At The Track
Mark Weymouth/Scott Tiemann
Dialing in 36 psi for the rear tires for the fourth pass resulted in the best 60-foot at 1.94 and the best pass of the day at 12.63 at 110.40 mph for the '71 455 H.O. T/A. Driver Scott Tiemann says, "The air was average for this track, the temperature was cool, and there was good traction. The T/A spun badly a few times when I shifted to Second gear. Possibly, I was shifting too early and there was just too much torque at that rpm." Incidentally, the T/A went through the traps at 5,500 rpm in high gear. Regarding the event, Scott relates, "It was lots of fun. I liked the informal setting and the opportunity to make lots of passes on bias-plys to get my launch technique down."
Paul Glasgo
Paul made four passes without tuning changes and the final one was his best of the day, with a 1.91 60-foot and a 12.51 at 110.75 mph, going through the traps at 6,200 rpm in high gear. He was pleased with the track conditions, saying that his Tempest "hooked well." Paul also enjoyed the event saying that it was, "great and a fun time with good people."
Thomas Glasgo
Thomas tuned both timing and rear tire pressure on his '64 2+2 through his seven passes. Run Seven provided the best e.t. at 13.37, but it was Run Six that had the best mph at 105.33 and Run Five the best 60-foot at 2.05. The Cat went through the traps at 5,500-5,600. Thomas says, "The Shootout was a great opportunity to make some changes and improve performance. The track conditions were OK. There could have been some more traction compound used. My 2+2 didn't hook well, so I had to lower launch rpm, which hurt my 60-foot times." Overall, what Thomas enjoyed most was, "gathering with many friends who enjoy racing Pure Stock Pontiacs.
Bruce Hayes
Bruce dialed in his '65 GTO's timing throughout the day and saw his best pass on the second time out. He ran 13.67 at 102.14 on a 2.06 60-foot time and went through the traps at 4,800 rpm. He credits this performance to a better burnout prior to the second pass. Bruce says the track was "slippery, but his '65 ran pretty much the same as it always does on bias-plys." He also liked the "low key fun" of the Shootout.
Conclusion
Essentially, getting the most out of these Pontiacs in this type of racing comes down to traction. Though this is true of most forms of drag racing, the restrictive size and type of tires required amplifies the importance of traction in this venue. You've just read how these four contestants worked to improve it and where they found it lacking either in their own combinations or the day's conditions. Either way, you now have a good idea of what these four models are capable of when tuned to what is allowed by the Pure Stock rules.
HPP would like to thank Mark Weymouth, Dan Jensen and Jody Traylor, and the management and crew of Mid-Michigan Motorplex for their assistance in making this Shootout possible.