RWB____s

Ok your opinions please vote for one and don't disclose who you voted for like I did

400Z28Racer

iTrader: (4)

you should add an option which is "None of the above"

Guest

Thats a loaded question.

cali92RS

Last saturday night, I was a loaded driver...does that count?

RWB____s

But that would be to easy. EVERYONE knows that "None of the above" is the BEST!. So I left it out. The Poll should have been 2nd best

JulieGTA

That's my vote, too! How are we supposed to rate it? On opinion?
How about, "All of the above"!

Dyno Don

iTrader: (7)

Shameless reply.....

I am ...hands down....(most experience)


(Damn fat fingers)

Naed

The guy that has professionally raced at Ascot. Hands down.

Most any car enthusiet can drive straight line. Strap your ***** into a sprint car and then everyone will find a new respect for driving a race car.

Sorry for not following the rules but Jerry is in a league of his own in the list of 5 above. Don't like my opinion then go try and race one- not just drive it. He has experience that I gaurantee the other 4 will never experience in the rest of their lifetime.

Your welcome Jerry

8T8IROC

iTrader: (3)

8T8IROC

iTrader: (3)

That is true...

8T8IROC

iTrader: (3)

Okay that is understandable but how could you have added James to the list of individuals to select from

Dyno Don

iTrader: (7)

You're right, I don't like your opinion when you have'nt been behind the wheel of an full fledged drag car you can't comment on that, And no, not just anybody can pilot a car in a straight line with alot of HP....oh yeah and with the wheels hangging in the air.
Try it sometime and then come back and tell us.

But you're right about the ascot and other type races but don't sell the other types short.

(not meant to aggitate)
Just adding my

Grey Goose

Wow the only way to describe this topic is awkward. As I have mentioned numerous times before, the only two people on this list that make my ******* pucker in the staging lanes are Vince and Don. Vince because he and I graduated from the same school…”old school”. This **** knows every trick in the book when it comes to street racing and is a force to reckoned with when it comes to leaving on street tires. Don because of his decades of experience behind a high horsepower slapstick and can bang gears just as fast (probably faster) than I can.

Jerry has my vote hands down. If I were to combine my short man complex, Kevlar *******, and chip on my shoulder I still wouldn’t even come close to drive, skill set, or courage he has. Jerry is indeed in a class all of his own.

Dean too has achieved greatness in organized racing specifically the autocross arena. Not to mention breached my corn hole with is “wife’s” grocery getter…be careful what you ask for…you just might get it.

Chris…this is the sleeper of the group. Cool, calm, and collective but with a dark side. This guy kept his bone stock, four different tire having, cracked radiator, GTA in plain sight while canyon running with third gens that otherwise had heavily modified engines and suspensions.

Collectively, we are the best! Just think if we ever had an all around competition with a fox body club we would know just who to tap on the shoulder for drag racing, autocrossing, canyon running, and running from the cops (wait…is that a category?).

Naed

Don, you remember seeing my Vette at your shop? It pulls the front wheels off the ground

I have also driven Jimmy Gilante's Nova (Darrell Youngs Racing) to a 9.78 at Pomona about 10 years back when it was set for a 9.90. We used to be very good friends for years. He wanted to watch the car off the line so he had me drive it during a Thurday test. Jumped in and hammered it to the wood right off the bat. the car is capable of about a low 8 sec without the throttlestop.

If everyone wants to toot their horns, I will say I can just about garantee I have more experience driving a vast realm of vehicles and racecars in different venue typpes than anyone here by far. I can (edit: Could- in my younger days) also ride a wheelie on a motorcycle for so far the front wheel stops rotating and the bike yaws.

Grey Goose

As for Jimmy you all have he and I to thank for putting all of you 12 second club members right where you are. If it wasn’t for our antics the club would still be plagued with mid 13 second cars. Granted he might not be known for is skills behind the wheel but built and tuned the hardware that stayed on top for a long time…

cali92RS

I like this topic...you guys have been too boring for a long time now with no $hit talking.

Dyno Don

iTrader: (7)

Dean...ok I concede you deserve respect for your achievements.

