[coverattach=1]It was, as Von Smith aptly described, “the worst debut of my life.”
A faulty fuel pump was the catalyst in the Al-Anabi Racing team’s disgruntling weekend in its new 1968 Chevy Camaro in the National Guard ADRL series opener at Houston Raceway Park in Baytown , Texas .
“The first time we fired up the engine, the fuel pump disintegrated into the fuel system,” said Smith.
“We thought we had everything fixed, but metal pieces kept plugging up a fuel nozzle. Every time we opened a nozzle we found more pieces of metal. We made six runs and never made a full (eighth-mile) pass. It wouldn’t run past the top of high gear.”
Despite the unexpected mechanical failure, Smith and crew chief Howard Moon were pleased with the potential displayed by the Al-Anabi Camaro. “It’s a beautiful car,” said Smith. “I love the way it drives. It’s going to fly.
“Howard will get things cleaned out figured out before our next ADRL race (April 10-11, at South Georgia Motorsports Park in Cecil , Ga. ),” Smith added. “Stuff like that doesn’t happen often.”
Meanwhile, the team will be busy preparing for races in Bahrain (March 19-20) and Qatar (March 26-27).
A faulty fuel pump was the catalyst in the Al-Anabi Racing team’s disgruntling weekend in its new 1968 Chevy Camaro in the National Guard ADRL series opener at Houston Raceway Park in Baytown , Texas .
“The first time we fired up the engine, the fuel pump disintegrated into the fuel system,” said Smith.
“We thought we had everything fixed, but metal pieces kept plugging up a fuel nozzle. Every time we opened a nozzle we found more pieces of metal. We made six runs and never made a full (eighth-mile) pass. It wouldn’t run past the top of high gear.”
Despite the unexpected mechanical failure, Smith and crew chief Howard Moon were pleased with the potential displayed by the Al-Anabi Camaro. “It’s a beautiful car,” said Smith. “I love the way it drives. It’s going to fly.
“Howard will get things cleaned out figured out before our next ADRL race (April 10-11, at South Georgia Motorsports Park in Cecil , Ga. ),” Smith added. “Stuff like that doesn’t happen often.”
Meanwhile, the team will be busy preparing for races in Bahrain (March 19-20) and Qatar (March 26-27).
