomach. Sure aint no fun sitting around here all afternoon watching your face turn green.
I got the message and bailed out quickly. No amount of exhaust smoke would have kept the smile off my face just then. The engine actually runs with my modified carburetor. I can only hope it will work better than the one it is replacing. Any better would be good. A lot better would be super.
So how did we finally get to the track again? Not much different than our last trip out here. I begged mom to drive us. She made it clear that someone had to be there the whole time we were at the track. Because she didnt have the spare time sitting around here while we were playing and her not attending to what needed to get done today.
The thought of missing supper tonight was more than enough reason to make sure we had a babysitter, for lack of a better term at the moment, out here watching us. Frank had assured me without a doubt he would be here way before what I had told him the time we were planning to arrive.
When we pulled into the parking lot, no one else was here. Mom gave me a harsh look, but didnt say anything. I sure hope Frank actually shows up like he said. Maybe someone we have met out here before might drop by for a few hours. It is possible you know. But maybe not so probable.
I sort of took my time unloading since we were still out here alone. After we had just about made it inside the pits with all of our junk, I look up to see Franks Volkswagen is finally driving in to the parking lot near the other pit entrance. He was supposed to have already been here. Well we are good for now and can spend the afternoon practicing making laps.
Mom wont have any reason to get mad at us since no one else was here yet. She can go ahead and get all of the shopping done. Hopefully we actually make some improvements on our setup because it isnt worth the time spent out here doing nothing but going backwards. At least we get a lot of drive time on the track today.
Summer is getting almost a thing of the past and we are no closer to making our first race yet. Steve and I have invested most of our free time this summer trying to get two karts built and race ready. Then hopefully start running occasionally on race nights. Well getting out here for our second practice is one step closer to us racing becoming a reality.
While Steve is carefully going over our two karts, I decide to help Frank unload his stuff. He had suggested I assist when needed if he was going to babysit us out here today. I sure dont have a problem with that. Since without him showing up, me and Steve would not be here either.
The karts have been checked over since it was confirmed we were coming out to the track again. It would have surprised me for Steve to find anything that was overlooked. But is possible since I did all that last minute swapping of parts around this morning. I had almost forgotten about the repairs made to the front end of my kart several weeks ago.
After we sit Franks kart down on the ground, he starts pushing it into the pit area. Immediately I hear the chain sounding sort of ratchety and in a bind while the kart is rolling away. Hey Frank, what wrong with the chain? It sounds jacked up. Oh, probably just needs oiled a little. I did wash the grit off of it when cleaning the kart. So it is likely just dry.
A little bit of digging thru Franks box of goods and I found a squirt can. Is this your chain oil Frank? Yea thats the good stuff. It has powdered lead mixed with the oil. Some of my own special blend. That mix should work really well.
I point the stem on his oil can down to the chain and try pushing the kart so the sprocket will rotate around. The kart is really binding up in spots when rolling forward. Frank, I think more than a dry chain is causing this much binding. How about we set the kart up on a barrel and check everything over first?
Oh, no need. I am sure it is just the chain. If you oiled it good enough, then everything will be fine and loosen up. I am ready to take it out anyway. How about giving me a start and I will give it a good shakedown for a few easy laps, then come back in and check everything over. Prepare for the surprise of your life when I set a new track record today.
OK, Frank, its your kart, but I think there is more than just a dry chain. Hope you dont tear anything up. So I push the kart over to the grid area and Frank hops in ready to take it out. The motor took several tries before firing up, but finally came to life. Frank just nails the gas down and the motor sounded more raspy than I remembered the last time out here.
The kart takes off out of the pits and sounds like Frank is also pushing down the brake pedal with the gas. I sure hope he is right about that chain. But something sure didnt sound right. The kart was heading down the short front straight and with a crunching sound the chain went flying off. Frank never let off the gas and motor is buzzing some serious rpms. While still holding down the gas pedal, Frank just turns around and looks back at his engine.
That is when I go running out on the track and yelling at Frank to kill the engine. By now he had let off the gas pedal and the engine is still singing away like it is idled up too high. I launch forward and slap my hand over the carburetor to kill the engine. The motor dies then Frank just goes off. He is all in my face with his arms waving them frantically. Hey what did YOU SCREW UP on my kart? I thought you oiled that chain like I TOLD YOU TOO!
Frank, I already said something wasnt right. So dont try to pin the blame on me! Then he gets up from the kart and just goes on about all the time spent setting the kart up perfectly and that I didnt oil the chain properly.
Now Frank was getting louder and sounding more pissed. I was ready to tell him where he could stick his thrown chain, but shut up and walked back to the pits. I let Frank push his kart back by himself. I sure was not about to take that crap from him, after what he just said.
What the heck happened to Franks kart? Steve was asking when I walked over to our karts. He says I didnt oil his chain correctly, and blames me for it being thrown. Right now I dont care. Lets get our karts ready to take some laps. What else do we need to do? OK I think everything is ready to hit it. I did oil both of our chains correctly. Want me to show you how to do it the right way?
Steve knew I was pissed at the moment, and smiled big when he said that. I wanted to blow up at him to release some steam, but then laughed it off instead. That does feel a lot better than getting more irritated. Screw Frank, he can go solo today and see how he likes it.
Both of our karts are sitting end to end. Me and Steve talked about starting them up and fear of a runaway one of these days. So Steves kart is in front. First I start his kart while he is seated. Then walk behind my kart and fire it up while Steve holds the brake on his. No sooner I drop down in my seat, Steve starts to pull out on the track. Without giving any thought, I just nailed it and threw gravel up while exiting the pits on to the track and pull on around in front of him.
I was having a real attitude moment and needed some way to release the frustration. At the end of the short straight my kart just did a couple of 360's and spun off without any warning into the recently cut grass. Grrrr!, I need to calm down and get focused. Should have payed more attention, then would have seen the loose clippings all over the track. I ease back up to the edge of the pavement and now facing Steve. He is coming to a stop with one hand held out, like asking me what the deal is?
This time I pulled back on the track following him. But tried to use my head and not let Frank get to me so much. This is supposed to be fun. Alright now, pay attention and just follow Steve for a few laps and get your head back on straight. That should work. For the next couple of laps, I dont do anything but stay a few kart lengths behind Steve. Really not even getting on the gas or speeding up at all.
Huh, I wonder what the deal is with Steve? Last time out here he was running at a good pace. Now it is like his first time ever making laps. Is his kart running alright? Steve finally motions me to pass him and also points forward like he wants to follow me at full speed. OK that sounds like a plan. I can definitely go faster. Soon as I pass and give him a thumbs up, the gas pedal is all the way down and my kart is running extremely well.
Approaching the end of the long straight, my first thoughts were about blowing up the engine with this larger carburetor. I reached over to find the high speed needle. By tunring it out the engine went into a slight four cycling, Good that is perfect. The carburetor is fairly close to being adjusted.
I turned the needle back in a hair until the engine just cleared out. Wow, the engine picks back up and now is really running some good speed. I tap the brake for a second while off the gas, setting up for the banked turn and head into the right, left combination. Wow, my kart seems like it really wants to run today.
Its time to relax and focus only on getting the kart around the track now. After another lap, I feel like nothing can stop me. Everything feels better than I thought from our last trip out. One thing on my mind now was remembering about the front end repairs. Last time out here the kart was in serious need of something since it didnt handle the same in both directions. I had tweaked the frame to help the front tires sit down evenly.
Now the kart seems to handle well. It is also finally steering the same in both right and left turns. The repairs have payed off and working out great. No pushing or rear end trying to come around this time. I am feeling real comfortable and running down the straights, the engine seems to keep on reving higher. Wow so cool.
After driving several more laps, I am just chilling out and trying to keep my mind off Franks deal. Then I notice Steve is standing at the fence trying to wave me in. I had already passed the exit to the pits so went ahead and ran another lap. There was no one else out here, so I could have just turned around and pulled off.
But the kart feels too good not to use as an excuse making one more pass before pulling in. Now hold out my hand slowing down to exit off track into the pits. Steves kart is way over at our pit spot and he is walking over to me. I sure hope nothing is broke or wrong with his kart.
Whats wrong Steve? Is your kart running alright? Immediately he wants to know what I did to my kart. Hey man, what the heck did you do to your engine? I thought my kart was running pretty good, then you went by me and I could not even keep up. You just left me like I was going bass ackwards.
Huh?, I know my kart feels like it is running good today, but didnt realize it was that much faster. I am glad to find out it is handling a lot better than last time we were here. It steers the same in both directions now, unlike it did before. I then realize just how bad it was messed up with good as it handles today.
I aint talking about the way it is handling man. You ran away with it down the straight. What have you been doing to your engine? Dont lie to me, you have been working it over and left mine alone. Terry, what did you do? It is flying out there!
Thats when it hit me. A bright light bulb just came on. My brain had been so worked up from Franks little fiasco, I wasnt thinking about the Palmini intake manifold and the modified HL-66 carburetor that Frank had assumed was the new HL-115. Wow!, the carburetor actually worked like I had been hoping for. Geez, I wasnt thinking at all when getting out on the track this afternoon.
Oh Steve, I didnt tell you about that carburetor I had been working on. Frank had me so worked up, I was just focusing on making laps like last time here. Dude! The modified carburetor works awesome! Well that and with the Palmini intake. The one that was originally on the Cates engine. But I dont really know which one helped out the most.
Oh, I had not said anything about it before now. But finished boring out one of those chainsaw carburetors on the lathe. It looks so cool. I didnt want to make a big deal about it until knowing if the thing would actually work.
Frank said there was no way a carburetor this big would run on these Clintons. But I didnt believe him. There was an ad in one of last years kart mags selling a dual carburetor manifold for the Clinton. But it was using two of the stock float bowl types.
t got to thinking if the Clinton could run on two of them, then this one, which is slightly larger than a stock chainsaw carburetor, should work too. After taking those few laps, I am really hyped right now.
Hey Steve, you wanna take my kart out and try for yourself? I didnt realize your kart was running all that fast when following you at first. I thought you were just taking some easy laps for warm up.
Heck no, I was running just hard as I could. I knew you were right behind me the whole time. Then motioned for you to go around. That sure was a mistake. You ran off from me and hid. Like there was no way I could keep up for anything. I knew you had to have done something to your engine. Are you saying it is just a bigger carburetor that made it run so fast?
Look me in my eyes and tell me you didnt port it out or something like that? Your kart is super flying out there. At least compared to how mine is running today. I know its been several weeks since we have driven out here, but I felt like my kart was running about the same pace as last time. You are running like a scalded ace ape.
At first I though maybe you were really mad and pushing super hard out there, but in a straight line, you were killing me. After a few more laps, you would have lapped me. I sure wasnt going to let that happen. I knew you had to have done something to your engine. Nothing else made sense.
All this short time me and Steve had been running, I had completely gotten over Franks little temper tantrum. That is until I saw him walking over to us. Sorry Frank, I am not in the mood to listen to you blaming me for your troubles again.
Woof, woof, woof. I sure dont blame you for being mad at me. But would you accept an apology instead? I lost it earlier and you just happened to be there to take my crap. I found out the problem and realized it had nothing to do with you at all. I should have also checked over the kart a little better too.
The last few weeks I had gone over every nut and bolt on this chassis. This thing dialed in perfect. A perfect kart today is what I started with this morning. But the mailman dropped off a package I had been waiting for.
I finally ordered a set of gears and that new Azusa Mark II Vari-hub. Those new style split aluminum gears now come in every two tooth sizes. I thought they could really help me dial in my kart today. So before loading up this morning I went ahead and changed it all over.
I am not for certain, but think it was a defective gear or one that was mismatched. That is what caused the binding up earlier. So there went one chain wasted for the day. Add the price of a new gear with it too. The gear is now in the trash barrel, and I am about ready to bolt another one on.
If you are not too mad at me for yelling earlier, I hope you accept my apology. I do get hard headed sometimes. It sort of comes with the job and all of those K-nuckleheads I have to work with all the time.
I gotta keep everyone on their toes or all kinds of problems arise from them always overlooking things. That can get expensive in my line of work and for the company. I dont like it when the boss comes down on me when it wasnt my fault.
Wow Frank, you dont like getting blamed for something you didnt do. Who would have thought? It wasnt the yelling as much as you accused me of something without even thinking about what you said. That is what got me mad.
If you can try not to blow up like that again, I might consider, but only conditionally. This is supposed to be fun out here. If something screws up, then we can fix it. Working on this stuff for me is almost fun as getting to try it out on the track.
Well kid, I am glad to hear you have such a forgiving heart and in better spirits about everything. Would you be willing to give me a hand on my kart? That is if you dont mind.
Hey Terry, why dont you go ahead and help, uh, yea, Frank there. I caved in, despite not wanting to work on his kart just then. As I was walking away towards Franks pit area, Steve yelled back at me.
Hey man, where do you keep the sledge hammer? I am going to make a few adjustments to your engine. Maybe slow it down just a little bit. You know just to make it more fair for me. I looked back at him while trying to process what he was saying. There was a huge grin on Steves face just then.
Franks kart was sitting there, just like it was on the track earlier, minus one axle sprocket. So where is the dead sprocket Frank? I told you it is in the trash can. That one right behind the kart. My hands could not leave things alone. So I grabbed it up and gave the two sprocket halves a close scrutiny. This is a Hands sprocket. It is split straight across two of the bolt holes in perfect center.
After looking at it for a moment, I noticed that even tho the sprocket bolt pattern is split perfectly, the teeth are not. One side a tooth is split nearly in the middle, the other side is split off just a little bit more. If you put the two halves together the wrong way, the teeth dont get lined up so close. Almost, but not near enough for a chain to roll freely.
Hey Frank, I think I just found your problem.
No, that is not the problem. You dont think I know how to line up a sprocket kid? I am an engineer. Things like that dont ever happen with me. Too many years getting educated and working out in the real world. Now quit wasting your time and give me a hand here.
So I help Frank lift his kart up on a short barrel. Frank, where is your new sprocket? I want to put it on the kart for you this time. Sure kid, better for your hands to get all dirty and oily. I dont need my hands slipping and sliding on the steering wheel out there on the track.
Yea, whatever Frank. Wheres your 7/16" wrench? I put the sprocket on and made sure the alignment ring matches on both halves. Before tightening the nuts down secure, I wanted to get the chain on first to hold the sprocket together so there was no tight spots when rotating the axle around.
OK Frank, I need a new chain. Sorry dont have one kid. Completely forgot about adding one to my list of goods that were ordered. But I did manage to piece together this one here. It should work fine for today. I took the used parts chain from him and held it up. The links were all staggered in one direction. Well each section of chain Frank managed to hammer together went one way or the other. Also way too many kinks. Nope, Frank, this chain is not gonna work.
Well it is going to work, since that is the last piece I got. So Frank, how bad is the one that got chunked off? Dunno, it is out on the track somewhere. I just exhaled and sat there. Why does it feel like I keep reliving this conversation and these character building moments? Then got up and headed out to the track in search for a lost chain.
Didnt take but a second to find it. The chain was still sitting right there a few feet behind the spot Franks kart had over rev'ed to a sudden stop. I picked the chain up from the track and examined it for a moment. There was only one link broken. The rest of his chain looked like it would be salvageable. He didnt use a master link, which was good. But the pin did not appear to have been pushed all the way thru and spaced properly. So the weakest link failed and left the rest of his newish chain in good enough condition to use again.
Frank was harping about re-using a thrown chain. I told him to shut up this time and go away. His other chain would not last long enough to even bother putting it on the kart. I was surprised he did shut up and walked over to where Steve was checking over the other karts.
Woof! Woof! Woof! Steve was not aware Frank had walked up so close behind him. He turned around so fast causing Frank to flinch and nearly fall over. I heard Steve yell something with gritted teeth. Frank held up his hands in front of him and backed off a few feet. Wow that was actually funny to watch. Cant wait to hear what Steve has to say about it.
After beating on Franks chain with a hammer and punch, I was comfortable it would hold up. Getting it back together was a real pain since I had to do it with the chain installed around the axle. What I found odd is with this one chain now shortened is still almost too long to even be adjustable. The engine was pushed up all the way forward to the end of the slots.
I wonder if Frank bothered to shorten the chain down so he would have some adjustment when the chain stretched a little bit? This would not surprise me at all. He would probably harp on about having the longest chain possible is the only way to set it up right. Longer chain gives longer life on the track. I wonder how that works out if the sprocket is put together the wrong way? Gotta remember to ask Frank about that one.
Franks motor is left hand drive and the chain runs between the frame rails. Both mine and Steves are set up the same, with chain running outside of the frame so it can be worked on now without wrapping around the axle first. To me this is a good way to set it up.
After the first dozen times tearing apart the rear axle assembly on the Cates kart for not paying attention to minor details, I got the message and chose to remedy that initial problem. You dont always have a lot of time between heat races to make repairs. A chain is something that you need to make as quick and painless as possible.
After checking the chain for any binding, I tightened the six bolts holding on the sprocket. Man this rear axle has a lot of drag. I cant believe Frank set it up this way. But he told me the axle was loose as it could be. And dont forget about that expensive aircraft grease he packed the bearings with. Yea whatever.
Hey Frank, you ever gonna get on the track today? Burning daylight you know. He finally walks back over and we set his kart down on the ground. He is suited up and ready to go again. I push the kart over to the starting grid and get ready to pull the rope. Frank drifts over and sits dow in the kart then straps his helmet tight. Frank points his finger up twirling it around and says "Gentleman, start my engine".
Frank hammers down on the gas and fishtails out on to the track. For some reason he is darting (no pun intended here) across both sides of the track. It looks sort of like he is trying to heat up the tires really aggressively. Except in the most dangerous way possible. He has his arms out stiff holding on tightly to the steering wheel. Without letting off the gas, I can hear him braking on and off for some reason.
Frank is looking up around and behind him like something is wrong. He is still jerking from one side of the track to the other. After making about half the way around the track he cuts across the infield heading back in a near uncontrollable state, then whips over and comes in the pit exit way too fast. He is trying to wave with one hand as the engine is reving up very high. I still hear the engine load down hard as he is pushing the brake pedal while still on the gas.
My guess is there might be something definitely wrong. How could anything "might" be wrong with Franks perfectly set up kart? I grab a Crescent wrench and run over behind him. The kart is slow enough now when he is holding the brake for me to knock the plug wire loose. Actually I was swinging and trying to break the spark plug off since the kart is still moving forward. Just some way to kill the engine quickly as possible.
Franks kart stops abruptly since the engine starts dieseling and now running backwards. The momentum I had going forward sent me over the top of Frank and his kart as it was now coming back towards me for some reason. I make a somersault above his kart then crashed hard in front of it on the ground.
Dang it that hurt! What the heck is wrong now Frank? This time it is my turn to do some yelling. Frank looks down and sees the gas pedal is wedged under the tie-rod on the right side. There is one long tie-rod that connects both spindles together and a short one connecting steering shaft to just one spindle.
Frank jumps up out of his kart and starts yelling again. There is something seriously wrong with this chassis. It is not handling right. I cant keep this thing going in a straight line. That scared the $\!+ out of me. I could have been killed on the track just then. My kart has gone pure evil or maybe even be possessed. Oh and I think the throttle got stuck too.
Gee Frank, you think? Really you think that? I was mad and getting madder. Frank you wanna know what I think? I think you got this super prototype Dart by Rupp of yours all jacked up. You should have left it alone. But no you had to fix everything. Do me a favor Frank, dont ever offer to help work on my kart. Like never! I turned and walked back over to where me and Steve were pitted.
Put a fork in me, I am done! Frank yells at no one in particular. Then storms off out of the pits and disappears over behind his Volkswagen. He had parked it under a big shade tree after unloading his equipment.
I see you are back to your old tricks again. Dont you get enough attention already without making a scene every time you are in public? It is getting embarrassing just to be seen around you some days. I was just about to tell Steve something I would have regretted, but knew he was trying to get me focused on something besides Frank just then.
Instead of going ballistic on him, I couldnt help but start laughing. It was funny. It also hurt a crap load flying over Franks kart. Another Kodak moment not caught on film. That would have been a great snap shot for our journal. Or even better, Franks big magazine cover shot. Oh, thanks for your words of distraction Steve, I think.
How are the karts? Are they ready for some more laps? Steve stands up straight then salutes. Yes sir just as you ordered. But not until you cool down a little bit first. Then we can get those laps in. He was right and I thought some water might do some good. Maybe a lot of water.
We actually remembered to bring a small water jug filled with ice and some sandwiches this time. I sat for a few minutes and tried to calm down. I felt too tensed up to eat right now, but water did help me chill out. Alright it is time for some laps Steve, lets go.
Steve had already pushed my kart to the grid, so I followed up behind and pushed his kart. He hopped in my kart and motioned me to give it a start. Crap, I forgot about offering him to take mine for a spin. I really would have enjoyed that little bit of extra speed from my kart to help me relax and get focused. It is going to be frustrating trying to keep up with Steve driving my kart instead of me.
Me and Steve both rip out of the pits on to the track now running side by side. Just like we would do if griding up for a actual race. Hopefully that will happen for real in the not too distant future. But right now, just making it out here for a practice day seems to be major drama.
Steve rips out in front and takes the lead. This is the first time I have even sat down in his kart. It feels good and solid. A lot smoother feeling than mine. Like the difference between a set of well used tires and ones that are brand new.
Oh wait, this is what it feels like because that is exactly what we have. My kart is hammered and repaired. His kart is a near perfect copy of mine with mostly new or good used parts. Otherwise it handles about the same. Just a bit more responsive than mine.
Steve is going all in down the long straight. But then brakes a lot earlier than normal. He pulled some good distance ahead, but now I can make most of it back. I almost hit the brake pedal when seeing him slow down, but decided to take a chance and went on the outside going in to the banked turn.
