Those tape measure races remind me of the belt sander drag races that I witnessed some thirty-five years ago in Chicago. The races began as idle hour activity for race car mechanics during the winter months. I think they were initiated by Austin Coil, who is now the crew chief for perennial champion John Force. The belt sanders were raced on a forty or fifty foot stretch of concrete floor. Long extension cords kept them powered up. Bottles of Kentucky Bourbon fueled the competitors. As the activity grew, the various mechanics who competed began rewinding armatures to speed up their sanders and searching for the paper that would give maximum traction on the smoth concrete. Being innovative, power-hungry types, the competitors pushed it to the limit, and the sanders would cross the finish line pouring smoke from the fried armatures. As word spread, interest increased and some nights saw several dozen spectators. When the cost of new parts exceeded the enjoyment factor, the act! ivity died overnight.
> >In a message dated 9/28/2005 4:50:34 AM Pacific Daylight Time, > [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > >HA! > > >I love the tape measure race track. > > >Dave > > On 9/28/05, George Sinos <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Here are a few snapshots taken at a recent event at the Woodsmith > > Store in Des Moines, Iowa. > > > > <http://georges.smugmug.com/gallery/842552> > > > > See you later, gs > > http://www.georgesphotos.net > > ============== > That is a gas. I'd love to see a tape measure race. > > Marnie aka Doe >
