Don Terrill’s Speed-Talk

Just got done reading the rules, I dig the Vintage Class this year. May come out of retirement lol! One thing I would like to note to HRM and the editors is the contest presents itself with lots of article material. Who are the builders, what are unique features about the build, things they learned along the way. Not just the winners should be written about, there is a story worth reading and PHR did a great job capturing what they did. There are many unique builds that don't get an ounce of press off of the effort. Pretty sad considering the financial strain and time put into the effort. Sitting along the sidelines the past few years and watching the outcome I hope they do the contestants more justice with magazine articles/features, etc. Loved reading about what it took to get them there and all of the little details of the build - As a magazine subscriber I REALLY MISS THAT!

Anyhow, who's taking the dive to get in the mix this year? Rules in place and deadline is a month away to enter.

SMITHBERGRACING wrote: One thing I would like to note to HRM and the editors is the contest presents itself with lots of article material. Who are the builders, what are unique features about the build, things they learned along the way. Not just the winners should be written about, there is a story worth reading and PHR did a great job capturing what they did. There are many unique builds that don't get an ounce of press off of the effort. Pretty sad considering the financial strain and time put into the effort. Sitting along the sidelines the past few years and watching the outcome I hope they do the contestants more justice with magazine articles/features, etc. Loved reading about what it took to get them there and all of the little details of the build - As a magazine subscriber I REALLY MISS THAT!

Anyhow, who's taking the dive to get in the mix this year? Rules in place and deadline is a month away to enter.

I totally agree.
There are so many interesting stories emulating from ALL the contestants and their engines involved with this contest. To me, this contest is also about the innovations and different wide spread ways these engines got to the point of the high power they deliver and should be shown as such ... the last place engine is a really, REALLY good engine by everyday standards.
The stories written certainly should not only be all about the winners and high finishers while covering almost nobody else.

Hi has anyone had any luck at getting a response from hot rod this year. I'm contenplating building a Packard v8 for the vintage class this year but i can't get a response from them about some rule clarifications. Thanks Orin

I'm contenplating building a Packard v8 for the vintage class this year but i can't get a response from them about some rule clarifications. Thanks Orin

Yes, they take a while to get back. It was my original request which got them to make the Packard V8 eligible. PM me with questions and I'll tell you what they've told me regarding Packard V8s.

The prospective date for revealing the accepted contestants is May 1st and if it is to be like the last two yeas, almost no answers will be sent until that time.

That does seem kinda strange as some of the questions people ask are actually pertaining to things which would determine if someone was going to send-in an entry or not.

Any word on the sponsor for this year?

So - - with the deadline approaching, how many folks have sent in entries?

Any of the players missing from last year planning a return?

Barry_R wrote:So - - with the deadline approaching, how many folks have sent in entries?

Any of the players missing from last year planning a return?

I sent my entry in for the "Vintage Class". It is to be a "Poly" Plymouth.
With the newest "porting within the casting" cylinder head rules, both of last year's Poly engines are now illegal as they were so, I think it could get interesting.
Personally, I think an early Hemi will be the engine to beat, in that class.

Come on people ... speak up.

Mine is headed out this week.

I couldn't stand it any longer, sent my entry in for Vintage. I partnered up with Royce Brechler using his 1958 Edsel "MEL", 420".... Kaase

JonKaase wrote:I couldn't stand it any longer, sent my entry in for Vintage. I partnered up with Royce Brechler using his 1958 Edsel "MEL", 420".... Kaase

I see another dual quad, long runner, Tunnel Ram on the horizon.

Getting ready to send my entry in. Just haven't decided on an iron headed 'Mercury' Y-Block or the M-E-L engine. The MEL is getting the nod from my machinist so that's likely the direction I'll be going. I do have a Poly motor sitting in the core building with some interesting hi performance parts for it but there's no repurposing that Poly after the competition so that engine will simply sit until a customer wants it. Ted Eaton.

Put mine in there.
No big surprise - but I am thinking of doing a budget version based on a 390

Well I feel fortunate to be partnered with Jon on the Edsel MEL.. Certainly not an equal partnership when it comes to talent lol. But I was happy to help him out with a running engine so he can afford the time to participate in EMC and still attend to his business obligations.

I put in an entry for myself. I will either run my old reliable Lincoln Y block dressed up in a different outfit, Or, since Ted is out of Y blocks for this year, I might try an iron head Y block with a wild induction.

Now that "Hot Rod Magazine" has extended the date for entering the EMC to April 24 ... are there any more entrants out there who were "sitting on the fence", now making the decision to enter...?