Re: Part 2...Driving the Zombie!

["Justin Southam" <wisjs@wnhealth.co.nz>]

Thanks Rich, your story bought the memories flooding back. 

I hope you'll all indulge me while I recall it. (pale imitation of one of
Johns carefully crafted tales) 

I have had the privilege of assisting Rod and Bob preparing and running the
Maniac Mazda for several years now. After a major upgrade and its
associated teething problems the Maniac Mazda was finally ready for some
serious action at Woodburn '98. After several runs Rod handed me his helmet
and said "It's your turn now." He had just come back from running a high
11! Unfortunately he had red lighted by about .002s. "Rod, you do know I
haven't done this before?" Agh yes.. that feeling in the pit of the stomach. 

Dual strings of Hawkers, dual Godzillas and dual 9" motors. I can do this. 

At the time there was quite a procedure staging the Maniac Mazda. As it was
my first attempt I decided not to do a burnout, but unlike Rich I didn't
drive around the water! To set the powerglide at that time it was necessary
to have the shifter in any position but low, then pump up the "clutch",
which was connected to a piston which held the low band in the trans
engaged. Pulling the shifter into low engaged a line lock which held the
piston in place so the "clutch" could be released. (Shifting up then
released the line lock and the low band, by now the internal pump was
suppling the necessary pressure) Then engage the brakes and set the brake
line lock. All this time Dennis was waiting patiently in the other lane.
Rod had told me to go on the last yellow but not wanting to stuff up I
waited for green which led to an appalling reaction time of well over 1
second. 

Those of you who were there or have seen the video will recall what
happened next. I imagine Rod was regretting his decision for a while there.
With wet cold tires I had a slight traction problem :-))), the car headed
left toward the center line. Several attempts were required to correct the
cars trajectory. I was sitting there thinking don't over react, don't f@@@
it up and Don't take your foot off the throttle. It was all under control
by red line, shift up, and head for the line. Next problem, where is the
line? No problem, I didn't take my foot off the throttle until I caught
Dennis. I still remember the numbers clearly, 12.207s @ 114.85 mph. I'd
love to know how fast I was going as I passed Dennis. 

Since then the Maniac Mazda has received quad T-Rexs and quad strings of
JCI Inspiras. I've seen the result and am content to just turn wrenches and
crimp cables. Rod is a braver man than I. 

Thanks for the memory Rod, thanks for bringing it flooding back Rich. 

           Justin 


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