Huntsville recap

       This time last weekend, Paul and the Cuda Beast were at Huntsville, with a drivetrain all at 100 percent, a good feel for the tuneup and high hopes for some 3-second passes.  Alas, it was more time spent on the learning curve, and the realization that the torque converter, though mechanically fit, lacked the right configuration.
     The first qualifying run, a 4.49 at only 135 mph, was because the car wasn't shifting into high gear. The team went through the drivetrain and found the Lenco out of adjustment. Subsequent passes, the computer data revealed weak 60-foot times, Paul said, a best of .101 when the ideal would be down in the .0990s. Plus, the .101s couldn't even be repeated. "We had tried all the starting line procedures we could try -- more aggressive, less aggressive," Paul said, with no improvement, which all pointed to the torque converter. "We were driving right through it."
    Strong 60-foot times usually yield strong runs, so the converter is going back to PTC for a makeover, and the Beast will be back at Huntsville in two weeks for the Bama Nationals (eight-car field), and then the weekend after that at Montgomery.
    Still, the 4.49 got Paul into the race at the 16th spot, apparently when a quicker car had mechanical problems. That put him against No. 1 qualifier and new Huntsville track record-holder Dwayne Watkins, who had a new hemi engine under the hood and ran 3.70s at more than 200 mph. Paul got him at the line and the Beast ran a 4.36, but Watkins took over quickly, shutting off early for a 3.91. He went on to win the event. Paul said Watkins' new motor was a proven 3.60s piece bought from ADRL hitter Bubba Stanton, who sold it with just a 3.80s tuneup, leaving Watkins to figure out the rest of it. Looks like he's on his way.
    Paul said the growing presence of "screw" blowers may force him to evaluate his setup for next year. As currently configured, the Beast easily has sub-4-sec. potential, even high 3.80s, but the expensive screw setups are bringing 3.70s to the southern outlaw arena, so 3.90s likely won't get it done. This equipment escalation may have lots of teams trying to figure out what to do, and whether, lacking sponsorhip, they can afford it.
      We'll be back before the next race in two weeks with info on the torque converter situation.  

Cuda Beast to staging

   That's right -- finally, there will be racing this weekend. Huntsville Dragway is the site -- historically one of the Beast's best tracks -- with 16 cars going for $5,000. The field of competitors will likely be huge, and could include cars that run occasionally, if not regularly, in ADRL. The weather is looking good, though it will be hot, and the track record is in definite jeopardy.
   (FRIDAY MORNING UPDATE: Got a call from Paul, passing through Chattanooga en route to Huntsville. The plan is to try to make a test run this evening -- testing is open from 5-11 p.m.-- which would be useful for the first two rounds of qualifying on Saturday night. Paul said if he looks like he's solidly in the field after rounds one and two, he'll forgo the final qualifying round Sunday morning.)
    Paul has the transmission/torque converter back in proper working order, and is ready for his first 3-second pass. He has just one race on his new Mickey Thompson tires, but says they are by far the best he's ever run.
   After this race, here is the rest of the Beast's 2013 schedule:
   

September

Sat 14 & Sunday 15 - Bama Nationals @ Huntsville  

Fri 20 & Sat 21 - Montgomery SOT  

October

Fri 11, Sat 12 & Sun 13 - Huntsville Rocket City Nationals 

Fri 25 & Sat 26 - Montgomery SOT  
   
    September will be busy with back-to-back weekends, but they are both excellent tracks and promise exciting racing. As for this weekend, you can find the complete flier for the race on the message board at www.promodifieds.us with all of the information you need to know. Also, Brian C. should be there to provide his sterling coverage, so check the message board for updates if you can't make the race.
    Be safe, and be fast.

Next race

    The Cuda Beast is parked this weekend, and will not race until Huntsville, in two weeks. Paul said he's glad to have a bit of a break to recharge and catch up on work. If he still had a shot at the Central Alabama Pro Mod Series points title, he probably would be racing next weekend at Lassiter Mountain and Holiday Beach, but Tim Segars pretty much has that locked up.
    We'll preview Huntsville closer to the race date. Meanwhile, Brian C. of  www.promodifieds.us is at today's U.S. 43 race in middle Tennessee, so can go to that site's message board and follow his peerless coverage and some of the Cuda Beast's competition.