Geezer Grumblings

March 24, 2014

March 24, 2014

Hello again gasser fans and Geezer followers. Man it’s been a L-O-N-G
winter and off season, but I’m sure you don’t need to be reminded. As I
prepare this, the local weather guessers are “predicting” a snowfall again
over the next couple of days. Man I need some sunshine, race gas fumes and
tire smoke/smells, and engine noise. Check out the schedule page for our
confirmed events.

On to the business at hand. In the off season, some VERY important things
have been in the works, and finally, have come to a happy conclusion.
These topics and discussions are intended to not only enhance the Geezer
program overall, but also, assure continued operations. We are beginning
our 15th year of continuous and productive operation, and thanks to the
membership and all of you, these areas updates should assure our operation
for continued enjoyment.

First, I welcome Hagerty Insurance aboard as our newest sponsor and
supporter. Hagerty has been in the classic and collectible vehicle
insurance business for a long time. As a part of their operation, they
were providing the antique and classic sports car guys with coverage for
their vintage races. Being tuned into motorsports and specifically the
increasing level of popularity for the nostalgia drag race phenomenon, they
made the decision to expand their racer insurance program and make it
available to the nostalgia racers. And, what better format and
representatives for this expansion than the Geezers. They started with a
“blank slate” having very little knowledge of the nostalgia scene, and did
a whole bunch of research before finalizing their product. Official Geezer
photographer Martin Libhart and I were fortunate enough to be asked to
advise and to offer opinions and insight, and during all of this, a
business deal was struck, for us as a group to help promote their entry
into the nostalgia scene. They are now our sponsor for 2014. The official
artwork and graphics are still in process, so for the meantime, here’s a
link to click on for the whole story. If you are a racer, this bears
serious thought……coverage and protection for your race operation
should be a part of your yearly preparation for race activities. Towing,
parked in the pits, sitting in the staging lanes, are all areas that cover
your investment. Keep in mind this is NOT any type of liability coverage,
but the protection for your race program investment. Check it
out……………

Next, there are a couple of internal changes to the Geezer program that
have been agreed to by the membership. And, these changes could affect you
as a potential participant and member of the Geezer family.

From our very beginnings, the Geezers were insistent that “gassers” were
to be fueled with gasoline, and the alcohol should be reserved for drinking
at the end of the race day. Last year, on a trial basis, we had several
cars enter into the mix, using alcohol as a fuel source. It seemed to be
successful, and caused no problems for the tracks, or for the rest of the
membership. So, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, ALCOHOL AND ALCOHOL DERIVED (E85)
FUELS ARE ACCEPTABLE FOR USE BY MEMBERS. It seems as if there are no new
cars being built to use gasoline……alcohol is the fuel of choice, and in
order to remain a viable program, alcohol is now acceptable. It’s a
natural progression.

In addition to the alcohol thing, the Geezer Gassers have always had a
strict limitation on the cars accepted for membership and participation.
There have been repeated and continuing calls to loosen the year of
production rule for cars, expanding the program to accept cars up to 1957.
So, after a lot of discussion and thought, effective immediately, the rule
limiting year of production is being modified to ACCEPT PRODUCTION MODEL
YEAR CARS UP TO 1957. This will allow for acceptance and inclusion of the
widely popular TRI-5 CHEVROLET and FORD to the membership and participation
ranks. Like the alcohol provision, it’s a progression.

Neither of these modifications/changes will have no affect on the rules
covering safety and appearances. The cars will still have to look the part
with solid axles, nose up, paint and graphics. More importantly, ALL
safety provisions of the sanctioning bodies as well as ours will be
maintained and ENFORCED.

Simple economics is probably the single most relevant factor in these
decisions. Alcohol is less than half the cost of race fuel. And the cost
for nearly any body to start the build of one of these cars is crazy. It
seems like the only bodies left that are within most people’s reach, and
where the parts are most widely available for one of these builds is the
tri-5 car, either GM or Ford. We compromised the rules to make our program
more reachable for more of you. If you had an idea you wanted to be a part
of the craziness and comraderie of the Geezers, here’s your opportunity.

Finally, welcome to our newest Geezer Rick Deflon from Kansas City, MO.
He’s making great progress on his Hudson pickup, anticipating an initial
Geezer outing in mid May at Beacon Dragway in Paducah, KY. The pictures
are showing great potential with an injected big block Chevrolet and a
Powerglide. Welcome aboard Rick.

Some other things are in the works, so be sure to check back. And be sure
to look for the Hagerty banner, both on here and in our pits at our events.

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