tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-200089222009-10-17T06:44:11.926-04:00A blog dedicated to figure 8 races and demo scrambles, with sporadic trips into the world of demolition derby and short track racing. To paraphrase Kid Rock - "It's a Michigan blog, can you feel that?"Figure 8http://www.blogger.com/profile/10929190708930513535noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20008922.post-71586623532687907612007-07-25T14:40:00.000-04:002007-07-25T14:57:58.235-04:00

Damn its almost been 2 months since I last posted here and the summer is flying by already.After the debacle that was the first Ionia race of the season things have got markedly better and the top of the kitchen cabinets are starting to look much better now that there are a few trophies up there. I had threatened to win something until the Corsica decided it would rather have a nap on the trailer

Figure 8http://www.blogger.com/profile/10929190708930513535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20008922.post-90913725563708610142007-05-28T07:17:00.000-04:002007-05-28T07:32:06.259-04:00

You rarely see any Japanese cars get raced in the scrambles, primarily I think because people seem to think that their Japanese junk is worth more money than it is and you therefore rarely find them for sale in the $200 range. Well I can now attest that Japanese junk is just that junk.I ran an Acura Legend at Ionia last weekend and when we prepped it we knew that the car was fast and weak.

Figure 8http://www.blogger.com/profile/10929190708930513535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20008922.post-30192128302244860652007-04-19T21:41:00.000-04:002007-04-19T21:42:33.839-04:00

Just heard tonight that there will be a demo scramble in Coopersville on August 10th. Bring gifts as its my birthday the next day..........

Figure 8http://www.blogger.com/profile/10929190708930513535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20008922.post-66478532838843393762007-04-13T16:44:00.000-04:002007-04-19T21:46:24.675-04:00

Normally I pull the stereo from every car I run, as I try and eke as much money for parts out of every one, but once in a while I leave it in there and for some reason I was wondering what would be good tunes to crank while sliding around amidst mud and crunching metal. There are so many car tunes out there and you only have to listen to Car talk on NPR to hear some of the more obscure ones, but

Figure 8http://www.blogger.com/profile/10929190708930513535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20008922.post-25039298841899255782007-03-19T13:46:00.000-04:002007-03-19T13:51:17.675-04:00

Watched the NASCAR race at Atlanta on TV yesterday and my guess is that NASCAR will be spanking Juan Pablo Montoya's behind.1 Can you actually say "Pissed Off" on live TV as he did at the end of the race?2 Mid way through the commentary guys reported that he also said over the radio "Jeff Gordon is making me (Expletive) loose." We didn't learn what the expletive was.I say more power to ya Juan.

Figure 8http://www.blogger.com/profile/10929190708930513535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20008922.post-75410987640731637532007-03-13T17:35:00.000-04:002007-04-19T21:44:43.681-04:00

Demo scrambles are often known as demolition derby racing or autocross or off road racing.Sat May 19, 2007 @ 4 PMIonia Fairgrounds, Ionia, MIMardi Gras FestivalDemo Derby Off-Road Racing (Demo Scramble)Sun June 17, 2007 @ 2 PMTuscola County Fair Grounds, Caro, MIFigure 8 - Compact & Big CarDemo Derby Off-Road Racing (Bump-N-Run)Two shows in one!Wed July 4, 2007 @ 4:30 PMSand Lake 4th of July

Figure 8http://www.blogger.com/profile/10929190708930513535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20008922.post-46235400601974666122007-03-13T17:28:00.000-04:002007-03-13T17:35:27.313-04:00

Sun April 29, 2007 @ 2 PM Kalkaska Trout Festival, Kalkaska, MIFigure 8Compact & Big Car Sun June 17, 2007 @ 2 PMTuscola County Fair Grounds, Caro, MIFigure 8 - Compact & Big CarDemo Derby Off-Road Racing (Bump-N-Run)Two shows in one!Sat June 30, 2007 @ 6 PMCadillac Fair Grounds, Cadillac, MIFigure 8Compact & Big CarWed July 4, 2007 @ 4:30 PMSand Lake 4th of July Festival, Sand Lake, MIDemo Derby

Figure 8http://www.blogger.com/profile/10929190708930513535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20008922.post-50866043347717688372007-03-13T17:14:00.000-04:002007-03-13T17:28:39.871-04:00

