Pure Stock Drags 2015
- Apr 8, 2016
Pure Stock Drags 2015
You’re invited to the best muscle car party going
Story and photography by Tom Shaw
Where do you go if you want to see muscle cars of all years, models, and engine sizes get it on in heads-up dragstrip action? The Pure Stock Drags, of course.
The event is open to all brands of muscle car, 1955-1974, but if you lean towards the Bowtie brand, you’ve got a lot to cheer about. Chevrolet was very well represented, with a little bit of everything, and a lot of some things. Chevrolet had the fastest small-block, the fastest big-block, compact Chevy IIs (did you know the Corvette’s 350-hp L79 327 was an option?), a 427 Impala, and plenty of classic Chevelles and Camaros in high-powered, tire-spinning, full-throttle action.
If you’re not familiar with the Pure Stock Drags, it’s an annual Friday-Saturday event for only vintage muscle cars, and the format is this: Friday is open track, test and tune. Make as many runs as you want. Those runs are averaged, and then you’re paired with the car with the nearest average for a best two-out-of-three shootout on Saturday. That way, the shootout is very competitive regardless of engine size, horsepower, axle ratio, or any of the other stuff that drag racing organizations attempt to address with complex rules that never seem to work completely right.
Rules of the Pure Stock Drags are simple — cars must be stock, as the factory built them. Exceptions are made for bore and stroke (up to .060-inch over) because just about every block has been serviced by now, and minor upgrades like low-restriction air filters, electronic ignition triggers, and modern mufflers are OK. But the main stuff – heads, (no porting or gasket matching) cams/valvetrain, carb, intake and exhaust manifolds, distributor, carb, etc. — must be factory issue.
We’ve sifted through the race results and highlighted the Chevrolets, all 26 of them, regardless of the outcome of their shootout, and classified them by Elapsed Time. Fact: Chevrolets run. All were in the 14s, or faster. Here’s how they did…
ELAPSED TIMES OF 14.00 — 13.00 SECONDS
26. 1970 Chevelle SS396
Best ET: 14.00 @ 100.35
Mark Barker
Engine: 396 L34
HP: 350 @ 5400
Trans: 4-speed
Axle: 3.31:1
Weight: 3948 lbs.
Shootout Opponent: 1965 GTO
Result: Lost in two rounds
Mark Barker kicks things off for Team Chevrolet, taking on Bruce Hayes’ ’65 GTO. A round two red light for Mark and Bruce’s excellent reaction times cinched the shootout for the GTO.
25. 1968 Impala
Best ET: 13.89 @ 99.11
Michel Aldi
Engine: 427 L37
HP: 385 @ 5200
Trans: 4-speed
Axle: 4.10:1
Weight: 4442 lbs.
Shootout Opponent: 1972 Buick GS350
Result: Lost in two rounds
Unlikely pairings like Michel Aldi’s too-cool ’68 Impala vs. Steve Caruso’s ’71 Buick GS350 are part of what make the Pure Stock Drags so popular. A double red light in Round Two swung the shootout to the Buick (he red lighted by less).
24. 1966 Chevy II
Best ET: 13.65 @ 102.52
Jeff Ancil
Engine: 327 L79
HP: 350 @ 5800
Trans: 4-speed
Axle: 4.10:1
Weight: 3162 lbs.
Shootout Opponent: 1969 Olds Cutlass S
Result: Lost in three rounds
Jeff Ancil’s ’66 Chevy II was one of two at this year’s Pure Stock Drags. He red lighted in Round Three, handing the shootout to Rhonda Clary’s ’69 Cutlass S.
23. 1969 Chevelle SS396
Best ET: 13.42 @ 105.95
Kevin Radde
Engine: 396 L78
HP: 375 @ 5600
Trans: 4-speed
Axle: 4.10:1
Weight: 3870 lbs.
Shootout Opponent: 1969 Camaro SS396
Result: DNF (did not finish)
Battle of the L78s. The lighter Camaro took Round One. That would be the only run for these two.
22. 1969 Camaro SS396
Best ET: 13.39 @ 106.21
Mike Seibold
Engine: 396 L78
HP: 375 @ 5600
Trans: 4-speed
Axle: 4.10:1
Weight: 3640 lbs.
Shootout Opponent: 1969 Chevelle SS396
Result: DNF
Mike edges the similar Chevelle by a whisker, but neither car can answer the bell for Round Two, which sends the shootout into the books as a dual DNF. Picture is from the 2014 Pure Stock Drags.
