The decision by the POCI Board of Directors to hold the club's 2006 Convention in Ontario, California, was a treat, as it was once again an opportunity for us "right coasters" to get back out to visit with our Pacific-facing friends and see the best Pontiacs in the region. What better way to take part in the California drag racing scene than with an HPP Pavement Pounders Shootout?
Of course, it almost goes without saying that drag racing Pontiacs in Southern California means that Pontiac Drag Days will somehow be involved, which is always a good thing. With the organizational help of Dave "Big Injun" Anderson, the event went off without a hitch, even though it took place at the same time as the POCI drag race. Despite the triple-digit temperature, both the racers and the crowd had a great time at the Auto Club Dragway at California Speedway in Fontana.
For our first round, the quartet of Pontiacs represented a diverse group; from bite-size to super-size, front-drive to rear-drive. It was unclear at the beginning of the event how each car would react to the heat, but everyone knew it would be a significant factor. Who would make the most of the thin, hot air and spotty traction?
Mark Batson: Eighteen-year-old Mark and his dad, Mick, are from Yucaipa, California. They're both participating in the shootout, but unlike many father-son efforts, they are running two different cars. Mark's ride is his 462 Pontiac-powered '68 Firebird. Will youthful exuberance win out over age and experience?
Mick Batson: Mick's '65 2+2 is the perfect street sleeper because few import fans think that the Nimitz-class B-body could ever keep up with them. That is, of course, about the time they see its taillamps. They just don't understand what a 421 is all about. This time around, it's a different game: Will Batson the elder be able to stave off the charge of the youngblood?
Keith Edelin: Keith hails from Chatsworth, California, and his '01 GTP is the lone front-driver in the mix. Yet it's definitely in the thick of things with its supercharged and intercooled 3800 V-6. Will there be enough traction to get the hyperactive L67's power to the ground on this steamy Friday afternoon?
Brian Rock: Santa Maria, California, resident Brian Rock and his '65 GTO are familiar sights at Pontiac Drag Days events and, on a good day, he's well into the 10s with his nitrous-urged 421 Pontiac. Will the cooling effect of the laughing gas be enough to keep the power up on this blistering day?
Weather ReportAccording to So Cal Pontiac racer and former shootout participant Jim "Old Man" Taylor, the ambient air temperature reached a peak of 105 degrees and the track surface temperature spiked to 151 degrees. Combined with 16 percent relative humidity, the effective elevation was a lofty 4,870 feet. We'll use 4,900 feet for our conversion, which works out to 0.9406 for e.t. and 1.0633 for mph. Our thanks to Jim for his precise record-keeping.
Strip Tuning Log
| Run/Tuning | Launch RPM | Shift Pt. | 60-ft. | 11/48-mile | 11/44-mile |
| 1. Timing 36-deg total | 1,800 | 5,600 | 1.72 | 7.65 | 12.02 |
| 14-deg initial | 90.13 | 112.21 |
| 2. Tire pressure reduced | 1,800 | 5,800 | 1.62 | 7.53 | 11.92 |
| from 20 to 18 psi | 90.21 | 111.6 |
| BEST PASS CORRECTED | 11.21 |
| | 118.70 |
| 3. Tire pressure reduced | 2,200 | 5,800 | 1.66 | 7.63 | 12.08 |
| from 18 to 16 psi | 89.12 | 110.08 |
| 4. Advance timing 2-deg | 2,000 | 5,900 | 2.02 | 8.02 | 12.11 |
| to 38 total | 89.92 | 111.55 |
| 5. Timing back to 36 | 2,200 | 5,800 | 1.73 | 7.78 | 12.43 |
| | 98.25 | 109.75 |
Five most important passes are posted here.
Run Notes: 1) Tire spin, 2) Some tire spin off the line, but felt good, 3) Moved around at mid-track, so I lifted for a split second, 4) Tires spun quite a bit off the line-top end felt OK, 5) More tire spin, 6) Car went sideways off-line and moved around at half-track.