I got a little loose, but managed to hold on and still came out fast. Steve was right behind me. I doubt I can hold him off very long. There is definitely a big difference in the speed of our karts. He was right. If his kart is running the same as last time out, my kart is really holding all the aces.
Thru the back section Steve is actually bumping me in several places. I am trying to hold a tight line so he cant pass. But it wont last long. Soon as I pulled out on the short front straight, he buzzed me like I was riding the brake pedal. We go thru the next sweeping turn and head on to the long straight. He is pulling ahead way too much for me to hang with him now.
By the end of the long straight, he has several kart lengths on me. Even with him braking early there is no way to catch back up at this point. I now understand what Steve was talking about earlier.
Since there is no chance to hang with him now, my choice is to either give up and pull in or just enjoy the ride and get in as much track time as possible today. Hmm tough choice there buddy.
After a dozen or so laps, I finally decide to retire from this session. I slow down and put out my hand as the kart exits off the track. Just as I did, Steve came barreling around me blazing down the track. He would have lapped me if I chose to stay out there. Man I would not have heard the end of it if that happened. Good decision to call it quits for now.
Another lap and Steve pulls off the track and coasts up behind me. I am still sitting in his kart. Just staring over to Frank. He is standing there leaning back against the fence looking down at his super prototype Dart kart just shaking his head.
It does not appear he has done anything the whole time me and Steve were out making laps. Wonder what is going thru his head right now? No I dont care. But will find out soon enough. Frank starts heading over to us as we get out of our karts.
Steve is jumping up and down. Man you gotta get my engine set up like yours. This thing is awesome. It is so much faster than mine. Of course my kart does handle a little bit better. Oh yea there is a lot of travel in your brake pedal. You might want to check that over. Just saying...
Frank is standing there taking in all of Steves excitement. He has sort of a scowl on his face and I cant tell if he is really mad or bummed out. He better not go off on me or Steve about anything or I will not hesitate to throw it right back in his face.
Woof, woof, woof. So kid, how are you and your buddys karts running? Both of you looked real good out there. I didnt bother to get a time, but confident you are running maybe a couple of seconds faster than last time here.
Frank was quiet with a slightly humbled sound in his voice this time. Sounds so out of character for him. I dont know what to think at the moment. I sure aint gonna let my guard down right now. I am not mad at him so much as before, and wont plan on going that direction if he doesnt start into me about something.
The whole time Steve has been around Frank, never really had a direct conversation with him. But now Steve opens up and just lets go about our karts. How good they are handling, the engines running faster, and whatever I did to my engine better get down to his or else. This was Steves style of being casual and funny at the same time. I usually didnt see this side of him around people he doesnt feel comfortable talking with.
Glad you guys are running so good. My day just keeps getting worse. I dont know what happened since the last trip out here, but something is not right. Maybe the kart frame is tweaked or sprung somehow.
You know, that can happen if the rails are forced in position before being welded. Then later when the kart gets some time on it, that tension can transfer to a load differential at the wheels. Not too uncommon. You know since my kart being a prototype, could be the problem.
I was just about tired of hearing Frank come up with excuses. I am fairly certain what the problem is. But trying to tell Frank he is just a screw up might not be the wisest thing to say. Hey Frank, sorry about your kart not working like you hoped. I am sort of tired from Steve kicking my butt out there. You mind taking my place for a few laps while I relax a little bit. Steve looked over at me with one concerned expression on his face. But did not say anything.
Hey kid that is mighty nice of you offering. But I sure dont want to ruin your day if something screws up while I am driving. I would feel real bad about wasting the rest of today for you out here. You guys are the ones needing all the practice so you can start racing. I am just out here getting geared up and used to a different track. Its just my kart is butting heads with me right now.
No Frank I am serious. Take Steves kart out there and make some laps. I want to look over your kart anyway. It has got me interested and curious about figuring out what the problem might be. I know this sounds lame, but to me that is sometimes just as fun as making laps. Steve do you want the brake adjusted on my kart so you are more comfortable? You said it was off a bit.
Frank, me and Steve are going to gas up our karts for the next practice session. Go take a breather and be ready in a little while. OK? Sure kid, if you are positive about this. Both of your karts look solid running out there today. Maybe I can take a few relaxing laps and not be so upset about my kart right now. It might just do me some good.
Steve gives me the big stink eye as we push our karts back to the pit area. Oh yea sure let ole Frankie boy drive my kart out there. That guy can tear up a steel ball with a rubber hammer. And you just offered him my kart. Thanks for nothing.
Relax Steve, he wont tear up anything, because he aint going to be working on it. His driving might be different, not fast or even what I would call racing. But he is consistent. If nothing else he is consistent out there. Besides I have a good reason and you just might reap the reward from it. But if you would rather him drive my kart with the faster engine....
OK, just so you know, anything he screws up on my kart is coming off of your kart, if it keeps me from getting any more track time today. Otherwise no deal. Sounds fair enough Steve. I will agree to that whole heartedly. You are being more than fair. A heck of a lot more than I would be right now. Steve glares over at me with a puzzled look, Do what?
We go over both karts very carefully. Steve adjusts the slack out of my brake. I didnt want any chance of something going wrong while Frank was driving. If anything does happen, it would be of his making. Hey Steve, this is what I want you to do out there.
Take a whole lot of very conservative laps while Frank is following you. Dont try to choke down on the turns keeping him from passing. He wont be doing that anyway. Just make sure you dont run away from him. He needs to follow you closely as possible. For as long as possible.
Now you need to stay out there long enough for me to fix Franks kart. I am fairly certain what the problem is. Remember back when we first started putting my kart back together? All that stuff dad kept harping on trying to get us to understand the importance of the little stuff. How those small things add up real fast and can make a kart run not so good if you dont address them?
I have been watching how Frank works on his kart. Its almost like something is disconnected between his brain and his hands. You know how some people that either have no real mechanical ability or just dont care. Frank is off in there somewhere. He tries to talk a good game, but his delivery comes way short of the goal.
Yea I sort of figured that out about him already. Every time you guys go at it, I try to listen to some of the things he is spouting about. It dont really make sense, especially to me. But I am not an engineer, or with an engineers brain either. Man, you sure have put a lot of time in to helping him out. I hope it is worth it in the end.
Well time for you to get out there Steve. I got work to do. And a lot of it too. You know sort of when to come in when the tank is getting low. The engine will start to sputter in the far turn every time. If you dont see me wave you in before then, go ahead and get off the track. Otherwise, look for my signal.
Gotcha, that is a plan. But if Frank runs over me or bumps your kart too many times, I will casually take him out. Just innocently enough not causing any damage to my kart. And you aint sayin a word about it either if, well no, when it does happen.
We push the karts up to the grid. Hey Frank, you busy right now? If you are I will get someone else to take Steves kart around with him. Frank makes a mad dash over to the karts. Are you sure about this kid? If something breaks, I dont want to get snuckered with the repair bill. No Frank I am not sure. So do you want to drive the kart or not? If so, get in or forget it.
Now listen Frank, I dont know how your kart is supposed to handle, but take it easy at first. Get used to this kart and how it responds to your driving style. Wait....just forget that completely, Frank, I got a much better idea. Just forget you even know how to drive at all. I am sure you can do that. I want you just to follow Steve around. Try to stay right on his bumper. But dont ram into him. Drive like you are his shadow. Do you think that is even a possibility?
Kid, I can handle that with ease. I have enough experience driving. But I will follow your wishes since this is you guys stuff. Maybe I will find a fast line around the track out there I like. Running at such a much slower pace will give me some time to better find braking points and see where speed might get scrubbed off too much.
No Frank. Remember! Now you are supposed to be a brand new driver out there for the first time. Steve is going to run a slow steady pace until he knows you are tailing him consistently. Then start to speed up a little more. Eventually he will run a much faster pace. By then I hope your are his shadow and running right there with him. Just do it my way this time. OK?
Alright, I will try it your way without question. I am sure you are working an angle here somewhere. So lets get out there already. I am sort of getting curious how these Cratchet karts drive.
Both engines fire up almost immediately. My engine usually needs an extra pull on the rope. Unless I yank really hard the first time. But it fires up and responds perfectly. Both Steve and Frank head out on to the track.
If Frank keeps to his word I should have nothing to worry about. Steve will run a decent and steady pace hopefully trying to get Frank used to driving completely different that anything I have seen him doing previously.
04-10-2021, 09:20 PM (This post was last modified: 04-12-2021, 09:10 PM by Terry Bentley.)
Chapter 76
As much as I wanted to stay at the fence and watch them make laps, there were more pressing things to get done. My objective was to focus on Franks kart and try to fix everything he had worked on. Hopefully I can make some serious changes quick enough before they run out of gas on the track. Or someone ends up on their head. But I am staying positive at the moment.
Back at Franks pit I give his kart a complete once over. Everything dad had tried to beat in my head was now clicking away. I see many of the same mistakes me and Steve had made every time over and over when first assembling my kart and even later on his kart.
At first I was overwhelmed. Every nut and bolt had some issue that needed to be addressed. I just started at the very front and preceded to work my way to the back bumper. I cant believe all the small crap Frank did that ended up jacking his kart up so much.
One thing I really cant believe he spent the time doing. He had shimmed up both the pedals with washers. This did take the slop out of them, but also would not allow free movement either. You push the brake pedal down and it would just stay there before slowly releasing.
The same would have happened for his gas pedal if it wasnt stuck under the tie-rod. Frank ended up swapping the short tie-rod from the right to the left side. This now allowed the top of his gas pedal to push against the long tie rod and get stuck underneath. He pushed it down far enough right under that tie-rod and it stayed there.
These pedals are the short cast aluminum ones that were used on all of the earlier models of Darts. Up until the new A-Bone which had just come out recently. That one has 3/8 round stock bent sort of in the shape of a modified Z. They are taller and easier to maneuver with your feet.
The older cast pedals are perfect to get stuck under the tie-rod if things are just right. Or just wrong in this case. Wrong as in not adjusted correctly. Seems Frank has that down to a science. I also realized Frank must have panicked while out there. His kart still has the smaller 1/2 inch steering shaft. The Cates had a beefier 5/8 shaft. So much difference that it doesnt flex at all like this one. Frank had managed to twist his steering shaft. The wheel is not only rotated off center, but also bent to one side.
I needed a bar to use as leverage to fix this somehow. Looking around the pits, there was an old fence post sitting on the far side by the gate. With some luck, I managed to twist the steering shaft back centered and straight. Well close enough for now.
It would be wise of Frank to replace this shaft with the larger one. As in real soon. Frank should also replace this smaller quarter midget style cast aluminum steering wheel with one of the new wheels from Azusa or like the new A-bone has.
Doesnt surprise me to find the kingpin bolts so tight the steering wheel is difficult to turn. I tried to turn the wheel. It finally budged, but stayed where I had stopped turning it. I had to force it back to center. At first I thought maybe the steering shaft was put into a major bind, but now realize that is not the case. Soon as I backed off those large bolts the steering freed up like it used to be. Before Frank fixed it that is.
Doing the best I could, the toe-in was set in under 1/16th of an inch. I remember that is what Frank told me it was originally set to. Maybe with Franks eagle eye vision it could have been set perfectly. Ha-ha. If there is a problem, then an easy fix since the tie-rod ends have right and left hand threads. After adjusting the brake and throttle linkage, I was getting more confident this job could be done soon.
I was not sure how to fix the axle bearings. Frank had pulled back the seals and stuffed them full of some type of high temp aircraft grease. They were tight. Well they had some serious drag. The axle was also in a bind from all of those locking collars. With some patience, I knocked them loose and then only tightened the set screws on the motor mount. On the frame I left them locked, but not so much as they were before. Then also made sure the set screws were good and tight.
In my parts and tools stash, there is a squirt can of solvent. Really just dirty paint thinner from the parts washer. It sometimes helps with cleanup on things. This time it was used to wash out as much of that grease as I could manage. After several tries, the axle was now rotating a lot easier. But still tighter than I would have settled for on my kart.
Franks super fast Dart proto kart does have dual motor mounts. These are not all chrome plated and nice looking like on the new model A-bone. But just welded together plates to form the same shape as comes on the new model. But with these two mounts means there are also a total of six axle bearings rotating. Or in this case dragging. So I decided to remove the extra motor mount and secure those two bearings together with a single bolt.
The flangettes had been hammered on to tighten around the axle bearing so it could not freely self-align when frame flexed. For this I had little choice but to shim them apart. After digging in a trash can I found a foil wrapping that still had a partially eaten hotdog that was dried out and shriveled up.
There was a colony of ants claiming its territory in the wrapping. Folding over the foil several layers ended up working out well for making a shim. I did manage to get these axle bearings loosened up a lot more. It looked messy, but now I was more confident the kart would handle much better.
The chain was still running close to being true. Finally something that I didnt have to fix. Instead a small adjustment snugging it up just a little bit more since it had made one very erratic first lap. Another quick once over and I thought Franks kart might survive for a second lap. With the kart still sitting up on this short barrel, I started his engine. It still sounded way too lean. The engine would not idle down and had a hollow raspy sound.
I backed off the idle screw and richened up the low speed needle. That seemed to fix the problem. Now the engine would act like it was loading up and start to die if sitting for more than a few seconds idling. But that is where I had my carburetor set. It seemed to have a lot more punch out of the turns this way. Time to oil all of the moving parts and get this kart ready for a trial run.
I went out to the fence to see how our new student was doing. Frank was still following Steve. There is no way he would pass Steve and be able to pull away. That is impossible with the way my engine is running with Steve driving and Franks extra dead weight on Steves kart. Steve was going at a fairly fast pace by now. Frank did seem to stay close to him in the faster turns. Not so much his old driving style either. The kart would get jerky in some turns, but Frank would get back off the brake pedal quick enough not to loose too much ground on Steve.
Overall I think Frank could be trained and maybe learn how to drive. He said his driving style was what it took to get that Sears kart around the track fast. Maybe I should steer clear of those karts if one ever shows up. At the tracks edge, I motioned for Steve to speed it up. He acknowledged me and pushed down the gas pedal not holding anything back.
Now was the moment to see how bad Frank is set in his ways. For his first lap, Frank is keeping himself smooth. Not parking it in the turns like before. But soon as Steve pulled away another kart length, I started to see Franks instincts kick back in and do the drag race style driving like before.
Oh well, some improvement is better than nothing. At least I know Frank might be able to hang with someone driving their line. That is until there is enough distance for Frank not to use the other kart to help him actually drive a good line around.
It was about time to bring them in. I am ready to get some more laps in today. Looking down at myself, there is dirt and grease from top to bottom, after the precision surgical operation I had just performed on Franks super duper Dart kart. I wave my hands and Steve raises his and takes the exit off the track. He had an expression between a smile and a smirk. Dint know what to think just then about that.
For some reason Frank chose to stay out on the track. OK, Steve isnt going to like this at all. Steve gets out of my kart and walks over to me by the fence. I was watching Frank to see how his driving is out there alone. Steve then finally speaks up. I hope that was worth it to you. YOU owe me big time too. So what was this great idea I would be all in for anyway?
All in due time Steve. Dont try to hurry it up too much, it may still backfire on us. So how was it out there Steve?
Hah!, I guess you didnt watch us at all or wouldnt be asking. Am I right to think that? Well the first few laps I was just about to take that jerk out. I dont know if your rear bumper is bent or not, but I now would say that now it is.
After about half dozen laps he started to calm down. I was at my wits end with him. But bid my time, in case an opportunity came to send him off into the weeds. He eventually started running a lot smoother. I could tell early on he was driving like the last time we were out here. All drag race and no drive. But that started to change. He seemed to instinctively keep trying to brake hard, but began to let off each time. Then I could tell he was running closer to me.
Another dozen laps I was running a little bit faster. It took him time to adjust again. Back to the brake slam technique for a lap of two. Then started running with me again. A little too jerky sometimes, but seemed to correct himself quick enough not to loose much ground.
Each time I sped up too much it was easy to tell he was back to old habits, so decided just to keep at a steady pace and let him follow close as possible. It is amazing what you can see out there when not trying to keep up with the kart ahead or having someone pushing too hard behind.
So maybe it wasnt so bad having to put up with him out there. He isnt that scary on the track. Just when he starts barking at me that makes my skin crawl. Did everything go like you wanted? Is his kart fixed or has this just a waste of an afternoon?
Waste? Steve didnt you just tell me about seeing things you never noticed before driving the track? That is something that helps a lot after we start racing for real. You can better pick your braking points and adjust as needed in different driving situations. That doesnt sound like a waste to me at all.
Yea, well if you say so. It was still a whole lot of laps made that were not under more of a favorable race condition. So I dont see it helping so much. Call me skeptical.
After a few laps it seemed Frank was definitely resorting back to his old habits. But now he might actually be aware of the problem with his driving. So I thought or maybe just being hopeful. It is about time he is pulling in off the track. Takes his time getting out of Steves kart. But finally gets up and removes that new McHals helmet he is so proud of.
Well that was a fun little ride. Cant say it did much good. I managed to take a much closer look at the track. For what advantage it was, I dont know. Those puny bushing motors are like riding a lawn mower. Just sitting there sipping on a cold beer and cruise around the yard all day.
So what was the reason for my driving lesson kiddo? I did get a better handle on the track layout. Cant say that it will do much to drop my lap times any better than they already are. Well maybe after I figure what is up with my kart, then really give this track something to brag about.
Steve looks over at me and just smirks. Not holding it back just for me to see either. I thought he was going to just let go and rip Frank a new one. I have to admit, that would be something I could see me or him doing after the way Frank was acting. But I am not giving up just yet.
Something else in my head is working on a way to either improve Franks driving or at least hear him admit he totally sucks. I cant understand him being so blind to what is obvious to me and Steve right now.
Steve pushes his kart off from the impound area and heads it back to our pits. Without even caring, he runs right over Franks foot. He never acknowledges it or nods his awareness of obviously doing so. I sure cant blame him right now. Frank seems to be in a world of his own. Sometimes he comes across with a real acute sense of awareness. But other times he is stuck in his own little bubble. That legend in his own mind syndrome.
This was something dad had explained to me one time about different types of people. I didnt really understand it until much later. Now I see it first hand and got a good grip on it this time around. It also makes more sense thinking back about that same talk from grandpa several years ago. I bottled it all up to save for when I could understand better. Now it is seeping out of storage and I am getting a full dose today.
Frank doesnt go around being a boastful braggart about himself all the time. Just mentions certain things that keeps you reminded of how he thinks about himself. Especially his driving ability. I thought today he might realize some of the deficiencies in that ability. I might have bitten off more than I can chew this time with him. Wow how cliche sounding. Where did I read that one from?
So kid, I felt really smooth on that old Cratchet kart copy of your buds out there. Different than my Dart, but not in a bad way. I bet with some help from me, we can get this kart really hauling the ace. Just a couple of things I see that might present a problem. Nothing major mind you, just a few tweaks here and there. So what did you do while we were running those laps?
Franks sometimes you are so full of.......I mean sometimes its cool to see you so focused on certain stuff. Then try to make a difference. But....I was able to fix a few things that might have caused problems with your kart handling. Maybe since you are so layed back and relaxed now, take it out for a few laps and see if she works for you.
No kid, I can tell you with absolute certainty that chassis is sprung or jacked hard. I am not positively sure what just yet, but will figure out eventually. Those laps gave me time to focus on the chassis in detail. I went over everything in my mind that was fixed. There is not much other it can be except a defective frame.
I am seriously thinking about giving Mick a call next week and discuss options after him selling me damaged goods. He is a fair person. Doesnt want bad talk going around about his karts. I am sure he will make things right. It just makes good business sense.
Frank sometimes I really want to speak out, but it is better to just keep quiet. Frank looked at me with a completely blank look on his face. Just out with it kid. That is the easiest way to confront the problem, if there is one. I dont know what you are concerned with, but nothing like getting it out in the open.
I was about to just let it all out on the table. Dang it another cliche phrase. Gotta cut down on those. Using too many of them I could end up plagiarizing thousands of people going back for centuries. OK, just get it out in the open. Frank!
Uh, Frank. I was uh, just uh, you know thinking. Would you mind so much if I took your kart for a quick test spin? Just to get an idea of what trouble you were having to deal with earlier? OK that is not what I had expected to come out of my mouth, but fits in with what was busy grinding gears in the back of my head earlier.
Kid I dont think that is a smart idea. You show good promise, especially with those slow bushing engines. Really good so far. But stepping up to such a faster engine like my Westbend, may be more than you can handle. Besides I know the chassis is messed up bad. If you got hurt, well sure dont want to tangle with your mom. She sounded serious last time. No need crossing that bridge if I dont have to.
Frank I am serious. I checked over your kart while you were out there driving Steves kart. I was surprised he didnt completely object to you driving his kart either. We have a ton of time and he has invested a small fortune in building it. For him to allow somebody to drive his kart says a lot. If you are getting my meaning?
But if you think your kart is too much for me, well I dont see it that way at all. I wont push it too hard. Just would like to learn about what problem you have with it. Me and Steve have done a bunch in a short time to get our karts up to speed. Well so far as handling. I think we are close to being there. If I promise to be really careful, just a few laps to get an idea of the problems. That is all.
Frank if you think I am in over my head out there, just wave me off and I will come in immediately. You can stand out there in the infield and watch up close. I can see you from just about any point on the track. So if I botch a turn, then in the pits I come. I took a big chance on you taking Steves kart out, so put some trust in me right now.
Kid its not about what you are capable of or not. The kart is not right. I could not keep it pointed straight when I tried earlier. That kart is so unsafe, even with me driving it. I cant justify you taking it out in this condition. It just doesnt make good sense.
Frank, let me take it out on the front straight. If I have any problems, then its over. I dont even make it to the first turn. This way is more than being safe with me. Just let me try before you tear it all apart again. I need to know for myself what the problem feels like.
