Kelly 1,033 #1 Posted November 1, 2015 Well some of you know I'm one of the first members on here and have been on here as a regular for years, but this year not so much, my youngest son Ryan, loves racing as do I, I have raced cars for 33 years, with that said I bought him a race car early this spring, he was only 14 years old so we started small. The car was a ready to run race car it had been raced for about 8 years, and showed it, but still a good starter car, we paid $900 for it, the class is called Poney stocks they are american made FWD 4 cyl. cars, Dodge Neons and Chevy Cavaliers rule the track, the track we race is 1/4 mile paved, the car we bought is a 90's Neon, with a 2.0 auto. the cars must remain stock to the eye no hot rod parts allowed, and DOT street tires they can run a safety wheel on the right front, lots of G force on that wheel in the turns, these cars get up to a average speed on the straight aways 75 mph all in first gear the little engines are twisting near 7000 RPM at the end of the long back stretch, tough little engines I will say, the car has a well built roll cage and other safety items like alum race seat, 5 point harness, and other small stuff. I did put a cheap flat black paint job on it, and a buddy did the vinyl decals for the sponsors and numbers. I didn't say that he never drove a car before the day we took him to test and tune weekend, and turned him loose, we told him to just drive slow around the track the first few laps, to get the feel for the car and the track, after a few hours here taking his turn on the track going a little faster each time, about 5 or so laps at a time he was doing pretty good, till he tried to go faster yet, the car got away from him in turn 4 which is a tight turn and he hit the wall hard, ripped the R. front suspension off the car,9He was fine shook up) so we got it home fixed it up and took him out the next day for more practice laps, well after 26 weeks of racing every fri. night, and half dozen sunday races, another crash in the wall, and a couple part failures, like a broken hub letting the front wheel try to come off, 2 broken axles and other little stuff, all of that we / I fixed at the track and got him back out racing for the night, He finished 2nd in points in his class on the fri night races and 2nd in points on the sun. races, sunday races he lost first place by 1 point, and also for the season received perfect attendance and Rookie of the year, oh ya did I say most of his fellow racers are in their late 20's to late 30's, he was one of the youngest on the track, pretty proud of him, we butted heads at times but I think we grew closer and both learned things all summer. So that is one reason I was not on here much, I'll make a post on the second reason in a few, here are a few pics of Ryan's car, oh and wwee are already starting a brand new car for him for next year. 16 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KC9KAS 4,744 #2 Posted November 1, 2015 Sounds like he did very well in his 1st year as a "Race Car Driver"!Keep it up and we will see him on Sundays in NASCAR!Be save!One note....My wife had a NEON and I was afraid to drive it more than 65 MPH!! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 23,274 #3 Posted November 1, 2015 They grow up fast, don't they Kelly. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wishin4a416 2,191 #4 Posted November 1, 2015 Wow! He did very good at such a young age. You must be very proud of him. Good job by both of you. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 59,829 #5 Posted November 2, 2015 I didn't see a sponsorship on the car! Nice job by both of you, great father and son bonding time. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coadster32 793 #6 Posted November 2, 2015 Frikkin awesome!! No way should you have been on the board posting like a fiend. That is truly amazing. Speaks volumes for the house your son came from. Got any action shots? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken B 3,189 #7 Posted November 2, 2015 Now there ain't no better way for a father and son to spend time together than to work on race cars, and then watch your son race, and win! I'm very happy for you and you son! Your son will always remember how much you have helped and guided him... Congrats to both of you! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JC 1965 1,532 #8 Posted November 2, 2015 Sound like he's a chip off the old block for sure Kelly. You guys are making some good memories that both of you will always remember and appreciate. I have missed reading your posts on here, you have helped me out on many occasions and i appreciate it. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kelly 1,033 #9 Posted November 2, 2015 https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t31.0-8/1801228_10207241280416326_6016349041324543165_o.jpg 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dcrage 630 #10 Posted November 2, 2015 7000 rpms??!! -- I always think I am being good not winding out the engines on my vehicles and then I see that you guys do 20 mile races in 1st gear! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kelly 1,033 #11 Posted November 2, 2015 And to think this is a bone stock engine, with unknown miles, one of the other guys has a Neon with near 200,000 miles it never been apart runs it the same way, and has for 3 years Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 51,722 #12 Posted November 3, 2015 My stepsons are into racing and when I ask them how much coin they got tied up in their "hobby" (4 cylinder mostly) they ask me about my HD's and WH's.......I shut up pretty quick...and throw a sponsor sticker on their rides... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
