2,351

(28 replies, posted in Cars)

I'd be happy to tune anyone's car, but I am NOT cheap!!! It is NOT the quality of the tune, it is your satisfaction that counts, and if it is SLOWER you're wanting then I AM your man!!!

2,352

(220 replies, posted in Slot Talk)

That was one of our worries Mitch, the 205 bridge or worse yet I-5 bridge. But being retired we figure we will only occasionally have to come back to Oregon and we can do so outside of the terrible commute hours. Or if we by chance run into a traffic jam, we can just turn around and go home! For my Odd Thursday Night Racing I will be headed in the opposite direction as the majority of the traffic. I made that commute for a few years before I retired when I was working in Vancouver. It was a piece of cake as I took the airport exit off 205 to go home, which is the same exit I would use to go to Al's. The 205 south backup generally starts at that exit or just past it. Bad news is there probably won't be any Odd Thursday Night racers at my place. The flip side of course is that I should be able to win a few!

2,353

(306 replies, posted in NASTE)

The car is so low I'd have to mount it on top!

2,354

(28 replies, posted in Cars)

Well put Jeff!

2,355

(306 replies, posted in NASTE)

OH YEAH.....The HORN!

Well I thought I was done.............

2,356

(220 replies, posted in Slot Talk)

So here's the latest update on our move:

We have found a house in Vancouver and the offer we submitted was accepted. We had the home inspection today and all went very well. We are proceeding and with any luck should be able to complete the move in August. The house is located 1 mile directly north of the Vancouver Mall. Here's five key elements in our decision to move across the river into Washington: 1. This house fits our needs and fulfills our wants almost perfectly. 2. This house is almost 1,000 square feet smaller, one level, and is not costing us more than our current house is worth. 3. The property taxes are $2,500 per year less than our current taxes. 4. There is room on the lot to build a medium sized shop (roughly double car garage size). 5. This house is $100K LESS than anything else comparable that we have looked at (YES $1 times ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND)! And then of course there is the fact that I HATE Multnomah County, almost as much as I HATE PORTLAND!!!

So there you have it. Sorry if you are disappointed in me. I tried my best to remain an Oregonian, but it just did not make sense.

Me and my junk are headin' north!

========Bill

2,357

(306 replies, posted in NASTE)

I may take them off for the PDX Derby. Depends on how much they slow the car down in testing!!! They're mostly for the mountain roads!

If it don't make it faster it ain't gonna be on it!!!...........I KNOW the flames are gonna make it MUCH FASTER!!!!

2,358

(8 replies, posted in Modifications)

I know Mitch has used one with excellent results!

2,359

(306 replies, posted in NASTE)

Race ready, bring on the PDX Derby!

Wheels discs installed.

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/img_5090.jpg

Yes mirrors! I want to see the look on Chris' face when I go by him!!!!

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/img_5092.jpg

Hard to believe I fit in there!

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/img_5096.jpg

Not built for 2nd Place!

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/img_5103.jpg

2,360

(7 replies, posted in NASTE)

AGREED!....But it could use illumination from a recessed spot light in the ceiling!

2,361

(8 replies, posted in Modifications)

Thanks for the info Mitch!

2,362

(7 replies, posted in NASTE)

A MAJOR award!!!

Congrats on winning the 21st running of the NASTE Point Series Championship!

(I was really expecting a selfie which would have been most appropriate!)

2,363

(306 replies, posted in NASTE)

So far we have ONE volunteer for the PDX Derby organizers. Thanks to Jeff Burns for stepping up to the plate. I realize that this is pretty much an all commitment and although the work takes you away from the rest of team in the pit area your participation is GREATLY appreciated! Volunteers are as much a part of our team as anyone! Please keep in mind the volunteer commitment this year is more time than last year, and it can get hot up on the mountain. The race organizers supply water but plan to be on your feet most of the day.

The perks include a free PDX Derby T-shirt (20th anniversary this year!), beer/Cider and VIP entrance to our award ceremony at Chopsticks on Sandy Blvd. and a super big Thank You! And probably the best perk of all is the opportunity to have track side view of the race in some otherwise restricted areas!

2,364

(69 replies, posted in Events)

Chris took photos of the finish screen results.....

...........I know who won!!!

2,365

(69 replies, posted in Events)

Yes, what an awesome day of BRM racing!

Thank you Howie for letting us hold this race at Rapid Raceway! We always really enjoy racing on your fantastic track!

And thanks to Chris Kouba for introducing us all to these great BRM cars, and for always helping us out with tuning and repairs!

2,366

(306 replies, posted in NASTE)

I know the race is still more than a month out, but we still NEED 3 volunteers for PDX Derby Race duties. The online sign up is up and running and the sooner volunteers sign up the better the choice of duties! If you'd like to volunteer NOW is the time to sign up!