Kid you sure try to drive it in hard. The first moment you show any out of control situation I am waving you off. Like immediately. Dont try anything to fool me either.I got eagle eyes and will be watching every movement you make trying to get this hearse around the track.
Dont think you are going to get what you want without me allowing it. If you make the short straight and if I feel comfortable, then will wave you on for a single lap. But dont expect the kart to respond to anything. I know what I am talking about. Too many years driving experience. The kart is jacked up and is not safe to drive at any speed.
Now after I get it figured out and fixed, then maybe let you drive it at reduced speed. But today I dont feel good about risking your life out there. So the first sign of trouble and you are done. Period. Understand?
Hey that sounds fair enough Frank. Lets do it.
While we got Franks kart ready for the track, I thought about another edge to throw at him. Frank, how about you follow me in my kart. It is a lot faster than Steves. You would like it more than his anyway. That way you can watch what your kart is doing from behind and get a first hand idea of the problem. I dont think you can get any better of a close up evaluation with your kart than seeing it in action.
OK that might not be a bad idea. But I want your buddy to be out there in case I decide to wave you off. Especially if the kart looks as evil at it was handling earlier.
Great idea Frank! Hey Steve, I need some help! You got a minute?
I quietly went over my plans with Steve. He didnt seem that interested, considering how big of a jerk Frank was acting earlier. Not much reason for him just to stand out there and watch. Just trust me Steve, Frank is about to break. Lets do this.
Me and Frank finally get suited up and about to pull out on the track. I am in his kart and can barely reach the pedals. But I will manage, especially for all the time it took me to get this far. Lets go Frank. I ease out on the track still expecting his kart to not handle very well. I am still not for sure what I fixed on Franks kart will do all that much. A lot is riding on this right now.
Out on the track I give the kart a quick right left. I told Frank not to freak out if he sees me do that. I just wanted to get an idea of how the kart is going to respond. He understood and threatened me that it better be the only time the kart does any jerking around or I am completely done for the day.
Not exactly sure what I was expecting, but the kart felt smooth, and fast. Or at least responded really well to throttle. I wanted to romp down on the gas and give it everything it has, but didnt chance making for a short stint on his kart. Down the front straight the kart responded more or less to what I expected a decent handling one should do.
The front end was not as positive as mine or Steves Cates, but very predictable. This small steering wheel really sucks. It has to go. The new style wheel on the A-Bone is larger, padded, full round, and nice looking. How could Frank go wrong with one of them?
I guess Frank is some where behind me white knuckling my steering wheel. Scared to death I am going to crash his defunct ill-handling proto kart or get hurt. Watching him try to get this kart around earlier would have caused the same reaction if I was following him right now. So far this Dart kart is driving more like it should be or more like it did before Frank fixed everything and made it perfect.
I see Steve standing there in the infield watching with little interest. He does motion for me to speed up more. Then gives me a sign that Frank is only inches behind. His Westbend engine is a lot louder than the Clintons. It is hard to tell how close someone is behind me right now. I ease down on the gas and start to actually drive the kart. Not just easily coast around thru the turns.
Finally I make a whole complete lap, not including the partial lap getting on the track. Franks kart feels good and easily manageable. Steve again is motioning me to pick up the speed. So I go down on the gas and start pushing it a lot harder. Another lap down and I am starting to enjoy the extra power and predictable nature of this kart. So far Frank has not made any attempt to stop me from driving. I had expected him to stop me cold after only one lap.
Another lap and Steve is motioning for Frank to speed up. I take this time to back off slightly and let him catch up behind me. Steve motions that Frank is closing in fast. I pull out of the longer straight and go slightly wide so Frank will take the bait. He is no longer concerned for my safety, but now wants to race me. I hoped he would go for that. He buzzes right on by and I pull tightly in behind him.
I expected Frank to park and drag race at the end of the straight, but he waited much longer than where he would normally hit the brake. But this time he is more like trailing the brake pedal instead of stomping it hard. He is still really jerky, but able to maintain his speed a lot better than the last time out here. I shadow my kart thru the tight turns and wait for him to make a mistake.
His kart is really easy to drive. Not too bad to correct when over steering or getting impatient. I feel my line is smooth and controlled. Frank is pulling on the long straight again with decent speed. I am covering him like a blanket tho. His engine has a lot more wheaties than mine will ever have, but he is still doing a good job in control and leading this lap.
I am actually enjoying following him around right now. But he is very predictable when he is isnt being stupid. Right now I can tell he is unsure since not going up high on the track yet. His special driving style had kept him usually in the middle. If he bombs, I am going to pass him on the outside like Steves signature move.
Sure enough Frank gets jerky, and I commit to the outside. In one clean swoop, I buzz around Frank in his indecision on where to brake. It was an easy move, since I have been watching him drive so much. Instead of hanging back and toying with Frank, I decided to find out what his kart can do. It was a hard decision, but I think I made a good choice.
I was screaming like a girl at an Elvis concert. The speed of his engine compared to what I am used to was over the top and thrilling beyond words. I could really enjoy racing at this speed. It is likely closer to any real professional racing I will ever get the chance to experience. For now it is more than good.
A few laps later I see Frank pulled off the track. Oh well guess my day of fun on his kart is just about over with. Steve is also running back to the pits as Frank is motioning him in. Wonder what he is up to now? Another pass by the pits and Steve is giving me the go faster sign, then holds out the stop watch.
COOL, I get to make a full no holes barred lap. Pedal to the metal, as the pros say. I am going for the g0ld. At the start finish line, I duck down slightly and focus on nothing but making a fast lap time. Not trying to push myself, more than relaxing and let the kart do what it does best.
Everything goes silent but the wind past my ears and roar of Franks Westbend. The tires are making a light squalling sound thru the tighter turns. Then pulling on to the back straight and go faster than I have ever gone in my life. Wow this feels so awesome. But all good things must come to an end. I see Steve giving me the thumbs up and motion to come in.
Back in the pits, Frank is shaking his head. I get up out of his kart and hang a big grin on my face. Thanks Frank, your kart is awesome. Any chance you might let Steve take a spin around? I am sure he would really enjoy it too. Frank just stands there in a very non descript stance. He reaches over to me and grabs my neck with both his hands. Then picks me up and lands me against a steel beam holding up the shed roof over the impound area.
Frank looks like he is possessed for some reason. He isnt talking or much even breathing. Just staring deep into my eyes enough to cause me to almost piss in my pants. I was starting to get really scared. I dont know what he was thinking just then. But the wild smirk and deep set of his eyes was more than spooky enough. Picked up by my neck and legs just dangling inches off the ground even got Steve really freaked out.
You think I am a dumb arse yankee? Hee hee! You little smart ass. Your buddy over there told me your game plan. He spilled his guts to me after I threatened to peel off his toenails with pliers. I wasnt born yesterday you know. But right now I cant decide to strangle you or thank you for helping me today. Frank was choking me, not so I couldnt breathe but just cutting the circulation off to my brain. I was feeling light headed in a funny way.
So instead Frank acts like a big old lap dog. He sticks out his tongue, gives a nasty lick across my forehead and then drops me back down on the ground. Can he get any more disgusting? Now the blood is coming back to my head. Things were getting dark there for a moment. I thought Frank just swatted me with his tongue. Gross! How nasty just thinking about that.
Sorry kid, didnt realize I cut off your circulation so much. Sort of got carried away for a moment. So how did she handle? You looked really fast and smooth out there. I guess you think you are pretty smart trying to pull that one over on me. Well you did. And did a good job covering you backside too. The whole time I was out there earlier with your bud, all I could think about was what the heck happened to my kart.
She handled so well last time out. I didnt do anything but fix some compromised things that just were not right. Something went wrong obviously. How about telling me what you did to my kart while I was driving the other one out there? I am real serious and want to know exactly what you did.
I went from very scared to mad to almost laughing after realizing I had a bad vision of something that didnt happen. Thankfully it didnt. Steve would have come up from behind and put Frank one step close to meeting his maker. I know Frank is strange and has a very odd sense of humor, but sometimes I feel like death could be just around the next corner when around him. It is like having a head rush and heat rash at the same time. Sort of like the thrill of danger but not being dangerous.
I was not so mad than peeved at the moment. But very perturbed at Franks little Dr Jekel Mr Hide moment just then. So I yelled right in Franks face. So you want to know what I did to your kart to fix it? I will tell exactly what I did. Still shouting I said "But the first thing I want to say is my buddy has a name. It is not bud or your buddy. His name is Steve! He has a real name like everyone else. So use it and cut your crap.
And one more thing. My name is not kid or kiddo. It is Terry! Use it like everybody else does or take a hike. All of this was right in Franks face and way too close. I looked over at Steve to see the most bewildered expression on his face just then. At that point it was too hard for me to keep a straight face and busted out laughing just hard as I could. Steve immediately fell in line behind me. Frank was now the one with the look of complete surprise.
In a more calm tone I told Frank that the blank look on his face was very natural for him. He should practice using it more often. With this remark Steve went off the deep end laughing at Frank. But Frank was not laughing back this time. We were now laughing at him, instead of with him.
Frank looked at both of us and I saw his blood vessels start pulsing on his neck and forehead. Then he busted out at both of us. OK, STEVE....uh....TERRY, just FORK both of you. Frank walked off across the pits and back outside the fence to that big old tree again. This is one time I cant tell if Frank was mad, serious, embarrassed or all of the above. His type of humor borderlines on total insanity. But this time might be more than borderline. It did shut me and Steve up just quite as a Timex watch at that moment.
Frank was sitting out there under the shade tree. His Volkswagen had been parked there all day with the windows down. He was just sitting on the ground taking it easy and looking up at the sky. Was he really mad at us for ganging up on him? I wasnt yet ready to find out which one tho.
Me and Steve sat down by our karts in the hot sun quietly mumbling about nothing in particular to each other. We were shocked, surprised, and slightly uncomfortable about some of the events today. You know Steve, Frank said FORK YOU. When he is really mad the cuss words usually start flying. But not this time.
Eventually we agreed to go over and apologize to Frank, if we felt to be in the wrong. But not giving up anything until we were sure. Together me and Steve headed over to the shade tree where Frank seemed to be enjoying himself a little too much. When we got there Frank was sitting next to an ice chest. Woof, woof, woof. You guys want a beer? There were three empties sitting on the ground next to him. If you down a couple really fast, might get a cool buzz. It dont last long but sure does feel good.
So today was pretty fun. You guys are a riot together. You do know I can take both of you on separately and tear you apart. But together you are a tough pair of nuts to crack. Reminds me of my brother. We would sit around and mock yelling and fighting each other just to see how everyone else around would respond. Sometimes they thought we were going to kill each other. Those were fun times. But eventually we had to grow up and become useful minions in the big grind.
So what all did you do to get my kart working so well? Your buddy, uh sorry, Steve told me your lap time was over three seconds faster than either of you had run here before. Then told me that is more than four seconds faster than I had run last time. I am too happy right now to be mad about you fixing my screw ups. But I should be mad at me, not at you two punks.
How about we all take a few laps together in a little while. I need to let this beer pass thru me first. Sure you guys dont want one? It is awfully hot today. Dont see how you can stand this weather all the time. It would make me miserable growing up in this kind of heat non stop all summer. Glad I have an indoor job with air conditioning most of the day.
As usual Frank has again left me not quite figuring him out. I dont know when to be really scared or other times just laugh it off. Neither one fits the equation with him. At first I thought maybe just feel him out and make sure he was harmless.
Now I really think he could snap at any moment then me and Steve become just a statistic on some police report. Other times, I almost think he is acting normal. Well, normal for a yankee. What can I say, this is the south. That is the way things have always been. And for good reason. Right now Frank being that reason.
After a few minutes of Frank blabbering on, I thought getting some more track time sounded more desirable than listening to him. After Frank has a few beers, you can only take so much. We could wait a while if he doesnt drink any more. Until then, get back to working on the karts so nothing breaks today.
Lets do it Frank. Me and Steve are going to beat on the karts some more. Join us when you are ready. You might want to check over your kart while there is some free time. I do want to talk about some things you might want to fix anyway.
Wow, Frank sure is a strange duck. I acknowledged Steve with a nod. Yea, but he is very entertaining sometimes too. Today I think he surprised both of us. We were completely caught off guard for that off witted humor of his. Well off witted something. He would starve as a comedian, but might thrive as a psychopathic narrator for a horror flick.
Me and Steve went over our karts checking everything that turned moved slid or rotated. Every bolt and nut was checked out carefully. This is something we thought would be a good idea when time allowed just like if we were actually at the track on a race day. Get into this habit and just about eliminate trouble when it really mattered.
Sometime about 30 minutes later Frank casually joined us with his presence. His kart was still sitting under the awning over at the impound area. I had lost track of time and didnt think about spending a few minutes checking over his kart. After the run I had made earlier, sure didnt want something to screw up while Frank took it for a few more laps.
I didnt want anything happening to his kart. Because I wanted Steve to get the chance of driving it today. That would get Steve back on board with Frank driving his kart earlier too. I think he was still a little put off with me about that. He didnt say anything, but just something you can tell from hanging around each other so much of the time.
So junior rookie kart specialist tuner, what is it you think I should take care of on my kart there? Oh hey Frank, glad you decided to join the living again. Come over here, I want you to look at this. See your steering shaft? When you tried to drive it around earlier it got bent up really bad. Somehow you managed to actually twist the shaft and bend it over to one side.
Me and Steves kart have a 5/8 inch steering shaft. You still have the smaller one like older karts had. More and more are coming with the bigger type. I am surprised your kart even has the small shaft. Since it is a prototype, I would have thought maybe build it like the next models would be done.
That steering wheel is too small for me to get a good feel for when I drove it earlier. I am so used to that big butterfly wheel on the Cates. This one is just hard to handle. Azusa and Rupp both have really cool new style wheels that would be easy enough to change out on your kart.
I noticed this smaller steering shaft has bronze bushings to ride in. By removing them a bigger shaft should fit right in its place without having to butcher any part of the frame. You might be able to slightly bore the welded sleeve over size and make a small insert from bushing material. Then it would be just like it is now but a lot stronger.
One more thing I didnt like is those small cast aluminum pedals. Instead of my foot pushing forward, just feels like I am stepping down on top of it. I think these have been on all of the earlier models Rupp made. At least in the advertisements I have seen in some older issues of kart magazines. The new model A-Bone has taller pedals made from 3/8 inch round stock. I saw several different karts with this type last spring at a race one weekend.
I guess the next thing you are going to tell me is the color of paint is wrong too. I let you drive my kart one time and you become a professional critic. He looked over at me with a serious face then just grinned.
OK you make good sense. I will look into what is available and maybe take your advice. So far it has been solid enough. But dont let it go to your head. I see guys in my field of expertise doing it all the time. Doesnt turn out so well sometimes.
Is there anything else not to your liking? Well Frank, you had the throttle linkage sort of jacked up. How so kid? I adjusted it so the throttle shaft on carburetor doesnt get snapped off. That is the right way of preventing it from happening. Yea Frank you are right. But went about it the wrong way.
You see the throttle linkage here where the 1/4 inch rod goes thru this return spring? It travels too far like you said. You adjusted the slack in your cable to carburetor. I stacked extra washers here so the spring completely bottoms out instead. Then leave just a slight amount of slack in the cable. Now your pedal doesnt travel so far and get caught under the tie-rod like happened earlier. I also swapped the short tie-rod back over to the right side spindle, like it was last time we ran.
OK, you went the extra mile there fixing the throttle linkage. I wasnt thinking that far ahead and did it simply by adding the slack. You did your homework there and seems to be the better solution. I cant argue with you on this at all. So for now lets quit discussing the kart and get some laps down. You have put almost as many laps on my kart as I have since buying it. I need to change that like quickly. How bout we get out there and burn some asphalt.
Before firing up the karts all three of them got a good soaking on the chains and gas was topped off. Frank was determined to sell us on his special mix of chain oil. I fired up both Frank and Steve and they jumped out on the track, like the green flag just dropped. I yanked mine over a few times until it fired up. Since changing to the bigger carburetor, it takes more effort to get started. Hope it doesnt cause any problems later on. Oh well time for some fast laps in my own kart this time.
I was surprised to see Frank tucking in behind Steve. He wasnt trying to pass or push him. Just staying a short distance behind, but close enough to nearly be his shadow. I wonder if Frank realizes his driving had improved a lot when following someone else. It makes sense or he would be trying to dominate us out here. Or maybe he is just buzzed from the beer earlier.
It didnt take long to catch up to them. Steve was giving it a good run, but both me and Frank have a lot more power to work with now. Guess the next thing to do on Steves kart is change out the carburetor and maybe open up the intake manifold even more than already has been done, if possible.
As much fun it would be to hammer on Franks back bumper, I still wanted to stay running with Steve. So long as Frank followed Steve I would just put the pressure on both of them. Become a moving chicane that they have to work around to run a good fast lap. I dont guess we are going to get any more lap times taken today either. It would be cool to have the information, but today is about done. We accomplished a lot even without making any real changes to our karts.
I learned a bunch just working on Franks kart tho. After driving my kart again, I see now that some small adjustments could be made to Franks kart and help it handle even better. But that is with me driving at a much light weight. With Frank behind the wheel, everything changes. Not from just the weight difference, but also driving styles.
So the rest of this afternoon was really uneventful. We took turns swapping places back and forth. I was able to hang with Frank a lot easier this time out. With his slight driving improvement, the added power my motor has now is what was needed. But after Frank lead a lot of laps he started back into the drag race and brake style again. This is when I took the opportunity to pull ahead and get him to follow me for a while.
When Steve took the lead again, me and Frank ended up battling each other for position behind Steve. It worked out really cool. Whoever passed Steve would loose. We had to beat up on each other without passing Steve. It took some time to work out a strategy that could beat Frank, but not pass Steve. Really turned out to be more challenging that I originally thought at first.
On one turn I could go really high and then my kart would scrub off a lot of speed. Frank chose to stay low and keep hooked up better. But I could get past him and tuck in right behind Steve, then block Frank from pulling back in line. This turned out great practicing like there was traffic to work thru. I dont know how things could have ended up better after all the troubles and strange happenings that took place earlier today.
We made a pit stop and this time I was done. Steve took out Franks kart and Frank drove mine. I could not believe that Frank actually offered Steve the chance to drive his kart. Definitely not in Franks character. He totally caught me off guard again. For the remainder of the day Frank and Steve put on a good showing. When Frank took the lead, he started back in to his old ways and slowed down.
Steve took every opportunity to use Frank and practice passing him and lead for a few laps. Then let Frank back around to beat on his back bumper. It might be possible that Frank could change his driving style for the better. Just going to take a long time practicing or at least him following someone else that is driving a good line for him to follow.
It turned out to be a lot later this time at the track before we called it a day. Mom was running way behind schedule picking us up too. The sun was nearly setting in the west. It was so much later than we expected to stay. Fortunately mom had already called Steves mom and let her know he was staying around late or even spending the night. It was now his choice either way.
We tried to load up in a hurry, but mom told us to slow down. It was already too late for her to get back and cook tonight. So she already decided to stop on the way home and grab a big bucket of fried chicken for supper. Steve was more than agreeable to spend the night.
There would be plenty of extra chicken for seconds and thirds. Not to mention a raid on the fridge later on. We have not hung out for a long while, so neither of us would get tired of the other for just one night. Life is good and we might start racing soon. That would be great.
No sooner had we loaded everything into the back of the Ranchero and heading home, Steve was all in my face about getting his engine set up the same as mine. I have to admit, the difference between our two engines running now was way more than expected. It would be awesome having both karts running about the same speed again, but just a little faster next time.
I had already enlarged the reed openings on those stock manifolds. It made a big difference. There is still more they can be opened up. Maybe this could help even better, then put it on Steves engine. This may not increase performance as much as that Palmini intake manifold with a pyramid reed, but certainly would be in the right direction.
It will be simple enough to copy the modified HL-66 carburetor, so Steves engine has one too. But my brain keeps asking why just stop there? Go ahead and modify the ports, swap out to an E-65 piston, and weld counterweights on to the crankshaft. If doing some of the modifications, why not do all that I can?
Once again this gets right in the way of making it out to the track so we can actually race against the others in our class. Why is this so hard to do? We have spent most of the summer just getting two karts together and actually running fairly well. Sure dont know if they will be competitive or not. But until we are both out there and actually competing, no way to find out.
If I go to this much trouble, why not build a couple of the E-65 engines and run in the faster junior A-standard class? These motors sure wont be very competitive as they are, so modifying should get them a lot closer. Argh! Why does this have to get so complicated? Stick to the original plan and focus on actually racing!
That big ole bucket of fried chicken for supper sure did the trick. Mashed potatoes were good, but the gravy made them so much better. I am stuffed. Me and Steve head back out to the garage and start arguing about what to do again, and again.
We are getting no where arguing over trivial things this way. Originally we would have been ecstatic just to start racing in any class. Now we have some options but need to agree on something and stick to only one plan.
After a lot more discussion, we sort of decided to stay with only one class for now. Steve had suggested I go take one of the faster engines and do whatever I wanted with it. Then run it in the A-standard junior class, but he wanted to stay with the bushing class for now.
At first that seemed like a good idea, but then we couldnt really practice together to help get faster for either class. We needed to stick with only the one class. This way it would be a lot easier to set up both the karts. We could use each other to better our own driving skills. With each change we make, it would be obvious if this helped or not.
One of the downsides of running in the faster class, well there are actually two that come to mind right now. The first is there wasnt as many junior drivers in the faster class. I remember seeing only four of them last spring. I dont want to be running a class with only a few drivers showing up every week.
Being able to go to the track these two times practicing has really been fun and useful to prepare the karts for racing. But to start racing, we needed to focus on things like tires, chains, clutches, and making sure the engines are in top notch shape.
