Back On Track!

Racing action this Summer has been up and down for Project 68. After a semi-final appearance at our local dragstrip Julesburg Dragstrip, Project 68 was headed for another strong showing before issues in the quarter-finals with the transmission brought the 1968 Dodge Charger to a sudden halt.

Shifting from first-to-second was slow… shifting from second-to-third never happened.

Ruh-roh.

After encountering issues earlier in the day, it was immediately suspected that transmission and converter issues were the culprit and after a quick drain of the fluid, the noticably hot (and stinky) fluid proved this correct. After dropping the Chrysler 727, it was found that the converter had nuked itself from the inside, leaving scraps of everything, everywhere, clogging filters and thus, restricting fluid from getting to where it needed to go.

No bueno to the maximum.

It’s at this point where we found a lifeline in new partner H&M Transmission in Castle Rock, who vowed to help get Project 68 back on track.

Talking to Paul got the ball rolling as a partnership that would logically get the car back together to make the second-half of the season.

After a transmission go-through and a new converter back from Ultimate Converter, Project 68 was back on the track where a few recent finishes in the local footbrake category has the ’68 Charger in the local points lead with only one points race left.

Breakage happens, however, it’s how you react and rebound. I’ll admit from a mental standpoint, it’s been a challenge knowing that the transmission has to come out, again… and that changes are needed…again.

As racers, we persevere and continue on the push regardless the challenges.

Now that it’s back and firing, I look to sew up the points championship locally and hit some surrounding area races before a possible date in September at the Division 5 E.T. Finals in Odessa, Missouri.