21. 1968 Camaro Z/28
Best ET: 13.32 @ 104.22
Eric Maher
Engine: 302
HP: 290 @ 5300
Trans: 4-speed
Axle: 4.56:1
Weight: 3482 lbs.
Shootout Opponent: 1968 GTO
Result: Won in two rounds
It may have been designed as a road racer, but setup right, the Z/28 can kick butt on the dragstrip too. Eric Maher speedshifts his way past Ken Adams’ ’68 GTO, grabbing shootout glory.
20. 1966 Chevy II
Best ET: 13.32 @ 104.91
Tom Payne
Engine: 327 L79
HP: 350 @ 5800
Trans: 4-speed
Axle: 4.10:1
Weight: 3084 lbs.
Shootout Opponent: 1971 GS455
Result: Won in two rounds
Tom Payne proves the compact Chevy II can pack a punch, taking out a Buick GS455 in two rounds. Oh yeah!
19. 1970 Chevelle SS396
Best ET: 13.26 @ 106.54
David Byers
Engine: 396 L34
HP: 350 @ 5200
Trans: 4-speed
Axle: 3.31:1
Weight: 3950 lbs.
Shootout Opponent: 1970 Camaro SS396
Result: Won in two rounds
On paper, David Byers’ heavier and lower-powered Chevelle wouldn’t have a chance against Amanda Waligora’s L78 ’70 Camaro SS396, but David works his 4-speed and grabs a close victory.
18. 1967 Chevelle SS396
Best ET: 13.25 @ 106.49
Justin Maher
Engine: 396 L78
HP: 375 @ 5600
Trans: 4-speed
Axle: 4.56:1
Weight: 3714 lbs.
Shootout Opponent: 1970 Torino Cobra
Result: Forfeit
Eric Maher tangles with its polar opposite in Jeff Wilkins’ ’70 Ford Cobra. The Z’s got the Cobra covered in both ET and mph, but Justin spurs the Z to his best ET of the meet, and — whoops — blows past his 13.58 qualifying time by more than three tenths, triggering the anti-sandbagging rule and earning Justin a forfeit.
17. 1969 Chevelle SS396
Best ET: 13.19 @ 109.38
Gary Place
Engine: 396 L78
HP: 375 @ 5600
Trans: 4-speed
Axle: 4.56:1
Weight: 3814 lbs.
Shootout Opponent: 1972 Pontiac Trans Am
Result: Won in two rounds
The 396/375hp has done great things at the Pure Stock Drags, and Gary Place’s unrestored ’69 Chevelle extends that reputation against Tyler Mesman’s 455 Trans Am, shutting down the cubed-up Poncho in back-to-back rounds.
16. 1970 Camaro SS396
Best ET: 13.02 @ 105.93
Amanda Waligora
Engine: 396 L78
HP: 375 @ 5600
Trans: Automatic
Axle: 4.10:1
Weight: 3836 lbs.
Shootout Opponent: 1970 Chevelle SS396
Result: Lost in two rounds
Amanda Waligora comes from a racing family, and the smoky burnouts in her L78 ’70 SS396 Camaro are real crowd-pleasers. She’s off her pace in Round One, and gets treed in Round Two. At least it was another Chevrolet in the other lane.
ELAPSED TIMES 13.00 — 12.00
15. 1970 Chevelle SS454
Best ET: 12.88 @ 108.35
Steve Arp
Engine: 454 LS6
HP: 450 @ 5600
Trans: Automatic
Axle: 4.10:1
Weight: 3884 lbs.
Shootout Opponent: 1970 Pontiac Tempest GT-37
Result: Lost in two rounds
Now we step into the 12s. Steve Arp red lights in Round One against Chris Smetana’s ’70 Tempest GT-37. In Round Two, Steve’s out front early, but Chris edges him at the big end, taking the win.
14. 1969 Nova SS396
Best ET: 12.84 @ 109.97
Tony Ragla
Engine: 396 L78
HP: 375 @ 5600
Trans: 4-speed
Axle: 4.10:1
Weight: 3620 lbs.
Shootout Opponent: 1966 Corvette
Result: Lost in two rounds
Couple of high-flyin’ racers here. Tony Ragla’s L78 Nova is a beast, but rival Donny Brass is very tough to beat. Despite a great Round One light, Donny flies off the line with the best 60-footer of the meet — 1.823. A Round Two red light for Tony seals the deal.