This sounds just like a money pit again. We spent most of the summer fixing, building and then buying everything else to getting our karts this far along. Now it is mostly money keeping us from going to the track and finally start racing.
There is another big downside bummer. Our summer break is just about over and school will be putting the brakes on any free time. Next week is orientation, then we are stuck for another school year with our heads in the books. We tried to make things happen sooner, but the amount of work needing to be done was a little bit overwhelming at first. But we did make it past the first hurdle.
Steve is caught up working with his dad finally, so now we both need to hit the neighborhood and get back to mowing yards again. Basically do any type yard work that could generate some income. I have a couple of regulars that are behind schedule right now. Sure dont want to loose those jobs due to me putting them off too long.
Over the weekend, I got back in to rhythm with the mowing. Dad mentioned that our yard was in dire need of work. I have a couple of push mowers that didnt take much tinkering to get back running. So while I am trying to catch up on some of my jobs, Steve went out in search of more work in the neighborhood.
Steve lucked out wrangling up several yards. Seems like some of the other kids doing the same thing, were not putting as much effort in to the job as me and Steve usually do. I always tried to do more than what was agreed on. Then have the people come out and confirm everything was to their liking. Sometimes we sort of screwed ourselves getting stuck with extra work, but always ended up with repeat business and occasionally a decent tip.
For the next week, we focused on nothing but work. Trying to earn enough money for buying a few things needed so our karts might be closer to finally start racing. As of now we are sticking with the junior bushing class. So long as we have two good running engines at that time, I could do what I thought best to make them faster. But within reason of course.
After going over some details, Steve agreed to buy a brand spankin new Bug Engineering connecting rod. Well that is really a Bradley rod for his engine. I would use the one we already have. There is a lot of time on this rod, but does not show any signs of wear. Hopefully this will not become a problem. Steve said he would prefer not risking his engine accidentally blowing up out there on the track when we finally do get to go racing.
After much consideration, my decision was to set up both engines the same with identical carburetors and manifolds. This should make them run about the same as before. For our backup engine, it would be built the same, but with the Palmini manifold. My thoughts on this sort of made sense to Steve. To supposedly keep the faster engine strictly as a backup. In case an engine had to be swapped out at the track, the backup would have a possible advantage in time of need.
The next week flew by and another Friday came around again. But this Friday morning, we are headed to J. L. Long Junior High School for orientation day. I have never been to this school before. It is across town in an older part of the city. Both my parents had also attended this school, so like it is really old. There is one super cool thing tho. This year I can take shop class.
Down on the lower level of this school is where most of the shops are. There is electronics, drafting, woodworking, plastics, and metal shop. For next year, I can also take power mechanics, which is in the metal shop class and includes working with small engines.
I really wanted to take the metal shop my first semester. But it was already full of other students. The ninth graders always get first choice of what shop they choose. So I ended up with either wood shop or mechanical drafting. It was a tough choice. I decided to go with mechanical drafting. But for sure, the next semester I was enrolled to take metal shop.
Me and Steve spent the rest of Friday wasting time in the garage after changing out of our new preppy clothes from the visit to school earlier in the day. Why I had to play dress up on a practice day at school made no sense to me, but most other kids did the same. I would have preferred blue jeans black tee-shirt and and my sneakers. Always comfortable and doesnt show dirt so much.
This last weekend before school started was also the last weekend of summer. Dad finally got caught up at work too. He had been asking me how things were coming with the karts. Naturally I told him the truth. I was surprised it had taken so long but very happy with what we had accomplished over the summer. Just that I was wondering if we would ever start racing.
Dad popped in right after work today inquiring about things. He started looking over the karts and wanted to know what was the holdup in getting the karts ready for their first race. Me and Steve sort of just looked at each other and not really having a good answer right then.
Well dad, nothing is really stopping us. I wanted to get a new set of tires and maybe change out some parts on Steves engine so both of them would be the same again. We have everything else more or less covered. I guess nothing is really holding us up except a ride out to the track....
So you boys think that your karts would be competitive enough to race tomorrow night? If you think so, may be just the right motivation to help getting those karts to the track. What do you say? Will your tires hold up for a race or two until you can buy some new ones? This is just hypothetical of course. The weatherman is saying tomorrow it is supposed to be raining most of the day.
Just then I had to beat my knuckles against my head. To really make sure I heard what dad had just said. No problem dad. My tires are good enough for at least one race. Steve, are you interested in finally racing tomorrow night? I didnt get a response from him at all. He was just about to hyperventilate before blurting out, HECK YEA MAN!!!!! Uh, sorry sir, Yes sir! As Steve gave his answer directly to dad.
If I dont have to remind you the yard needs to be mowed again, and weather permitting of course, then maybe we could make a trip to the track tomorrow night and I can see for myself how good you have these karts running. That is if you are really interested in racing. I am beginning to think you guys like to tinker with your karts and just bench race more than you actually want to drive them.
On this Friday afternoon, starting off the final weekend of summer, I decided to mow the yard. Even without being told to do it. Well after dad had made that suggestion, it seemed like the perfect time to mow the yard. Steve also had no problem with helping out today. We finished in record time and even pulled the weeds along the fence line. Then for some strange reason, we also bagged the grass and swept the patio and driveway. That was a forever first.
The afternoon was late, but this day was not nearly over. After the yard work, we decided to set the karts up for racing. Nothing different this time. Just making sure no surprises would pop up out there. I had been using up all of the old chains and piecing them together, so not to break open a new box. This was good a time as any to put my only new box of REX chain on the kart. Steve had almost new chain on his kart and was more than good.
There was no chance I could modify another carburetor in time for tomorrow nights debut race, so went a different route. At first I thought about letting Steve have the advantage using the Palmini intake manifold, and I would keep the modified carburetor. But I had no idea if or which one really helped out the most. Or worse if one might not work nearly as well without the other. Thats what happens when you make more than one change at a time.
Instead I removed Steves intake manifold and opened it up a lot more than was done from the first attempt. Then did the same to the other one already removed from my engine. Now the hard part was not using my cool looking modified carburetor for this weekend. I replaced it with the old Tillotson HL-15 that had been on my engine previously.
Now both of our engines were back to about the way they were before. We should be running roughly the same speed again. The big suck is I would now be noticeably slower than on our last practice day. I now know how much faster we should be with the other carburetor. So this means we wont be nearly as fast for our first race as we have been practicing already.
Saturday morning came soon enough. I was awoken to the sound of a hard rain beating down on the roof. Usually the sound of rain is really easy to sleep thru. But not today. Looking out the window, it was pouring down. As of right now today was going to be a complete wash. But it was possible the storm could pass thru and clear out later in the day.
Not being overly optimistic, but crossing my fingers, I went ahead and mosied back out to the garage and finished up swapping everything over. Most of it was already finished, but I wanted to double check all of the work we had done. Maybe round up some things that could be useful in case tonight worked out after all.
Steve dropped in shortly after I opened the garage door. I wonder how he does that all the time? I didnt think he can see the garage in direct line of sight from his house. There are a lot of trees in the way, but his timing is awfully suspect some days.
Hey man, what up? I had just finished sweeping some fallen leaves off the driveway and figured you would be out here working. Sure enough. Did you notice the rain stopped pouring down a little while ago? You think there is a chance we get to race tonight?
Dont have a clue. You tell me what the weatherman said for today? Sure would be neat if it does dry up so we can go. If it does, I think the karts are ready as they can ever be. I want to start them both up and make sure everything works after doing all that stuff to them last night. That would really suck if we get out there and the karts dont run right. Especially if from something I had changed out.
Clouds, more rain, sunshine, more clouds, more drizzle and later the sky cleared out what looked to be for good. It was close to three o'clock already. The rain had stopped and sun was now out. Bright and hot too. It went from what felt like a cool fall day back to the muggy summer afternoon I had grown up with. Dad came walking in the garage and said if we were going to race tonight, then maybe try to look a little more enthusiastic about it.
That was enough to bring me around. We spent the next hour sorting everything out and figuring how to get our karts and all of the equipment loaded. What gives? Didnt this stuff fit the last two times? Except we didnt bring some of this extra junk. You know all that "just in case" stuff. We had a lot more going out to the track this time. But wanted to make sure anything could be fixed that might give trouble.
For some reason I had a bad case of butterflies in my stomach. It got much worse the closer we drove to the track. Steve was quiet when we pulled in the parking lot. I asked what was up. He said nothing, but did feel a little bit queezy in his stomach. Maybe had been something he ate earlier.
Steve you feel like you might want to throw up but not really? Yea man, did we both eat the same food today? No dummy, you got a bad case of the butterflies. I dont know man, maybe I should take a trip to the john. Hey, be back in a few.
Wow, just getting out and walking around made me feel a lot better. So what do we need to do before racing tonight? Dad said get the truck unloaded and also to go register and I need to pick up an extra pit pass for him.
OK, then you go register first and I will get to unloading everything.
It took all the money I brought out here today just to cover everything and get registered. That wiped out most of the ten dollars in my pocket. We needed numbers too. That is something I had completely forgotten about. Hey Steve, we have a special drivers meeting with the grid steward.
Since this is our first race out here, they want to go over the rules and flags. That kind of stuff. You mean we gotta take a test or something? No Steve, just make sure we know what the flags and hand signals mean. I finished moving everything to the pits.
Now it was Steves turn to go get registered. I took this opportunity to give the karts another once over, one more time. No matter how many times you check things out, there is always something overlooked. Or maybe this is just a way for me not to feel so nervous tonight.
You owe me big, Steve said after returning from the registration building. I had to draw for your position, since you didnt already do that. You got second row inside, and I ended up with third row outside. Their program for regular weekend races does not time trial. You draw for position in the first heat race. Then they invert for the second. The line up for third heat is determined by results from the first two heats.
Then he handed me a piece of paper with a big X on it. Guess what rookie, you get to put this on the back of your helmet tonight. We have to wear an X for at least the next three races and maybe longer depending how bad we suck at it. Wow Steve, second row? Really?
Hey man, just relaying what they told me. Thems the rules for us noobies you know. Oh yea one other thing. We get to start in the back of the pack. As in all three heats tonight. Possibly for the next three times we race out here. This is the part that sucks the most. But that is what I was made aware of after the lady doing registration realized we had not raced out here before.
WOW, that does suck. No matter how well we do, it back to the back every time. No worry, we will probably just end at the back of the pack anyway. Start last, finish last. That is some consistency. At least we can have our own race out there tonight. Things could be worse Steve. We could be out here with Frank again and dealing with that kind of misery.
Our class was the number 6 race in line running tonight. There was a couple of the same drivers also running in the A-standard junior class. We get the chance to see how well they drive before having to compete against them later on. Anytime I have a chance to size up the competition, it was worth the effort. You can learn a lot watching their driving habits and how they react to other karts. A good way to know what to expect when running next to them.
The first thing I wanted to watch was how the starts were done. Not just seeing the flagman, but what the drivers did right before and after the green flag dropped. Things looked fairly predictable on the first races. Mostly for the single engine classes. The duals and big engine classes, well all bets were off on them. There was no way to predict what they would do when the green flag was waved.
The other classes, I noticed just how bunched up everyone was. They had sped up anticipating the green flag, but nothing really changed all the way down the straightaway. For the most part, the pack just stayed bunched up. There were a few drivers that bumped and fought, but the rest of them sort of fell in single file right before the turn at the end of the straight.
Steve, I got an idea. Starting at the very back might not be so bad tonight. Are you seeing how all of the drivers stay in line down the straight there? Nobody is challenging until the very end. But at the end could make for a big pile up if someone doesnt want to give up position or move over.
I know its a lot harder when out there running on the track than racing from the fence here. But if we hang back just a little bit, well it involves a really good guess on when the flag is going to drop. But if it doesnt, then you just gotta brake super hard to keep from banging into the driver ahead of you.
Huh? What the heck are you talking about? You lost me before the first turn. Steve gave me a real puzzled look just then. OK, Steve, For the first heat, lets just follow everyone else, doing exactly the same, and see how it goes. But if what I am thinking works out, we might have some fun racing tonight. That is if we can keep from taking each other out.
It is time for our race. My stomach is churning and feeling anything but comfortable right now. I am nervous as anytime I can remember. Even more nervous than that one night getting my first chance to actually drive a kart. I notice Steve is pacing in circles around his kart, obviously not worried in the slightest. Yea right.
Man, this is nerve racking. Is that heat race ever going to be over? Finally, the last lap! We were lined up on the grid and getting seated in our karts. The grid steward twirled his rolled up caution flag and said to start them up right as the checkered flag was dropped and waved.
Most of the karts in front of us go flying out on to the track at near full speed. Some of the drivers are doing exaggerated movements crisscrossing right and left. Everyone seems to be running like the race has already started. For the first lap the karts are scattered all the way around the track.
But after one completed lap, the lead karts slow down and that is when everyone starts lining up behind them. Me and Steve are way behind doing everything we can just trying to play catch up to the pack. Now that everyone is slowed down and starting to bunch together, we manage to fall in behind all of them.
They are all lined up very close and slightly bumping each other. At a very slow pace coming on to the long straight the flagman is holding the green flag rolled up and patting it down to keep us steady. Only the one lead kart romps down on the gas, anticipating the start, then jumps way ahead of everyone else.
The flagman immediately holds up a finger and puts the green flag behind his back. We are now zooming at near full speed, around the track again. Then slow back down to bunch up coming on to the straightaway like the last attempt. On this lap the lead driver dont try to jump the start. Instead he actually holds back everyone really slow as we pull on to the long straight.
This time the flagman dropped it just as the majority of the pack had pulled out of the turn. The leaders were the only two karts that had straightened out and already accelerating while we were just now exiting the turn. The flagman didnt seem to care about any of the other karts not yet caught up. This did let the lead two drivers getting a good run early enough to put some distance between them and everyone else.
I see we might need to have a strategy for the starts. Looks like is would be easy for the lead karts to totally screw with the other drivers behind them. This got me to thinking about our rookie driver instruction class we had to attend right before the races began tonight. The grid steward and flagman gave use the usual lowdown of how the races were run. The flagman also made clear that he controls the start of the race, not the drivers.
It was discussed in detail on how he wanted the pack to line up. How the pace was to be set and he alone would decide, if everyone was lined up to his liking, when to drop the flag. If there were stragglers in the back that were not up with the rest of the pack, did not matter. This was the drivers responsibility to be in position. A driver could hold up a finger if not ready, but that was usually only going to happen if most of the pack was still spread out a lot.
There was a fairly large group of us noobies tonight in the meeting together. I figured out several drivers were not first time racers like me and Steve, but maybe had never raced here at this track before. Regardless of experience everyone new to the track had to go thru the same ritual. So we were told. Not all of the other drivers had X's on their helmets. I didnt see any others here that would be in either of the junior classes.
One driver that was definitely not new to racing wanted some clarification to exactly when the race started. Basically asking when the green flag was dropped then if it is full on racing? He had mentioned something about another tracks rules that a kart had to maintain position until after they passed the start finish line. Not just when the green flag dropped.
The flagman said that they no longer start the race when standing out in the center of the track. In the past, you had to cross the start finish line before legally passing another competitor. There had previously been several incidents involving the flagman and serious injuries.
Now they start the race on one side of the track. Another thing the flagman mentioned is a driver can not have two wheels off the track just to make a pass at the start. That was considered circumventing the track or taking a short cut, for those of us less edumacated, according to the flagman.
The flagman went further to clarify some other details about the starts and driving off the track. In certain circumstances, it is allowed if there is a situation where you cant stop quickly enough in a safe manor or move forward without causing or being involved in an altercation. So long as you dont gain position, then it was legal to leave the track at the start. But this would be at the discretion of the flagman, grid steward or corner marshal.
So if I understand everything tonight, when the green flag drops the bullcrap stops. The driver in pole position sets the pace. If the two lead karts cant run a steady pace or stay lined up, they get rotated to the back and the next row of karts moves forward.
Two wheels off the track to make a pass at the start is not allowed. But is allowed if avoiding a wreck, so long as you dont gain position. That makes no sense to me. Of course this is all at the discretion of said flagman. If you piss him off, he WILL let you know about it. This is mostly what I understood from the meeting.
Since me and Steve are way back here in the back, nobody is going to care if we are not bunched up with rest of the other drivers. This is what I was hoping for. But until I get some real racing time on the track, what I was thinking is pure speculation on my part. It may not even be possible to pull off what is working in my head right now. But if I am right.....
Back to earth since the green flag had just dropped. All of the guys in front of us sort of got caught off guard. The two leaders jumped way ahead right from the start. For the next few laps me and Steve more or less play follow the leader. As much fun it would be to try and push ourselves to the limit, we will still start the next heat race in the back.
I saw no other option but sit back and feel out our first few laps. If there was an opening then take it, but otherwise lets try and at least take the checkered flag instead of pushing back in to the pits from poor judgement on our part. It didnt take long to figure out that most of the drivers were much slower than us. Steve immediately went wide and around two very slow karts.
Another lap and I was back behind him. He got a little impatient and tried to pass another driver. That kart was just evil looking going thru some of the tighter turns. He ran decent down the straights, but was nothing but a moving chicane everywhere else. Steve lost momentum from his attempt, and went wide trying to keep from hitting that other kart. This left a hole wide open for me to get underneath both of them.
Steve got back focused and was able to make an easy pass at the next turn and closing right back in behind me now. There are three karts directly ahead of us. Then way ahead of them are the two leaders. Of the twelve entries, we got by two of them that were asleep at the start, two more not running very fast, and then one kart that wasnt handling very well. For our first attempt out here racing, so far it was somewhat exciting and fun.
At the half way point the flagman gives us crossed green and checkered flags. Now there are four remaining laps. We have been catching up to this pack of three. None of these guys are really trying to pass each other right now. More or less playing follow the leader. All of them were holding a very defensive line and choking down on the inside of every turn.
Steve is right on my bumper and keeps slightly tapping the back of my kart. With two remaining laps, I see a chance of making a pass. Steve is probably getting antsy and I figure he is also wanting to make another pass before this heat race is over. On the outside of the long straightaway turn looks like might be a good place to make that move. He really likes to pass there. Since no one in this group is really challenging each other, the outside of this sweeping turn is wide open.
When me and Steve are running in line with each other, we can gain a little bit more speed. This one lap I come on to the straight and try my best to duck down and keep myself very low in the kart. Steve is shadowing close to my rear bumper as possible. From the amount of distance we are closing in on this small pack of three, both of us would need to let off the gas not to slam right into the back of them. So now is the perfect chance to make that pass.
At the end of the long straight we are running much faster right up behind the others now. Instead of going low like like they had been consistently doing, we both shoot out high to the outside. I am betting everything we can make a clean pass. Coming down the straight, this was my plan if we closed up on them quick enough.
At the end when I went high to the outside, Steve stayed right behind me in this fast sweeping turn. The track is very wide here and tho risky, three karts could possibly run side by side. But at speed, passing three karts inline at once, may be pushing things a little bit too much.
We really lucked out since the other drivers never saw it coming. They were just focused on each other or what was directly in front of them. We both went around on the outside and squeezed in front before the tighter right hander just ahead. We pulled far enough in front of them to stay clear of everyone. But passing the leader of this pack I see the kart did start to swerve and jerk like the driver sort of panicked and almost lost control.
We get lucky, make a ballsy pass and end up staying inline with each other for the remainder of the last lap. We pulled away and ended up finishing third and fourth position taking the checker flag. I did see those other two karts were several lengths ahead of us.
Aside from the experience of driving, this did nothing for our position, since we would be starting in the back again. The two karts in the lead ran away with it since no one else was up there with them. They were not really that far ahead. I did notice how much they were beating themselves up in every turn trying to take the lead from each other.
It would have been smarter to use a few of those laps getting some distance on the rest of the pack first. Well that is something I thought would have made sense. But this is my first race, and cant say what I would have actually done. Since I have not been in any type of racing situation yet.
As we pull off the track back in to the pits, the two lead karts have already stopped and sitting up ahead side by side. Thats when I noticed both of them were running Westbends. Wow that did make me feel a lot better. Even with the gutzy move we just pulled off, I didnt know what to expect for our first race. You always want to finish good as possible, so I should be very excited.
It sure didnt bother Steve for me to get around him earlier. We both should be elated about what just happened. My brain is already working on how to do better in the next heat race. Me and Steve get out of the kart and he gives me a big high five. That was awesome man. I dont see that last pass could have been planned any better out there either. Just about then, I see the grid steward marching over our way. With a rolled up caution flag in hand he is pointing to both of us and yelling something.
Steve is in his own little world of racing extasy right now. I am feeling a pit in my stomach as the grid steward approaches with a dirty scowl on his face. Hey Steve, we got company. Steve had just removed his helmet and was swinging it around wide to set it over in his seat. The grid steward had just walked up behind him a little bit too close and almost gets knocked over by accident. Ohs noes, we is in trouble for sures now.
Even before the grid steward regains his ba1ance, he is yelling about something. You two boys get over here right now! Just what the hell do you think you were doing out there? The flagman told me you guys were really running way over your heads in that turn.
He says that was stupid and reckless as he has ever seen on this track. If I see or hear from the flagman that either of you try more of that kind of bonehead driving anywhere out there, well expect to be loading up and cashing out of here early tonight. DO BOTH of YOU understand me? Do you?
No sooner had mr grid steward spouted off, my dad shows up and asking him exactly what the problem was. He explained that our little stunt caused a wreck involving three other drivers in that turn. I am not going to put up with this wreckless behaviour like what they just pulled out there. These two boys have been warned and no second chances if anything else involving us happens like that again. Game over!