However I believe this post was about the present cars doing drag racing.

But my comment was ...well kind of "tonque in cheek" and not meant to discredit anyone.

There certainly are a lot of really talented individuals in this fine mix of ours and that is what makes it so great to be involved, keeps everyone on their toes

Oh....and to say nothing about exciting Ha Ha!

And, certain areas of my anatomy do tend to pucker when certain individuals line up with me

Naed

Don, Please understand I, at the utmost, respect my elders (and I mean that in the most apropriate way). You do have years of experience in life in general over me and that does speak volumes I understand. I just know what I have been fortunate to have done in life and experienced (alot of which I was blessed to marry into a somewhat dynasty family name (The late Bob Russo) and have/had connections from it to do many things since it often boils down to who you know/knew in life or how wealthy you are (I'm not wealthy).

I just know from enough experience that I would be nervous as heck in two types of auto racing 1) a top fuel dragster (Hang on and pray nothing breaks during the run) and 2) straping my ***** into a sprintcar and tangling//tumbling during a race. Anything else I can master fearlessly. I grew up at Ascot- Sprint car drivers have the biggest cohonies (sp?) out there.

james_85Z28

Ladies, Ladies, let's not get your panties in a bunch. I never claimed to be the best driver. Actually I think I did my best driving when my car was an auto (with the tampon dispensing option like all of reddrockets cars) allowing me to take it consistently to its potential more often then when it was a 6-speed. I was never that good with the 6-speed and rarely and inconsistently made any good drag strip runs in it. I did OK with my car on the road courses like Willow Springs once I sorted the suspension out.

People shouldn’t confuse my powerful beast of a car, the Blue Bunny, with my driving abilities and my knack for smack talk. I simply built a badd@ss car ahead of it's time. It forced others in this group to redo their combos two or three times, just to match the performance on the drag strip, much to the dismay and disbelief of many members of this forum. I'm sure they hated me for making them spend thousands more than the wanted to. But I did.

Before the bunny they were happy to run mid 13s at Fontana or even dip into the 13.20s on occasion. They had to go remotes dragstips to get better air to run just barely faster. The Bunny ran 12s in 90* weather with no special fuel or prep, just a tire change. Tragically, once I properly tuned the car I started breaking clutches and rear ends. Unable to support the costly repairs or time needed to fix my car while I dedicated myself to finishing my engineering degree, I had to stop racing and retired the blue bunny.

Tragically during January 2005, after earning my degree the month before, the Bunny's now highly tuned and newly upgraded stump pulling prowess was capped. A connecting rod decided to let go and trashed the motor. Needing a new motor and new paint, it was too much for my wallet and the bunny never made her triumphant return like I hoped. Now I have different goals. When I am where I think I need to be, I will return with another threat that will make the playa's learn a new dance.

James

BretD 88GTA

I think the poll needs to have more specific categories to be accurate – Best Drag Racer, Best Road Racer, Best Auto-xer, Best BS'er/Smack Talker.

To just ask who's the "Best Racer" is too general and as you can see, yields varying opinions. Overall though, my vote (like many others) goes to Jerry. He's done it all and done it very well. All you have to do is spend a few minutes chatting with Jerry and you'll quickly understand his experince level.

cali92RS

Which you started 10 years prior

8T8IROC

iTrader: (3)

Damn, it looks like everyone is taking things all serious again

injdinjn

For once I have nothing to add.

Well exc for Jerry, who is surely the best of this club. His biggest problem in the future will be making sure a stiff breese doesnt blow his car away.

BrandenCali

So it's stays this way.. This question.. Where we at..

If it was based on 3rdgen's of So Ca.. The list is all there..

To me Racer equals Speed.. You been there you got it..

KiLLJ0Y

iTrader: (1)

i vote Branden is the best driver...

BrandenCali

Oh come on now Dave.. You always have bad comments to make.. But a laugh behind it.. I don't know if that's your goal to always try to put someone down or make fun.. I don't know what's going on with you but a few years ago I met you and thought you were a cool person, but I don't know maybe your just a KillJoy..

