Pure Stock Drags 2015

Pure Stock Drags 2015 Youre invited to the best muscle car going Story and by Tom Shaw Where do you go if you want to see muscle cars of all years, models, and engine sizes get it on in heads-up dragstrip action? The Pure Stock Drags, of course. The event is open to all brands of muscle car, 1955-1974, but if you lean towards the Bowtie brand, youve got a lot to cheer about. Chevrolet was very well represented, with a little bit of everything, and a lot of some things. Chevrolet had the fastest small-block, the fastest big-block, compact Chevy IIs (did you know the Corvettes 350-hp L79 327 was an option?), a 427 Impala, and of classic Chevelles and Camaros in high-powered, tire-spinning, full-throttle action. If youre not familiar with the Pure Stock Drags, its an annual Friday-Saturday event for only vintage muscle cars, and the format is this: Friday is open track, test and tune. Make as many runs as you want. Those runs are averaged, and then youre with the car with the nearest average for a best two-out-of-three shootout on Saturday. That way, the shootout is very competitive regardless of engine size, horsepower, axle ratio, or any of the other stuff that drag racing organizations attempt to address with complex rules that never seem to work completely right. Rules of the Pure Stock Drags are simple cars must be stock, as the factory built them. Exceptions are made for bore and stroke (up to .060-inch over) because just about every block has been serviced by now, and minor upgrades like low-restriction air filters, electronic ignition triggers, and modern mufflers are OK. But the main stuff heads, (no or gasket matching) camsvalvetrain, carb, intake and exhaust manifolds, distributor, carb, etc. must be factory issue. Weve sifted through the race results and highlighted the Chevrolets, all 26 of them, regardless of the outcome of their shootout, and classified them by Elapsed Time. Fact: Chevrolets run. All were in the 14s, or faster. Heres how they did ELAPSED TIMES OF 14.00 13.00 SECONDS 26. 1970 Chevelle SS396 Best ET: 14.00 100.35 Mark Barker Engine: 396 L34 HP: 350 5400 Trans: 4-speed Axle: 3.31:1 Weight: 3948 lbs. Shootout Opponent: 1965 GTO Result: Lost in two rounds Mark Barker kicks things off for Team Chevrolet, taking on Bruce Hayes 65 GTO. A round two red light for Mark and Bruces excellent reaction times cinched the shootout for the GTO. 25. 1968 Impala Best ET: 13.89 99.11 Michel Aldi Engine: 427 L37 HP: 385 5200 Trans: 4-speed Axle: 4.10:1 Weight: 4442 lbs. Shootout Opponent: 1972 Buick GS350 Result: Lost in two rounds Unlikely like Michel Aldis too-cool 68 Impala vs. Steve Carusos 71 Buick GS350 are of what make the Pure Stock Drags so A double red light in Round Two swung the shootout to the Buick (he red lighted by less). 24. 1966 Chevy II Best ET: 13.65 102.52 Jeff Ancil Engine: 327 L79 HP: 350 5800 Trans: 4-speed Axle: 4.10:1 Weight: 3162 lbs. Shootout Opponent: 1969 Olds Cutlass S Result: Lost in three rounds Jeff Ancils 66 Chevy II was one of two at this years Pure Stock Drags. He red lighted in Round Three, handing the shootout to Rhonda Clarys 69 Cutlass S. 23. 1969 Chevelle SS396 Best ET: 13.42 105.95 Kevin Radde Engine: 396 L78 HP: 375 5600 Trans: 4-speed Axle: 4.10:1 Weight: 3870 lbs. Shootout Opponent: 1969 Camaro SS396 Result: DNF (did not finish) Battle of the L78s. The lighter Camaro took Round One. That would be the only run for these two. 22. 