Alright I am now trying to figure out what we did that was so terrible? Then I asked what did we do that was actually wrong? He gets more red in the face and goes off yelling right at us again. Are you kidding me? You DONT pass three karts at one time like that on the track. It is just plain reckless. Not to mention the pileup you two caused after that stunt.
I then said we didnt hit anyone out there. We went high on the outside and not close to any of the other drivers. If anything were to happen, we would have just spun off the track. What was wrong with that? We both made a clean pass and didnt force anyone out of their line either. Just about this time, a corner marshal had walked up to the impound area where all this commotion was taking place.
He patted me and Steve on the back and said what a great move that was out there. He was very impressed with how well both of us worked together to set up and pass those slower karts so cleanly. We handled ourselves really well. Especially on the outside like that. This is when the grid steward started yelling at the corner marshal. Are you blind? These two kids nearly caused a major catastrophe out there. It is lucky that those three other drivers managed to keep from getting seriously hurt.
From behind me and at a very high pitched tone I heard,+ Wow, that was so amazing! I turned around and saw another driver that had pushed his kart up behind us. I think he was one of the three we had just passed. You guys sure caught us off guard. I didnt even know anyone was next to us. That was a bad to the bones pass as I have ever had pulled on me. But I screwed up out there. Like big time.
Did you guys get into a wreck after we made that pass? I thought we were clear of everyone?
The kid then looks over at the grid steward and says in that same high pitch, Hey Fish, what are you so mad about? Wasnt that some awesome pass these guys made on us? I was only focused directly in front of me. They caught me so off guard and went right around. Oh I am sorry for that screw up. It was my fault for loosing it out there. I wasnt thinking about getting passed on the outside of that turn. Really all my bad.
So did we cause you guys to wreck out there? Heck no!, he says. I screwed up by hitting the brakes and then the other guys sort of had no where to go. We bounced and banged in to each other, but still made it thru the turn without any other mishaps. I just choked out there. Looking at both of us, he put his hands around his neck pretending to gag while stumbling backwards.
Then the kid turns directly facing me and holds out his hand. My name is &$*#..er. With a few karts still running and the commotion taking place I couldnt make out what he was saying. But did shake his hand and reply back. Glad to meet you. My name is Terry. The other guy there is my buddy Steve. We were having some fun tonight. I hope I didnt spook you too much. It was sort of a last minute decision. Maybe not such a good idea now thinking about it.
Are you kidding? You guys were impressive out there. I was just surprised seeing both of you driving around me on the outside at the same time. Then just pulled right back in front like running on rails. I mean not a mistake at all. How long have you two been racing? Do you guys usually run the regionals or something like that? Dont think I have ever seen you race out here before.
By this time the grid steward had stopped yelling so much and walked away from the crowd talking alone to the corner marshal. I couldnt make out what they were saying, but both arguing and speaking over each other. Um, do what? Me and Steve hitting the bigger races? You are joking, right? We both look at each other and start laughing really loud. This other kid got very red faced and quieted down.
Dude, I am sorry, not laughing at you, but what you said. This is our very first race ever. We have been working all summer trying to get something together and hoping to start racing soon. We have only been out to make a couple of practices so far just to shake the bugs out of our karts.
This kart here was a complete disaster when I first got it. Steves kart is a near perfect copy of this one. Well after this one had almost been fixed. All we have been talking about is some day to start racing. For the last six months, we have been trying to make it happen. So tonight is out first debut. Oh by the way, I really had a blast out there.
Steve butted in now and mentioned about how tough it was committing to actually make that pass. I was scared to death we might screw it up. But once deciding to go for it, my kart seemed to know exactly what to do. So I was just out there for the ride. And what a fun ride it was.
OK Steve you are being a little too modest there. That is your signature move if anybody has one. I was certain you were going to follow me thru no matter what. Even if I was driving over my head. I sure would have followed you without any hesitation. But then thought if I chickened out you would probably run right over the top of me. So if I screwed up, it would not turn out so well for either one of us.
Man, when you shot up high, I knew exactly what you were getting ready to do. So I stayed on the gas and followed just deep as I could. If you screwed up then you would have spun off the track without affecting anyone else. And I might have followed right off behind you too. But more than likely would have made a clean pass without your lead.
Even before you actually committed to making that pass, I was pushing hard on your bumper and hoping you were going to try something before the race was over. The other karts never even changed their line. If any one of them would have made a move, I would have no where to go. But then everything just went in slow motion. We made good on the pass and able to pull in front of them without causing any problems.
I looked at Steve with a strange smirk. Yea right, you mean to tell me all of that crap was bouncing around in your head going into the turn? Yep sure was Terry, I was trying to figure out what to do just in case YOU chickened out. Then I responded back, Gee, the only thing I thought about was not spinning off the track.
Well now after thinking more about it, there was something else going thru my head. It was a brief memory at the very moment you bumped me before going into that turn. A flashback to the crash when this kart got clobbered and I didnt have a clue to what had even happened.
That had not entered my mind before now. I dont remember nothing after going air born anyway. Once the kart started spinning, I was in the DO DA DO DO twilight zone for the duration. But there have been glimpses of different things since that night that pop up in my head. This sure doesnt build up my confidence getting ready for the next heat race.
What the heck are you guys talking about? I thought this was your firt time to race out here. (the kid I still dont know his name). So have you two been racing a lot already, or not? Steve goes on to clarify things. No man, this is our first time ever to race. As in now, tonight. Just that this guy here had a small mishap last spring when he got the chance to take a test drive on a loaner kart. After he did, I didnt get the same chance.
We were here checking out the karts last April during spring break. Mr Cates had offered Terry a ride on an older model loaner kart of his. He had one, and I do mean had, a kart that a whole bunch of new drivers got to take their first laps on. But Terry found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time.
We met a kid that night who also raced and was nice enough to show Terry the line to follow out on the track. So they had been making laps and looked like he was starting to get the hang of it out there. Back in the pits it seemed that some other driver in the junior class had some unfinished business for him. Not Terry, the other guy, and caused a little upset over in the very same turn.
Wooh! Wait a minute! Are you talking about the one guy who went flying off the track after the races? Wasnt he carried off in a stretcher? You are that guy? Nope, not me. He is that attention whore no driving numb nuts standing next to you. I was just a spectator witnessing a kart do some awesome flying maneuvers. And Terry managed to do all of it without even having a pilots license. Surprised the FAA didnt sweep in and do a full investigation after that unexpected solo flight of his.
Unbelievable! I was out here that night too. Afterwards we were getting ready to leave. I remember seeing David Watkins out there running with another kart. Then one guy who was always causing a scene out here, uh Greg somebody. Well he dont race here no more. I saw him pull out on the track and intentionally ram right into the left side of Davids kart. Then watched that other kart go sailing, no, it was more flying like you said, out there way past where they keep the grass cut down.
I didnt know if that guy lived or died. It looked the worst I had ever seen a wreck before too. So that is you two guys? What ever happened to the kart? I remember seeing it being drug back up to the pits. Well parts of what was left of that kart. I couldnt believe all the damage it had.
Looked more like a broken lawn chair. I was laughing thinking why would somebody put an engine on a dumb old lawn chair. Wow, a three wheeled lawn chair racer. How about a new sport? There wasnt much left that looked salvageable. At least I didnt think there was.
Are you kidding? That kart is tough as nails. Didnt take much more than a good spit polish and we got it back together easy enough. It is this kart right here. Me and Terry had that thing up and running in no time at all. OK, Steve you are stretching it just a bit there. We may have done a little bit more work to get it up and going again.
The kid yells. Hey Fish! You are not gonna believe this. Come over here. The grid steward came walking back next to where we were standing. He had finished talking to the corner marshal and still giving me the evil eye. Did you know this is the same kart that crashed last spring? You know the one where that guy was hauled off to the paramedic in a stretcher?
No I wasnt. But that is one more reason I get so worked up at times. I dont want you kids to get hurt racing on the track. These two guys here are new drivers. It is way too easy to get carried away out there and crack some heads open. It is very fortunate that nothing turned ugly out there.
But Fish, I am the one that screwed up. I was not paying attention to who was around me. You know what you are always telling me how I should be paying more attention out there. Just had my eyes focused straight ahead and nothing else.
The next heat race cant come soon enough for me with these guys running tonight. I will definitely be keeping my eyes and ears open to everything around me from now on. Fish, are you really mad at them? Or just afraid of maybe me getting hurt? Look, I am always concerned that you or anybody else could get hurt out there.
Maybe I acted a little in haste tonight. From the flag mans description, it sounded a lot worse than what the corner marshal told me. He was right on top of that turn and filled me in with a good description of what really took place. It was a lot different than the flag mans version of what had happened.
The grid steward looks back over to us. I am still keeping my eyes on you two tonight. In my opinion that is a risky place to make moves like that. Especially being the fastest turn on this track. Maybe one kart passing another, but both of you together is just too much. Next time think long before trying something like that again.
Alright all corner marshals back on the track. Time for the second heat to start. First class should be already gridded and the next class on deck. Lets get this race back underway.
Since me and Steve had no actual altercations with other karts in the first heat, we just checked over the usual stuff. Then gassed up and oiled the chains really well. After that we headed over to the fence and watched the other heat races. The second heat races that run before ours didnt have much excitement.
The lineup had been inverted from the previous heat, so it was just like a repeat with different karts leading at first. Of course that made no difference to us, since we were still way back in the back. The big question is how well those two faster drivers in our class do going thru traffic this time.
When we were gearing up for the second heat, I asked Steve if he was ready to make a super trick move at the start. I gave him the details, then he put some thought in to it before answering back. Man that sounds like a perfect setup. Especially after watching some of the junior drivers in the other class that just ran. I like the idea, but liked even more picking off karts one at a time.
Since we are starting all the way in the back, there are ten other karts still in front. I want to see how well I can run with those two guys that finished first and second. If there is a chance I can hang with them for a few laps, well that is what sounds good to me.
Since nothing is going to help our starting position for several more races, I just want to drive in traffic tonight. At least in our next heat race. Maybe we try that in the last heat. You know just in case it bombs out, we wont have to load up early if we tear everything up.
Hey Terry, if you want to still do it for the second heat, go ahead. I dont think anyone will catch on to what you are trying. But if we both attempt it at the same time, may be only one chance getting away with it.
OK Steve, I want to give it a try anyway. If I can get the jump on those two fast guys at the start, then it will take a few laps for them to make up the distance and catch back up to me. They will be stuck behind those other real slow karts anyway. Why not try to follow me just in case there is an opening. Dont try to hold back if you get a chance.
Heck, if I get a clean jump, just drop down behind me and follow thru anyway. If nothing else you could block for me and hold off those two fast guys long as possible. Maybe if I can put enough distance between you and me that they dont have enough time to catch back up and pass. Then I might end up even winning this heat. I smiled really big when saying that.
Alright man, that sounds more than doable. It wont be as obvious this way at all. If you get a good jump at the start, I will pull in right behind and hopefully nobody else tries to drive down on the inside that early. Looks like it it time to head up to the grid. Good luck with it.
This time around the flagman dropped the flag early again. But nothing like the last heat race. The front two karts were running a very slow pace. Everyone was bunched up really tight too. I had no idea of what those two fast guys running the Westbends would be planning to do at the start. It does look like they have been racing a while. Their equipment is top notch and with those faster engines, I dont stand much of a chance going head to head with either one of them alone. Much less if both of them get smart enough and start working together.
With the early start the previous leaders didnt even try to jump ahead. It really did not look like anyone was racing. Just still following each other, but now just a lot faster. Before the flag dropped, I was running close to the inside hanging back more than a kart length with Steve to my right.
Everyone else was bunched up tightly together hovering closer to the flagman on the high side of the track. I had already hit the gas and committed way before the flag did fall. In case the flag didnt come out, it would have been hard braking. Fortunately there was no one behind me, so should not have caused any problem.
With everyone bunched up so tight kept the pace very slow. I had that few extra feet to accelerate before closing the gap. When the green flag dropped I was already running much faster than everyone else.
By keeping down on the inside, I managed to pass those two fast guys directly in front, then the four karts in front of them. That was three rows I pulled ahead of with that slight difference in speed. This put me in the fifth position before even making it to the end of the straight.
I was betting on everyone staying lined up like in the previous heat. If a kart jumped out to the inside there could have been a major crash. I never got my tires even close to the edge of the track either. Why was that even going thru my head just now? Rehashing the new drivers meeting, hum? So was good to go there, if there were any complaints.
Since enough ground had been made on those two fast karts, I was optimistic they would not be banging on by bumper for another lap of two. They still had to get around those other slower karts in front, now behind me. There were four karts staying close together ahead, but I has closed right up on them easily.
It was fairly simple to pass these other karts. I just needed to be patient and wait for an opening when one of them made a major mistake. It didnt take long for the first kart in front to mess up. He tried to make a move underneath the other kart coming out of a slow turn. They bumped into each other and slid out wide, scrubbing off too much speed.
While they were trying to get straightened out and back in the groove I just slipped underneath both of them coming on the front straight. I could tell my kart was running much faster. Just needed to hold my position and take advantage of any mistake each one made.
The next two karts were also no trouble to run down. They were fighting so much with each other for position, so I pull right up behind and then stuck my nose up next to them instead of waiting for an opening. Lap five had just finished and I could not tell if anyone else was behind me very close. I kept putting the pressure on these two other karts when they were again battling for position. This ended working out very well.
On the next lap they both tried to hold their line down low and tight going in to the sweeper. I had stuck my nose in several times already, hoping to set them up. I had dropped down to the inside the previous two laps before the white flag would come out.
This time around the white flag was waving and both karts went low and stayed there. They were not fighting for position on this lap, but making sure I wasnt getting underneath them again either. We went around the rest of the way like this until coming on to the long straight again. Unfortunately, they were too close to each other.
The one guy in front of me bumped the other driver. This caused both of them to break loose and let off the gas for only a second. But that is all it takes sometimes. I stuck my nose back in there again where they had been trying to block and never let off.
I ended bumping wheels and getting banged into from behind after passing these two guys. This also kept my kart going forward instead of drifting out. So all I needed to do was stay on the gas coming off of this faster turn onto the long straight.
OK, at first maybe I should have thought this thru a little bit better. Same sort of situation as the last heat. But only two drivers getting passed by one kart this time. And on the inside for this pass. This turn is not nearly as fast driving thru as that other one. No I dont see a problem with this pass either.
Well those two guys never expected that to happen. They stayed down low and choked the turn too tight, then screwed up. Scrubbed off a lot of speed, leaving an opening that was too inviting not to stuff in the nose of my kart.
But they botched up any chance of holding their position and staying ahead. I was now leading the last lap. This was such an awesome feeling at the moment. But that didnt last long as I would have liked.
Coming up on the start finish line for the checkered flag I had a black flag waved at me and then the checker was given to the kart following closely behind. Crap. What the heck did I do this time? After making the rest of the lap, I held out my hand and disappointingly pulled off the track into the pits.
Man what is it with you and all the trouble that follows around everywhere you go? I looked around to see Steve was there. He finished right behind me. Looks like you got disqualified for some reason. Wonder if that makes me the winner? Oh man, sorry about banging into you in that last turn. I had no where to go and looked like you needed a little push anyway.
Screw them this time, I didnt do anything wrong out there.
Well somebody sure thinks you did something wrong. Who did you try to run over this time? I wasnt paying that much attention to you until those last two guys. But did what you talked about. The hole presented itself and I closed it up quick enough. Them fast two guys dont do so well in traffic. Actually both of them totally suck in traffic. They are still a few karts behind us right now. I did have a blast spending the rest of the time playing catch up to you.
One of the guys in our class came up and bumped his shoulder into mine, nearly knocking me over the rear tire I had my foot resting on. Dang you again! I heard that high pitch and knew who it was.(the kids name I still didnt find out yet), I looked around to see. Wow! You are one tough guy to race with. He had a really big grin on his face. It was obvious right then, he was not mad about anything that just happened out there.
I can hardly wait for the last heat. Are you guys going to start racing out here regular all the time? I have never had so much fun getting beat before. Well before tonight anyway. You two are a hoot to race with. Please tell me you are going to be out here racing more! With a bummed out sound in my voice responding back, Sorry but I didnt win. They gave me a black flag instead of a checker. So you did beat me this time around.
No way! What the heck for? I didnt see you do anything wrong. But I sure did learn a few things when you kept trying to make a move on me this time. I listen to guys giving driving advice and tips out here all the time, like every chance I get. But until you are actually in that situation, well it just dont click right away. Now some of that stuff is making more sense to me.
The next class was already out on the track and about to start their race. I am sort of mad and disappointed. I didnt do anything wrong this time. There was no serious bumping or dirty driving. It was a clean race all the way thru the last lap. I felt really good out there and didnt make any stupid or dangerous moves this time at all. There was nothing anyone could argue about. So what was the deal?
After the end of the second heat, it was time for intermission. This gave the scoring team a chance to tally up the scores for grid position in the third and final heat race. The flag man came over from across the track. I had already asked the grid steward what I did wrong this time to get the black flag, but he did not know just yet.
A few minutes later, the flag man found me and explained what had happened. According to him I had passed those first karts at the very start with two wheels off the track. It was well covered at the new drivers meeting about this clearly. Do what? Are you kidding me?
I looked him straight in his eyes, speaking very loudly and made it clear I did no such thing. There was plenty of room for me to pass and I was no where close to the edge. He tells me he knows what he saw and it was obvious that I was off the track when making that pass.
I again told him he was wrong as wrong could be and that was a bad call. You suck as a flag man. OK that wasnt smart. Then walked off extremely mad. I was about to say even more things, but knew better just then. But knowing better doesnt always keep it from happening.
The only move now was get some distance from him before I let something much worse slip from my mouth. Sometimes it is really easy to just go off on someone about something you know is wrong, but it can also backfire. Like in a bad way too.
I went back over to my kart and kicked the rear tire just hard as I could. Geez that hurt. I am glad it did hurt too, so I would not do anything else ever more stupid. But I needed something to take it out on, and yelling and screaming was not going to help. Steve comes over and asks what the reason was for the black flag? I could have taken it out on him right then, but knew he was just wanting to know.
That jerk of a flagman said I had two wheels off the track when passing at the start. Do what? You were never close to the edge of the track. I followed your shadow when passing those guys. We had all kinds of room. Heck we had plenty of room on both sides of our karts. Everyone runs high on that part of the track anyway. I am surprised the flagman didnt get nearly run over when we all passed the start finish line.
Yea, well go try to tell him that. He was sure of what he saw me do, but that is not what really happened. I dont see any chance of him changing his mind either. Especially since I told him he sucked as a flagman. Man, you got it. I was so close that if you had run off the track then I would have done it too.
Wow, I was surprised to see Steve take off running over to where the flagman was smoking a cigarette. Gosh, that is so nasty. I cant see how people can suck smoke out of a rolled up piece of burning paper full of dead weeds. Just grosses me out. Not to mention how bad his breath smelled when arguing with me.
Steve and the flagman are now yelling at each other. I see his arms all up in the air pointing, moving around and waving. Then the flagman yells something in his face and walks off. Steve yells right back, shakes his head and stomps away and over to me in the pits. OK that was a waste of time.
Well I just got disqualified for this heat too. For unsportsman like conduct. He says I get to start at the back of the pack in the last heat. Then I just laughed right in his face. Right before he turned and walked off.
I asked Steve is he was being serious? He says, Just serious as a heart attack. The way the flag mans veins were getting all raised up and pulsing, I thought he was about to have one too. Sure wouldnt want to be responsible for him dropping dead out here tonight.
So Terry, we have now batted two strikes so far. What have you got planned for the last heat? It seems more like they are out to get us for some reason. You are either in good standing or you are an outsider like us. Right now I dont think we fit in the first category so much. Have you considered joining the club?
Heck no! If you are right, then we wont have much luck racing out here again. I sure hope you are just joking. But I am afraid there might be something to what you are saying. Did you know the two guys running those Westbends are the flagmans sons? Look he is over there wrenching on their karts right now.
You have got to be kidding? That would suck for us. Oh wait it already does. You think he is favoring his own kids over everyone else? Well if we didnt have X'es on the back of our helmets tonight, we would be still be starting dead last. Unless they are desperate for a win regardless of how, I just cant believe there are actually people who can justify doing stuff like that.
Hey Terry, talk to me again about what we had discussed earlier right before the last heat race. Now how were we going to get the jump this time? Gimme the complete lowdown. I am all ears so dont leave anything out either. If you think it will work, I dont want to take any unnecessary chances out there. No reason for us to kill ourselves. If we can do it without any possibility of an incident then I am all in.
Well Steve, it just depends on what everyone in front of us does. If they break apart, we are screwed. If we have already committed and someone pulls out of line then we will get blamed for reckless driving, poor sportsmanship, and anything else someone wants to blame us on.
But and that is a big but, if they stay more or less in line like the last two heats, we simply try to get the jump on them then try to pass as many on the start as possible. Like the last heat but make sure the flagman has nothing to call us out on. If we time the start just right, then should get a good jump. Hang back just enough so it doesnt look that obvious.
It cant look too obvious. We cant be passing anyone else until after the flag has already been been waved. We might end up slamming on the brakes as the flag drops too. That would kill any possibility of getting a good jump on the start.
From watching all evening the flagman looks fairly predictable. Most of the night he has been consistent when dropping the flag if the front row is running a decent pace. So long as they are not obvious in jumping the start themselves. Well except for our class.
Since we are way at the back, the flagman wont have any reason to be looking at us. At least according to what he told everyone at the new drivers meeting earlier tonight. His focus will be only on the front two rows.
Once he commits to dropping the flag then the race is on and they cant really say anything about us. Well they can and have already done so, but it will sure look like he is playing favorites to his own kids. Well so long as we are singled out each time if they get beat.
