It felt good to get 'The Band' back together for the Nostalgia gig on 19th-20th November. We had several barriers put in front of us, and as we have started to become immune to the bad luck of the last 18 months we also realize that a change has to be around the corner. You can read our 'Weekend Report' here......

The team had anxiously looked forward to this event since our test day in January.  We were pretty sure that the bad luck that had dogged us for the last 18 months had 'left the team' and we were certainly looking forward to some quality laps over the weekend.

We left the Central Coast about 8am for the 90 minute trip to Sydney Dragway and meeting up with the 'Band' on the entrance road.  Was like a long lost reunion.  The band was actually back together. We entered the venue, sourced our allocated pit bay and the guys eagerly set about setting up Camp Widow and Wendy's Cantina (our catering area).

We welcomed our new driver Peter Byrne to the driving duties at this race.  Peter had done an awful lot of laps in his Modified altered over the years and then drove an AA altered as well, so we were pretty sure that he would adapt to the added horsepower that Vinnie was now taming.  This turned out to be an understatement...Peter did good!

We had decided that we would have Peter complete the first half of his license requirements on the Saturday afternoon, which was to be a burnout and around a half pass.  Greg Schultz was to oversee the licensing upgrade for Peter, so we set about getting the 'Widow ready for a lap.

At this stage I should make some positive comments about some guys who were at only their second event with the team.  Brett Copping and a guy who says he is Brett's Dad, Garry Copping. These two guys are really warming to fuel racing, and are keen as buggery to learn more.  Garry has progressed to left side head man after one event and Brett has unanimously been moved to the 'Everybody's Helper' position.  It was no coincidence that the team called on Brett to help with ANYTHING and EVERYTHING around the car.  The kid is learning quickly, and if he keeps away from Tommy, he will possibly learn much quicker....  The 'Band' were also in complete attendance, with Vinnie, Joey, Fred and that guy Tommy.  Super Team....

Back to the lap.  We warm the engine, check the timing, valve lash and for any leaks and change the oil and top up the fuel.  Hmm, all seems ready, OK let's head to the lanes.

The great crew at the track said to belt Peter into the car and when we were ready, just let them know and we could bring him through under the tower to the line.  Fantastic as it's a bit hot sometimes sitting for a while in a 5 layer fire suit....   We roll the car to the start up box, plug the starter in and wind her over.  She fires straight into life.  Gees, that's a good sign!  Peter rolls through the water toward the start line where Joey gives him the Indy 500 'GO' sign where Peter brings the revs up and burns out across the line.  Nice sharp deal.  He brings the 'Widow back behind the line, stops, and Vinnie checks the logger to make sure all is right then motions for Peter to put her in the beams.  Now, there is one small piece that I have to stick in here.  As Vinnie has changed sides on the engine to be on the data logger side, NOBODY was allocated to pull the throttle stop off the injector as Vinnie had always done beforehand.  So, as Peter brings on the second light, Joey points me to the throttle stop still on the injector and I start moving toward the car as Billie the starter looks at me... too late.  Green light.... car ambles off the line as Peter realises that something is not quite right and throttles off.  OK, hopefully that's our one mistake for the day.  Roll down to the bottom of the track, hook up and tow the jigger back to the pit.  On the way back, we decide that we came here to do a lap and that was what we were going to do.

Push the car into the pit, have a quick discussion with the 'band, and decide to turn the car around as quick as we can.  The guys dove into everything.  30 minutes later, we were freshened and towed back to the lanes.  We're ready to go again!

Fire her up, burnout...nice.  Just before Peter got back to the line...the engine shuts off!  WHAT!  We start pushing her back thinking what the hell is wrong now...the start line guys tell us to just push to the side of the burnout pad, back the engine down, let her cool off a tad and let them know when we're ready.  Fantastic.  At this stage, Vinnie and I lean into the cockpit and ask Peter what happened?  He sheepishly admits that he bumped the OFF switch coming back.  Yep, that'll turn the sucker off every time (he did say beforehand that the switch on the butterfly wheel in his opinion was too close to his gloves...hell of a way to prove a point). We go through the procedure of readying the engine for another fire up and hopefully...a lap.

Peter had a huge grin on his face...actually, we did to.

OK, we're off again.  Start her up, short sharp burnout, back her up, Peter pulls on the beams (with the throttle stop off as well) and zoom, he's away.  About 800 odd feet, Peter thinks that's enough for what he had to do, buttons off, pulls a chute and cruises through the braking area.  We arrive down the bottom and Peter has a huge grin on his face...actually, we did to.