13. 1969 Camaro
Best ET: 12.72 @ 115.53
Jeff Morgan
Engine: 427 ZL1
HP: 430 @ 5600
Trans: 4-speed
Axle: 4.10:1
Weight: 3604 lbs.
Shootout Opponent: 1963 Plymouth Savoy
Result: Lost with DNF (did not finish)
Jeff Morgan’s heavy-hitter ZL1 Camaro goes down on a DNF, giving Jim Kelly’s ’63 Max Wedge Plymouth the win.
12. 1966 Corvette
Best ET: 12.66 @ 108.59
Donny Brass
Engine: 327 L79
HP: 350 @ 5800
Trans: 4-speed
Axle: 4.56:1
Weight: 3240 lbs.
Shootout Opponent: 1969 Nova SS396
Result: Won in two rounds
Donny Brass shows the power built into the old school Sting Rays. His L79-powered ’66 coupe is a tricky-to-launch 4-speed with very steep 4.56 gears. Donny out drives and out powers his opponent, winning the shootout in two straight.
11. 1969 Camaro SS396
Best ET: 12.66 @ 112.10
Bob Telep
Engine: 396 L78
HP: 375 @ 5600
Trans: 4-speed
Axle: 4.56:1
Weight: 3678 lbs.
Shootout Opponent: 1970 Buick GS455
Result: Won in two rounds
Bob Telep puts on a driving clinic in his L78 ’69 Camaro, whoopin’ a powerhouse Buick GS455 in all phases. Mark this shootout up to Chevy power.
10. 1967 Chevelle SS396
Best ET: 12.65 @ 111.17
Jim Maher
Engine: 396 L78
HP: 375 @ 5600
Trans: 4-speed
Axle: 4.10:1
Weight: 3778 lbs.
Shootout Opponent: 1971 Buick GS455
Result: Forfeit
Jim Maher, patriarch of the accomplished racing Maher family, leads the team from a sweet ’67 Chevelle SS396 with a — you guessed it — L78 396. Today though, it’ll be the younger Mahers carrying the banner as dad red lights in Round One, and exceeds his qualifying ET by more than three tenths, drawing a forfeit. Dang.
9. 1968 Camaro SS396
Best ET: 12.59 @ 111.96
Paul Richards
Engine: 396 L78
HP: 375 @ 5600
Trans: 4-speed
Axle: 4.10:1
Weight: 3448 lbs.
Shootout Opponent: 1968 Firebird 400
Result: Won in two rounds
Paul Richards lines up his Camaro SS396 against Jim Mino’s very tough Ram Air II Firebird in an epic divisional battle of the ’68 F-bodies. Paul trees the ’bird and out-60-foots it, taking the win light despite a top-end charge from the Poncho. Round Two is a virtual rerun, with Paul’s Camaro ahead all the way.
8. 1970 Chevelle SS454
Best ET: 12.48 @ 111.31
Dale Waligora
Engine: 454 LS6
HP: 450 @ 5600
Trans: Automatic
Axle: 4.10:1
Weight: 3968 lbs.
Shootout Opponent: 1970 GS455 Stage 1
Result: Lost in two rounds
Dale Waligora’s Tuxedo Black ’70 LS6 Chevelle is born for this, but he’s up against Menzo Dodge’s ’70 Buick GS455 Stage 1, the fastest Buick of the meet. In Round One, Menzo gains enough lead to shut the door on Dale’s quicker and faster SS454, and a Round Two red light seals the deal.
7. 1970 Yenko Deuce Nova
Best ET: 12.37 @ 112.35
Owen Simpson
Engine: 350 LT1
HP: 360 @ 6000
Trans: 4-speed
Axle: 4.56:1
Weight: 3410 lbs.
Shootout Opponent: 1966 Corvette
Result: Won in two rounds
Owen Simpson pilots a legit, unrestored ’70 Yenko Deuce, and he’s made it the fastest small-block of the meet. Looking to take him out is Ken Riebel in his gorgeous ’66 Corvette coupe. But Owen has racing in his DNA — you’ll have to earn your way past him. Round One – Owen kicks it hard and leads start to finish. Round Two – Ken’s a little too quick on the trigger and fouls the shootout away to Owen.
