Richard Clarke's 63 Valiant Convertible makes a pass - Sacramento Raceway 8-27-03

"Going for a Sunday Drive??"

The staging lane worker checks-out the convert,

A top down car is not what people expect to see in the staging lanes!

 

 

Let's show these imports how to dragrace with some style!

The Valiant has a stock 225 with a small 4 bbl Holley and Dutra Duals.

The car also has an OD 4 speed and open 3.23 gears so "hook-up" is a problem.

Let's give it a shot...

 

Top Up ! - I love this power top

What....??? You mean I can not make a pass with the top down !!!

OK, this is an easy fix. "Power top - up".

The crowd goes wild..... The guy in the other lane gets a "side show".

 

Ready, Set, . . . GO ! ! !

Ready for take-off..... GO !

Wheel spin like mad all the way through first and with that small clutch!

Those wide ratio tranny shifts also yields some clutch slip but the car goes.

 

Finish Line ! 18.27 but there is more to be had...later

The car crosses the line in the middle of third gear. 18.27 with wheel spin.

Lets see, I need a 3.91 posi, a new clutch, a close ratio tranny, some slicks...

Where does it end?