1969 Camaro SS396 Best ET: 13.39 106.21 Mike Seibold Engine: 396 L78 HP: 375 5600 Trans: 4-speed Axle: 4.10:1 Weight: 3640 lbs. Shootout Opponent: 1969 Chevelle SS396 Result: DNF Mike edges the similar Chevelle by a whisker, but neither car can answer the bell for Round Two, which sends the shootout into the books as a dual DNF. Picture is from the 2014 Pure Stock Drags. 21. 1968 Camaro Z28 Best ET: 13.32 104.22 Eric Maher Engine: 302 HP: 290 5300 Trans: 4-speed Axle: 4.56:1 Weight: 3482 lbs. Shootout Opponent: 1968 GTO Result: Won in two rounds It may have been designed as a road racer, but setup right, the Z28 can kick butt on the dragstrip too. Eric Maher speedshifts his way Ken Adams 68 GTO, grabbing shootout glory. 20. 1966 Chevy II Best ET: 13.32 104.91 Tom Payne Engine: 327 L79 HP: 350 5800 Trans: 4-speed Axle: 4.10:1 Weight: 3084 lbs. Shootout Opponent: 1971 GS455 Result: Won in two rounds Tom Payne the compact Chevy II can a taking out a Buick GS455 in two rounds. Oh yeah! 19. 1970 Chevelle SS396 Best ET: 13.26 106.54 David Byers Engine: 396 L34 HP: 350 5200 Trans: 4-speed Axle: 3.31:1 Weight: 3950 lbs. Shootout Opponent: 1970 Camaro SS396 Result: Won in two rounds On David Byers heavier and lower-powered Chevelle wouldnt have a chance against Amanda Waligoras L78 70 Camaro SS396, but David works his 4-speed and grabs a close victory. 18. 1967 Chevelle SS396 Best ET: 13.25 106.49 Justin Maher Engine: 396 L78 HP: 375 5600 Trans: 4-speed Axle: 4.56:1 Weight: 3714 lbs. Shootout Opponent: 1970 Torino Cobra Result: Forfeit Eric Maher tangles with its opposite in Jeff Wilkins 70 Ford Cobra. The Zs got the Cobra covered in both ET and mph, but Justin spurs the Z to his best ET of the meet, and whoops blows his 13.58 qualifying time by more than three tenths, triggering the anti-sandbagging rule and earning Justin a forfeit. 17. 1969 Chevelle SS396 Best ET: 13.19 109.38 Gary Place Engine: 396 L78 HP: 375 5600 Trans: 4-speed Axle: 4.56:1 Weight: 3814 lbs. Shootout Opponent: 1972 Pontiac Trans Am Result: Won in two rounds The 396375hp has done great things at the Pure Stock Drags, and Gary Places unrestored 69 Chevelle extends that reputation against Tyler Mesmans 455 Trans Am, shutting down the cubed-up Poncho in back-to-back rounds. 16. 1970 Camaro SS396 Best ET: 13.02 105.93 Amanda Waligora Engine: 396 L78 HP: 375 5600 Trans: Automatic Axle: 4.10:1 Weight: 3836 lbs. Shootout Opponent: 1970 Chevelle SS396 Result: Lost in two rounds Amanda Waligora comes from a racing family, and the smoky burnouts in her L78 70 SS396 Camaro are real crowd-pleasers. Shes off her in Round One, and gets treed in Round Two. At least it was another Chevrolet in the other lane. ELAPSED TIMES 13.00 12.00 15. 1970 Chevelle SS454 Best ET: 12.88 108.35 Steve Arp Engine: 454 LS6 HP: 450 5600 Trans: Automatic Axle: 4.10:1 Weight: 3884 lbs. Shootout Opponent: 1970 Pontiac Tempest GT-37 Result: Lost in two rounds Now we step into the 12s. Steve Arp red lights in Round One against Chris Smetanas 70 Tempest GT-37. In Round Two, Steves out front early, but Chris edges him at the big end, taking the win. 14. 1969 Nova SS396 Best ET: 12.84 109.97 Tony Ragla Engine: 396 L78 HP: 375 5600 Trans: 4-speed Axle: 4.10:1 Weight: 3620 lbs. Shootout Opponent: 1966 Corvette Result: Lost in two rounds Couple of high-flyin racers here. Tony Raglas L78 Nova is a beast, but rival Donny Brass is very tough to beat. Despite a great Round One light, Donny flies off the line with the best 60-footer of the meet 1.823. A Round Two red light for Tony seals the deal. 13. 