Here is a list of demolition derbies that I am aware of in Michigan this summerFri April 27, 2007 @ 7 PM2nd Annual Spring Fling, Kalkaska, MIKalkaska FairgroundsDemo Derby - '78 & newerSat June 16, 2007 @ 2 PMTuscola County Fair Grounds, Caro, MIDemo DerbyCompact & Big CarWed July 4, 2007 @ 4:30 PMSand Lake 4th of July Festival, Sand Lake, MIDemo Derby - '78 and newerCompact F8Compact Demo Derby

Figure 8http://www.blogger.com/profile/10929190708930513535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20008922.post-49291849639720470222007-03-04T06:41:00.000-05:002007-03-04T06:42:27.073-05:00

Another picture.

Figure 8http://www.blogger.com/profile/10929190708930513535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20008922.post-50327733598187825432007-03-03T17:05:00.000-05:002007-03-03T17:15:20.038-05:00

It's official I am crazy. We ventured out to Holland this afternoon for the snowball demo scramble, but only to watch as my cars are either buried under way to much snow or still in various states of preparation.Still there was some decent racing in the below freezing temperatures as yet another lake effect snowstorm blew through. Unlike the summer races one of the big objectives for the 20 or so

Figure 8http://www.blogger.com/profile/10929190708930513535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20008922.post-1172423340976442992007-02-25T12:05:00.000-05:002007-02-25T12:09:00.986-05:00

We have spent a large chunk of this weekend stripping out the Acura Legend that I acquired. In doing so we have determined that one of the qualifications to be a luxury car is that the manufacturer has to hide screws and bolts behind all manner of trim. At least will finally made headway though the one bad thing was that we discovered the back bumper was so rotten that it was actually being held

Figure 8http://www.blogger.com/profile/10929190708930513535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20008922.post-1171196316434845112007-02-11T07:16:00.000-05:002007-02-11T07:18:36.436-05:00

Sat February 24, 2007 @ 2 PM Ludington County Fair Grounds, Ludington, MISnowball Demo Derby & Figure 8Truck Derby heat$1,000 Feature Winner – Demo DerbySat March 3, 2007 @ 2 PMOttawa County Fair Grounds, Holland, MIDemo Derby Off-Road Racing (Demo Scramble) Sat March 17, 2007 @ 2 PMCadillac Fair Grounds, Cadillac, MISt. Patrick’s Day Figure 8Compact & Big CarI want to see if I can get the Acura

Figure 8http://www.blogger.com/profile/10929190708930513535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20008922.post-1171196126365012162007-02-11T07:08:00.000-05:002007-02-11T07:15:26.376-05:00

The other week just as the snow was starting to come down I picked up a 1988 Acura Legend to run this year and besides traveling home on ice and snow covered back roads with a fully laden trailer this car has been an adventure already.Firstly none of the batteries I had fitted it - and this from a man that has like 10 cores lying around so I had to go buy a new battery.OK now fit the battery and

Figure 8http://www.blogger.com/profile/10929190708930513535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20008922.post-1171104946191227852007-02-10T05:54:00.000-05:002007-02-10T05:55:46.203-05:00

I also went looking to see what I could find from England too where I grew up watching what they call banger racing. Found a fun race with everyone towing caravans (aka travel trailers)

Figure 8http://www.blogger.com/profile/10929190708930513535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20008922.post-1171103957021419052007-02-10T05:36:00.000-05:002007-02-10T05:39:17.040-05:00

I actually found one of a demo scramble in Manistee that was run by the promoter I race with Unique Motor Sports. I am not in this race but its a reasonable show. If you have delicate sensibilities or at work you might want to watch it with your sound off as the music track is not exactly G rated.

Figure 8http://www.blogger.com/profile/10929190708930513535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20008922.post-1171103619142807832007-02-10T05:25:00.000-05:002007-02-10T05:33:39.160-05:00

As I don't have any videos of my events - we are not allowed to shoot them generally - I went to see what I could find on You Tube.The first of the two clips is without doubt the best. The second is kind of mellow.