So this is the plan. All we do is hang back a lot bit more than the last heat. Like we were not paying attention and trying to catch up. Since we are newbies racing for the first time. If it even looks like he might drop the flag, we slam down on the gas just early as possible. The leaders are the only ones that can do this, otherwise it would be a major crashfest. You know since everyone is bunched up so tight.
By speeding up right at the last moment, it will look like we are trying to catch up. Which we are doing that for real. It just has to be timed right so we can get an advantage over the rest of them. Well all of them except the leaders. Most of the people watching the race will also be mainly focused on the leaders. So it should look innocent enough.
We wont get away with this unless way in the back like tonights race. So way to make a habit of doing it either. But it isnt likely we will be stuck all the way in the back much after tonight. More new drivers next time should move us up. If you noticed all of the drivers following the leaders are stop, go, on and off the brake. Unfortunately it will make our karts look like something kicked us in the rear as we launch forward while everyone else is stuck behind each other on and off the brake.
If it works, and if there is room, we go around on both sides this time. Just be prepared if somebody decides to do something similar. It is not likely. Unless someone is asleep at the start. That might cause a mess. Otherwise nobody will have a better jump over the other drivers. Well except for us and the leaders. We just have to be on full gas way before the flagman commits. If the pack is running really slow, it might not look anything more than just having a good start.
Dad had been making the rounds. He knows a lot of the people out here since most of them live in the area. He sneaks up behind me and immediately starts asking questions. You two have been sort of quite since the last heat race. I am sorry you got black flagged. I could not tell if you broke any rules from where I was standing. So not going down that road. The flagman is right there and should be able to make a good call.
But dad, the flagman was on the outside of the track. He could not have been able to see anything with the other karts buzzing so close to him. And besides that, did you notice how close those construction oil lamps are to the edge of the track? There is also a big sand trap where the black lamps are sitting. I would have smashed in to them if even one of my tires got off the track.
Did you also see that Steve was right behind me and made the same move I did. The flagman didnt say anything about him. Steve even told the the flagman himself. His response was that he was looking directly at me and saw both left tires completely off the track.
Then Steve argued how come he was able to follow right behind me and never got his tires even close to the edge of the track. But the flagman said he was not paying attention to the kart behind mine. Then he accused Steve of lying for me since we were team mates. Thats when Steve said something and walked off. I dont know what he did say, but because of it he was also disqualified. So now we both get to start in the back of the pack for the final heat race.
That is what they told you? All of that and both of you now have to start in the back for the last heat? Isnt that where you are supposed to start anyway? I am sure you have not schemed up some devious plot and might cause any problems for this last heat. Or is that just wishful on my part? No dad, not anything notorious or a problem. I was just noticing how the others all bunch together and make it hard to get any advantage at the start.
Maybe just trying to make the best of having to start in the very back of the pack. It gets boring out there all alone when everyone else is so ready to hit the gas and no where to go just yet.
Did you notice how much smoke there being so bunched up when running that slow? I dont see how anybody can see what is ahead of them. But if someone really pays close attention and can anticipate when the flag drops...You know just thinking out loud.
I am starting to feel like you might be playing out there on thin ice. Just dont be careless that someone might get hurt. You would not feel right about that after something happened. Otherwise just keep your head on straight and dont make a scene doing anything you will very well regret later. I am going to be watching closely, so dont be stupid and make it look bad for the rest of us.
Dad walked off and then I saw him following the flagman back across the track. He hollered and they both stopped at the start finish line. After some discussion, dad turned around and pointed down at the track where I had been accused of dropping both tires off the edge. Then the flagman shrugged his shoulders, turned away and walked off.
The third and final heat races were about ready to start. I spent all my spare time watching the other classes run. Since the first two heats only place your starting position for the third heat, this one is for all the marbles. Some of the drivers may tend to take more chances since this is the win or loose heat that counts.
After the first few classes, nothing really changed. Well the dual engine drivers seemed to be a little more focused on the g0ld. Some of them in the back were doing the same thing me and Steve had discussed. They held off just a little bit to get a better run before the flag dropped.
I saw this to be fairly obvious, but nobody watching made any mention about it. So now I had no second thoughts about my plan. Since those duals have so much power, it didnt help all that much with the drivers in the back. Our little bushing engines dont have any real power, so any jump would help out a lot.
Our class was pregridding behind the fifth class right before us for our last heat race. It was now all or nothing. I wasnt expecting to do that well, but didnt plan on just hanging back in the back and do nothing. There was no way we could win. Those two Westbends were starting on the front row. How convenient. I wonder if they usually draw good positions all the time?
Everyone else in our class were really no faster and actually slower than we are. Watching them out there driving they didnt look to have a lot of track time. Someone that can drive well in traffic does not need the fastest kart to win.
That one kid (name I dont still dont even know) looks like he could run a good fast lap by himself. But does not have any idea of when to drive a defensive line or take advantage when a driver makes a mistake.
The two trips out here on a practice day has been a lot more beneficial that I had originally thought. Even spending all that time only working on Franks kart was not at all wasted. But the driving we made together, even if not always at full speed is making this first race to be a good eye opener of what to expect and deal with at other races.
I was not all that excited to even run the last heat. I felt the odds were stacked against me. Well stacked against both of us after Steve had a heated discussion with the flagman. Maybe things are not that bad. I want to race the last heat and do good as I possibly can. It is time to suit up and give it my best.
If me and Steve do get a good start, we should be able to at least finish in the top five. Even if we dont, the only big problems are already starting in the very front of the pack. We will see nothing but the rear of their karts in this last race.
There is a good chance of placing and would be something to shoot for. One of us either way. If it doesnt look like I can do much good, then try to work with Steve and help him any way I can. Unless one of the Westbends does something stupid the best I can hope for is a third.
Any last words before we go out there? The plan still a go? Steve was getting nervous or cold feet. I wasnt sure. Steve just play it safe and if there is an opportunity, I am going to take it. Use your head and drive smooth. I think we can do well against all of the other Clintons, but those two Westbends are not likely going to be a factor. They will be in their own race up front. We can work thru the traffic one kart at a time and see how well it ends up.
Man you are bumming me out. I know we dont stand any chance of winning, but now its like you have already accepted defeat. Maybe you should go load up and just watch this last race with all the women in the stands. I came here to race. We are more than competitive out here tonight. We had a raw deal or two. So what? We are racing against other drivers with the same equipment and doing very well. There is only one winner and the rest of us are the loosers. Try to stay positive.
Oh heck yea that is some positive pep talk there Steve. I just want to go jump off a bridge now. Dude I know we dont have a snowballs chance to win. That isnt what is bugging me tonight. I think it has to do more with how things are run out here. Something I never had though about before and sure dont understand at all, but now I think we are in the thick of it tonight.
We finally push up to the starting grid. I had checked over everything thoroughly during intermission. If nothing else we should have no problem finishing this last race. After that, all bets are off the table. The grid steward is giving me a less than friendly stare. Maybe I am just letting my imagination run away right now.
Dad is right here to start both of us up. Just like he has been our crew chief forever. Wearing a pit apron, he looks the perfect part, here pitting for his son. I now have a big smile on my face as he pats me on the helmet and says to use my head out there. Dont get crazy on the track. Remember this is supposed to be fun. If you are not enjoying yourself out there then find something else to do with your time.
That was odd coming from dad. He can either read my mind or just be very attentive. He has always been able to do this. Sometimes I dont completely understand what it is he is trying to say. Other times it just slams me right in the face. Like all of the sudden it becomes obvious. Other times not so much.
Fire up your engines! Get out there. Go, go, go! Steves engine would not start, no matter how many times dad pulled the rope. So dad came back and tried starting me next. Nothing, He kept pulling and not happening. I hop out of my kart and start looking around the engine. My spark plug is broken. It sticks straight out the back like most others do. There is also a bumper protecting it, so what gives? Then look over to Steves kart, same thing. DANG IT!
We made a habit of carrying spares to the grid, just in case of something like a fouled spark plug, but didnt expect to see this times two. I grab the ratchet and loosen Steves plug first, then do the same on my kart. Dad is following behind me running the new plugs back in. Dad tightens them up while I hop back in my kart. The rubber boot was split really bad on mine. So I sure hope he gets it crammed on tight enough so it stays put out there.
The other karts have almost made the first lap lining up and already coming around the track entrance. Dad fires us both up this time and we start to head out from the pits. The grid steward holds up his hand for us to stop immediately. He almost gets run over, since the smoke from the other karts was still lingering thick in the air.
Steve slams on his brakes and I have to swerve hard left just missing the back of his kart. This causes me nearly to clipping a spectator who was standing right in the middle of the hot grid as the kart slides to a stop. We wait until the pack makes it past the pit exit first, then he waves for us to pull out on to the track behind them.
This really sucks. I am so tensed up right now and rightfully mad. My kart is jerking around since I have a death grip on the steering wheel. That was no accident. Right now I am only thinking of revenge but not during the race itself. Who would do this? Especially with all of the people standing around in the pits?
I try to get focused for this last heat. Yes it is supposed to be fun, and tonight has not been so much at times. The actual racing out on the track has been awesome. But after each heat, is the not so much part. Everything me and Steve worked for tonight was just stripped away. I know it is only for a small trophy or pig ribbons. I dont even care about that.
So me and Steve are very far back behind the rest of the pack. They are way ahead and then we speed faster to play catch up. Hey this might work out better than I first had thought. Being this far back, as in the very back, we sure cant predict what everyone else is going to do. It is the first row then second row then keep going all the way back to us.
Wow we dont even have to work at this and might still get a chance for a great start. We just need to get focused and hit the gas soon as possible. The pole setter is trying to anticipate the start like everyone else. But usually everyone in the second row back are so bunched together there is nothing that will help them get an advantage. I just get my wits about me and be ready in case the flag drops. We are still way far back and not much chance of catching up with the pack just yet.
Alright I am getting back into the game here. I am done with getting pitched for anything tonight. But I did come to race and going to do the best I can. If there are people favoring their kids for a win by making bad calls, I dont care. If I do well tonight in spite of that, does not matter either. A pig ribbon does not make a winner. It is whats inside you that makes a winner. If I do well and they try again to come up with something else to accuse me with, then so what?
The lead two karts are slowing down to line up. Everyone else are still all too scattered to drop the flag this time around. Me and Steve have just made it on the the straightaway and hauling fast as we can to catch up. I went ahead and put up my hand for one more pace lap, but then the flag is quickly waved. What the heck was that? The front row karts are no where near the rest of the pack and ready for a start. A few of the drivers who were also catching up got lucky and speeding fast enough for a decent run at the leaders.
It looked like those two karts in front were not expecting the flag to come out this lap. So now way in front of us is a big pile up in the making. We had been speeding fast to close the distance they had on us and I almost let off the gas when holding up my hand. Fortunately I dropped down to the inside avoiding a major pileup while Steve went high. As he passes the karts that were stacking on top of each other, one of them popped over and bumped him really hard on his left side.
That kart hit Steves left front causing him to swerve out too wide darting up taking his right tire off the track. He almost hit the flagman too. But both of us managed to miss all of the other carnage. That really sucks. I see two of them are already out of the race. We both zig-zagged back and forth thru the traffic fairly easily. How we managed to clear our way past most of the others I am not sure.
My plan worked out great, even tho we didnt actually use it. Instead the flag was dropped very late, but none of the karts were lined up. Even the front karts got caught off guard. They were just about to pass the start finish line and already let off the gas for a moment. I saw both of their heads turn towards the flagman to confirm if the flag had even been dropped. Thats when they got back on the gas and tried to salvage the start the best they could.
Unfortunate for them, the drivers right behind, got a better view of the flag and slammed into the Westbend powered karts. This caused everyone to over correct and slightly loose control. What didnt work so well for them did much better for me and Steve.
I didnt know how many karts were behind us still in the race, but was aware there only three ahead of us now. Those two Westbends and one other kart I was not sure who was driving. It was the one in front of the kart that hit Steves wheel. Steve then tries to make a pass around on the outside of me at the very first turn.
I let Steve have the position for now. So we are running fourth and fifth. Not much chance of somebody behind us doing any good or trying to pass. Our only goal was to make up as much ground to catching those Westbends. It took only one more lap and we both went around the third place kart. I think it was our new friend that I really want to find out his name tonight.
The next thing I noticed didnt seem right to me. But I watched the flagman giving hand signals to his kids who were driving the Westbend powered karts. He was holding his hands together letting both know someone was running close behind them. Also waving his hand forward signaling to try and speed up. On every lap we had made up some ground behind them. Their driving seemed a lot more eratic than what I had seen earlier tonight.
Steve had said they did not do so well in traffic when he was able to get a good run at the start of the second heat. Maybe they dont do so well under pressure either. I start running right up on the back of Steves kart. Not making him screw up or pushing to hard. A light tap if possible trying to help him go faster with me in hot pursuit. Usually when we both run in line either of us feel we could pull out and almost pass the other.
Well thats not exactly true. When Steve tries to pass me on the straights, its like throwing out an anchor, then even my kart seems to slow down. When I am following Steve, I could push him real easy, especially towards the end of the longer straight. We made way better time this way.
I didnt think drafting has much standing on a fairly short track, but have been proven wrong there. Maybe lacking any real horsepower is also a major contributing factor. It took most of the remaining laps but we managed to make up a lot of ground on those two Westbends.
The drivers were not taking advantage of running together at all. They were just beating up on each other and trying pass in almost every turn. Not having any luck either. If one pulled up, the other driver would turn in and close the door to stay ahead. So they actually slowed each other down, like a whole bunch. All the while me and Steve stayed in a single line working together and sped up.
On the last lap, the kart following the leader got real stupid and tried to dive under the other one coming on to the front straight. They got tangled and caused both karts to go wide and nearly run right off the track. They would have run off, if not for all of the speed that was scrubbed away.
Steve took this as a great opportunity to make the same attempt to them as they just tried doing to each other, but had failed miserably. They went really wide after loosing control exiting the turn. I stayed behind Steve hoping to follow him thru and also pull in front of the Westbends.
Just as Steve got his nose barely ahead of the slower Westbend, that guy came back in to the right side of him banging wheels together. Steve held his position. But that other kart went airborn after his left front tire made contact with back of Steves right front tire.
The other brother managed to stay ahead and not involved in any more conflict. But the slower one might have gotten pissed off from being passed. So after landing back down, he came over and crunched in to my kart next. We both scrubbed off a lot of speed. I had no where to go without being forced off the inside of the track this time. So chose to tap the brake.
The slower Westbend held onto his position by cutting me off, but I was hit hard from behind. This caused my kart to slam in to the left rear tire of his. By now Steve was staying ahead of him all the way to the checkered flag. But I had a small problem. My kart was now hanging off the back of the slower Westbend.
We both were running down the straight headed towards a waving checkered flag while I was still piggy backing his kart. My first reaction was hit the brake, but that slowed us down a lot. So much that the kart following behind pulled right up next to me. This is when I had a fantastic idea.
Since my kart would not break free from his, I just let off the gas and held down the brake pedal until my tires locked up. That other kart managed just to pass both of us right before the checkered flag. I was screaming in excitement since the slower Westbend just lost another position to this other driver. Tonight just got really fun.
I sure wasnt upset about loosing out two places behind Steve. But sure was happy about the one Westbend driver got a double whammy from his own stupidity. I jerked my steering wheel back and forth until our karts finally separated. His kart looked like someone was just banging the heck out of it until I finally broke free. But I could not be happier than right now.
This heat race turned out fairly intense. I guess about as exciting as I could have hoped for considering everything that had already happened tonight. But still did not feel so good as we were heading around to exit off the track. The two brothers driving the Westbend powered karts screwed themselves good beating on each other. Otherwise me and Steve would have no chance of catching up to them.
As we pulled into the pits I could hear the flagman yelling all kinds of obscenities at them, us and anyone else that was listening or taking notice. If we get blamed for any of this, then was well worth it. I dont care. What I found odd is neither of the Westbend drivers ever came over and said anything. They both pushed off immediately to their own pits.
The unofficial results for the night ended up with Steve placing second behind that one Westbend driver. That other kart passing me up finished in third behind Steve. I ended in fifth position more than satisfied with this race tonight. No matter what happens, it wont change my mood for rest of the night.
One good thing was that kid (I still have not found out his name, but now assumed is the grid stewards son) turned out to be the one that passed me while I was tangled up with that Westbend and he ended up third. I was more than happy with a respectable fifth place finish. So the Westbend brothers finished first and fourth. I didnt know which one was which. Nor did I care either.
We have been the second to last class running in each heat. So there is one more class left to run before tonights races are all finished. No sooner had our checkered flag been dropped came an announcement on the loud speaker. "There is an emergency meeting being called for after the last race".
By now we were getting congrats among some of the competition and spectators. The awards ceremony would normally follow the finish of the last race. But it was put on hold until after this very serious meeting.
Both Steve and myself got a few pats on the back, and I hoping to find out the one kids name. He was the first to come over and immediately started apologizing for accidentally bashing in to the back of my kart. He felt so bad causing me to loose position and not able to follow thru and pass that Westbend.
He sounded so upset, I thought he was going to start crying. I looked at him and just started laughing. Are you kidding me? Talking about awesome! What you did was cause that other guy to get beat. I sure the heck aint mad about it. That was a total blast. Dont worry about a thing. It was more than worth it to me.
He then lightened up a lot and gave me that big goofy grin of his. Then ask if we were going to be making a showing out here again and hopefully sometime soon. He then told me something about the two Westbend drivers.
It seems they had been the ones to beat and unlike tonight did that rarely happen. Actually since they got new karts with those Westbends, no one had any chance of beating them. This was the first red flag I should have caught on about.
After some heated discussions about scoring problems it was finally time for the awards presentation. I really didnt care about getting a small fifth place trophy or pig ribbon. I know Steve sure wouldnt mind the attention that would be focused on him shortly. He did a great job driving out there tonight.
We both finished the race and did not destroy our equipment or even cause any of those accidents. Just finishing our first race was a win for me. Both of us even placing like we did make things a little more bearable.
The announcer came over the loud speaker. Please may I have your attention folks. It is finally time for our awards ceremony. Sorry for the delay. He went on for a while until finally starting to acknowledge all of the new drivers. Please come up here after I call each of your names.
The announcer then reads names from a list in his hand. I see tonight we have seven new racers with us. Everyone give them a big round of applause. Then he read off the names from the list and classes they were entered in tonight.
After reading off those new drivers names he presented each of them with a new driver award and shook each of their hands. OK that was odd. I thought that we were also new drivers tonight? I looked over at Steve and just hunched my shoulders up and down.
But we are....doesnt that apply to us too? Who cares Steve, everything else is screwed up tonight. I dont want to push it. There was a few questions mumbled about and eyes looked around in the crowd, but no one really said anything.
Now that should have been red flag number two. Or was I just making something out of nothing? The awards went along for the next ten or fifteen minutes. The applause went around with every award, so it dragged on like forever. Finally they made it down to the junior bushing class. They held off this one class to the very last before announcing the finish. I was just starting to relax and sort of looking forward to this. Almost excited now.
Yes sir, there was some interesting developments in this class tonight. A lot of action packed racing out there on the track. Not just on the track but even carried in the pits too. Ladies and gentlemen in fifth place tonight is..Kenny Jacobson.
Huh, who is that? I looked around and saw a kid I at least now put a name and face together. Screw it! I clapped and made it obvious. He didnt cause any trouble out there. But this is the first time I had really noticed him. He was one of those three drivers we had passed in the very first heat race.
While I clapping with everyone else, that kid walked up there and took the trophy. Steve is nudging my arm with a questioned look on his face. The announcer is calling out the next finish position. Now in fourth place, it goes to.....I didnt make out the name, and surely did not recognize him either. I looked around and saw one of the drivers that had finished way behind us all night go up to get the trophy. Wow this is weirder.
Alright everyone, please quieten down. In third place in the junior bushing class is Chris Hontz. I had no clue who this was. Looking around I see that one kid I now know his name for real. But it didnt sound anything like what I heard when he introduced himself earlier.
I am completely lost now. I was sure about the results and none of this made any sense. The announcer calls out the second place finisher. I smiled proudly at Steve, but heard the announcer call out someone elses name instead. What the heck is going on now? The announcer continues on talking. And it comes as no surprise to everyone who is the winner when his brother finishes right behind him. I see the other Westbend driver holding up his hands and headed up to the podium.
The Westbend brothers are standing on the mocked up podium finishing in first and second place. Well nothing more than a few of those metal milk crates to stand on for a moment while being handed a trophy. Huh? What the heck is going on tonight?
There was a lot of commotion coming from the crowd now. Even some questions for more clarification. Enough people had congratulated us already to know something was not right. The third red flag for tonight.
Alright just a moment. There seems to be some question about the finish order in this one junior class tonight. I now turn over the microphone to the flagman for an explanation of the discrepancy.
He clears his throat right in the microphone. Yuk, that just made me sick. "As some of you may be aware of already, there were a few problems during all three of the junior bushing heat races tonight. I will clarify everything right now. In the first heat race, two drivers were disqualified for unsafe driving on the last lap. We have very strict rules pertaining to safety out here and intend to enforce them. Otherwise they do no good."
In the second heat race one of those same drivers took two tires off the track while passing at the start when the flag was dropped. So he was disqualified. The other driver was also disqualified for unsportsman like conduct after the race for arguing and lying to me about a call I had made involving the first driver in question. Since they are team mates, it was more than obvious to me they were conspiring with each other and trying to reverse my call.
The second driver was supposed to have been disqualified for the whole night for unbecoming and unsportsman conduct. But the score keepers had not been made of aware of this or he would not have run the final heat race at all. Now his team mate was not disqualified until he had made an obscene hand gesture aimed directly at me right before the flag was dropped at the start of the third heat race.
