Roseland Racing
In 2008, a new hobby was started. We had been going to the local drag racing track to help
pit crew for our friend, Nina McDonald. She drag races in a 1969 Pontiac GTO. Finally, after
much encouragement, Doug began to race our friend's truck in streets. He learned quickly and
one night became the winner, beating out many much more experienced competitors. The bug had
bitten and Roseland Racing was started.
Of course, streets were too tame, so Doug purchased a 1974 Pontiac Firebird, already set up for racing.
The car has required a lot of work to get it race ready and as a result, has not yet been on the track. But,
over the winter, more modifications will be made in anticipation of the 2009 race season.
Of course, the first thing you have to do is tear the car apart and make sure everything is working perfectly.
But.......the end result is to hopefully be able to race in 2009 with and against Doug's mentor, Nina McDonald, White Tiger Racing, Williamson, NY.
The 2009 racing season has ended and it was quite eventful.
Opening day was a test and tune on a Friday night. Doug had his first opportunity to drive his car. Kris took videos of all of his runs and he was getting the hang of burnouts and launches. But on the first night of racing, during his second time trial burnout, the engine blew on the car. His modified drag racing went downhill from there for the rest of the season.
Nina gave him the bottom 1/2 of a Pontiac engine. The engine builder took about 6 weeks to complete the work. Got the engine back in the car but could not get the timing right. Took the car to a carberator mechanic and got it tuned up good. Then the starter flew apart. The retainer clip kept falling out. Got the retainer clip fixed. Took the car to New York International raceway on a Wednesday night for test & tune. Transmission would not go into reverse and then, park would not hold so car surged forward when trying to start it. Took the transmission to the transmission shop and traded it for a brand new rebuilt transmission. By this time, most of the racing season was over.
While his car was in various states of being worked on, Doug again drove the Chevy truck in streets. Finished the season in 8th place.
Kris had changed jobs late in 2008 and now was not working every other Saturday. Started the racing season driving the Dodge Caravan in street class. Placed 3 times in 5 starts and earned the name "the van lady" at the track. Purchased a 1996 Pontiac Grand Am for $300.00, put $100.00 in it for brakes, bought a tow dolly to haul the Grand Am behind the Caravan and raced most of the rest of the season in the Grand AM. Ended the season tied for 3rd place!
Looking forward to the 2010 race season.