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APRIL 4TH, 2009-(LAPEER MI)
Opening day!!! The very words are magic, no matter what the subject matter is. It is even more
special to be at the racetrack on opening day. To make it even more special, to have a new engine under the hood to
have a crack at my first sub 13 second pass.
Over the winter, I was able to buy a new engine for the www.4hodgeracing.com race team. I won't give away any team secrets, but suffice it to say that there is plenty more of everything
in this motor!
11-23-08 Lapeer MI. The 4HodgeRacing team braved the cold for a
final Test and Tune date on Sunday, November 23rd, 2008. The temperature was a mere 38 degrees, and the sun was nowhere
to be found.
The Hodge family race team was second in the gate behind the Mopar of
Tony Nacewicz, a friend and coworker of mine at GM Racing. There were 5 deer on the track, and the 2 cars in the pits,
until the deer were chased off. Eventually, approximately 15 cars braved the cold for the final test session of the
year.
We pitted next to Tony's Mopar, about half way down the pits. We quickly
unloaded to be ready to run as soon as the lanes were opened. I unstrapped the the car, and got the oils all warmed
up. Brandy and the kids got our pit set up and started the fire in the barrel to help keep us warm. I knew that
with the air so cold, that the car would need a good warmup period, and that the first run would have to be a little on the
easy side. Because there were so few cars, I could get right back into line after my first run.
On the first run, I paid extra attention to getting the tires
warmed up. I had already warmed up the rear end, and the engine, so during the burnout, I stayed on it long enough
to get the smoke a rolling!!!
I pulled up to the 'tree to make a solo pass. I cut a .613 light, and
made a fairly easy pass. I didn't run it hard, at wind up the revs, just tried to concentrate on watching the gauges, and
going straight. It seemed like a pretty smooth run, and I get back in line to run again. This pass, I ran
it hard, and took it upstairs to make it as fast as I could.
Back in the pits, Brandy brought the slips to me and I was shocked!
The first pass, just a "warm up" run, was the fastest I had ever gone. A 13.22 at 101 MPH!! The second pass was
even faster, 13.17 at 102 MPH. Brandy gave me a big hug and a high five congrats.
We made several more runs all with .15 of each other. I decided
near the end of the day to fatten up the carb, and make one last bonzai run of the year. I cut a great light, and ran
the fastest that our team has ever gone. 13.125 at 102.47 MPH!
All in all, the last day was good for many reasons
The last run, on the last day of the season was the best run ever.
I am so glad that my wife and kids were there to see it and share that with me. We race as a family team, and it is only right
that the whole team was there with me. My 2 best friends were there to share it with me too. Jeff Robinson and Tony Nacewicz.
Tony had his best time too, with a 9.99 at 140 MPH...
Now, we have all winter to ride the high of the best ever pass.
We have all winter to think of ways to make the Mustang faster, quicker. We have all winter to spend our times together,
thinking of next year, and how our family will enjoy racing next season.
To my wife Brandy, and to my kids Morgan and Shelby...
THANK YOU!!!!
The 1st Annual
Nostalgia Drags
Shelby Hodge was tapped for the driving chores and made the first pass of the day. However,
on that pass, it was discovered that the new safety restraint belts did not adjust to fit her properly, and Dad had to
take over the driving for the day.
After 2 rounds of qualifying, a dial in time of 9.59 was chosen. In the first round of eliminations,
a light of .358 and a run of 9.69 was not enough to take the win light. It was back to the pits to join the
family for a burger and soda, and to watch our friends continue to race.
The bottom line is that we all had a great time!!
July 27, 2008 (Lapeer, MI) The 4HodgeRacing.Com race team once again made
the trek to Lapeer International Dragway for another day of racing.
This was to be no ordinary day, however, as Shelby Hodge, 16, made her racing
debut in the 4HodgeRacing.com Ford Mustang. The officials at Lapeer Dragway were very accomodating
as the rookie driver learned her way to the tree. Although the first run was made with her Dad as an observer, it was
Shelby that pedaled, steered and shifted her way to a 14.27@ 88 MPH. If that doesn't impress you, maybe the .515 light
will. Thats on a .500 tree. NOT TOO SHABBY!!
Shelby was able to complete 4 passes, eventually making her best pass with a 13.36 @ 99.98 MPH.
Her average reaction time was .635, still not bad for her first day of racing.
"I was a little nervous the first time I pulled up to the lights, but the track officials helped
me out, and gave me time that I needed to stage the car. After that, it was just waiting for the green and floor it!
I wasn't scared, not for a second. I am hooked. Most of the time my reaction times are better than Dad's, so he
should be considering stepping aside. Just kidding Dad."
Her Dad, Steve Hodge, says he was nervous, more so than Shelby seemed to be. "I was nervous,
but didn't want her to know it. I had complete confidence in her, the car, and the track. We use Master Power
Brakes (www.mpbrakes.com), so when Shelby had to slow down, I was totally confident with her behind the wheel. I knew that when she got back to the
pits, she would have a huge smile... and she did. She wanted to get right back up to the staging lanes and go again..
I said well, don't take off that helmet, and get back up here!!"
Whats next for the www.4hodgeracing.com team? The 1ST Annual Nostalgia Drags at THE UBLY DRAGWAY, in September 21st.
| Suburban, trailer, and racecar... |
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| Racing the way I have always dreamed of... |
February 25, 2008....
The 4Hodgeracing.com race team is pleased to announce the purchase of a 1997 Suburban to get the team to the racetrack
in style this year. The big-block powered 'Burban will have room for the whole pit crew, and all the gear. "This year,
we have stepped up our racing program, and are looking forward to Opening Day, which is March 29th, at Lapeer International
Dragway. We are looking at a 28' enclosed hauler, and by March 1st, should have all the details in place, and ready
to go racing. The racecar needs a few things, but with the help of a potential marketing partner to be disclosed soon,
we should be in good shape to racing", says Steve Hodge, owner/driver of the '66 Mustang that the team campaigns.
Any surprises you can tell us about? "Sure... watch for Shelby to make her racing debut. When that happens, I will
start running my Harley, and I just can't wait to line up next to my 2 babys...."
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