What I did this weekend

[Curt581]

My son (16) and I went to our local dragstrip for their annual Labor Day weekend special. Top Fuel dragsters, Funny Cars, Nostalgia Dragsters, Jet-powered cars, you name it. If you've never gone to one of these shows and have younger boys, say age 5 up to high school age, I can't recommend it highly enough. Going to a custom auto show is a good time, but with a show like this, you can see these beasts in action. We had a blast. We got there about noon, and stayed until nearly 11:30 at night. We weren't confined to the spectator stands, either. We were able to get down in the pit area and mingle with the drivers and crews

The surprising part was how cheap it was. If you take your kid to a major league baseball game, you can figure to spend $100 to $150 bucks, including tickets, food, parking, drinks, etc. Last night's total bill was $75-80 and that was eating lunch and dinner, plus snacks in between.







Below was full-steel body '60 or '61 Chevy Bel Aire. He carried the front wheels three or four feet high for more than 100 feet.





Note the twin-turbos hanging over the fenders:



Something for Greggie:



Same car, engine pic. The turbo on this one had to be 8 inches in diameter. 160MPH car.

[Curt581]

Part 2:

Drag racing really comes alive when the sun goes down... and it's nothing like watching a national race on television.



The smells, the smoke, and the sounds are indescribable. "Loud" doesn't begin to cover it. The pic below is blurry because they'd just started the engine. We were less than 15 feet away. It was so loud, the sound was like a physical force pushing against your chest and face:



Below is one of the jets firing up. "Firing" is the right word"









Another:



Afterburner! Goodbye!

[Trip]

That looks sooooooooooooo cool. You know, Curt, I was gonna say before you wrote it - I think things like this are much more fun than the professional level ones, because you're so much closer to it. Glad you attached all the pictures - we could all get a real sense of how fun that was. Only thing we couldn't sense is the smell. Loved the dragsters. Like the blue GTO car. LOVED the fire at night. And you're right, that's an amazing price for that much entertainment. Oh, and I'm guessing that's you in the earring in the last picture. No? Too late, the image is embedded, LMAO. Do they have these things all over the country?

[retdetsgt]

Another cool thing to go to is an antique auto auction. It's better than a car show because the cars aren't roped off. You can climb in them, open the hoods, etc. It costs about 6 bucks to get in.

The only bad thing is the temptation to buy something. Over the years, I've bid on a 1959 Chevy Impala and a 1957 Ford. Fortunately, both wandered out of my price range and therefore I was able to avoid another divorce.

[Trip]

Another cool thing to go to is an antique auto auction. It's better than a car show because the cars aren't roped off. You can climb in them, open the hoods, etc. It costs about 6 bucks to get in.

The only bad thing is the temptation to buy something. Over the years, I've bid on a 1959 Chevy Impala and a 1957 Ford. Fortunately, both wandered out of my price range and therefore I was able to avoid another divorce.

LMFAO - you're probably not jokin' about avoiding another divorce, LOL. Money is a big reason for divorce. As for the antique auto auction, sounds really fun too. Problem is - no afterburner to watch. Love those afterburner pictures Curt showed. In fact, that alone would make it worth the ticket. I can't believe how close they let 'em get.

[retdetsgt]

LMFAO - you're probably not jokin' about avoiding another divorce, LOL. Money is a big reason for divorce.

We had the money, but it's like Joey described his relationship once. I want things, she needs things. I had to learn that difference.

We have a drag strip near here that brings in some national competitors too. I've taken by stepsons to both. The younger one really liked the auction better. Like Greg, he was a big Goat fan. He kept drooling on some guy's Judge.

[Curt581]

Oh, and I'm guessing that's you in the earring in the last picture. No? Too late, the image is embedded, LMAO.

Nope, not me. I was behind him holding the camera up as high as I could reach and still aim.

Do they have these things all over the country?

If you'd like to see some inexpensive racing action, there are several 1/4 mile and 1/8 mile strips within 100 miles of DC. Here's an internet finder:

Dragstrip Finder

Most entries have a link to the track website, from there you can find a schedule

The big one on the northeast is Englishtown, or Old Bridge Township Raceway in New Jersey. They hold several NHRA national events there every year. State of the art facility.

In fact, it looks like they've rescheduled their Jet Car Nationals to Sept 18th

PC Richard & Son All American Jet Car Nationals & Monster Truck Meltdown

Enjoy

[retdetsgt]

This is where I've gone before. I feel for the neighbors around there. Some have tried to close it down with no luck, it's been there too long and too famous around here.

Well, now that I think about it, the dragstrip's been there for decades. People bought land near it because it was cheap, built houses and then started whining. I guess I don't feel sorry for them.

Welcome to Woodburn Dragstrip

[Safety Steve]

Thats good stuff and great memories Curt! We use to go to the 1/4 mile dirt track. It was hard to watch the races due to the fights in the stands! They loved their local drivers. Very entertaining.

Don't tell Greggles, but the goat looked beautiful!



Be Safe.

[Trip]

Nope, not me. I was behind him holding the camera up as high as I could reach and still aim.



If you'd like to see some inexpensive racing action, there are several 1/4 mile and 1/8 mile strips within 100 miles of DC. Here's an internet finder:

Dragstrip Finder

Most entries have a link to the track website, from there you can find a schedule

The big one on the northeast is Englishtown, or Old Bridge Township Raceway in New Jersey. They hold several NHRA national events there every year. State of the art facility.

In fact, it looks like they've rescheduled their Jet Car Nationals to Sept 18th

PC Richard & Son All American Jet Car Nationals & Monster Truck Meltdown

Enjoy

Wow, the one in Manassas is not too far down the road from me! Great info, Curt!

Ok, speaking of Manassas, let's see how many of you are Civil War buffs. The first battle of Manassas was the first battle fought in the Civil War, it was outside of Washington DC, and people thought it wasn't going to last long and drove up to watch it in their horses and buggies in their Sunday best. Quiz: who can tell me how long they thought the battle or "entertainment" was going to last? Any history buffs out there who know the answer?

[greg72982]

Pfft I dont need an 8 inch turbo to do 160.

[Trip]

This is where I've gone before. I feel for the neighbors around there. Some have tried to close it down with no luck, it's been there too long and too famous around here.

Well, now that I think about it, the dragstrip's been there for decades. People bought land near it because it was cheap, built houses and then started whining. I guess I don't feel sorry for them.

Welcome to Woodburn Dragstrip

The burn-out contest??? That's fricken hilarious! Great picture, lol, RDS~

[Curt581]

I posted the shots in the honest belief that you'd like 'em. I gave no thought to picking on you (for once)

Pfft I dont need an 8 inch turbo to do 160.

Yeah, but can you do it from a standing start, and hit 160 within 1320 feet?

[greg72982]

I dont know how to handle it on here when someone isnt picking on me...And no probabaly not....

[QldCop]

I dont know how to handle it on here when someone isnt picking on me...And no probabaly not....

hey greg, it would be a little hard for you to go "DRAG RACING" when your naked all the time mate!!!!!!


I have watched on TV a show from the States a few times that was about some big time car Auction place, cant remember the name of it though... had some BEEUTIFUL hot rods for sale. The wife stopped me watching it cause i kept harassing her about buying one here, a car that is not another wife...