Figure 8http://www.blogger.com/profile/10929190708930513535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20008922.post-1168858751276330052007-01-15T05:23:00.000-05:002007-01-15T05:59:11.290-05:00

I paid my annual visit to the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on Sunday in order to see what was exciting for the new year and some of the cool concepts. With the mild winters we have had in Michigan this year at least my nose hairs weren't freezing as I walked to Cobo Hall from the parking ramp. Once inside though my automotive temperature didn't rise much at all though. It

Figure 8http://www.blogger.com/profile/10929190708930513535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20008922.post-1168537178034189502007-01-11T12:36:00.000-05:002007-01-11T12:39:38.046-05:00

It's a mess but there is now a Chevy Corsica sat in the driveway awaiting conversion to its' final purpose. We went and liberated it from behind a barn last night and with the aid of another pick up and a quad managed to get it into the trailer. Getting it off was easier but then came the fun of moving it round my driveway. We slapped a big pad of foam between the front of my Avalanche and the

Figure 8http://www.blogger.com/profile/10929190708930513535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20008922.post-1166824826391538382006-12-22T16:56:00.000-05:002006-12-22T17:00:26.406-05:00

I know its off my regular topic but when your head mechanic and girlfriend starts a blog you have to give her a moment in the sun. The blog is Please don't call us headhunters and is focused on the more humorous side of the world of recruiting, job interviews and job hunting. Check it out and enjoy.

Figure 8http://www.blogger.com/profile/10929190708930513535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20008922.post-1166134119845624552006-12-14T17:02:00.000-05:002006-12-14T17:08:39.856-05:00

To this point I have only really had on sponsor for the car. My friend who runs Varner Grafix helps me with welding and as a result has been my defacto sponsor, but as of today I have another one. BoatersBasement who sell all sorts of boating supplies and marine electronics, as well as actually offereing free blogs to those in the boating community, have come on board. Every little helps pay for

Figure 8http://www.blogger.com/profile/10929190708930513535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20008922.post-1165690149537853072006-12-09T13:42:00.000-05:002006-12-09T13:49:09.546-05:00

Well winter has finally arived in Michigan so that means there is no racing to indulge myself in. The Citation sits in the driveway under a blue tarp covered in snow but with only one car in any state of preparedness the hunt is on for new cars. Well less than new cars.I always keep my eyes open for what people have beside the road and what shows up at auctions or in the local paper classifieds

Figure 8http://www.blogger.com/profile/10929190708930513535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20008922.post-1161027448489168182006-10-16T15:32:00.000-04:002006-10-16T15:37:28.503-04:00

The season is now over and done and at the drivers banquet on Saturday I was proud to accept three awards. One for most improved driver and then plaques for 8th place in points in the compact figure 8 and also another for 8th place in points in the compact demo scramble.I've also been cleaning out cars. Of the 6 I ran this year 5 have now gone to new homes or their final resting places. I

Figure 8http://www.blogger.com/profile/10929190708930513535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20008922.post-1159969839275638112006-10-04T09:46:00.000-04:002006-10-04T09:50:39.300-04:00

On Sunday I packed things away with a heavy heart. The season is now officially over and the last two races passed with minimal success.I ran an Eagle Talon at Ionia and it was fast until I lost all forward gears. Should never have used anything with a Dodge transmission in it. nThe Citation came back out for Holland but it just didnt want to keep running and I will have to work out why.The Talon

Figure 8http://www.blogger.com/profile/10929190708930513535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20008922.post-1156706652838538292006-08-27T15:06:00.000-04:002006-08-27T15:24:12.850-04:00

This week was the Hudsonville fair which has 2 off road scrambles and a demolition derby. We missed Wednesday nights race but saw the scramble on Thursday night. It's actually a little strange now being able to watch a whole event, rather than running around making sure my car is competitive. I would run Hudsonville but for 2 things; they make you move the fuel tank and you have to sign up early

Figure 8http://www.blogger.com/profile/10929190708930513535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20008922.post-1156705562477887812006-08-27T15:00:00.000-04:002006-08-27T15:06:02.476-04:00

So far this year I have raced and retired 4 cars:1994 Chevy Cavalier1989 Chevy Cavalier - still runs and may come out of retirement again1989 Buick Le Sabre1999 Ford Escort ZX2Now we are building the fifth car, a 1981 Chevy Citation and its proving to be a pain. Everything normal is done but we just cannot seem to resolve a fuel leak problem and a braking issue. Right now the car has all of 1 and

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