1969 Camaro Best ET: 12.72 115.53 Jeff Morgan Engine: 427 ZL1 HP: 430 5600 Trans: 4-speed Axle: 4.10:1 Weight: 3604 lbs. Shootout Opponent: 1963 Plymouth Savoy Result: Lost with DNF (did not finish) Jeff Morgans heavy-hitter ZL1 Camaro goes down on a DNF, giving Jim Kellys 63 Max Wedge Plymouth the win. 12. 1966 Corvette Best ET: 12.66 108.59 Donny Brass Engine: 327 L79 HP: 350 5800 Trans: 4-speed Axle: 4.56:1 Weight: 3240 lbs. Shootout Opponent: 1969 Nova SS396 Result: Won in two rounds Donny Brass shows the built into the old school Sting Rays. His L79-powered 66 coupe is a tricky-to-launch 4-speed with very steep 4.56 gears. Donny out drives and out his opponent, winning the shootout in two straight. 11. 1969 Camaro SS396 Best ET: 12.66 112.10 Bob Telep Engine: 396 L78 HP: 375 5600 Trans: 4-speed Axle: 4.56:1 Weight: 3678 lbs. Shootout Opponent: 1970 Buick GS455 Result: Won in two rounds Bob Telep on a driving clinic in his L78 69 Camaro, whoopin a Buick GS455 in all Mark this shootout up to Chevy 10. 1967 Chevelle SS396 Best ET: 12.65 111.17 Jim Maher Engine: 396 L78 HP: 375 5600 Trans: 4-speed Axle: 4.10:1 Weight: 3778 lbs. Shootout Opponent: 1971 Buick GS455 Result: Forfeit Jim Maher, of the accomplished racing Maher family, leads the team from a sweet 67 Chevelle SS396 with a you guessed it L78 396. Today though, itll be the younger Mahers carrying the banner as dad red lights in Round One, and exceeds his qualifying ET by more than three tenths, drawing a forfeit. Dang. 9. 1968 Camaro SS396 Best ET: 12.59 111.96 Paul Richards Engine: 396 L78 HP: 375 5600 Trans: 4-speed Axle: 4.10:1 Weight: 3448 lbs. Shootout Opponent: 1968 Firebird 400 Result: Won in two rounds Paul Richards lines up his Camaro SS396 against Jim Minos very tough Ram Air II Firebird in an epic divisional battle of the 68 F-bodies. Paul trees the bird and out-60-foots it, taking the win light despite a top-end charge from the Poncho. Round Two is a virtual rerun, with Pauls Camaro ahead all the way. 8. 1970 Chevelle SS454 Best ET: 12.48 111.31 Dale Waligora Engine: 454 LS6 HP: 450 5600 Trans: Automatic Axle: 4.10:1 Weight: 3968 lbs. Shootout Opponent: 1970 GS455 Stage 1 Result: Lost in two rounds Dale Waligoras Tuxedo Black 70 LS6 Chevelle is born for this, but hes up against Menzo Dodges 70 Buick GS455 Stage 1, the fastest Buick of the meet. In Round One, Menzo gains enough lead to shut the door on Dales quicker and faster SS454, and a Round Two red light seals the deal. 7. 1970 Yenko Deuce Nova Best ET: 12.37 112.35 Owen Simpson Engine: 350 LT1 HP: 360 6000 Trans: 4-speed Axle: 4.56:1 Weight: 3410 lbs. Shootout Opponent: 1966 Corvette Result: Won in two rounds Owen Simpson a legit, unrestored 70 Yenko Deuce, and hes made it the fastest small-block of the meet. Looking to take him out is Ken Riebel in his gorgeous 66 Corvette coupe. But Owen has racing in his DNA youll have to earn your way him. Round One Owen kicks it hard and leads start to finish. Round Two Kens a little too quick on the trigger and fouls the shootout away to Owen. 6. 