Where to start……..no jokes or wise cracks about April Fool’s Day, is it spring/racing season yet, are we having fun yet……..

Nope, WE ARE ALL IN A VERY, VERY SERIOUS situation. The current health issues are a shared situation affecting us all. Pay attention to the experts as to your (and everyone else’s) actions. In a round about way, what you do (or don’t do) and how you respond/react will dictate how long this thing will last.

I’m sure you are aware of the NHRA’s current approach to their season. All of this echoed by the other sanctioning bodies and their activities. So far as I know the only event that’s been fielded was the March Meet. It made it in just under the wire. And according to the latest from our national and state leaders, things are on hold thru the month of April. And of course, this will include us.

Short story, the Geezers are parked for the near future. This covers us as
a group as well as individual participation. Our first big get together was originally to be the inaugural event at Battlefield Dragway in Meridian MS in late May…..the Battlefield Gasser Throwdown. It had been shaking out as a barn burner with 150+ pre entries. I’m not up to date on the current state of the event, but “wait and see” is as good an explanation as any. As soon as there’s a definite decision, I’ll pass it along. And, I’m sure the Hot Rod Reunion at Beech Bend is also in question. Wait and see probably applies here as well.

Administrative things continue on. Hagerty Motorsports Insurance has stepped up again for 2020 and agreed to help us with some sponsorship funding. If you are a racer…even part time….you owe it to yourself to
contact them for coverage for your race program…..money
well spent. Membership continues on, with nearly all of last year’s members back in the fold. New member, Ted Wood from Mooreville MS has decided to enter into the fray with his big block powered ’41 Willys coupe. I saw under construction pictures from early February, and it should be a handful for the 9 second guys.

Lots of repairs, updates, and “look and see” going on with the Geezer cars.
I know for sure John Verde’s big block in the Austin is apart for valvetrain issues. Wayne Stine’s pickup is getting a once over after an incident last fall at Orlando. John Swick is helping the Indiana economy by way of transmission work in his coupe. And, last but not least, the Boogermobile is finally going back together after a starter/flywheel issue reared its head at Atmore last fall. And, so long as the transmission was out, time was right for the converter to be looked at, as well as the transmission. Converter was good, transmission was ready for a freshening.

Here’s an unsolicited opinion…….BE VERY CAUTIOUS AND ALERT TO THE PARTS YOU USE IN YOUR HOT ROD. Using my transmission as an example, the friction material from the clutch discs was found to be sloughing off the steel backing plates. No indications of overheating or fluid breakdown, just the loss of the friction material. According to the builder, it’s been more and more common, and not just in performance applications. It appears the material being used is manufactured “offshore.” Your parts box might say made in America, but in all probability the materials are sourced off shore. Axle bearings were my next bugaboo.
After search all over, I found what I thought was the answer…..good old Timken. Been in business for what seems like forever, always available, and always well respected. They are now manufactured “off shore” shipped here and packaged in Ohio. Everything else, from days past, BCA, Federal Mogul, SKF, are now ALL imported. I don’t know about you, but I’m not comfortable with putting crap bearings in my hot rod, then going 135+ mph. I finally was able to locate a pair of bearings from my original axle supplier. Be cautious and careful.

Stay tuned, updates as to our status will posted here as soon as we have them. In the interim, stay safe, wash your hands, take care of yourself and your family……and say a prayer for all of our first responders and in particular the medical personnel. They’ve all got a tough go of it.