CHEVROLET, APPLE PIE & BUILT FORD TOUGH
Don Christman
Neva cast a wary eye toward me as I approached the entry to the track at 4:45, the last scheduled time on the Friday test day at Heartland Park on the weekend of the Heavenly Hazel Event. "Who are you?" she wanted to know. "Why Neva, don't you recognize me in my Chebby truck?" " I am the celebrity shoe for the weekend for Gary's Speed Shop Super Truck, from Council Grove."
Well celebrity might be too strong a word for my status as a driver, but I was the lucky guy that received the call to debut Super Trucks in the Super Production class of SCCA Club Racing. Super Trucks are 3100 lb. NASCAR Craftsman trucks with a little less power, the Friday night Chevy having a claimed 475 h.p., the Ford that I wound up competing in on Saturday having a claimed 550 h.p., a dog ring competition transmission and 11" slicks and a decal of a gun rack and rifle in the truck rear window which, no doubt, elevated my redneck status.
As I settled my 16" butt into the 15" seat, my former friend and former crew person Ron Heck peered into the drivers window and straight lined me with "I have but one question, my son. Are you tall enough to see out of this thing?" I'm glad my sense of humor includes short jokes. The above is the first question.
The second and most asked question of the day was "how does it drive?" Amazingly well for a big vehicle, 3rd overall in the regional race with a win in SP. It's a HOOT. Keep in mind that there is 8' hanging behind the cab. Weight is 52% front and 48% rear for pretty good balance, the Mazda being a near perfect 50%/50%. Power steering is wonderful. Cornering is balanced and the feel is good. My second lap in the Chevy truck was a 2:08 followed by a 2:06, then a 2:05 on Friday night. Saturday's Ford brought a quick time in the 2:02 range. About the same time as my GT-3 Mazda but with a lot more go and a lot less slow having 11" brakes vs. 12" brakes on the Mazda. The Mazda also weighs 1000 lbs. less.
All that power does create some interesting problems for the driver, however. Given too much throttle, the tires will spin at the exit of any corner at Heartland Park. Throttle management is essential to quick times and full control. Once, exiting 12 to go down under the bridge I was applying throttle a little too aggressively and with the engine in the power band wildly spun the tires cocking the Ford nearly sideways. Needless to say I was a busy boy for a few moments inside the cab of that Ford.
Third question, would I do it again? Yes, and for others who would like to give Super Trucks a try Gary has 4 trucks all of which he will rent out.
Contact Gary Sevenans at 620-767-5005 for more information on renting the trucks and his desire to get a truck series started in the Midwest.
GARY'S SPEED SHOP super trucks are available to lease for those who are interested in racing various events. [Also known as the Rent-a-Ride program.] Currently the the #99 Ford, #97 Ford, the #16 Ford, and the #26 Chevy are available to lease. For more information about each trucks' racing history please see the Super Truck page and read over the
Please note: leases are tailored to meet the racers' needs.
The following testimonial by Don Christman was written to give others an idea about his experience driving/racing a
GARY'S SPEED SHOP super truck.
472 M AvenueCouncil Grove, Ks 66846
Council Grove, Ks 66846Toll Free: 1-866-573-5003Telephone: (620) 767-5005Cell: (620) 767-2807
Telephone: (620) 767-5005Cell: (620) 767-2807
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