Waterwagens Adventure

[ydrogs at gmail.com (Gordy Stedman)]

Finally got some free time so I thought I would share my experience up in
Washington.  After putting Rot, my 79, back together from a frantic rattle
can paint job on Saturday, since the roller paint job came out like crap, we
took off Sunday morning.  Not enough time to get my copper 79 going due to
rusty fuel tank.  Was running a little late but easily made up some time at
4000 rpms in 5th gear.  I entered to show and race so I got judged and went
to the staging lanes.  This being my second show and first 1/4 mile race I
was kind of nervous.  Prior to coming we rigged up a puke bottle for the
radiator using a radiator cap from a Vanagon that has the nipple on the top
and some extra hose and ran it into the washer bottle.  So waiting to hit
the tree she started getting a little warm so I turned the heater on high to
try and lower the engine temp.  No way in hell was I going to shut it off
and push it up the entire line or fan the engine bay using my hood.  Turns
out some fluid puked out on the way up and the cap only works one way unless
it was because the line to the overflow bottle was lower that the cap.
Anyways got some trials in and dialed in a 16.29.  Kind of slow I thought
for a 3A - 8V with cam, exhaust, ported intake, etc.  But I also had
everything in the car that I normally would including tools, spare tire and
jack and did not remove the heavy stuff like seats and bumpers.  Was really
only trying to see how fast my car is on an every day basis.  Made it to the
semi finals and eliminated myself with a 16.22 run.  I really enjoyed
dragging and recommend it to anyone who has ever wanted to try it.
Saw a few Sciroccos in the show portion and liked all that were there.  Also
loved to see the 2-door A1 Jettas that were on show.  There was a beautiful
beige one that had gorgeous tan leather interior that I could not stop
looking at.
Worst part of the show, other than the sprinkles, was at the end when they
let people do free runs on the drag strip.  I met a cool guy, want to say
his name was Chris but know I forgot what it was, who had a black 16V
Scirocco with a 1.8T in it.  Car was phenomenal looking and FAST, low 13s
might have gotten in the 12s but was not watching the entire time.  When he
was doing some of his last runs there was this loud backfire when he shifted
from 1st to 2nd but it did not seem to be too bad since he kept going.  His
last run there was the back fire and then nothing.  He coasted down the
track and exited.  Something went way wrong which sucks because that car
rocked.  Hope the bust was not too bad and he can be back and running soon.
I did not meet anyone from the list but was running around a lot.  Like I
say I am bad with names and I met the owner of the green tricked out 77 last
year.  Nice to see that car again.  I already can't wait for next year.
-- 
Gordy
MK1 x 4
MK2 x 1