11-26-2019, 05:06 PM
(This post was last modified: 05-10-2022, 01:05 AM by Terry Bentley.)
Chapter 5
Wow, she paid me 3 whole dollars for mowing the yard. Thats a dollar more than last time. Staring up to the clouds thinking about so many things I wanted. But all were way more than the meager savings I had managed to tuck back. If there is even a chance for me to actually get to race, its time to start doing all I can to make some real cash. That got me thinking how much money I picked up digging pop bottles out of trash cans at the car wash. I guess thats what has kept me with just enough change in my pocket, not to feel broke all the time.
Without my noticing, Dad had pulled up and blew the horn while sliding to a stop just in front of me. OK, feet back down to the ground. Guess its time to head out with him. Now what did he say we were going to do this afternoon? It was a little after 4:00 when we turned into a fenced in area. I had my head down thinking about some trivial things not paying attention to where we had driven to. But then immediately noticed a strange smell in the air and started hearing some slightly familiar sounds coming from a distance.
I looked up and noticed we had just pulled up to the gate at Fabens Speedway. My heart jumped just about 10 beats ahead of itself. How old is the boy? The attendant asked dad at the gate. He turned 13 in February. Dad replied back. Not paying attention, I looked ahead toward the pits with serious anticipation. Well he doesnt look a day over 12 to me. So that will be fifty cents for your pass. Kids 12 and under get in free. Thank you very much, dad said with a big grin.
Well, you park you car over there and enjoy yourselves today. There is going to be some great racing later tonite. I hopped out of the Ranchero and was standing against the fence before dad even had a chance to kill the ignition. What was that great smell in the air. Is it something unique to racing? Dad walks up and surprises me with a nudge. So, what are the gears grinding out in that thick head of yours? Dad, does my head really look thick? No son, its just an expression....
I was just curious about what that sweet smell in the air is. Well it doesnt smell so sweet to me. Thats the same stuff your grandma used to cram down my throat every time I got sick. Castor Oil, I asked? Yep, one and the same. You mean thats what they run for oil in those engines? No way! You are just funning me. Nope totally serious. You mix it with methanol and its does have a very sweet smell. You can look out there on the track and tell who is running castor with alcohol.
See those two guys karts that is spewing all that white smoke? It takes over twice the amount of alcohol as compared to gas when you run it. When you have the same 16:1 oil ratio regardless of what fuel is run, it tends to smoke like a freight train, so to speak. You see those other slower karts there. Still smoking a lot but not really sweet smelling? They are most likely junior drivers running stock class bushing motors on gas. These motors wont usually even spin up to 6000 rpm. Even tho not nearly the amount of fuel is being burned, the motors are still smoking a lot. Yea, I mean....yes sir, I was noticing that. Whats the deal? Just think about it for a minute and figure for yourself why that is.
I thought for some time, while really being distracted with all of the surrounding eye candy. I got quizzed again on it so forced my brain to come up with a viable answer. My face must have had a really blank look, so dad works an angle in. He asks me what happened when I would run a lawnmower engine full throttle without governor for any length of time. I quickly responded that it would usually blow up. He then quizzes me as to why? Well the rod usually breaks. Again he asks why.
Knowing from past experience of these cherished learning moments how this is going, so better start making the brain function. I dont want to feel like a total idiot when the answer has been staring me in the face this whole time. OK think! Think, why does the lawnmower usually blow up when running wide open for an extended time. The rod breaks, so why? OH, I know!! There are no bearings in motor and rod usually welds up to crankshaft.
Wow that wasnt so hard. OK, so what does that have to do to with racing two stroke engines here at the track? They are not at all like a garden digger engine like on most tillers and lawnmowers. Dad, you said those motors have bushings. Where are the bushings? He said I see you do have a brain in there somewhere. Wow, not a compliment, but I at least dont feel totally stupid. He explains the bushing motors used for racing are limited to having a connecting rod without needle bearings like a McCulloch or Westbend would normally have. I was almost too afraid to ask why not, but wanted to find out more than I cared to feel stupid.
He stood there quietly for a moment and then went on to explain in very much detail about cost of manufacturing components, even if only a few cents could make for more profits if the number of units sold were substantial enough. OK not exactly the answer I was expecting. Guess this will be something thats going on the back burner and can expect to get cleared up at some business class in college. Then is hit me. Oh, you mean its cheaper to make if the motor will still stand up to normal use? So they can sell it cheaper. He nodded his head and told me I was getting the picture now. Then I asked why would someone want to race a bushing engine, if it couldnt be run to its potential without blowing up? He started in with something then stopped for a minute.
Well some people cant afford the high end stuff and would rather race than watch from the sidelines. While others like to tackle the limitations and see how much power they can get the motor to make without blowing up. There are people that dont care to go fast as the better engines may run. Wow, I never thought of it that way. So can we go in the pits?? Sure I think that is allowed until the races get started in about another hour. Enough brain activity for now, that was a lot to take in.
Lets go look at all of the different karts. I want to get up close and see everything. Will that be OK? Sure, you can go take a look. Thats why we are here isnt it? I am going to be over by the concession stand sitting at one of the tables if you want a pop or something. Knowing my dad, I was not always sure why he did what he did. Just dont need to get ahead of myself. We are here, that is a good thing.
