FLYING PIG RACING: ANRA Season Opener 2024

On April 19th the Flying Pig Racing contingent descended upon the world famous Patch, aka Famoso Dragstrip! It was a bonus group for us. Me and my wingman Barry (Not Dan) dragged the pig over the grade and rolled in at around 12:30 PM. We pitted in our usual vicinity alongside Zac and Chuck with the wild, Sneaky NE3 Altered, Followed by Woollybear and Frankster with Woolly's bitchin' Nova, and Ricky and Randy with Rick's Sportsman Camaro. Across the way from us was Chuck and Cindy bringing "The Hook" back to the track after a fairly lengthy hiatus. They were visited by Crystal and Chuck's favorite grandson David ;). Chuck had invited a couple old "army buddies" and an old grade school friend out to mix it up so we were about 15 strong with 5 cars. That is excluding the day trippers that showed up Saturday- Dave "the wrench Lee", Zac's wife and son, and a couple other intrepid travelers from down the coast.

Naturally, the food was off the chain. As usual starting with hot dogs on the grill for lunch Friday. (the boys will work for food) On Friday night we had a big ol' BBQ chicken feed with all the accoutrements- ya know, pasta salad, potato salad, beans, garlic bread...

Saturday was qualifying day. And from here forward it gets a little tricky for me...my memory ain't what it used to be, and while I try to keep up with how all the boys are doing, I can't remember sh!t. See, my hard drive is full, and if I am to remember something new, well I have to delete something old. So, here's what I remember- Zac qualified number 3 in NE3 with a 10.62x, Woolly qualified somewhere around 7th in Dgas, I ripped off a .007 reaction time on the first pass in Hot Rod (top 5 in qualifying) and Ricky and Chuck shook the cobwebs off in Sportsman (but I have no idea of qualifying position). Bottom line we all get to race on Sunday.

On Saturday night we did a little BYO for dinner, I know that Chuck and Zac did burgers and some of us did steak and chicken, but the main event was after dinner when we surprised Woollybear with a birthday cake. Yep, Mrs. Wingman procured a most spectacular sheet cake complete with the image of Woolly's Nova in the winners' circle!

Now, Woolly isn't one to be impressed with all the attention, and we caught him off guard a little, but when we drug him out and sang happy birthday, he had no way out! After one shy attempt to blow out the candles, we had to bring in the wingman to complete the honors! :) And wouldn't you know it, they're the kind of candles that keep relighting themselves!!

So, that brings us to Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!

Again, somewhat of a blur, but...

Chuck lost round one, but had a great time shaking the rust off and partying at the track again. (apple juice)

Rick went out in round 1, but the carb ran right!

Zac's debut in NE3 was cut short with a red light in round 1. (bummer. The car was tuned!)

Woolly lost in HR but went rounds in Dgas. If I remember right losing in the third round. A stout showing in a really competitive class.

And finally, Me, papa pig, went all the way to the semi-final before running out of talent at the starting line. All in all I was pretty proud of finishing T3 in a field of 117 cars. The highlight for me was taking out last season's Hot Rod champion in round 5 on a double breakout race where I took 11 thousandths at the starting line and 1 thousandth at the finish line.