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Isn't a driver supposed to be in a funny car when they warm it up? [video]
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Just Paul
Nitro Member
That is a mid 80's 1/4 scale funny car made by a company called Pacesetter. It's an early version that uses a pull cord instead of an electric starter. I have had a couple of them, Dragsters also. Most of the cars you get are basket cases, and need to be rebuilt, and that's what I enjoyed the most. I don't have them anymore, I sold them off to help fund the big race car. I'll share a good story, and some photos of a few of the cars I had over the years.
So, 5-6 years ago, I had just finished a funny car, and thought I would bring it up to BIR to run around a little bit, and make some noise. You really can't get too carried away with them, becasue they don't handle very well, and have limited braking. They DO make a lot of noise though, and a fairly loose centrifugal clutch so you could "womp" it a few times without going too fast.
One of the nights an hour or so after racing was over, I thought it would be fun idea to bring the thing up to the starting line just to take some pictures of it sitting there. I had no intention to run it, because it would make too much noise and attract security. Well, myself and a few buddies drove up there, (Pretty sure Brian O'keefe from here was part of the group) unloaded it, and I had just put it in a good spot to take a couple pictures. Sure as heck, here comes a security truck flying up to the starting line. Busted, this isn't going to be good. Shit.
He comes up there, door swings open, and it's not just security, it's the owner of BIR, Jed Copham. Great... Double shit.
So, he walks over, silent. "So..who owns the car..." Well.... It' mine.... Triple shit!
"Alright.... so... does it run?? "
--Yeah it runs.
"Does it actually drive? and do the chutes actually work???"
--- Yes, and yes...
"Sweet!! Fire that thing up I want to see it go!!!!!!"
--Like, on the track?
"Yeah I don't care, do what ever you want! If the track is too sticky or whatever, drive it over to the return road and run it there!" (The return road is right next to the track at BIR)
Long story short, we ran it on the strip a couple times,on the return road a couple times and took a bunch of pictures.
Jed is in the red hat-
So, 5-6 years ago, I had just finished a funny car, and thought I would bring it up to BIR to run around a little bit, and make some noise. You really can't get too carried away with them, becasue they don't handle very well, and have limited braking. They DO make a lot of noise though, and a fairly loose centrifugal clutch so you could "womp" it a few times without going too fast.
One of the nights an hour or so after racing was over, I thought it would be fun idea to bring the thing up to the starting line just to take some pictures of it sitting there. I had no intention to run it, because it would make too much noise and attract security. Well, myself and a few buddies drove up there, (Pretty sure Brian O'keefe from here was part of the group) unloaded it, and I had just put it in a good spot to take a couple pictures. Sure as heck, here comes a security truck flying up to the starting line. Busted, this isn't going to be good. Shit.
He comes up there, door swings open, and it's not just security, it's the owner of BIR, Jed Copham. Great... Double shit.
So, he walks over, silent. "So..who owns the car..." Well.... It' mine.... Triple shit!
"Alright.... so... does it run?? "
--Yeah it runs.
"Does it actually drive? and do the chutes actually work???"
--- Yes, and yes...
"Sweet!! Fire that thing up I want to see it go!!!!!!"
--Like, on the track?
"Yeah I don't care, do what ever you want! If the track is too sticky or whatever, drive it over to the return road and run it there!" (The return road is right next to the track at BIR)
Long story short, we ran it on the strip a couple times,on the return road a couple times and took a bunch of pictures.
Jed is in the red hat-
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vegasnitro
Nitro Member
That is cool as hell Paul, the car and the story of getting to run it on BIR.
stitcherbob
Nitro Member
we need video!
stitcherbob
Nitro Member
back in 1990 I TIG welded up a 1/4 scale Top Fuel dragster chassis from brake line tubing and modified a chainsaw motor but the project got stalled when I started my upholstery business.
I'm pretty sure it got scrapped...but I still have several motors.....and my driveway is 330 feet straight...just needs some smoothing and finish line paving...and some sand at the end...maybe a concrete starting line... Christmas tree...
I'm pretty sure it got scrapped...but I still have several motors.....and my driveway is 330 feet straight...just needs some smoothing and finish line paving...and some sand at the end...maybe a concrete starting line... Christmas tree...
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Just Paul
Nitro Member
Pretty sure Brian O'Keefe took video. Doubtful it's still around.we need video!
stitcherbob
Nitro Member
Rajunz
Nitro Member
This is an awesome thread, great car Paul, that's an amazing job. Bob, I need to sign up to see yours. The most I've done are plastic models. http://superstock.nhra.com/blog/dragster-insider/2013/04/12/the-keeling-clayton-story-continues/
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