Wow, she paid me 3 whole dollars for mowing the yard. Thats a dollar more than last time. Staring up to the clouds thinking about so many things I wanted. But all were way more than the meager savings I had managed to tuck back. If there is even a chance for me to actually get to race, its time to start doing all I can to make some real cash. That got me thinking how much money I picked up digging pop bottles out of trash cans at the car wash. I guess thats what has kept me with just enough change in my pocket, not to feel broke all the time.
Without my noticing, Dad had pulled up and blew the horn while sliding to a stop just in front of me. OK, feet back down to the ground. Guess its time to head out with him. Now what did he say we were going to do this afternoon? It was a little after 4:00 when we turned into a fenced in area. I had my head down thinking about some trivial things not paying attention to where we had driven to. But then immediately noticed a strange smell in the air and started hearing some slightly familiar sounds coming from a distance.
I looked up and noticed we had just pulled up to the gate at Fabens Speedway. My heart jumped just about 10 beats ahead of itself. How old is the boy? The attendant asked dad at the gate. He turned 13 in February. Dad replied back. Not paying attention, I looked ahead toward the pits with serious anticipation. Well he doesnt look a day over 12 to me. So that will be fifty cents for your pass. Kids 12 and under get in free. Thank you very much, dad said with a big grin.
Well, you park you car over there and enjoy yourselves today. There is going to be some great racing later tonite. I hopped out of the Ranchero and was standing against the fence before dad even had a chance to kill the ignition. What was that great smell in the air. Is it something unique to racing? Dad walks up and surprises me with a nudge. So, what are the gears grinding out in that thick head of yours? Dad, does my head really look thick? No son, its just an expression....
I was just curious about what that sweet smell in the air is. Well it doesnt smell so sweet to me. Thats the same stuff your grandma used to cram down my throat every time I got sick. Castor Oil, I asked? Yep, one and the same. You mean thats what they run for oil in those engines? No way! You are just funning me. Nope totally serious. You mix it with methanol and its does have a very sweet smell. You can look out there on the track and tell who is running castor with alcohol.
See those two guys karts that is spewing all that white smoke? It takes over twice the amount of alcohol as compared to gas when you run it. When you have the same 16:1 oil ratio regardless of what fuel is run, it tends to smoke like a freight train, so to speak. You see those other slower karts there. Still smoking a lot but not really sweet smelling? They are most likely junior drivers running stock class bushing motors on gas. These motors wont usually even spin up to 6000 rpm. Even tho not nearly the amount of fuel is being burned, the motors are still smoking a lot. Yea, I mean....yes sir, I was noticing that. Whats the deal? Just think about it for a minute and figure for yourself why that is.
I thought for some time, while really being distracted with all of the surrounding eye candy. I got quizzed again on it so forced my brain to come up with a viable answer. My face must have had a really blank look, so dad works an angle in. He asks me what happened when I would run a lawnmower engine full throttle without governor for any length of time. I quickly responded that it would usually blow up. He then quizzes me as to why? Well the rod usually breaks. Again he asks why.
Knowing from past experience of these cherished learning moments how this is going, so better start making the brain function. I dont want to feel like a total idiot when the answer has been staring me in the face this whole time. OK think! Think, why does the lawnmower usually blow up when running wide open for an extended time. The rod breaks, so why? OH, I know!! There are no bearings in motor and rod usually welds up to crankshaft.
Wow that wasnt so hard. OK, so what does that have to do to with racing two stroke engines here at the track? They are not at all like a garden digger engine like on most tillers and lawnmowers. Dad, you said those motors have bushings. Where are the bushings? He said I see you do have a brain in there somewhere. Wow, not a compliment, but I at least dont feel totally stupid. He explains the bushing motors used for racing are limited to having a connecting rod without needle bearings like a McCulloch or Westbend would normally have. I was almost too afraid to ask why not, but wanted to find out more than I cared to feel stupid.
He stood there quietly for a moment and then went on to explain in very much detail about cost of manufacturing components, even if only a few cents could make for more profits if the number of units sold were substantial enough. OK not exactly the answer I was expecting. Guess this will be something thats going on the back burner and can expect to get cleared up at some business class in college. Then is hit me. Oh, you mean its cheaper to make if the motor will still stand up to normal use? So they can sell it cheaper. He nodded his head and told me I was getting the picture now. Then I asked why would someone want to race a bushing engine, if it couldnt be run to its potential without blowing up? He started in with something then stopped for a minute.
Well some people cant afford the high end stuff and would rather race than watch from the sidelines. While others like to tackle the limitations and see how much power they can get the motor to make without blowing up. There are people that dont care to go fast as the better engines may run. Wow, I never thought of it that way. So can we go in the pits?? Sure I think that is allowed until the races get started in about another hour. Enough brain activity for now, that was a lot to take in.
Lets go look at all of the different karts. I want to get up close and see everything. Will that be OK? Sure, you can go take a look. Thats why we are here isnt it? I am going to be over by the concession stand sitting at one of the tables if you want a pop or something. Knowing my dad, I was not always sure why he did what he did. Just dont need to get ahead of myself. We are here, that is a good thing.