09/07/2024
**Long Post Warning***
The 2024 Yellowbullet Nationals was a complete success for our team, the road getting there was a tough one but we managed to pull it off when we surround ourselves with great people.
Amanda’s car got a few upgrades since February mainly motor upgrades. We were literally down to the wire on leaving until we got her car finished. It involved a lot of time and energy and bonsai trips by Floyd Ward to Pro Line Racing to get everything finished up and ready.
I made the first pass in Amanda‘s car on Wednesday in testing since I like to make sure it is safe for my wife. It was very hot and we were rewarded with a 4.29@177.
Thursday testing it was Amanda‘s turn to get behind the wheel and since it was so hot, we decided to turn the car down in the 60 ft just so it would go A-B on her first pass and she went 4.27@176 we were very happy with that in the heat.
Unfortunately, that was Amanda‘s only pass since she was having an abscessed tooth that prevented her from putting her helmet on the rest of the weekend. We are looking forward to Georgia to better her fastest pass!!!
My car has not been out since last October when I decided to give the car a complete makeover. We started with adding a Composite carbon fiber Z06 Corvette body. Which resulted in dropping 175 pounds out of the car.
We sent the car to Pro Chassis Design (MBRC) in Long Island, New York. Where they installed the body and revamped the 4-link so we could take advantage of the new CO2 Precision Racing SuspensionShocks. We also did a rear gear change. We topped things off with the latest M&MTransmission lockup converter from Micke
After battling a lot of small problems, such as having to install a new master cylinder at the track. We were rewarded with the first full pass. The car went my PB 3.84@209 in Q1.
Unfortunately, in Q2, we had a pin come out of one of the boost clamps, and that caused us to have no boost.
In Q3, we went our fastest 60 and 330 only to break the driveshaft when the converter locked up in high gear. We still went 3.85 on that pass. The motor went on the rev limiter at 10,700rpm and 77psi that was probably the worst thing that could’ve happened. That put a lot of unnecessary wear and tear on the motor. Not to mention it beat up the valve springs and compromised the connecting rods.
My team was able to fix the car and borrow a driveshaft from nick who eventually went on to win the event.
We had our good friend Lutz in E1. I was a little late on the tree (072 to his 025) and despite running a faster time, the race was lost on the tree. We went a personal best pass of a 3.81 to his 3.84 we may have lost that round, but the weekend was a complete win for our team.
We took a car there with a lot of big changes and went down the track nearly every time and went multiple PB’s!!
None of this would’ve been possible without an amazing crew, and a lot of great companies behind us.
I would like to thank Nick and Chris Montana (MBRC) for getting my car in and getting it completed in just five weeks. Their work ethics and knowledge is a game changer for our program.
I would like to thank our crew especially Floyd Ward for all of the late nights and early morning miles driving all over the East Coast to ensure we have all of the race car parts in one building.
I would like to thank Vinny, Dave and Joey for picking the car up in Long Island and delivering it to Kentucky and staying the weekend to put the car together.
Thank you to Helkin, Douglas Krouse for everything they have done once we got to the track.
It takes an army of people to make a two car operation to run. I’m sorry if I forgot to mention anyone it’s finally nice to rest a bit since the last few weeks have been a blur!!
Last, but not least my beautiful wife for all of her support and encouragement!! I love you!!
Not only was this a racing trip, but we also get to spend time with family and friends when we visit my father‘s house before going to the track.
It was nice spending time with my father and for their one year wedding anniversary!!
We are looking forward to South Georgia Motorsports Park next month where we will be attending and Stephanie’s Duck X Productions We have more goals to reach and thank you all for the support!! it means the world to myself and Amanda!! See you guys soon!!
Photo credit:
Mark Tinari
Penny shots photography
E3xtreme
Steve Reese