2,367

(306 replies, posted in NASTE)

The August 19th date of the PDX Adult Soap Box Derby is rapidly approaching. The official sign up for volunteers is now online and I need to fill our volunteer spots. With our 3 car team we need one volunteer for each car team, or a total of three volunteers to help with the race. This year there are no volunteer spots for early morning track set up. All the spots will be a full day commitment. I've copied the volunteer duties / times below. If you or anyone you know is interested in volunteering please let me know ASAP! Volunteer spots are first come first serve! I also need to add that we need TEAM volunteers in our pit area! If you'd like to be part of the activities but don't have the day to devote, I know we could use people in the pits!

You can register to volunteer online here: https://fs19.formsite.com/mttaborsoapbo … index.html

Our team cars are: #2 Scuderia Kouba / MKI,  #12 NASTE / Hawksbill Flyer,  #21 Portland Charter Schools / MKI

5:00 am - 6:00 pm "I am AWESOME" All Day Volunteer
5:00 am - 2:00 pm Morning Set Up (Straw Bales & Delineator Cones) and On Course Crowd Safety
7:00 am - 4:00 pm Course Set Up (Signs, Trash Containers & Danger Tape) and On Course Crowd Safety
9:00 am - 6:00 pm On Course Crowd Safety / Flagger and Course Breakdown
9:00 am - 6:00 pm On T-Shirt Sales and Course Breakdown
9:00 am - 4:00 pm Judge (Pre Selected Only)
8:00 am - 4:00 pm Course Marshal **Must be pre-approved** email volunteer@soapboxracer.com
8:00 am - 4 pm EMT or First Responder ** Must be pre-approved **
8:00 am - 4 pm Timer Position ** Must be pre-approved Only**
8:00 am - 4 pm Tow Back Crew **Pre Approved Only** email jen.r@soapboxracer.com
3:00 pm After Party Prep **Must be Pre-Approve & Food Handlers Card Required

I vote we lift the NSR ban at least for one class.

2,369

(306 replies, posted in NASTE)

As most of you know, in my present situation in a state of semi-homelessness, I have pretty much boxed up and placed into storage everything I have in the way of hobby stuff! Which means MOST everything in the way of slot cars and parts that I have is no longer available to me. Luckily the one hobby I have left won't fit into a box, therefore it is currently in my face, but it does give me the opportunity to tinker with something! I keep thinking it is finished, but then I think of something else to try or experiment with. Right now I am working on a cockpit cover to see if we can improve on the aerodynamics. The cover will be removable so it should be easy to see any improvements in speed by testing with it off and then again with it in place.

Here is the MKII in its current state of completion with Shane Howard at the wheel:

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/img_5062.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/img_5064.jpg

Unfortunately I was unable to attend last night's Odd Thursday race. But, thanks to Al I do have the results!

Le Mans Class
1 Daniel    67.5
2 Mitch    66.8
3 Al    65.5
4 Rico    62.6
5 Greg    62.6
6 Burns    56.2
7 Julie    50.9
8 Zoe    50.1
9 Mark    47.8

GT Class
1 Greg    74.7
2 Daniel    69.4
3 Rico    68.9
4 Al    66.5
5 Mitch    64.6
6 Burns    54.4
7 Jimmy    54.2
8 Julie    46.7

GT3 Class
1 Rico    67.3
2 Al    65.8
3 Greg    65.6
4 Daniel    64.4
5 Mitch    62.2
6 Burns    60.4
7 Julie    55.5
8 Jimmy    47.1

BRM Group C Class
1 Al    72.5
2 Burns    68.9

2,371

(306 replies, posted in NASTE)

Here's the latest update on the MKII.

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/img_5004.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/img_5006.jpg

Even my helmet received some Team Scuderia Kouba spirit!

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/img_4996.jpg

2,372

(7 replies, posted in NASTE)

I like this idea. It might draw me into the proxy madness.....if I ever complete this move.....and find all my stuff again.......

2,373

(306 replies, posted in NASTE)

I got this message from Dennis Hart today. Looks like he has been hard at work on the Flyer!

"Got the dents out, the rear hatch cover fabricated, wheels cleaned up (they were awful !) and everything sanded and ready for the blue coat. She's going to be beautiful!"

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/FlyerJune2017.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/FlyerJune20172.jpg

2,374

(306 replies, posted in NASTE)

My ride is Kouba-fied!

Finished up the striping today. It ain't perfect but it didn't cost $600 either! ....$30 did the job!

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/img_4976.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/img_4968.jpg

Sounds like some great NASTE racing at the Hills! Sorry I had to cut out early. Unfortunately that may be my scenario for awhile longer.....