I found that gesture so offensive, it caused me to miss judge the line up of this class and drop the green flag in error. So he is directly responsible for all of the incidents incurred at the start and finish of the final heat race. It was also decided the second driver was not just involved but responsible for that last accident. Any type of poor driving is not going to be tolerated on this track. So both of them are disqualified for the whole night.
It was a very difficult decision to make but we all agreed it is obvious that both of them severely altered the outcome of this one heat race. So it was called and scored on the previous lap, because it would have been a much different finish since these two disqualified drivers should had not been participating in the last heat race.
So the official finish of this race stands as it was just announced. Both of these drivers should have been black flagged and removed after the first lap. But I was a little preoccupied trying to deal with all of the other mishaps taking place out there.
Now I hand everything back to the announcer. There was some yelling and cat calls coming from a few people in the crowd. OK ladies and gents, I want to thank all of you for coming out here tonight for a great race. Our next scheduled event will be......
Someone threw one of the new driver recognition awards over the crowds head and nearly hit the flagman as he was walking off. The announcer continued talking, Alright that will be enough of this type of behavior tonight. We are all civilized adults here and should act like it.
Now our next scheduled event will be the same time next weekend. In three weeks we will be changing over to the afternoons to start our fall and winter lineup of racing. Please.... The arguing from the crowd grew a lot. Some very course and disrespectful words were being yelled and thrown around to anyone that was listening.
This same old crap out here at every single race. When is someone going to do something about it? How come they let them get away with this kind of this stuff all the time? Every week the same thing! I am done with it. This is my last time to race out here. Some others joined in and also agreed. Then one of those trophies that had been presented got lobbed up to the mock podium.
The announcer hastily finished his announcements. Please check the schedule posted at the registration building for more detailed information. Thank you again for coming tonight. The track is now closed. Sorry but there will not be open practice available tonight as we usually do following the races. That is all. Good Night.
I was not that shocked to hear what the flagman had just spewed out of his mouth. There sure as heck was no obscene hand gesture from me right before the start of the last heat race either. This is total crap. You cant tell me any of that was true. The flagman was dead set on making sure his kids were going to win tonight.
I noticed that Steve had disappeared to somewhere. Looking around I finally spotted him over talking to the grid steward and his son Chris something another. Oh crap this doesnt look good. Steve is very level headed, but had every reason to blow up over this. It is total bullcrap. Dad walked over to me and looked with a stern face. Did you really make that obscene hand gesture at the flagman?
Dad are you being serious? Nobody was ready or even close to lined up yet. I was holding my hand signaling to the flagman for another lap. That is the truth. Alright I was just checking and wanted to hear it from you in person. Several other people have already confirmed what you just said. I am going to have a talk with the grid steward. He doesnt usually show any favoritism. Dad you cant be serious?
I noticed after talking for a few minutes dad had raised his voice at Steve and made some motion to leave the conversation. Steve walked away with more or less of a drained look in his face without responding back. I decided to find out what was going on and cut him off as he was walking back over to our karts in the pits.
As he was approaching, Steve in a very loud tone spoke out. What the heck just happened? Why did we get ganged up on tonight? Are people really that big of complete assholes? Steve immediately lowered his voice after saying that. Almost whispering now, continues on. This is complete bullcrap. What was that about you giving the flagman some obscene gesture. When did you ever do that? I saw you hold up your hand. Nothing else. Is this what it is going to be like when we go racing every time?
If it is, then screw all of them! I am done with it. We came out here for out first race and get ramrodded off the track. It is like hanging out with robbers and murderers tonight. Everyone out here are complete A-holes and losers. This makes me sick. I hate these people. They an all go screw themselves with a pitchfork.
It sucks really bad. All the time we put in to start racing. Finally we come out here tonight and try to follow all of the rules. Now they go and make up rules just for certain people. This is what we got for all of that? Nothing but stabbed right in the back too! We both got screwed over good. This totally sucks big time.
Wow I felt bad enough before, but now it starts to even hurt a little bit worse inside. Steve was 100% right about everything he said already. There was no reason to try and stop him. He needed to just let it out. I sure wish there was a sledge hammer laying around here to tear something up right now. That might even do some good too.
We were now standing around our karts. They were sitting there just as dumbstruck are we were. I looked down and saw the new spark plugs on our engines. Then rehashed in my head about having to change them out right before the start of that last heat race.
Walking over to the grid area I saw the two broken spark plugs still sitting on the ground where they had been dropped. Man this goes beyond being unfair. Whoever did this earlier is going to pay some how. But what the heck can we even do? I seriously doubt anybody is just going to walk over here and tell us who did it.
I looked back over to see dad still talking to the grid steward. At first it seemed a little bit heated in an argument, but then I saw dad nod his head up and down then hold his hand out for a shake. They parted ways as dad came back over to the pits towards us.
OK guys tonight is a total wash. Lets get loaded up and head out of here. It is getting late and you two are not very happy campers. I dont blame you either. A lot of unsportsman like conduct did take place tonight and I dont think you guys had anything to do with it either. Just a simple case of wrong place at the wrong time.
Hey dad, how is it that both of our engines got the spark plugs conveniently busted off? Someone was sure being nice enough to do that for us. I have a good idea of who probably did this. It is really beginning to...
Dad interrupted me and said he was sorry our first time out here to race turned out to be such a bust. But no reason to cry over it right now. We sure cant go accusing somebody for breaking those spark plugs just because there are some narrow minded people out here running the show.
Lets load up and head out. I need to talk to both of you together when we get back and you have time to cool down just a little bit. Right now anything I say isnt going to do much good. Hop to it. Lets get loaded up and go home. Dad was not usually confrontational about things, but this time I thought he might have tried to get some real answers. Instead we are bailing out and leaving.
It seemed to take forever loading up. Some of the racers came over and thought we got a raw deal tonight, but also said they didnt know all of the details. As we were finishing up, the grid stewards kid came over and said how sorry he was for how things turned out. But how much fun he had racing with us tonight.
I still want you to know how very sorry I am for banging in to the back of your kart. I was running way up close to you and had nowhere else to go. I sort of feel responsible for you not completing that pass on the Wesbend. You ended up loosing two places because of my mistake. I asked around but nobody would tell me anything about why you two guys got pitched tonight. But did know some of the other people were really pissed off about it.
Then he hands me a business card. I look at it and see a company name. Fisher Equipment Sales. I gave him a questioned expression. He said, No, turn it on the back. I flip it over and see something written down. "Topher" Yep, even in quotes too. And with a phone number underneath. Will you guys call me the next time if you decide to come out again and race? Or even just going to the track? I sure would like to meet up and hopefully race with you again. Maybe we can even pit together too.
Well it took all night, but I finally know what that kids name is. Isnt that an odd and funny sounding name? Topher, huh? Thats your name? Yep. Hey, you can call me just about anytime. I sure hope you will too. We can talk about karts and racing all you want. I really love any kind of racing, but dont know that much about working on my kart or anything like that.
Uh, OK. I guess that is alright. Didnt you end up in third place? Yea that was me. Why you askin? I thought they said Chris somebody or something like that? Yea that is my name alright. All 90 pounds of this tough looking guy standing here in front of you. What is this Topher then?
Oh that is what everybody calls me. Well actually my name is Christopher. You know "Topher", get it? Oh I understand now. That makes a little bit more sense, I think. Who is this Fisher Equipment place on the business card then? Oh sorry, it that confused you. It is Paul Fisher. He is the grid steward tonight and one of the board members out here. That is his business. He sales concrete supplies.
Oh I thought it might have been your dad, or something like that? I wasnt sure. No way, not my dad. But he does help me out here a lot. My dad got me started racing earlier this year and then ran off with his secretary. He just ditched me and mom. I sort of hate him for leaving, but nothing I can do about it.
Oh, uh, I um, sorry to here that. That must really suck sometimes. I dont know what I would do if my dad ever bailed on my me or my family. I dont know if I could ever hate my dad, but in your case, it would really make me think about it seriously. Maybe even enough to.....
Hey, none of it is your problem. I should not be dumping my troubles on you. That is the fastest way I know of running people off for good. I do hope you will at least think about giving me a call sometime. You guys seem to know a lot about working on karts and stuff. It would be cool to get a chance to learn some of that for myself. I try to run out here much as possible, but dont have a clue on how to make my kart go any faster.
I only live a few miles up the road, but dont have a way to get to the track anymore. Well not without the Fish helping me out. If it wasnt for him, I would not be racing at all anymore. Well, I see you guys are ready to jet. It sure was cool to meet you. I hope you give me a call too. See ya later.
Hey Steve, what do you think? Should I give him a call? He sure seems persistent. Maybe a neat guy. I sure wouldnt want to find myself in his shoes tho. That would really suck. You know about his dad and everything. Oh, what was up with the grid steward earlier? Before my dad came over? What did he tell you?
Man I was really mad at him. After the first heat and then the last heat I was ready to just go off seriously in a bad way on him. He said his hands were tied and he didnt make the rules out here. It was a decision the rest of the board members made. He did not get involved with any of it. He was only filling in temporarily because another board member had recently left.
It is now very late Sunday night. After trying everything without any luck there is no way I can fall asleep. Tomorrow is the first day of school. I am attending a new to me but old junior high school. This is not why my brain doesnt want to take a break. But it is going to suck if I end up staying awake all night. I will be nothing but a train wreck all day in school tomorrow.
All I keep thinking about is last nights race. How is it we spent all this much time working towards our very first race....Then is turned into almost a nightmare. As we pulled off the track in the first heat race, I was almost on cloud 9. Steve could not have been any more excited.
We did very well getting thru the traffic without even touching another kart. The only contact either of us having was just the occasional bumps while we drafted each other down the longer straightaway. But no sooner had we gotten off the karts, everything went south. Like in a hurry, and without any warning.
Our big to us debut turned sour even before the checkered flag had been waved. We got the raw end of the deal. Things only went farther downhill from there. I mean like a runaway train downhill. There were forces working against us that still make no sense to me. We get accused of dangerous driving and causing several wrecks. It does not add up at all.
The only thing we were guilty of is being in the immediate area of those incidents we were accused of causing. Any attempt to get clarification of exactly what we did wrong was only stonewalled. Steve had been talking to the grid steward after the races. I figured he must have said something not so polite to him and may be why there was little if any explanation.
Dad tried inquiring to the flagman about this right before the third heat started. But got nothing except the flagman waving him off and walking away. This started looking like a conspiracy against us. But that sounds ridiculous even thinking about it now. Why would two new first time drivers be singled out like this?
Is it possible the flagman was really making sure only his kids would end up winning? But at the end of the awards ceremony, there were plenty of people complaining about how things were being handled. Seeing those trophies getting chunked back up to the the podium area was very strange to witness. Has the flagman done this before?
Why would anyone even try something like that? Is this the way they usually run the races out there. What if we were not singled out at all? Maybe this has happened to other drivers competing too closely to the flagmans kids? Wow I cant believe laying here in bed tonight even thinking there are people that would do that kind of stuff.
Just a few years ago after attempting to ride that homemade cart in the back yard put me on a mission to build something gas powered with four wheels. I had no idea karts were a big deal yet or even seen anything about them. In more recent years when thumbing thru some back issues of HOTROD and Rod and Custom, I was seeing more articles covering them.
I remember a particular article dad had showed me. One of the older magazines he kept in a box full of others. The title on the cover. "A RACE CAR FOR KIDS" If that didnt get the attention of every wannabe racer around my age, then nothing would. This was in the March 1955 issue of CAR CRAFT.
March 1955 CARCRAFT
There was a very mini kid sized version of a race car that looked something like would run at the Indy 500. Or just the dirt car version anyway. Still way too cool. These raced on small dirt ovals. The article was fairly detailed covering something they referred to as the 1/4 ROADSTER.
It covered the basic specifications for this type car itself. Including the size of track and rules for racing. Unfortunately this was happening somewhere around Anaheim California. Oh well, not much difference if it was happening in Timbuktu, because no chance of ever seeing one of these cars up close or even in person.
After the realization of that type racing for kids going on anywhere around here was very unlikely, sort of killed it for me. But thinking of building something like this to drive around the neighborhood would be super duper. After looking more closely at the pictures of the frame and suspension, well this may be a little bit too complicated with the basic tools I had at my disposal at the time. Must less the knowledge or ability to build one then. Customizing my bicycle was a more likely project for this ten year kid at the time.
But my mind kept thinking back at that article. Maybe if I tried to simplify the frame. Since it would not be for racing. Try to build it more like a soapbox racer but beefed up using stronger frame rails, so it would not fall to pieces powered with a gas powered engine.
All this wishful thinking is not helping me fall to sleep. Just making things more frustrating right now. This is what drove me to acquiring broken lawn mowers, and anything that ran on gas for that matter. Me and Steve had been on this long term mission since the fifth grade. Unfortunately there was a shortage of riding lawn mowers being tossed out to the curb for the trashman to pick up.
I had first thought to use the same components from a rider, especially since some of them have the larger inflatable tires. It would take a lot of creativity, but could be possible. Thinking back with what I have learned, it would be really easy to build now. Very time consuming, but considering what we managed to accomplish this summer, I have no doubt it could now be done by us.
Having a super cool race car like that would be too neat. But actually competing against other ones would not happen since they dont race anything like those around here. We could have made a track behind the 7-11 store. There is a huge field that is mostly flat.
I bet that nasty black gumbo dirt would be perfect when tacky. Sure gets stuck to my shoes when walking in the rain. If we drove around long enough those weeds would wear down fairly quickly and there would be the perfect dirt track. But only for the only 1/4 roadster in this neck of the woods. Not that is would be much like the real thing.
Originally we planned to use riding mower parts to make our race car to drive around, but lack of donor parts and ability put the brakes on this project. We did manage to learn enough and start to understand how these engines ran. After finally putting some of the push mowers back together, we actually got a few of them to run again.
This opened the door to more things related to small engines. Edgers, old washing machine motors and occasionally even a chainsaw would find their way into our greasy grubby and greedy hands. Unfortunately more of the really oddball engines only got torn apart. Some of them we did get running and then try to see how long they would last without oil. You know that old self destruction test? When we were really motivated, even try different flammable liquids besides gasoline.
Gasoline seemed to be in a league all by itself. Other flammables didnt fair so well. Sometimes after many attempts, we would give up and just light the engine on fire. We thought maybe if the fire was hot enough it would melt the engine. But even that didnt get anywhere. Most everything just burned black and sooty. Not hot enough except to burn your hands.
On some of our less than productive testing days when the engine was set ablaze, there was that occasional grass fire. We did panic a couple of times when the fire almost got out of hand. But it didnt take but once to realize that not having an emergency supply of water to douse the flames wasnt too bright. When this didnt work so well we would stomp the grass fires out with our feet. Well of course after that one other time, we didnt try again without wearing shoes.
I am thinking back just a couple of years ago, and realizing how stupid many of the things we did really was. I would get a push mower running, and immediately go try it out on the yard somewhere. Naturally during the summer, shoes were always optional. Do you know how much dirt and grass gets in your shoes?
I remember chasing Steve around with a push mower while the engine was running with the governor bypassed. I could usually expect one of two things when doing this. It could be the connecting rod would break and end up with a big hole in the side of the crankcase. This was super cool too. It caused the oil to explode out and cover everything. Even us most of the time.
There was another time when the crankshaft would seize up and shear off. Then the blade would still be spinning around and make all kinds of racket. Not to mention the damage that was done to the mower base. We were always running around barefoot and only wearing cut off blue jeans. How we never got cuts and bruises on our feet all the time was a real mystery.
Getting that near perfect tan was something you just did too. Having a pale white butt was not so bad as having white feet when the rest of your body was layered in a nice golden tan. Having sandal or sock feet got a lot of laughs. Steve has darker skin and very black hair. He is all German, but speaks absolutely no German at all. He was born with that year round tan already.
I had to work most of the summer on my tan. Sometimes the sunburn would hit hard and early. Then I would have to go back to square one and try again. Walking around with tan, red and white splotches after a sunburn only got fingers pointing and being laughed at. You sure couldnt be seen at the local swimming pool when this happened.
One neighbor friend across the street has very light colored orange hair. His skin is extremely pale but mostly covered in freckles. The really light orange colored ones. He also burns to a crisp every time trying to get a tan. One time he got smart, so he was thinking, and bought a bottle of some kind of quick tanning lotion. That night he painted his whole body in the stuff. He was going to join the ranks of everyone else with a tan this summer.
I saw him only once the next day. He had turned just as bright orange as his freckles were. He had transformed himself in to one big freckle. It took nearly two weeks using Tide and a scrub brush to finally wash all of that color off of his skin. Sometimes I think there are a lot more stupid people out there than smart ones. They just cant help themselves. They may even be too far gone for anyone to even be able to help.
I was heading to the lunchroom. My first day at school so far sucked big time. We had to go to homeroom to get our schedules and sort out any problems there might be. Most of the other students looked more local to the neighborhood where this school was. That isnt really a good thing either. So far there has been nobody I even knew in homeroom.
My elementary school was in a newer neighborhood. The school was actually brand new last year. Previously it was a few blocks away at the edge of where the neighborhood had first started developing. Mostly older homes and areas that had one time been fields for crops and planting. Over the years land had sold off and no longer a farm or rural community.
Not that homeroom has anything to do with any other part of my actual classes, but figured there would be someone I knew. The school is more than double the size of my elementary, but very surprised there was not a sole in this classroom that likely lived over the other side of town where I come from. Most of the other guys looked like they belonged to gangs, more or less like what I have seen in the movies.
It was not until lunch that I finally saw some of my friends. Steve, Jon Pardue, and David Stinson. I had shared a locker with Jon Pardue last year. David was someone I had known for a while. We found each other and decided to sit down together. So how are you liking it already today? Steve was in good spirits and going on about wood shop.
Geez Steve, so far none of my classes has anyone I know. My first class is Drafting, It is right across the hall there. I motioned my arm in front of me to the cafeteria doors. The lunchroom is on the same floor as most of the shop classes.
My next classes are English and Math. Naturally they are at opposite ends of the school. Now time to eat some of this slop on my plate. Well my lunch is a green mystery meat burger and fries. The cheese looks more like a piece of melted plastic than an actual slice.
Dont know what to tell you man. Then Steve goes on to name a good half dozen students we both know from last year in his classes so far. Show me your schedule. Maybe we have a class together later today. After all four of us exchanged schedules, I didnt see anything the same on mine. Oh well, this might just suck for the first semester.
Most of my classes has AP next to them. David asked what the heck was that about? I didnt really know. Then Jon pops off informing everyone that is for Alternative Program. Thats the classes for those retarded kids that ride to school on the short bus. This did get me to thinking as to why I didnt know anyone else in the classes so far.
At first I sort of panicked. Because in English class there was a girl sitting in front of me that had a huge head. Her name was DeAndra, and she was really nice to me. But it was difficult not to stare at how big her noggin was. I mean like a balloon head. The others in my class didnt seem to fit the normal groups my age I was accustomed to and expecting to see today.
Hey guys, let me see all of your schedules again. Looking over them there was a big difference between theirs and mine. They had math class and I had AP Algebra I. I was scheduled for AP Biology, and their schedules put them in Physical Science. I was taking AP English II and they all had English I. The only class that was not different was American History.
Then Jon Pardue tells me these are the same classes his older brother took last year in ninth grade. So now you are saying they are not the retard classes? I was asking seriously out of complete confusion. Well my older brother does act retarded some times, but no. Maybe your schedule is messed up or something?
I decided to head up to the counselors office while there was some time left in lunch. Hey, see you guys later. Steve catch you after school when mom will pick us up, K? Yea man I will see you out front when school is over. I bolted out the door and headed up the first flight of stairs looped around, then the next set going up. I made a hard right, in the very long hall and took another half set of stairs down, then finally towards front of the school. I found the counselors office right next to the attendance office.
It took a few minutes in the waiting room, but finally got the chance to ask what was up with my schedule. She pulled my records, looked everything over and checked my schedule to confirm what I was inquiring about. Is there a problem son? I was just curious if my schedule was correct. It was just that none of my friends have any of the same classes that I have.
After looking over several things, she mentioned that I was in the Advanced Placement classes. I was basically taking the next higher grade level classes, but only with students that also met the required criteria. I asked her what that actually meant, since it is even more confusing than before.
She went on explaining these classes were only for students scoring above a certain level on their scholastic testing. I was placed there because of my test scores. The same test all students take every year. She asked me if I thought there was a problem with any of this. I did not know anything about it until now. This is the first time I have even heard of any Advanced Placement classes.
She reassured me my schedule was correct. I should take a week and think about everything. If I had any more questions, then get back to her. If I thought I was over my head in these classes, then maybe consider changing back to regular classes. It would not be too late if there was any problem this early in the semester.
After making it thru Algebra I, I was thinking there might be a huge problem. That crap is hard! First I learned how to add and subtract. Then divide and multiply while taking math all thru elementary school. This Algebra stuff does not make any sense to me at all. What the heck is an algebraic expression supposed to do anyway? Except laugh at me.
Right now the only expression I can relate to is the confused one on my face. Thumbing thru this two inch thick book and looking over the pages is making my fingers sore. All of these symbols and formulas are making my head start to throb. Another problem is the teacher, Mr Davis looks and acts just like a drill instructor from the marines. Like those hard core ones they show in the movies.
Finally the day is over. It was a little bit stressful for the first day at a new school. But no real trouble. Just have to step up my game if I want to take these classes seriously. I guess it is going to be my head in the books from now on. Before this year, I could sometimes wait until the beginning of class to finish my homework. It wasnt that hard.
The hard part was trying to stay focused when I was not at school. It seemed the slightly added pressure made my brain work better to get the assignments done. This was usually while everyone else in class was going on about any trivial thing they happened to be floating around in their heads at the moment. I would not always get everything finished, but managed to slide thru without any disappointing grades. Looks like this year all of that will have to change.
