At the Track
Just as it was in the last installment, traction was an issue for a few, but the headwind was a force for all to contend with.
James Emory
James' '65 GTO was consistent. Despite subtle changes to timing and tire pressure, the Goat ran three 1.31 60-foots in a row. The best pass of the day was James' last, posting a 9.28 at 142.69. His worst pass of the day was just 0.03 off this e.t. He recalls, "It was very windy. It kept moving my GTO around, and it was pulling to the right a little bit." Regarding the shootout, he says, "Everything went very well."
Joe and Josh Maguire
Josh described the track conditions as "basically good, but the starting line was a little slick." He also says, "A time or two, the car pulled to the right." Despite tire pressure, timing, and jet changes, the best pass for the '73 Ventura was its first of the day when it posted an 11.06 at 120 on a 1.55 60-foot time-its best e.t. ever. According to Josh, the tires spun on that pass as well. Regardless, he says, "I enjoyed the easy-going atmosphere, run-at-your-own-pace style, and friendly people at the shootout. We really had a good time."
Tom Fredricks
"My '69 Firebird hooked and reacted great," Tom says. "There were no pulls or slick spots. The track was smooth, but there was that headwind all day." By swapping shooters and jets in the carb and adjusting tire pressure up 0.5 pound, Tom's last two passes were back-to-back 10.94s at 120-plus mph. The 60-foot was slightly better on the second pass at 1.49. This despite having to replace the head gasket on the left head after the second pass. He says of the event, "It was well run, good people." He suggested for future events that "halfway through the day we switch lanes for slicks and street tires so that everyone gets to try both lanes."
Rich Dwin
Rich decided to test some exhaust configurations at the shootout. He ran his '70 GTO ragtop with a closed exhaust, then with it open, and finally with 12-inch collector extensions. Though the numbers say the GTO liked the closed exhaust best, Rich's run notes speak of some problems on later passes that would reduce e.t.'s and mph, not the least of which was that his posi unit was beginning to fail (it blew the spider gears at the Pontiacs In the Park race the next day). The net result was a best pass of 11.45 at 116.46 on a 1.54 60-foot the second time out. Rich says, "My GTO usually runs 1.49-1.52 60-foots, but because of the rear and the headwind, the e.t.'s were off. Regardless, we had a great time at the shootout."
Conclusion
James Emory's '65 GTO has been under his ownership for 36 years. Think he's a Pontiac guy? He told HPP his engine combination was derived from the fact that he originally wanted 450 cubes using a 0.060-over 400 piston, a 4.100-inch stroke, and a long, 6.700-inch rod to get a favorable rod/stroke ratio. After the custom billet crank was made, he could not find a ring combo for the 0.060 piston that would work with his proposed setup, so he had to go with a 0.045 piston. The result is 447 cubes. Whatever the case, the GTO runs great with its Pontiac 400 block.
Joe and Josh Maguire have taken father/son projects to a new level with their '73 Ventura. Growing up with Pontiacs has proven advantages it would seem. Building Pontiacs is definitely one of the more fulfilling father-and-son activities.
Tom Fredericks' Firebird is darn quick, especially considering its small-cube (by race standards) iron block and heads 400. It's another instance where experience in the hobby and on the track has paid dividends that can now be shared with the readership.
Rich Dwin had a tough time with his Ford 9-inch giving up the ghost, but his '70 Goat is still a great ride and is quick, running low 11s on pump gas. Not many convertibles are that capable.
So if you want to run 9s, 10s, or 11s, you have just read how to do it, and you have learned how reliable and powerful the traditional 400 Pontiac can be.
Special thanks to Jim Zeek and his family for hosting Pontiacs in the Park and for helping HPP round up this year's participants. And thanks again to Jim and family and to the staff of VMP for aiding in completing this shootout. Finally, thanks to Alyssa DeMauro for typing in the Strip Specs.