6. 1969 Chevelle SS396
Best ET: 12.26 @ 112.76
Tim Clary
Engine: 396 L78
HP: 375 @ 5600
Trans: automatic
Axle: 4.33:1
Weight: 3606 lbs.
Shootout Opponent: 1969 Chevelle COPO
Result: Won in three rounds
Tim Clary’s SS396 Chevelle has accomplished the near-impossible, clocking an 11.89 last year, making it the first GM A-body to break into the 11s. Today he’s got his hands full with Jim Lerum’s ’69 COPO Chevelle. Both qualified with 12.27s. Tim owns Round One, but Jim answers back, taking Round Two. In the tie-breaker, Tim cuts a vicious light and pours it on, fighting off a top-end charge to nail down the victory.
5. 1969 COPO Chevelle
Best ET: 12.20 @ 115.23
Jim Lerum
Engine: 427 L72
HP: 425 @ 5600
Trans: automatic
Axle: 4.10:1
Weight: 3936 lbs.
Shootout Opponent: 1969 Chevelle SS396
Result: Lost in three rounds
Packing massive L72 427 power, Jim Lerum’s COPO Chevelle comes off the line hard, but Tim Clary’s superb launch keeps this round just out of reach. Jim cuts a very hot tree in Round Two, which is the deciding factor. Round Three goes to Tim, winner of the shootout.
4. 1966 Corvette
Best ET: 12.07 @ 115.35
Ken Riebel
Engine: 427 L72
HP: 425 @ 5600
Trans: 4-speed
Axle: 4.56:1
Weight: 3672 lbs.
Shootout Opponent: 1966 Corvette
Result: Lost in two rounds
Ken posts slightly better qualifying numbers, but Owen Simpson is stronger off the line to take Round One. An unfortunate Round Two red light DQs what would have been a winning round for Ken.
ELAPSED TIMES 11.99 AND UNDER
3. 1969 Camaro
Best ET: 11.71 @ 119.17
Jim Jarrett
Engine: 427 ZL1
HP: 430 @ 5600
Trans: automatic
Axle: 4.30:1
Weight: 3476 lbs.
Shootout Opponent: 1967 Dodge Coronet R/T
Result: Lost in two rounds
Into the rare air of the 11s now, starting with a battle of the crocodiles. Jim Jarrett’s ’69 Camaro is packing legendary ZL1 power but he’ll need it all against Jim Keyes’ Hemi Coronet. A Round One red light puts the Camaro in a deep hole. Sure enough, with blood in the water, Jim Keyes turns it on in Round Two, shutting down the Camaro.
2. 1969 Camaro
Best ET: 11.69 @ 119.61
Eric Simpson
Engine: 427 ZL1
HP: 430 @ 5600
Trans: automatic
Axle: 4.56:1
Weight: 3430 lbs.
Shootout Opponent: 1970 Dodge Challenger
Result: Lost in three rounds
One of the baddest cars in stock class racing, Eric Simpson now shoes the iconic Ermine White ’69 ZL1 Camaro built and raced to fame by his late and much-missed father, Peter. He’s taking on Paul Petcou’s powerful 440 Six Pack ’70 Challenger R/T. Paul edges Eric at the line, and pulls out the win. Round Two is a role reversal, with Eric out front the whole way. In the tie-breaker, Eric commits a rare red light, and loses the shootout. You can bet he’ll be back with a vengeance.
1. 1969 Corvette
Best ET: 11.66 @ 122.12
Jimmy Johnston
Engine: 427 ZL1
HP: 430 @ 5600
Trans: 4-speed
Axle: 4.56:1
Weight: 3408 lbs.
Shootout Opponent: 1970 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda
Result: Won in two rounds
Jimmy Johnston is the man to beat. His Cortez Silver ’69 L88 Corvette is a rocket, and Jimmy knows how to fly it. Pulling into the beams against him is former IHRA record holder and ace Mopar tuner Bob Karakashian in his ’70 freshly-serviced Hemi ’Cuda. Round One — Bob’s got the better reaction time and 60-footer, but Jimmy’s Corvette is strong on the big end. Sure enough, the Corvette gets the win light. Round Two is a dead heat at the line, but the ’Cuda gets half a fender on him at mid-track. Through the traps, both cars have run 11.69s! But Jimmy edges the ’Cuda by a bumper bolt and becomes the 2015 Pure Stock Drags Top Gun. Well done!
SOURCE
Pure Stock Muscle Car Drag Race
Second weekend after Labor Day, September 16-17, 2016
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