07-12-2021, 03:39 PM (This post was last modified: 07-19-2021, 11:23 PM by Terry Bentley.)
Chapter 81
I think that is mom who was hollering at me. But I was in that deep dream state and wrapped up with something that was holding all of my attention. I opened my eyes trying to figure out what it even was. Must not have been anything very important. Mom was repeating what she had said. You have a phone call. Get up and answer it, NOW.
Geez, who is calling me this morning? I know Steve doesnt usually call this early on Saturday, unless something really important is going on. Looking in the mirror, my hair appears to have some serious issues. A very bad case of mop hair. After shaking off the sleep, I head into the kitchen towards the telephone on the wall.
It sure would be cool to have my own personal phone. Yea right, that is what rich and very important people get to have. Even a second phone in the house would be too much of a luxury. It wasnt even that long ago that many houses didnt even have a phone.
Only two weeks after my grandfather died, his brother, my great uncle Homer, took me on a
road trip. We traveled in his new car up into the panhandle headed for a little town called Silverton. We have relatives on my moms side living there. On the way we also stopped off to visit another one of my great uncles, one of my grandfathers other brothers.
Uncle Bill spent his life working on building up his own cattle ranch. He was successful and had a decent spread of grazing pasture for his herd. He lived alone and didnt see much reason to have anything fancy. Just the basics to get by. He is one person that didnt want any more than he already had.
But his living accommodations were rather stark even for a country boy. Out what seemed to be in the middle of nowhere we made a right turn on a pathway barely paved over on Noodle Dome Road and headed north. His house looked like something right out of the 1800's westerns. Not even log cabin living but just basic stick frame and not even much of that. The place was so small, we had to spend the night in a roadside motel outside the nearby town of Trent.
Not a big shocker either to find out my uncle is one of those old timers that didnt see the need for a modern telephone. If he wanted to talk to someone, his preference was face to face.
He still had the conventional wooden hand crank telephone hanging on the wall. This phone was made by Kellogg, like most of the ones I remember seeing in rural areas. It was fun to turn the handle and make the bells ring out. I did here an operator answer when I was playing with his phone one time. Then quickly apologized for bothering her.
The few hours of my life that I have spent here was mainly occupied by shooting at bullfrogs with a 22 rifle. But that is a story for some other time.
The small town of Silverton is just about an hour due south of Amarillo. Maybe as the crow flys or maybe not. My grandmothers sister which would make her my great aunt Ruby, owned the local drive-in. Similar to the Dairyette, but on a smaller scale. The whole town was layed back and about 50 years behind what the big cities have to offer.
One thing I remember is they had finally gotten real phone numbers. Those old hand crank wooden phones and party lines were going by the way of the covered wagon and horses did for transportation. Well in most parts of the country now. The other thing I remember is the Silverton phone numbers are only four digits. But the need for a phone was not that important since any healthy person could walk the whole town in a short amount of time.
My cousin I met for the first time there is three months younger than me. But he has grown big like many country boys and could put the serious hurt to me if he wanted to. Another thing I found odd, well for a city boy, is the preferred mode of transportation for the guys my age. Not that many of them had bicycles. They either chose to walk or had their own horse. But some of them already drove farm trucks. How cool is
I was informed by my cousin driving the trucks was for work, not all fun and games all the time. The truck was for work and farm related only. But driving to school was considered work also. But you did need to be at least 13 years old and live out on a farm.
It would be a lot of work keeping your ride fed and in good working order. I didnt have to feed my bicycle like a horse, or rub it down and make sure it had water. I could just toss it on the ground and walk away. A horse is more like owning an expensive foreign car. The more you use it the more it costs. If you dont use it, then still costs just as much to own.
While spending the couple of days in Silverton, we saved Saturday night for the local rodeo. I remember one rider leaving the chute and got wrapped around the gate. At the time Silverton didnt even have a doctor. They had to ship out the injured bull rider to a neighboring towns medical services. This was something big enough of a news story to even make news across the state.
Well enough for getting off track driving down irrelevent road. Even tho it was only about 7 months earlier this year when I took the road trip with the uncle. So back to walking in the kitchen to answer the phone. Calling on a Saturday morning, as in early isnt one of those things I look forward to.
The receiver is dangling from the phone base hung on the kitchen wall and down to the floor. Some years ago the original short cord was replaced with one that can at least reach far enough to sit down at the table in the dining room. It also sets up perfect for someone to get clotheslined if not paying attention. As in one of my sisters whos mind is usually somewhere else most of the time.
Hello? Is this Terry?
Yes it is, who am I talking to?
Oh, this is Topher, do you remember me from the track?
Oh yea, I remember you.
So Terry, what are you up to?
Uh, well I was sleeping in this morning, but whats going on?
Oh sorry about that. My mom sometimes goes to work really early on Saturdays, so I am usually awake when she leaves. I was hoping if you had some time, maybe chat about your kart and stuff like that.
Yea OK, what is it you want to know?
Well, I was really impressed how you and your friend Steve came out there for you guys first race and ran so well. Not how things ended up, but how good both of the karts ran. Do you have anything special done to your motor? You guys ran very fast. My motor is stock except I added a Tillotson carb from a Power Products. A guy sold it to me after replacing his with a bigger one at the races one night.
Do you think this was a good choice? Or is there another one that might work better? It is sometimes hard to start. Could that be because of changing the carb out? My engine always started up easy with the original carb. But this one runs a lot faster.
What do you think about that new velocity stack from Azusa? Would it help out very much? It sure looks cool. Originally my kart was direct drive, but way too hard for me to get started by myself. Thats when I got a Mercury clutch. Do you think those are the best? Are there other ones that might work better?
That clutch sure made it easy to get the motor running without help. Sometimes before, if I had to stop suddenly or spun out, it wouldnt fire back up for anything. You know how hard it is trying to push that kart around with the chain hooked up?
I finally got smart and brought a Cressent wrench with me. That way, if it didnt start back
up, I could remove the spark plug and push my kart back home. Do you think this hurts my motor or wears it out faster? Is there any particular spark plug you guys prefer? Is one brand better than any other?
I keep hearing some of the fast guys talking about that stuff, but nobody ever agrees on anything. One guy swears Champion is good as it gets. Another driver said those NGK plugs were the best thing going. But they are way more expensive. Which ones do you use?
What do you think about the Simplex karts? Thats what mine is. I got it last year for Christmas. It only pulls on one wheel tho. Do you think a two wheel pull axle would be a good thing to add? Those faster guys were laughing and saying it would make my kart run slower because the engine doesnt make enough power. Is that what you think too?
Your motor seems to work with both wheels locked to the axle. What is done to it? Is it all modified and stuff like that? Do you mind telling me? I will understand if you dont want to. If my motor was running fast from a bunch of work, I might not want to tell everyone what had been done to it.
Uh, Topher? Can you hold on a moment?.... Yea, sure. I wanted to ask you about mufflers? Do you like any particular.......I sat the phone down on the table for a quick break. Man my ear is already getting sweaty. This kid sure can talk. I went over to the cabinet and pulled down a bowl from the second shelf and filled it with Corn Flakes. Then topped off with milk. Grabbing a spoon, I headed back to the table, sprinkling sugar over the cereal then picked the receiver back up.
....but the slicks sure make my kart handle well. Is there a particular brand better than the others? What about recaps? Are they good enough for racing compared to new ones? I got a flat tire one night at the races. So I was done for the evening. I had not worked on my kart before. It is the first time I have ever taken the front wheel
apart. I didnt have the right tools either. The next day, my neighbor let me use his tools so I could get that flat tire fixed, Have you ever done this before?
Do you think bicycle patches are strong enough for fixing the flat on my kart? I sure wouldnt want that patch to fail at the track and not be able to finish my race. Do you guys plan on running out at the track again soon? If you do, can I maybe help be your pit crew? Would you mind if I did that? I sure would like to learn how to do work on my kart.
I am a quick learner. Just show me what to do, and I will get it done for you. What brand of gas do you run? I can only get my gas from the Enco or Gulf stations on the way to the track. Do you think that is good enough? Would my engine run faster with special gas?
How do I know if the diaphragms in that carburetor need to be changed? Do they wear out or break? I have never torn a carb apart before. Is it hard to change them out? Do you think it is something I could do without any chance of my motor messing up?
Oh, someone is ringing the door bell. Can you hold on a minute while I see who it is? Hello, hello, Terry?
Oh, yea I am still here. How about if I call you back later instead? Like in the afternoon. There are some things I have to get done this morning before it gets too much later.
OK sounds good. It was nice to talk with you, Terry. You wont forget now?
No, I definitely will not forget. Talk to you later. Click.
Wow that kid can talk. I never got one word in there. He was rattling on and kept changing directions, I am not even sure of everything he was talking about. I dont think he even stopped talking when I put the phone down either. Well I do need to get busy before the whole day is gone.
It is earlier than I was originally planning on going to my grandmothers house, but there is a lot more things needing to get done this time. Duty calls and the yard work never stops. Since I got up this early from the phone call, maybe add a few hours to some free time later on.
I made a quick dash thru the neighborhood straight to my grandmothers house. When not in a big hurry, I would cut across the dirt road, but this morning I went straight up Kingswood. It is a steeper uphill ride this way, but more in direct line and saves time.
First thing I need to do is get the Massey-Ferguson riding mower fired up. The last time I mowed the yard, the engine was starting to have some problems. For some reason the points need to be adjusted a lot on this engine. Fortunately the ignition points are easy to access. There is a long pushrod running on the crankshaft that opens them.
Unlike most lawnmowers, the points on this engine are not under the flywheel. That does make it easy to make adjustments. It would take forever tearing the engine down if they were under the flywheel. Removing the cover I see there is a lot of oil on everything.
Wow that might be the problem right there. It makes sense. Shouldnt take very long to get this cleaned up and make sure the gap is correct. I filled a small can with some gasoline then washed out the points box using an old paint brush. That is a lot better now.
Next thing I did was remove the spark plug and spin the engine over to see a bright purplish blue spark now. Alright, that should work better. There was this one time I ddint ground the spark plug so well. That sure got my attention fast. It smarts!
This is a really cool ride for a mower. More like a miniature tractor. It is powered by a massive cast iron 10 horsepower Kohler. It has electric start and a four speed transmission. Actually uses a combination starter generator that is belt driven on the flywheel side of engine.
There is also a variable belt drive connected with a one to five range. This thing really hauls the ace when driving down to Shamrock gas station when it needs a refill. Way too many times I have run it full bore on Ferguson trying to stay up with the cars.
In fourth gear and the variable drive all the way down, this thing is flying. Coming back from the gas station, I can get it into a four wheel drift when turning on to the gravel driveway and down the hill to my grandmothers yard. A few times it has even lifted up on two wheels. That sure was a surprise. I dont know how easy it is to tip this thing over, but sure not eager to find out either.
Today I had an extra job to perform. After last weeks rain storm, one of the bigger trees had split and fallen. This time the tree is going to be put down. I hate seeing a nice big shade tree having to be turned into fire wood. But no choice this time. The cool thing is I get to use a chainsaw to do the hard work.
A couple of years ago, my grandfather had bought one of those monster sized David Bradley chainsaws that Sears sells. This one is pale yellow and bright orange. It is huge and hard for me to hold up for very long. There is a gear reduction box connected to the bar and chain. The bar is nearly three feet long. This chain is huge too. It is 1/2 inch pitch and so far has never needed sharpened or even adjusted since it was purchased new.
The only hard part is getting this dang chainsaw started if it hasnt been used in a while. And naturally it has been sititng up for more than a year that I am aware of. Like since the last time a tree had some large branches fall. I remember helping my grandfather cut them into firewood. He always made sure I stayed clear of this chainsaw when he was cutting anything. But today I get to do it all by myself.
After several failed attempts at starting this thing, I tried a different approach. This time removing the orange air filter cover, then pouring some fuel in the carburetor to prime the engine. I also noticed a nice shiny Tillotson in there too. It is a model HL-65A. Checking it out, this one looks no different than the box of other chainsaw carburetors I already have.
At least the chainsaw started up this time, but then bucked, coughed and died. Argh! Once again I tried but the rope jerked back and ripped some skin off between my fingers. OK I am in serious need of some gloves just to start this thing.
It took several more tries yanking the rope, but finally it kicked over and stayed running. Now just let it warm up for a few minutes and see if I have the man strength to operate this thing. It might be a good idea to find that pair of gloves while I am waiting too.
The air filter cover needed to be put back on. It is held in place with a 1/4 turn spring loaded screw. Next I rotated the choke to full open. When reving it up, the engine noses over slightly. So I let it stay running for a few more minutes to get really good and hot before making toothpicks.
After about two hours of handling this oversized, out of ba1ance, vibrating, muscle building machine, there was a big pile of wood for the fireplace. Man, do my arms hurt? Seriously that was not a question. Of course they do. Like in a big way.
I dont know if I can even pick this thing back up to put it away. My hands and arms are still tingling from all the vibration. What were those pain pills I took after the wreck at the kart track? Tylenol? I will take two to go with a big glass of cold water please!
David Bradley chainsaw
This is so cool. Finally I have color film for my camera! There were some rolls of 620 color film at the Rexall drug store that had expired. They were almost giving them away. OK, the salesman at the front counter did say the color may not be perfect, but so what. I got color pictures for now.
My grandmother was more than surprised I tackled that big tree all by myself. I cant believe you got that big tree cut up in one day! You will be such a strong man when all grown up. OK granny, enough already. I washed up in the kitchen while she made the offer to head down to the Howard Johnsons for breakfast. How could I say no?
After an hour of nothing but small talk, I gave my grandmother a big hug said my goodbyes and headed back home. This time I was pushing my bike and walking all the way. Even tho my legs were only sore, these arms were like screaming with pain.
Shoulders and into my back were not much better. Trying to pedal my way home right now was not happening. I used the bike to lean on and it walked me back across the street, then down a few blocks to the old dirt road.
My grandmother paid me a whole 10 dollars for all the yard work and cutting up that big old tree. That is way more than I had expected. I told her this is really too much, but she was not taking no for any reason. So naturally I saw no reason to upset her. She thanked me for escorting her to breakfast and the time we spent together at Howard Johnsons talking.
Being temporarily rich at the moment, I almost didnt want to bother with checking the local carwash for pop bottles. On a Saturday afternoon, I can usually make a big haul. This morning turned out to be no exception. Sunny and lots of people washing their cars today.
The only problem would be handling all of the bottles and making it to the 7-11 so I could cash them in. But something building up inside gave me the strength or motivation to see it thru to the end.
Another 85 cents and I definitely had made the big time today. New tires may be in the works sooner that I was thinking. This is going to work out great. I grabbed a few Mountain Dews, and a large bag of M&M's. I needed a big sugar fix to replace everything that was used up working today.
Still walking my bike back, I crossed Highland Road then headed down the alley. At the end I turned pushing my bike up into the back yard and saw Steve sitting there at the garage door.
Hey man, where you been? I was bored and with nothing to do, thought maybe you wanted to tinker on the karts or something? Oh cool you brought me a drink and some M&M's. Thanks. Hey this aint Coke. So where is my drink?
Sure Steve help yourself, but you are buying next time. Yea no problem, I can do that. Man you look beat to a pulp. Who did you get into a tangle with and loose so badly? Your arms are all scratched up. Man have you been working out? Looks almost like there are some muscles showing on your arms. Terry, that isnt a natural look for you at all.
No, no such luck. At least that would be a reason for feeling like a train wreck. I mowed my grandmothers yard this morning. You know that monster chainsaw she has? Yea man, that is a man killer if I ever saw one. I just dont see your grandmother having much luck using that chainsaw.
Yea right Steve, my granny trying to use it. I dont think so. Well I got to play with it today. That big old horse apple tree finally fell down and is now just a pile of firewood. I, on the other hand, am dead wood. That is some hard to cut tree too.
The saw got really heavy lifting all morning. I am surprised all of my body parts are still attached. Somebody could hurt themselves with that sucker. Like when dropping it on their foot or something. Oh my arms ache. If you ever wanted to beat me at arm wrestling, now is the time. You wont get a better chance than right now.
No man, I dont want to take advantage of you in your condition. If I beat you it is going to be fair and square. I see you are just about dead meat anyway. That would not be much of a challenge right now. But I will take you up on it later. How about say 30 minutes or so? That give you enough time to recouperate?
No problem Steve, I should be good as new in 30 minutes. Get real, how about 30 days! That is about how much time I need to recover by the way I feel right now. So you dont have any other stuff going on today? Your mom doesnt have a list of things you should be doing?
Naw, mom and dad just up and split for the afternoon. My older sister has a baby sitting gig and took the little sis along with her. So just me and nothing else to do right now. I was enjoying all of the peace and quiet, well until getting really bored. So thought you might be around or show up eventually.
Wow you sure know how to make me feel wanted there buddy. Uh jerk! Oh! You would not believe who called and woke me up this morning! Man can that kid talk your ear off.
Let me guess, your new racing buddy? What does he call himself, Topcat, Gopher, or something? No, it is Topher, that is his name. I knew it was something like that. But an easy guess.
Do you know how I know who called you this morning? I shook my head, while Steve kept talking. You see he already called me earlier too. I was doing my chores when the phone rang. I didnt recognize him at first. But when he kept talking I figured it out quick enough.
He told me you and him were discussing karts and stuff, but you had to get some work done this morning and would call him back later this afternoon. Man I really appreciate you giving him my phone number. Really not one bit!
Maybe I should head on home so you can get that call made. Sure you dont want to make a liar out of yourself. Guess I will get on out of here, see you later.
Dude, dont be such a dud. I didnt give him your phone number either. I dont even know how he got mine? The whole time he was talking, I never got a word in. If someone didnt happen to be knocking on his door, I would likely still be listening to him rambling on right now.
Oh you are not going anywhere right now either, not after eating all of my M&M's. You owe me, so stick around. I can call him back later. By the way, I made 10 bucks working today. New tires are becoming more of a reality. Or at least more real than yesterday.
Man you dont need no new tires. Your kart is already fast enough. That will just make it more difficult for me to keep up. But you could make me one of those super carburetors, so we can both be a lot faster next time.
I got to thinking about how both of our karts run together. In traffic, I so got the advantage over you. But in a clean run when we are back to back, you can pull away and leave me behind. At least until you hit more traffic ahead.
Your kart has the smaller gear. It is a 72 tooth if I remember right. Mine has the 74 tooth. This is starting to make sense with the practicing and changes made on both karts. You can get that little bit extra speed at the end of the long straight.
If you drive smooth enough, I cant make up any ground when following behind. Not unless you screw up or something, like catching up to a slower kart. But if you put that bored out carburetor on, there is nothing I can do to keep up.
Most of the time it was easy to make a pass when you were stuck following another kart. If you cant make a quick pass, then I am all over behind you. This also gets me a better hole shot out of any of the slower turns ahead. Good enough to pass you and the kart you are following. But you dont usually spend much time following, if there is even a slight chance of making a pass on the other kart.
I was thinking if we set up both karts with the same gear and that bigger carburetor of yours, then maybe we could be fast enough to run with those two Westbends. I sort of want to go back out there and try again. But this time make sure we play totally by their rules so we dont get screwed over. I think that would be so cool to do.
Heck I had fun even tho it was a complete waste of time. It would have been neat to get that trophy. But now I want revenge with a stunning victory attached. If we could pull that off and beat them two without getting black flagged or disqualified, would make up for last weeks disaster. What do you think?
Wow Steve, that is a fantastic.......TERRY, you have a telephone call..your new friend from the track.......Oh crap, that is obviously Topher calling me back. Why dont you stick around for a minute while I see what he wants?
No way man, I know what is going to happen if you start talking to him. I will be here by myself watching the sun go down. And even likely see it come up in the east if I stick around waiting long enough.
Hey Steve, just hold on for a minute before running off. I just need to ask him something real quick. Here finish off the last of my M&M's.
Hello? Hey Terry, its me again, Topher. Whats up? Not much. I just got back from working and was outside talking to Steve. Way cool, did he tell you we talked earlier today too? Yea he was just telling me about it when the phone rang. So Terry, I wasnt sure if you had my phone number so you could call me back.
Yea I still have that card you gave me. In my wallet right here in my pocket.
Well I wasnt sure, you know since all what happened at the track last week. You sure seemed bummed out after that mess. I felt really bad. That stuff happens a lot out there and most of the time they dont ever come back. I sure hope you and Steve decide to race again. It was a hoot with you guys there. So what do you think about everything we talked about this morning?
To tell you the truth, uh Topher, it is all jargled up in the back of my head somewhere. I was concentrating on all of the work needing done this morning and havent thought about most of it. Hey Steve is outside waiting on me.
Oh I am sorry. I didnt mean to interrupt anything. I will let you get back to what you were doing. Maybe we can talk some other time.
NO, that is not what I meant. Hold on, I have an idea. What are you doing for the rest of the day? One other thing, you got a bike that is road worthy?
Nothing and yes, I do. Why are you asking?
How about me and Steve meet up with you somewhere.
Wow! Are you serious? That would be so awesome. I would really like that too. You name it and I am there. That sounds like it would be fun to hang out with you guys today.
How far are you from the Casa View Shopping Center or Oats Plaza?
Well I know where both places are. They are about far as I would usually ride my bike alone, but either are good for me.
OK Topher pick either Ashburns Ice Cream or the Dairyette.
Could we maybe go to the hardware store close to the Dairyette first? Then head over from there?
Sounds like a plan. How long would it take for you?
I will see you guys in about 30 minutes, is that soon enough? Will that work?
Great, see you in a little while then.
Hey Steve, we got a road trip. Go grab you bike and lets split.
Sure man, but whats up?
I will tell you on the way. Get going we only got 30 minutes to make it there. No big rush, just dont want to waste all afternoon on the bikes.
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