1969 Chevelle SS396 Best ET: 12.26 112.76 Tim Clary Engine: 396 L78 HP: 375 5600 Trans: automatic Axle: 4.33:1 Weight: 3606 lbs. Shootout Opponent: 1969 Chevelle COPO Result: Won in three rounds Tim Clarys SS396 Chevelle has accomplished the near-impossible, clocking an 11.89 last year, making it the first GM A-body to break into the 11s. Today hes got his hands full with Jim Lerums 69 COPO Chevelle. Both qualified with 12.27s. Tim owns Round One, but Jim answers back, taking Round Two. In the tie-breaker, Tim cuts a vicious light and it on, fighting off a top-end charge to nail down the victory. 5. 1969 COPO Chevelle Best ET: 12.20 115.23 Jim Lerum Engine: 427 L72 HP: 425 5600 Trans: automatic Axle: 4.10:1 Weight: 3936 lbs. Shootout Opponent: 1969 Chevelle SS396 Result: Lost in three rounds Packing massive L72 427 Jim Lerums COPO Chevelle comes off the line hard, but Tim Clarys superb launch keeps this round just out of reach. Jim cuts a very hot tree in Round Two, which is the deciding factor. Round Three goes to Tim, winner of the shootout. 4. 1966 Corvette Best ET: 12.07 115.35 Ken Riebel Engine: 427 L72 HP: 425 5600 Trans: 4-speed Axle: 4.56:1 Weight: 3672 lbs. Shootout Opponent: 1966 Corvette Result: Lost in two rounds Ken slightly better qualifying numbers, but Owen Simpson is stronger off the line to take Round One. An unfortunate Round Two red light DQs what would have been a winning round for Ken. ELAPSED TIMES 11.99 AND UNDER 3. 1969 Camaro Best ET: 11.71 119.17 Jim Jarrett Engine: 427 ZL1 HP: 430 5600 Trans: automatic Axle: 4.30:1 Weight: 3476 lbs. Shootout Opponent: 1967 Dodge Coronet RT Result: Lost in two rounds Into the rare air of the 11s now, starting with a battle of the crocodiles. Jim Jarretts 69 Camaro is legendary ZL1 but hell need it all against Jim Keyes Hemi Coronet. A Round One red light the Camaro in a deep hole. Sure enough, with blood in the water, Jim Keyes turns it on in Round Two, shutting down the Camaro. 2. 1969 Camaro Best ET: 11.69 119.61 Eric Simpson Engine: 427 ZL1 HP: 430 5600 Trans: automatic Axle: 4.56:1 Weight: 3430 lbs. Shootout Opponent: 1970 Dodge Challenger Result: Lost in three rounds One of the baddest cars in stock class racing, Eric Simpson now shoes the iconic Ermine White 69 ZL1 Camaro built and raced to fame by his late and much-missed father, Peter. Hes taking on Paul Petcous 440 Six Pack 70 Challenger RT. Paul edges Eric at the line, and out the win. Round Two is a role reversal, with Eric out front the whole way. In the tie-breaker, Eric commits a rare red light, and loses the shootout. You can bet hell be back with a vengeance. 1. 1969 Corvette Best ET: 11.66 122.12 Jimmy Johnston Engine: 427 ZL1 HP: 430 5600 Trans: 4-speed Axle: 4.56:1 Weight: 3408 lbs. Shootout Opponent: 1970 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda Result: Won in two rounds Jimmy Johnston is the man to beat. His Cortez Silver 69 L88 Corvette is a rocket, and Jimmy knows how to fly it. Pulling into the beams against him is former IHRA record holder and ace Mopar tuner Bob Karakashian in his 70 freshly-serviced Hemi Cuda. Round One Bobs got the better reaction time and 60-footer, but Jimmys Corvette is strong on the big end. Sure enough, the Corvette gets the win light. Round Two is a dead heat at the line, but the Cuda gets half a fender on him at mid-track. Through the traps, both cars have run 11.69s! But Jimmy edges the Cuda by a bumper bolt and becomes the 2015 Pure Stock Drags Top Gun. Well done! SOURCE Pure Stock Muscle Car Drag Race Second weekend after Labor Day, September 16-17, 2016 www.psmcdr.com Shop for Tri-5 Chevy at www.ecklers.com Follow us on our Tri-5 Facebook Click here and Like us!