Mr. Skip Holbert
Skip's Racing
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July 18, 2008 - Barbara and I attended the Retirement Celebration of "Mailman", Mr. Ben Jeffery of New Orleans. It was a grand and glorious celebration. His wife Joyce was great, as was all the children and grandchildren that got up to speak, and she cooked all the food for over 300 invited guest. It was good to hear so many good things about a person that I have always had the most respect for.
When United Drag Racers of New Orleans combined with Bracket Masters to put on the first two Louisiana Drag Classics, Mailman was the pillow of stability between the two groups. He insisted on having Mrs. Harris attend all of our planning meetings and made sure her voice was heard and respected as the only woman in the group.
Mailman also had one of the quickest Camaro's at the track. He never failed to help fellow racers and was always there to give good advice.
Joyce and Mailman have been traveling around the country for the past month, only coming home to have the retirement party, and they will be going away again soon.
Louisiana Representative, William Jefferson stopped by to give Mailman a plaque for his 42 years of service to the United States Postal Service.
Camaro moves Into Workshop - 7/14/08 - Photos
July 11, 2008 - After waiting for months, my concrete pad next to the workshop is finally finished! It really looks good and the trailer (small) will be very happy there.
We took the car to have an estimate on painting the car. For now, I have decided to paint the car blue/purple clearcoat with a fine metalflake, very close to the color of the Camaro that was wrecked, but with no stripes. I may have some flames put on using graphics from Central Graphics in Central, LA. They have a variety of very nice flames and other graphics that you can apply or have them put on.
After returning from the painter, Jeremy and I decided to put the car in the workshop, assisted by Mrs. Barbara, who took all the photos above.
I will do some work that will not be effected by the painter, like install the fuel system and wiring, plus remove the old Lexan. The paint job will include putting on the front and rear fiberglass bumpers and the rear spoiler. I will deliver the car the first week in August and they estimate it should be done by mid-August (believe it when I pick it up).
I still have not finished the workbench, but to make my goal of having the car ready to test in October, I must get started. We will take a vacation while the car is being painted.
July 6, 2008 - Barbara and I traveled to Natchez, MS yesterday to pick up a set of wheels from Mr. Arthur Hackney of the Monroe Racing Team. Arthur had purchased a set of Weld Wheel Pro Star wheels that did not fit his dragster and he let me have them for almost 1/2 price. The wheels are 1/2" off my present backspace, but I have a lot of room on both sides of my tires.
I talked to a painter Thursday and I will take the car to have an estimate done some time this week. This may set my date back, but when the car hits the track it should be looking good. Still undecided on the color. Thinking about making it the same as the last one (blue/purple) that was wrecked, or I may leave it yellow, which will cost less and be much quicker. I started to take some items off the car that I don't want to get any over spray. I am going to let them do the Lexan, rear spoiler and front and rear fiberglass bumpers.
I got my wheelie bars back. They look good. They were done by Chad at Pro Powder Coating, 2912 Crater Lake Drive in Baton Rouge, (225) 248-9909.
I ordered a lot of items for the car this past weekend. Front rims, K&N Filtercharger (my old one got ruined in the wreck) and Muffler Inserts to pass the noise inspection for Super classes. Later, when I am really close, I will order seat belts and new tires, front and rear.
Today, 7/6/08, I did my first real work inside my new shop. I reworked one of my old BG King Demon Carbs. It is the removable sleeve type and it now flows 1025 CFM on a 4150 type base. Between the exhaust fan and the A/C unit, it was very comfortable and the air quality from the carb. cleaner was acceptable. So, everyone that said I would not do any work inside my shop, you lost your bet!!! [The car is still outside (smile)].