Any NW/Seattle area Drag Weekers?

[Topfueldart]

Just curious if anyone local to me was a veteran drag weeker? Im serious considering trying to make it next year and would love to talk to other people in the area that had some first hand knowledge on what its like!

[Swede4]

Topfueldart, welcome to the Drag Week forum.

This is a good place to ask questions as most folks that visit/post here have firsthand knowledge of Drag Week. I grew up in Edmonds, so your post got my attention, now live in SoCal. Been to DW 4 times (should have been 6 but broke down on the drive to DW, twice). If you can make DW happen you will never forget it and always want to do it again and again – even if you break down on the drive to DW twice.

Does the “dart” in your handle have anything to do with Mopars? Only reason for asking is DW attracts some very sweet Mopar rides and the folks that drive them are not nearly as strange as I grew up believing - LOL. Take the time (takes lots of time) to read MoparBilly’s chronicle of his family’s DW12, after reading this you will have a very good idea of the “drive portion” of DW, it may even answer some questions you haven’t asked yet, this is the link

http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/...0&fpart=2&vc=1

My plan for DW2013 is to bring my ’40 Ford Coupe that I bought at a used car lot in Lake City July 1957, yep still have it, used to race NHRA C/Gas at Pacific raceway, Mount Vernon, Bremerton, etc. Recently I took the body off the frame, frame is at Bobby Waldens speed shop in Pomona getting upgraded with his new cross-member, 9” Ford full-floater rear on coil-overs with bars plus a C4 coil-over front end, then body goes back on and add a CM roll cage. This combo of mods will not fit DW’s Hot Rod or Gasser class but for me it’s what I want to drive and I’ll compete in any class just to be there. At this point the plan is to transplant the drive train from my truck into the ’40 which should get us into the 10’s. For us it’s time for 10’s at Drag Week, been 13’s, 12’s and 11’s, now we need 10’s… Hope to meet you at DragWeek 2013.

Hardy Handshakes - Swede

[Beagle]

Swede doesn't know what he's talking about. It sucks. You'll hate it and despise yourself forever for going. hahaahahhahaha. Takes about two weeks to get the goofy grin off my face and I didn't take a car. Lord only knows how bad it will be when we take a car.

[CDMBill]

I'm racking my brain to remmember the guys name who brought 70.5 Camaroo, 540 BBC the first year. Maybe someone else here will remmember.

Meanwhile as Swede say there are many here who can clue you in, local or not.

Mike, that '40 will probably tickle the 9's pretty hard, build accordingly.

[Topfueldart]

Thanks for the replies guys. I figured there were few if any guys from up here.

Swede, i'm well aware of Billy's antics and storytelling. He does a great job of extending the story out to the masses. He's probably part of the reason I'm so intrigued about doing this.

And yes, I have a 68 Dart, it's kind of a wannabe pro touring car, that's currently being used more for drag racing. 323 ci, 76mm Precision Turbo, 727 with brake, Narrowed Dana with 3.54's and a 28 inch tire. It has 17" wheels, 4 wheel discs (Viper Brembos/Cobra), 07 Viper seats, etc. It's no unlimited car, but it should run bottom 10's pretty easily on lowish boost once sorted out.

I also have an 04 Cobra which would make dragweek way too simple, it is in fact my DD and runs mid 11's, with a 6 speed, A/C and all the other creature comforts. But that doesn't seem nearly as fun hahaha.

[Swede4]

TopfuelDart; bring the Dart, it will be more fun than you can imagine, but of course MoparBilly may have already told you this via his documentarie. I look forward to meeting anyone who lives in Renton (my son Terry lives in Renton) LOL, see you at DW2013.

Bill; about tickling 9's, I think your correct. However in an effort to expand our odds on finishing DW the plan is to build out the '40 chassis and cage for mid to low 9's but tune and run 10's. We may or may not run the truck motor as Lane has another LSx he wants to try. Still have a lot to do before we decide on which LS and what configuration (NA or PA). I just want to get my beloved '40 Coupe to DragWeek and to finish.

Hardy Handshakes - Swede

[Dignlif]

Hey Topfueldart, that Dart sounds killer and should be a hoot to drive. I'm about 45 min South of Sacramento so I may be one of the closest to you. It you wanna talk on the phone about it let me know and I'll PM you my number. Or if you're ever headed down here drop me a line and we can try to arrange a meet.

This year was my 3rd trip and I had a blast as usual. You can see from all our different accounts of the week that it's not an easy, trouble-free event for many (most?) but because we get through it together it creates a situation in which the trauma and exhaustion caused by the days trials magically become memories you will never want to forget. The folks you meet and scrounge parts and repairs with become friends of a different level because more often than not, folks who have not been on this epic journey...simply cannot relate.

If you haven't seen these, here are two postings I did sharing our trip...

DragWeek 2012

DragWeek 2011

[Racingcritters]

Hi TFD, I'm a couple hours north of you in Vancouver, and also a repeat offender.
Bring the Dart,DW's a piece o'cake! Nice leisurely drives through scenic America, friendly towns where they welcome you with open (fire)arms,visit the finest gourmet restaurants to satisfy your inner gourmand,relaxed racing environment with the best roadside repair shops you'll ever come across. It's a blast!!

[Topfueldart]

Critters... Have you towed or driven to Drag Week? For me and my work situation, it seems like having the car transported might be the only way I can pull it off, otherwise it becomes a solid two week endeavor to tow down, compete, and drive back.

[BBR]

Bring the Dart,DW's a piece o'cake! Nice leisurely drives through scenic America, friendly towns where they welcome you with open (fire)arms,visit the finest gourmet restaurants to satisfy your inner gourmand,relaxed racing environment...

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah

I think I lost 20lbs from the stress and not eating. a.k.a "The Drag Week diet plan".

[CDMBill]

Critters... Have you towed or driven to Drag Week? For me and my work situation, it seems like having the car transported might be the only way I can pull it off, otherwise it becomes a solid two week endeavor to tow down, compete, and drive back.

While not Critters I have both transported cars to DW in '05, '06 and '07 as well as towed my own in '11 and '12. It really came down to time off work, economics and logistics. The location of the start finish track made a big difference for me as did the issue of bring my own trailer which I did the last two years.

West coast to DW transport and back averaged $2300 not inlcuding airfare, car rental etc. and would be higher now due to fuel costs. We have a great transport guy Jay Cermak who did DW with us one year and gets the DW program and the paranoia about the cars.

Tis year's rain out delay to Saturday night played hell with a lot of guys schedules so plan accordingly.

[Racingcritters]

I've done it both ways. I plan on twelve days for the event,a couple to get there, a day for some r&r then DW,then head home the day after. Bill has some good suggestions.