As Wuga reported the attendance was incredible today. We even had our own FED pits.

I went up for a match race against Pat Doornbos' Injected BB Chev FED. In the bunout even I could tell the Slant six was on its game ! It had power to spare. I staged about 3800 and held it well pat winked in on his side. On the drop I left him at the alter however he caught me  bit before halfway. The lil six pulled like a freight train all the way down. I lifted early but nothing happened. Something went amuck an the carbs would not return to idle even though the cable did. She pulled hard right through the eyes and it was about 100 ft past when I finally killed the ignition all the while braking as hard as I could. I tried a long slopping turn but I was going too fast. I was still doing around 100MPH when I went off the tarmack and into the weeds. It was a wild ride to  say the least. I was taking a beating on the ride and then I hit something. What I don't know but I was instantly air born. How far I flew I don't know but the landing was a killer. I have a busted left side rib cage anyway but my spine did not like the sudden vertical stop. The car kept sliding. By the grace of God I didn't hit any trees or rocks and finally came to a rest. Pat the guy I was racing was right there. he had hard braked his car, jumped out shedding his helmut and suit as he ran. he qrabbed the roll bar hollering, "Don Don are you OK!" and began quickly undoing my arm restraints and harness so I could get out. I couldn't get my stupid helmut lap undone so I had to settle in a take my time. I wanted out right now and wanted some fresh air. By now the chase crew and truck were there along with a first responder. They after making sure I was reasonably ok  helped , practically carried me to the comfy cab of the chase truck. I was really sore but seemed ok. I commented I must have been out in the weeds a 100 feet or so. The driver laughed. try 1000 he said.  How I didn't hit anything or cradle a tree is beyond belief.   A track crew hopped in my rail and they hooked a tow strap to the tow strap hook and pulled us back to the pits together. I hobbled to the responders van and they checked me over. Vital signs were all good and we had a nurse in the next pit so they told me to rest for awhile and send for them if anything funny happened. I sat there for a couple of hours, quite sore but obviously ok. Several guys pitched in a loaded my car for me. Eventually I found I was fairly steady and came home. Bill Vilneff and Steve Sheehan came by and out the trailer and car in my garage. I am really sore and will be for  week or so but I m ok. The track photog told me he had filmed the whole run but shut off when I went by him under still full power. Said he wished he had just left it running as when I flew it was quite dramatic and about a waist high jump. What caused this throttle problem I don't know. I will find out when I become mobile again. If anyone has video please save it and send it or post it on utube or something. Why? I had thought all summer I was nearing the end of my dragster driving days as it is now going much faster then I am comfy with. I had planned to think this all through after todays first pass. The solution is obvious. This car is beyond me now and I am done driving it. It has been a blast and a roaring success but that is it! BTW re safety rules. It is interesting to not nothing is broke on the car at all despite its severe romp. There is a slightly bent panel but I would have to show you it as it is not visable.  I didn't bump my head or bounce around in the harness I stayed put. I was bleeding from the mouth when they got to me which gave them a bit of a fright but it turned out I had just bit my tonque. I hope I was saying something evil at the time! Thanks to all who were there for me and who came by later to check on me, get me some hi strength Tylenols and load the car. End of an era for me but worth every moment of the 8 year trip.

don