THE SPAMMING OF LOST DRAG STRIPS II/TOO/ALSO/AGAIN

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Here it is. The cover art that CarTech Inc. is using to promote Lost Drag Strips Too was a surprise to me, but I trust in the company's marketing prowess. Amazon.com is now accepting pre-orders, and states that the book will be available, "April of 2016". I'm guessing it will be out before that, but that date should cover everyone's asses. Better pre-order yours today, just to be safe. (Photo courtesy of Amazon.com)

It's been a hectic week in Scottyville. Nothing exotic, just life stuff. But I failed to find the time to assemble a proper blog post. So here's another sample of rejected imagery from Lost Drag Strips II. Today we look at some of the promotional material used for fan bait. On future blogs, I'll be posting some of the complete feature stories that didn't make the cut. So you have that to look forward to. If you can't wait for that, I'll be jabbering about the book on Motormouth Radio (www.motormouthradio.com) this Thursday at noon, Eastern time.

Before National Dragster, Wally Parks was editor of the Tie Rod.

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UPDATE

Did you know the Scotty Gosson Combo has their own Facebook page? If not, then you missed the announcement of our latest honorary member, Lisa Allred. We were so taken by Lisa's voice and songwriting that we set aside our second album project to do a demo project for her. It worked. Lisa is now in the midst of contract negotiation with Interscope Records. They handle Madonna and No Doubt, among dozens of other platinum artists. Congrats, Lisa! It's been a fun honor. Now we're back on the Scotty Gosson Combo album - which you'd know about if you "Like" our Facebook page. For the record (so to speak), Lisa's no poseur. She uses this bike for road trips, and buzzes around town on a scooter. (Photo courtesy of Lisa Allred)

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SQUIRREL AND TOOLBOX

Yep. Squirrels have to hit the bricks just like the rest of us. (Image courtesy of Motormouth Ray)

Rocky Gosson's itsy bitsy garage seems to be built around the bare necessities: His '33 coupe project, a welder, and a Snap-On rollway. (Photo courtesy of Rocky Gosson)

GRIN

Couldn't resist tossing this in. But Islip also had a drag strip.

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DRAG RACE CULTURE, HORTICULTURE, WHATEVER

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New Years Day, 1957. Fort Worth, Texas.

Yet more out-takes from the imminent Lost Drag Strips Too book. Again, these are just photos that I happened across in my research, knowing they would not make it into the book for various reasons. So I didn't bother collecting any information on these images, other than this: They spin my crank! The book will be available sometime this winter. Watch this page for an exact release date.

You get the picture. There are thousands of these shots clogging up my computer. But I saved the good stuff for the book.

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UPDATES

Air, spark and fuel. That's the recipe. The more air you can get, the more spark and fuel you can add, producing more grins. Simple. The above image is an example of getting good air. (Photographer unknown)

These things clean the air, providing a superior oxygen-to-pollution ratio to tune with. It takes a bunch of them to do the job, but we'd be screwed without them. Now that I'm a professional horticulturist, I can tell you that this is an example of the Spath genus (AKA Spathiphyllum, or Peace Lilly). That's all I know about plants. So far. (Photo stolen from internet)

Since writing doesn't pay the rent, side jobs are mandatory. Bonus: They force me out of my comfort zone and into the real world. I delivered these periodicals for a couple of years, but that gig has dried up, launching me into the job market once again. If my new gig as a plant whisperer works out, I hope to get a new hat this year. (Scotty shot)

Possessing an awe of nature doesn't mean I know much about it. Even growing up in environmentally-conscious Oregon (boasting the most micro climates in the U.S.), my ignorance of what makes living things tick is a shameful embarrassment. That's what happens when you spend your life under a hood.

A call from my pals Mary and Elizabeth Kelly alerted me to a job opportunity last week. When they explained the gig was caring for plants, I instantly dismissed the potential rent maker as a threatening distraction from my focus on hot rodding. Until the rent came due. Then I reconsidered, and surprised myself with a leap of faith out of my pampered princess poodle world, and into reality. At this writing, I've completed four days of training, during which my ego has constantly pleaded with me to walk away and apply for a job washing parts, changing oil, or anything other than this. It's really been a struggle, which is telling: I'm stuck. That means no growth, which means trouble. So I'm wrestling through the process of deciding what my priorities really are, and why. Man, being a human is exhausting. I wish I were a plant. No wait - they're just as complex as people. I wish I were a robot.

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SGE Washington correspondent Walt Skoczylas took the 2015 Points Championship at Oregon's Woodburn Drag Strip last weekend with his HAMB Dragster. A jaunty tip of the SGE helmet to you, Walt! And as always, he did it with inline six power! Walt notes, "The award ceremony will be at the World of Speed Museum in Wilsonville (Oregon) this year. That should be cool." (Photo courtesy of Walt Skoczylas)

You may recall Walt as being the new owner/operator of our own Dr. Lockjaw's "Tetanus II" coupe, shown here winding up for a pass down Champion Raceway at Medford, Oregon. (Scotty shot)

The 6', 4" doctor was a tight squeeze in the little coupe. (Scotty shot)

Being of a more accommodating stature, Walt opted to install stereo seating, thanks to a re-tubing of the 'cage by Twisty Ron Austin. (Photo courtesy of Walt Skoczylas)

Dr. Lockjaw's trusty 383-inch alky guzzler served him well, but Walt prefers to keep his cylinders all in a row... (Scotty shot)

