12-08-2019, 03:06 AM
(This post was last modified: 05-10-2022, 02:34 AM by Terry Bentley.)
Chapter 11
Now the third heat is finished and races are over. So back in the pits for more looking around. After the awards ceremony, announcer says there will be open track until midnight for anyone wanting to. Why dont you just rub salt in my eyes too? Yes I want to, but no I said "No thank you". Sorry Steve, that was "No thank you, sir". All of this was just beating around in my head while staring across the pits at nothing in particular.
I moped around for a little while and find my self over at Mr Cates pits. How convenient. He had been enjoying a conversation with Tex Bell. After they shook hands and Tex left, Mr Cates waved me over. I thought you just might be around after the races. That offer still stands, if you really want to. No pressure mind you.
Are you sure its no trouble? I asked. He assured its no trouble at all. But dont take me up on it if you dont think you are ready. I am more than ready, its just that......Uh, that kart of yours really looks fast. Maybe more than I can handle. He gets a big laugh and clarified something. Son, I offered you a ride on a kart. It would be plain irresponsible of me to put you out on my dual engine rig for your first real time to drive. With all that red face tonight, someone might mistake you for a native Indian.
Wow, that was a big relief. My misunderstanding. But what kart were you talking about? He points a finger to the trailer behind his Studebaker station wagon. That one over there. It is one of the first karts I built about two years ago. A lot of people have enjoyed their first ride on that same one. Its powered by a Clinton A-490. Been really dependable, once I replaced the stock connecting rod with one that was machined from billet stock.
After breaking a few of the stock rods, I decided there had to be something that would work better. Then made some calls and found out Bug Engineering had come out with a nice replacement. So got a hold of Tom on the telephone long distance. He sent me one right away. This particular connecting rod is a good 400 percent stronger than old stock one. By the way, are you following me there? Do you know what I am even talking about? Most kids usually just give me that same blank stare when talking about the goings on of a two cycle motor.
While I had been listening to him intently, was also focused on exactly what he was talking about. Not totally a blank stare. Trying to envision specifically the difference in both parts may have left me expressionless for the moment. I am somewhat familiar with the workings of a two stroke engine, sir. But was just thinking about what the differences are and what might look like comparing the two side by side.
I be darned, that is a most intelligent response from someone your age. I sometimes start rambling on and even loose most adults, when getting past just the makes and models of most engines.
I then ask if the replacement is similar to the E-65 rod, except swapping those needle bearings out with a full floating bushing? Well son, that might just be the hot ticket there. Guess that is one way to do it. Like the Go-Power bushing kit so you can run the Westbend 580 in the same class. Never thought about doing it that way. You might be on to something tho. But the Bug rod is heavier built from aircraft aluminum and utilizes a replaceable insert. Basically like in newer automobiles. Well not really new compared to you. When I was your age, car motors used babbit bushings on the connecting rods. A whole nutter ball game there. And showing my age too. The difference is this rod also uses an insert that is fully machined from a bronze material and retains lubricants extremely well.
Enough shop talk much as I do like to bench race. So do you want to take this kart out? I sort of looked down and was kicking at the ground looking really nervous. If you are sure you dont mind, I would really like to take you up on the offer.
Well get that lead out of your britches and help me unload it from the trailer. At this rate the sun will be coming up soon, he said jokingly of course. For a rigid uptight elderly man, wearing slacks, white collared dress shirt and pocket protector out here, he was no square.
Now the third heat is finished and races are over. So back in the pits for more looking around. After the awards ceremony, announcer says there will be open track until midnight for anyone wanting to. Why dont you just rub salt in my eyes too? Yes I want to, but no I said "No thank you". Sorry Steve, that was "No thank you, sir". All of this was just beating around in my head while staring across the pits at nothing in particular.
I moped around for a little while and find my self over at Mr Cates pits. How convenient. He had been enjoying a conversation with Tex Bell. After they shook hands and Tex left, Mr Cates waved me over. I thought you just might be around after the races. That offer still stands, if you really want to. No pressure mind you.
Are you sure its no trouble? I asked. He assured its no trouble at all. But dont take me up on it if you dont think you are ready. I am more than ready, its just that......Uh, that kart of yours really looks fast. Maybe more than I can handle. He gets a big laugh and clarified something. Son, I offered you a ride on a kart. It would be plain irresponsible of me to put you out on my dual engine rig for your first real time to drive. With all that red face tonight, someone might mistake you for a native Indian.
Wow, that was a big relief. My misunderstanding. But what kart were you talking about? He points a finger to the trailer behind his Studebaker station wagon. That one over there. It is one of the first karts I built about two years ago. A lot of people have enjoyed their first ride on that same one. Its powered by a Clinton A-490. Been really dependable, once I replaced the stock connecting rod with one that was machined from billet stock.
After breaking a few of the stock rods, I decided there had to be something that would work better. Then made some calls and found out Bug Engineering had come out with a nice replacement. So got a hold of Tom on the telephone long distance. He sent me one right away. This particular connecting rod is a good 400 percent stronger than old stock one. By the way, are you following me there? Do you know what I am even talking about? Most kids usually just give me that same blank stare when talking about the goings on of a two cycle motor.
While I had been listening to him intently, was also focused on exactly what he was talking about. Not totally a blank stare. Trying to envision specifically the difference in both parts may have left me expressionless for the moment. I am somewhat familiar with the workings of a two stroke engine, sir. But was just thinking about what the differences are and what might look like comparing the two side by side.
I be darned, that is a most intelligent response from someone your age. I sometimes start rambling on and even loose most adults, when getting past just the makes and models of most engines.
I then ask if the replacement is similar to the E-65 rod, except swapping those needle bearings out with a full floating bushing? Well son, that might just be the hot ticket there. Guess that is one way to do it. Like the Go-Power bushing kit so you can run the Westbend 580 in the same class. Never thought about doing it that way. You might be on to something tho. But the Bug rod is heavier built from aircraft aluminum and utilizes a replaceable insert. Basically like in newer automobiles. Well not really new compared to you. When I was your age, car motors used babbit bushings on the connecting rods. A whole nutter ball game there. And showing my age too. The difference is this rod also uses an insert that is fully machined from a bronze material and retains lubricants extremely well.
Enough shop talk much as I do like to bench race. So do you want to take this kart out? I sort of looked down and was kicking at the ground looking really nervous. If you are sure you dont mind, I would really like to take you up on the offer.
Well get that lead out of your britches and help me unload it from the trailer. At this rate the sun will be coming up soon, he said jokingly of course. For a rigid uptight elderly man, wearing slacks, white collared dress shirt and pocket protector out here, he was no square.