JulieGTA

Thanks for my 13 second car, too. If its wasn't for your hype, Vincent's relentless teasing and a ride around the block in James' car, I would have had no idea what I was missing.

Kevin91Z

iTrader: (1)

Uhm... I could be thinking of something else, but I remember having a 12 second car long before James & Mike did. And while its been almost 5 years and only 6 trips to the dragstrip since I did, my accomplishment still stands as one of the first in the 12's for this club.

VincentZ28

iTrader: (2)

Panther ****! J/K!

VincentZ28

iTrader: (2)

Let's se here!

Mike is the one that might talk you out of a race or talk the most crap about racing you. Now he can slap a stick (with his heavy ***) and get the job done but he does have some worries about who he lines up with.

Don has the most experience in drag racing. (We are talking about drag racing) He has been racing lloonngg before 98% of us before we were born.(old fart) He isn't scared to race anyone(only if he's feeling it) because he knows he will beat all of us off the line.(that's all he can do)

James just can't drive so I don't know why somebody brought his name up.(That ain't right)

What does Jerry got to do with this? He's a Sprint car man.(We are talking about drag racing) How hard is it to drive an automatic? (especially on NOS?) I'm the only one on this board that got called out by Jerry and beat him heads up. Did anyone else do that? Just he knows alot about building cars and making his own car parts doesn't mean he could be the best racer. It just means he know how to put something together to come out to have fun with us.

Now as for myself, I am not too swift off the line but my opponent usually beats me off the line and that's as far as they will get. I guess I pressure some folks since I do have the faster car and they get so nervous that they either cut a good light or red light and I normally blow by them by the 1/8mi mark.

All this doesn't make me the better driver, its just make me the one to talk the most crap because I can and have the car to prove it.

Grey Goose

You’re absolutely correct. Jimmy and I aren’t discounting the fact that you had one of the first 12 second cars in the club. You ran your number early on and that was it, no bragging, challenging, and no nothing. This isn’t a bad thing; it’s just a testament to your laid back nonabrasive personality. I realized that whoever held the position of fastest car in this club would be in a position of great influence if played right. Once we made it to the top it was all eyes on us and more importantly it was Showtime!

What I’m talking about is the Blue Bunny Campaign, and a Campaign is exactly what it was. When you get a mild mannered engineer with an incredibly high amount of mechanical moxie and pair him up with a conscious free sales and marketing guru (that can drive) specializing in the delivery of intoxicating concoctions of twisted words that trigger not only an emotional but physical response, you might be in trouble.

Jimmy and I were very much involved in the club and wanted to see more members come out and experience what we were experiencing. Our shenanigans coined the name “Candy Cane” and have produced and are still producing a number of 12/13 second cars, record turnouts at events, an annual BBQ, new members; engine/transmission swaps for DynoDon, message board posts reaching numerous pages, etc. Jimmy and I used to receive numerous e-mails and PM’s from people across the country that were “tuning in” to our posts and attempting to get insider information on club personalities, vehicle setups, tuning, and tires combinations. Amazing…

We’ve got a great group of people here…if we didn’t we never would have taken the time…

james_85Z28

True, but that was the first and last time you ran 12s. Your car has not run 12 consistantly. Actually running 12s just that one time is probably more of a fluke. You couldn't get it to run and neither could your dad. If you had ran 12s consistantly and at Fontana, since that one and only time, I would think differently.

Dyno Don

iTrader: (7)

You're bad James.....just plain bad

Dyno Don

iTrader: (7)

Everyone involved should be congratulated for their accomplishments, but lest you not forget Kevin and I set the benchmark that everyone set out to excede and that is not to be taken lightly. It was done awhile ago but shame on anyone that tries to discredit that accomplishment as "what have you done for us lately" crap.

8T8IROC

iTrader: (3)

When I looked earlier this morning I could have sworn it appeared that this thread had been deleted, glad to see the debating is still in full swing.

Guest

And I was there to watch it finally happen.

BretD 88GTA

Definitely a fine example of Guerilla Marketing that has become more prevalent in the advertising industry. I'm telling you Mike, you could have a career at an ad agency. I'll let you know the next time we have an opening for a Marketing Director.