... so the bent eight was swapped out for one of Walt's signature injected inline 6-cylinder masterpieces. The "Tetanus II" will now be serving up the yuks on both street and strip with an angry bumblebee presence. Walt declares, "It should be a runner by this spring." You've been warned. (Photos courtesy of Walt Skoczylas)

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SQUIRREL AND TOOLBOX

Tired of being beaned by fall acorns? Who isn't? Next time you don't get boinked by an acorn, thank a squirrel. This may be a fake squirrel with a fake acorn, but at least you didn't get nailed. (Photo courtesy of the oh-so-real Spike Kilmer)

SGE National reporter Kristin Cline (far right) and friends, supporting event sponsor Craftsman Tools at the 2015 Race of Gentlemen on the Jersey shore. Behind the gentlewomen is a herd of modern Craftsman rollaways, but it is unknown whether any wrenching was performed at the beach drags. What is known is that Craftsman supports traditional hot rodding with traditional toolage. That's enough to ensure our loyal brand loyalty continuation. (Photo courtesy of Kristin Cline at www.drivingforce.com)


GRIN

Plants provide shade for photographers and wrench twirlers, and make swanky backdrops, as well, too, also. Hug your plant today.

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SO LOST

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Early Sixties action at Omaha, Nebraska's Cornhusker Drag Strip. The Rebels car club ran the Olds-powered '33 Ford coupe against anyone willing to try it. Known both as the Playboy Coupe and the Orange Crate, it went on to solid success as a landspeed racer at Bonneville. Cornhusker Drag Strip went on to extinction, and was later replaced by Scribner Dragway, an abandoned air base carved from area cornfields. (Photo believed to be courtesy of Pete Smock)

In the course of researching for Cartech's Lost Drag Strips Too book (available this winter), I was simultaneously stoked and disappointed to discover imagery that either didn't meet Cartech's tech requirements, or didn't possess legit ownership, background info and other must-haves. Scrounger that I am, I saved them to share with your eyes only. These candid peeks at off-track action didn't even earn out-take status, but I dig 'em. Wait'll you get a load of the good stuff in the book...

                                                                                       

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UPDATE

The anti-buck SGE Model A project (begun in 1997ish) has been through enough twists and turns to qualify for pretzelhood. It was last seen on this blog when put into storage at Allen Stewart's rust farm, so I could focus on the drag strip book. I visited it last weekend for the first time in almost five months.

Amazing! Still right where I left it. Now sharing barn space with Allen's '40 pickup, the rolling chassis is sporting some cobwebs and light rust, but is otherwise untouched.

Allen's truck has rejected every gas tank installed so far. Or rather, the tanks have rejected every drop of gas pumped into them. Then again, the pristine truck may be protesting being forced to slum next to my heap. Can't blame it.

After staring at my rolling chassis for a few minutes, I soon found myself gathering tools. 

With so much work ahead of me in the coming months, it might be reassuring to know that at least the little 2.3 liter Ford is being expertly machined, as I toil in the cold. So I jumped in. Since scoring the engine and trans from some very colorful characters up in the hills, I haven't had a chance to tear it down. It was time to satisfy my curiosity. Employing the chassis as a deluxe engine stand, I dove in.

This was my maiden voyage into a 2.3 engine. I can tell you this: It's weird in there.

This engine turned freely, but for a single cyclical "snick", which I hoped was emanating from the valvetrain. But all of the monkey motion stuff checked out, visually.

Being a know-nothing knuckledragger, I sided with caution and covered the intact overhead cam assembly. Out of sight, etc. Check those wild port shapes. 

The cylinders were topped with what I deemed to be an acceptable ridge. The crosshatching was still visible on the cylinder walls. So far, so cool.

With time running out, I called an audible and ceased the engine tear-down. 

The Mazda 5-speed was hastily popped off the block...

 ... and unceremoniously tossed on the parts pile beside the shop. Turning the output shaft by hand produced the dreaded but familiar "snick". So the good news is I found the noise.

The clutch appeared to be mostly intact.

This is also my first whack at a hydraulic clutch and throwout bearing. The Model A shall be my teacher.

The engine carcass was fitted to this custom stand and wheeled out to the trunk of my awaiting transporter. 

Minutes after a scenic drive through Oregon's Applegate district, the 2.3 arrived at Jerry Peckham's machine shop in Grants Pass. That's Jerry on the left (brown hat), conferring with a customer. Jerry has done all of my machine work over the years, always exceeding my expectations. He also did the machining on Jeff Jahns' turbo'd 2.3s, so my cat pee-fueled and normally aspirated Ranger engine will be child's play to Mr. Jerry. (Scotty shots)

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SQUIRREL AND TOOLBOX

And I thought I was an opportunist.

Always the opportunist (told you so), I couldn't resist a shot of Allen Stewart's '60s vintage Craftsman rollaway. The only box needed in this shop. (Scotty shot)


GRIN

A compound the size of Allen's spread requires a dedicated transportation module to traverse all of the rugged terrain between the buildings. This is what Allen came up with, though he covers most ground in his air conditioned Chevy pickup. (Scotty shot)

With the release of Lost Drag Strips Too still several weeks away, you may need a little something to get you through the dry spell. Our crack research team has uncovered some amazing finds that should tide you over. All are discount priced at www.amazon.com. You're welcome.

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