My Dream Project: August 2022

If you read my last post, you all know that we have refocused our efforts to achieve our goal of qualifying for an NHRA national event in the ProMod class.

As of today, we are in line for a new chassis to be built by Rick Jones, and new 1967 Mustang body, and a new Janis 4.9 engine package. We found out last week that we are next in line for construction of the chassis (probably will start construction sometime in September). The Janis's have started gathering pieces for our engine, and the body is in the works as well. The Janis's are guiding us every step of the way to make sure we achieve our goals with this car.

In the meantime, we have been focusing on getting a bunch of other projects finished so we can focus on construction of the new car once we take possession of the chassis.

One of the things we need to do is get back in a race car and get seat time at the dragstrip. In order to accomplish that, Traci and I plan on running the Blue Banana as much as we can at local events. We wanted to make it as easy as possible to race the Blue Banana, so we decided to fix up our old small race trailer with everything we need to do local one day events. The old (2000-year model) trailer was purchased as a hollow shell from a racer who was upgrading. We bought it to make our move from Magnolia to Livingston possible without renting a moving van. The trailer paid for itself multiple times and we use it for all kinds of stuff, but it was not outfitted to actively race. We decided to do this because the "Big Rig" is really overkill for a day race with the Blue Banana.

We basically gutted it (wiring and all) and begin rebuilding and modernizing it. Some of the upgrades include:

Rewiring and updating lights
Wiring circuits for 110-volt use
Installing a diesel tank and generator
Installing an air compressor
Insulating the walls and ceiling
Covering walls and ceiling with white fiberglass siding
install new brakes, wheel bearings, and hubs
New tires
Build a custom aluminum cabinet for storage and to hide the generator, air compressor, and fuel tank
Install two air conditioners/heat pumps for creature comfort
Weld up hundreds of holes drilled for mounting things (done by previous owner)
Install new tie down locations for holding the car and pit bike in place
Purchase a new awning to work under when servicing the car.
Install computer monitor and workstation docking station
Install new fold out step to make it easier for old people to come in and out of the trailer
Installed various shelves, organizers, etc. to hold all of our gear
Added toolboxes to keep a set of tools ready to go

It is rewarding to take something that is old and outdated and make it into something new again. Wish I could do that to myself, ha! It is a really nice and functional trailer now!!!

I have also been finishing up everything on the Blue Banana to get it ready to race. We plan on going to the dragstrip in the next 3-4 weeks to test the car and get it ready to race again. I made a bunch of changes to the car, so we have some work to do!!!

We have also established our goal for debuting the new ProMod car (in the NHRA) in October of 2023 and the Fall Nationals in Ennis, Texas! We hope to start testing the car next summer, get our NHRA ProMod license, and run some local 1/8th mile events prior to making our NHRA debut.

As always, God continues to bless Traci and I. We are so fortunate to get to do these crazy things. The American Dream is still alive and well when combined with the Grace of God!

HE is so amazing to give us the desires of our hearts! After all, with God on our side, nothing is impossible!

Luke 1:37, For nothing will be impossible with God.

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