Either that or you should start thinking about politics.

KiLLJ0Y

iTrader: (1)

it was just a joke man.. i meant nothing by it.. thats why i put that little guy laughing behind it as just kidding.. i just picked your name because it was the last (before me) to post.. sorry man

BrandenCali

I can understand that Dave.. We Cool..

james_85Z28

Haha....my benchmark wasn't low-mid 13s in a highly modded car with 100 octane fuel and a 1-hour pre-run prep time. Kevin's car is in a lot better shape now since you fixed all the things wrong with it and it still can't run 12s at Fontana with the rest of the 12-second club.


You may have set a benchmark, but my goals were well beyond what you had accomplished. The true benchmark I was after was Traxions low 12s (hence AFRs, keep 1.625 headers, 219'ish cam, and a couple other twists to keep it smog legal. Mike Davis times were also what I was looking for. I don't dispute that kevin ran 12s, but i wanted low-mid consistant 12s that could be run anytime i ran the car on the dragstrip. I saw all those times and couldn't figure out why nobody here was able to duplicate their results or were putting the effort ($, time) to mimmick their perfromance numbers. So I tried and the Bunny was the first car that could run 12s at Fontana consistantly without any power boosters. never quite reached where i wanted it to be but mayeb I'll save that for the future.

[all the stupid sh*t talk Mike and I do sure is a ratings booster....LOL]

injdinjn

Are they flukes, or just a perfect pass.

I ran a 13.6 3 or 4 years ago at Carlsbad. Never duplicated it until last Nov at Palmdale.

Traction is neat, but I love scaring the $hit out of everyone behind me when I downshift at 75 and the backend looks like a hooker in heat.

Dyno Don

iTrader: (7)

Yeah ....and I for one believe that is all it is Ha! Ha!
Right back at cha

james_85Z28

...and for all of Vincents sh*t talking I am right up there with him...err, maybe that should be down with him in the pole...

Kevin91Z

iTrader: (1)

I ran 12.97, 12.99, 12.83 and 12.80 that day at Carlsbad. That seems pretty consistant to me. After that I broke the T5, and since then the car has been one little problem after another. I had the car dyno tuned before that day and then it finally went 12's. We just went to the dyno before the track day last week and look at all the faster ET's people posted. I cant explain why my best time at Fontana is a half-second slower, other than the launch is different, the altitude is higher, and I'm a terrible driver. If I have to run 12's at Fontana to be worthy in your eyes, so be it.

Lately I've been having more fun being crew chief and photographer than a driver. I know where my strengths are.

Grey Goose

Tom… I’ve got to give you credit on this one! I had a couple sitting in front of me filling out a credit application when I read this post and exploded with laughter. Needless to say I spent the better part of a half hour explaining that I wasn’t laughing at them but rather at a post on a message board. I was still laughing while I was sitting in traffic on the way home. Thanks…I’m still laughing right now!

BrandenCali

Im going to have to back Kevin and Don for this one.. You all know dam well Kevin's car was consistent.. And you all know Kevin didn't have half the stuff we have on our cars today.. They set the numbers they were the start of that 12 number.. And you all know well the t-5 was no joke.. We all know Kevin's car was his only car.. So how many more times would you expect him to keep being consistent? So hey we know where it all started don't for get.. And don't for get Don and Kevin weren't going all out to be on top.. They were very busy helping all of us..


So is everybody getting ready now for the New 2006 Fastest So Ca 3rdgen? So far Vincent is on top.. He started it..

Kevin91Z

iTrader: (1)

Mike, what were you doing surfing the net in front of customers??

Brandon, thank you.

RWB____s

Well I see everyone is enjoying this thread. I haven't spoken up thus far. I'll just show up at the track someday when I'm ready. I've waited this long already so I can wait alittle longer. I'll just sit back and continue working, watching and listening

Grey Goose

Oh trust me…you’d be surprised at what I do in front of my customers.

injdinjn

Interesting, a RR reply just after the bars close.

You gotta get ahold of yourself Mike.