Software Developer | Car Enthusiast | Amateur Photographer

A few of us decided to head to Dallas Raceway in Crandall, TX last weekend to get some seat time in preparation for the 2010 LTX Shootout. For me, it was the first time I would be driving a car on true slicks and I can say it was a learning experience. I made a few N/A passes to get a feel for the car and track and then followed up with 3 nitrous passes. I also scaled the car and was surprised to find that my race weight was 3650 lbs. Guess I need to get on a diet (me and the car).

I also got a new personal best that night as well. Here’s the time slip for the run and the video is below:

60 – 1.627
330 – 4.525
1/8 – 6.929
MPH – 103.25
1000 – 8.996
1/4 – 10.721
MPH – 129.49

Here’s another pass where I cut a 1.5x 60′ but missed the 2-3 shift.

Thanks to Ray (chopstix396) and Terri for the videos!

After about 10 months of downtime, the Formula is up and running again with what should be it’s fastest combo ever! Hopefully some 9′s are on the horizon. Here’s a brief list of the upgrades:

• AFR 210 Eliminator Competition Cylinder Heads – 1.055″ Dual Springs, 2.080/1.600 Valves
• AFR Rocker Arm Stud Girdles and Valve Lash Caps
• Custom Ground Solid Roller Camshaft from Lloyd Elliot at Elliot’s Port Works
• Edelbrock SBC Victor E Intake Manifold
• Nitrous Outlet LT1 Intake Elbow
• Nitrous Outlet Custom Direct Port Nitrous System
• LPP Stainless Steel 1-3/4to 1-/7/8 Stepped Long Tube Headers
• LT4 High Torque Starter

Here’s an idle video too.

This morning when I opened Outlook, I received the following error after which Outlook closed immediately:

Cannot start Microsoft Office Outlook. Cannot open the Outlook window.

The only change I remember making to Outlook was installing the Xobni plugin the day before. Even after disabling and uninstalling Xobni, running Office Diagnostics and repairing my Office install, I still received the error. I the did a Google search for the error and found the following solution on the Microsoft Answers community:

Start > Run > Outlook.exe /resetnavpane

The thread on Microsoft Answers can be found here. In defense of Xobni, I am running Office 2007 on Windows 7 which is not a supported configuration at this time. I think the Xobni plugin is a great tool and I’ll be looking forward to some Windows 7 updates in the near future.

Last Friday, I achieved a new personal best ET at Little River Dragway running a 10.93 @ 129.99 MPH with a 1.7 60 ft.  Running a 10-second 1/4-mile has been a goal of mine for as long as I’ve been going to the track (over 15 years) and it feels good to have finally achieved that goal.  Earlier that week I had ran wiring for the MSD Digital 6 2-step which I hooked up using a 5-pin relay with a TCI strtch cord button.  The wiring was done in such a way that when the 2-step is activated, the nitrous solenoids are deactivated.  This would allow me to work on more consistent launches with a 6-speed.

The first three runs of the night were motor-only runs. After each run, I tweaked the 2-step rev limit, front and rear suspension to help my 60 ft. times.  The best combo that night seemed to be the following settings:

• Front Shocks – #0 compression, #8 rebound
• Rear Shocks – #4 compression
• Rear Air Bags – 32 PSI passenger-side, 20 PSI driver-side
• Rear Tires (275/60 R15 M/T ET Street DR) – 12 PSI
• 2-step Rev Limit – 4K RPM

As the night progressed, I think the right lane conditions improved slightly and caused me to bog on the last run.  Regardless, I’m still happy with the results and there’s still room for improvement.

For more information about Little River Dragway, see http://www.littleriverdragway.net.

It was Friday afternoon, a few hours before heading to the track and a slight nervousness set in. I know why, it had literally been 14 years since I had a car with slicks on the drag strip. But it was different this time…this time the car was more powerful than any other car I’ve ever owned. If you’ve never driven or ridden in a car that makes 624 horsepower and 744 ft-lb torque, it’s hard to describe the forces and sensations your body feels under acceleration. I can’t imagine how the drivers of Pro-Mod, Funny Car and Top Fuel cars feel. It must be amazing.

By the end of the night, I had made 4 passes with the last two on nitrous.  My last pass was my best of the evening and also my personal best running 11.2 @ 130 MPH.  Despite a few issues with some timing and window switch settings, the trap speed indicates what the car may be capable of.  I plan on returning to the track again in a few weeks.

Words simply cannot describe the vastness and pure beauty of the Grand Canyon. On first sight, I lost count of the number of times I said “Unbelievable” or “Amazing” or “Unreal”. If you have not been to the Grand Canyon, you must put it on your bucket list. More pictures to come soon.

Low water lines reveal drought conditions in recent years.

Near Yavapai Observation Point, South Rim,Grand Canyon National Park

We’ve arrived and what a view from the 4th floor!! Wow! Now it’s time to head out.

If you don’t have a subscription to GM High Tech Performance Magazine, swing by a news stand and grab one to see a 5-page feature on my 1995 Pontiac Formula in the November 2008 issue.  I’ve included JPG images of the entire article below but don’t let that stop you from getting your own copy.

Thanks to everyone at GM High Tech Performance for the great feature!
To see the entire article online, click here.

I got an email at the beginning of June 2007 from a company named Schmap about wanting to use one of my pictures from New York in their Schmap New York Third Edition online travel guide. They said that there would be a final selection of possible photos and they would notify me if mine was selected. About 2 weeks later, I received another email confirming they were going to use my photo of the Cyclone roller coaster at Coney Island.  See below.

The Cyclone at Astroland - Coney Island, NY

Here’s a link to the New York guide…
http://www.schmap.com/newyork/sights_attractions/#p=262057&i=262057_6.jpg

Then in July 2007 another one of my photos was selected to appear in the Schmap Amsterdam Third Edition travel guide.  See below.

A neon sign hanging in the Amsterdam Red Light District

Here’s a link to the Amsterdam guide…
http://www.schmap.com/amsterdam/introduction_neighborhoods/p=1751D05/i=1751D05_3.jpg