A Drag Racing Success Story   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rick Graves owns a 1996 Black Impala SS. Rick caught the drag racing fever several years ago. Ever since, Rick has been spending many a Tuesday night at Gateway International Raceway.  However, he quickly decided that the stock Impala was not enough.

Rick began wrenching on the car and has found that he now has a 1996 Impala with 3.73 gears, torque converter, cat back exhaust and Hoosier Drag Radials. Much practice and many passes on the drag strip, Rick has won many a race.  To highlight a few major wins, Rick took 2nd Place at the 1st Annual ISSCA Nationals - Tulsa Roundup. Rick finished first at Impalafest 2003 and Impalafest 2004. Most recently in August 2005, Rick won the Wise Speed Shop Challenge for Best Package. The Best Package involves cutting a good light along with being closest to your dial-in. The picture above is the awesome prize that Rick took home. As the drag racing season starts to draw to a close, Rick is gunning for the prize for the most runs of the season. With over 74 passes down the strip, Rick thinks he has a great shot at it. The prize is again sponsored by Wise Speed Shop and could get Rick a new set of drag radials. With that many passes, he will need them!

Rick's car not only goes fast, but it looks good also. Rick knows how to prep his car for a car show. At the 2005 Bevo Days Car Show, Rick's Impala took 1st place over 2 Mustangs. This beautiful car has been the recipient of many car show awards. A few highlights are 2nd place at the Tulsa Roundup and 3rd place at Impalafest 2004. 

If you are interested in seeing Rick race, just stop by Gateway International Raceway on a Tuesday night. You are bound to see him there and most likely taking the checkered flag!

New GRAIL Member Finds Success ISSCA Nationals

Michael "Nick" Nichlos found out that there were other B-Body lovers like him in St. Louis at the Easter Car Show in 2004. Nick joined GRAIL in January 2005. Like other GRAIL members, Nick made the trek to the Poconos to attend the 3rd Annual ISSCA Nationals - Mountain Madness. Having never attended an ISSCA National Event, Nick wasn't quite sure what to expect. His fellow GRAILers helped him through his first ever National Event. 

Nick participated in the Car Show, Sound-Off and was the GRAIL car show participant for the ISSCA Chartered Club Challenge. His 1991 Caprice Wagon went under the scrutiny of the judges. After his judging was complete, Howard Rothstein (judge) took time to walk Nick through his car to help him understand how the car was judged. 

Nick headed off to the Sound-Off next. His stereo was judged for installation and sound quality. Also, Nick's powerful stereo under went the SPL (loudest) competition. Nick got good feedback from the judge on his sound quality and installation. When it came time to see "how loud it can go", Nick put on his ear protection and "pumped up the volume". On his first attempt, the meter posted a good number. When Nick opened the passenger door, he said "do you want me to really turn it up?" Everyone uttered a Wow and said "Turn it Up!" So, Nick started turning up the volume and the decibel meter topped out at 153.8db. (Yes, that's really loud.) Everyone watching the sound off competition thought that might be good enough of the Highest SPL, but we wouldn't know under the Awards Banquet. 

On Friday morning at the Awards Banquet, everyone was anxiously awaiting to hear the results. The car show awards came first. The wagon class is announced and Nick takes a 3rd Place Trophy. He was smiling ear-to-ear. The Sound-Off awards are next. In the 601+ watt class, Nick takes a 2nd Place Trophy. The GRAIL section breaks into loud applause and cheering. As they conclude the Sound-Off Awards, the Highest SPL Trophy is awarded and they announce Nick's name. Yet, another round of loud applause and cheering from his fellow GRAIL members. As Nick walks back to the table, he is holding trophy and just beaming.

GRAIL Rules Again at  3rd Annual ISSCA Nationals 

   

In GRAIL tradition, our club was well represented again this year at the 3rd Annual ISSCA Nationals, Mountain Madness, held in Poconos, PA July 12-15, 2005. Attendees this year were Jose Hernadez, Dave Hulsoff, Nick and Cathy Nichlos, Bob Ploof, Carla Russo, Bruce and Deb Stephens, and Joe and Chris Stoeppler. GRAIL members brought home 9 trophies.  The results were:

Car Show:  Bruce Stephens, 3rd Place, 96 Mild Street 50-100K Miles and Nick Nichlos, 3rd Place, Wagon Class.

Sound-Off:  Nick Nichlos, 2nd Place, 601+ Watts Class and Highest SPL

Autocross:  Dave Hulshoff, 2nd Place, Stock Class; Joe Stoeppler, 3rd Place, Prepared Class; Bob Ploof, 1st Place, Modified Class and Fastest Time of the Day

Road Course:  Dave Hulshoff, 1st Place, Stock Class and Bruce Stephens, 3rd Place, Modified Class