|
|
Post by tedebayer on Oct 15, 2007 10:01:48 GMT -5
 It's safe and sound in Simpsonville... now we'll begin getting her together over the winter. Jerry Kieft's old car should be fun for A Mod and hillclimbs next year if George can teach me how to drive "winged cars up a mountain". I watched that car run Chimney Rock many a time...  We'll keep you posted on progress. Thanks to George Bowland and Jeremy Cox for their help in finding this car and making it possible. Ted "A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams."John Barrymore P.S. Next year, TJ = CSP Ted = A Mod hopefully. Elvira is his but the Bandit will be mine! ;D As soon as he gets his hillclimb license, he'll be runnin' with Mark and Willie! |
|
|
|
Post by markt on Oct 15, 2007 12:28:41 GMT -5
based on the photos I'd say you had to get 5 or 6 realy large men to pry TJ out of the cockpit...that is, AFTER you shot him with a tranquilizer dart ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by markt on Oct 15, 2007 12:29:24 GMT -5
btw, you need a test driver???
|
|
|
|
Post by markt on Oct 15, 2007 12:30:12 GMT -5
thingypit? here we go again...
|
|
|
|
Post by tedebayer on Oct 15, 2007 12:51:47 GMT -5
"Thingypit"? My car has a thingypit! Not a "thingypit"! The Bandit is a male car... of course it has a thingypit. Where on Earth did you get such a "non-genderspecific term " like thingypit?  (Just teasin')
|
|
|
|
Post by C4Shane on Oct 15, 2007 19:27:08 GMT -5
what a great car!!! Congrats TedE!
|
|
|
|
Post by ffhillclimber on Oct 15, 2007 19:27:41 GMT -5
THIS IS GREAT! to have the Chimney Rock Hillclimb OA record holder back in the Carolinas is the way it should be. I knew Jerry had sold the car and I was hoping it would be run but the more I heard the worse it got. The first new owner blew the engine and then sold it to a hillclimber in Pennsylvania. However he was not knowledgeable about rotary engines and wanted to put a VW engine in it but then sort of lost interest. It looked bad. I was glad to hear about Ted rescueing it and planing to restore it. I'll look forward to seeing it climbing hills again.
|
|
|
|
Post by tedebayer on Oct 15, 2007 22:52:14 GMT -5
Thanks Stan... with your and George's help teaching me to go faster... and CHAP racing guys helping me get all the LEGO pieces back together... you will see it run again. I picked up a good 13B tonight with 230+ horsies...
I'm having to crawl in the cockpit and flex my muscles nightly in hopes I can stretch the cockpit a little! <s>
That's a common trait you guys all share... Finger, Green, Bowland, Vann, Kieft... NONE of you guys knew how to eat good! <s> Except Walt Wurzbach, Big Al and Jeff Cox ...they knew how to eat pretty well.
In truth, the diet is on for me!
|
|
|
|
Post by ffhillclimber on Oct 16, 2007 10:02:50 GMT -5
Ted,
Use the money you would spend on food on the car and buy a mountain bike. Weight is speed!
|
|
|
|
Post by tedebayer on Oct 16, 2007 10:16:32 GMT -5
Ted, Use the money you would spend on food on the car and buy a mountain bike. Weight is speed! I hear you Stan...thanks! I am jogging 1 to 2 miles a day now... and I have pretty much cut out sugar. Eating right and light. It's going to take a while but 14 pounds so far. My frame is still too big compared to Jerry so we're still going to have to modify cockpit... it will probably end up being more up right sitting position which will give me a little more distance visibility and leg room. We'll see. Meantime, I'll take your advice and keep eating light... no more than 40 watts per meal. |
|
|
|
Post by markt on Oct 16, 2007 11:11:56 GMT -5
Ted, Use the money you would spend on food on the car and buy a mountain bike. Weight is speed! I hear you Stan...thanks! I am jogging 1 to 2 miles a day now... and I have pretty much cut out sugar. Eating right and light. It's going to take a while but 14 pounds so far. My frame is still too big compared to Jerry so we're still going to have to modify thingypit... it will probably end up being more up right sitting position which will give me a little more distance visibility and leg room. We'll see. Meantime, I'll take your advice and keep eating light... no more than 40 watts per meal. keep up the good work! I know how hard it can be but, it's like my lifestyle coach, Mike Minter, said, "you're gonna hit a plateau and you're gonna think it's not working. That's when you have to double up and press harder, you can make it" and lay off the pork rinds...  |
|
|
|
Post by C4Shane on Oct 16, 2007 18:12:39 GMT -5
Whuddabout Beer???
|
|
|
|
Post by markt on Oct 16, 2007 18:54:48 GMT -5
2 pint per day minimum... ;D |
|
|
|
Post by tedebayer on Oct 16, 2007 19:07:00 GMT -5
Never been a fan of pork rinds...
Thank goodness.
That's one of them Northerner snacks.... ;D
Right Willie?
|
|
|
|
Post by trickbrick on Oct 16, 2007 19:22:46 GMT -5
Awesomely fun looking car, Ted! I look forward to watching you in it out there! Keep us updated on progress etc. :-D Hey, about the cockpit being kinda tight... at least you don't have the opposite problem (SHORTNESS)! My best friend from back home changed his seat setup so much that I can't even see over the steering wheel anymore! (I dont' remember if I could reach the pedals. Maybe not--he's 6'3"...I'm 5'4" haha). I think it would be easier to shrink than for a height-impaired individual to grow taller! |
|
|
|
Post by soloracer on Oct 16, 2007 21:08:05 GMT -5
Ted, Use the money you would spend on food on the car and buy a mountain bike. Weight is speed! I hear you Stan...thanks! I am jogging 1 to 2 miles a day now... and I have pretty much cut out sugar. Eating right and light. It's going to take a while but 14 pounds so far. My frame is still too big compared to Jerry so we're still going to have to modify cockpit... it will probably end up being more up right sitting position which will give me a little more distance visibility and leg room. We'll see. Meantime, I'll take your advice and keep eating light... no more than 40 watts per meal. Any chance this car will see auto-x? I am building an a/ mod car. Of course I do not have the Theodore "tour-the-world" budget, but I am having fun turning wrenches. Wasn't Theodore a formula one constructor? In my efforts to be healthier, I am jogging 1 or two minutes day. Have also cut back to one 5 liter box of wine a night. your friend, james |
|
|
|
Post by tedebayer on Oct 17, 2007 6:32:28 GMT -5
Glad to hear health efforts... it sure ain't fun but we'll get to keep you around here a lot longer and clearer thinking too! Going through old age thing with your parents, you start thinking a lot about quality of life. I have decided I don't want to be here physically unless I can be here mentally. You really don't get to decide but you can increase your odds. "Tour the world budget"? I wish. Find an old race car with a blown motor that's been sitting a while... you'd be amazed what I grabbed this one for. almost 20 years of evolution of design here. The volumes of paperwork that came with it are fascinating... aerodynamics efforts and testing, cooling issues and solutions, events results. Bought the motor the other night. Big rubber band. I hope to autocross some without wings for seat time and testing. ...but I sure would hate to burn up that motor when it was made for hill climbing. Of course, there's a lot of blood, sweat and tears ahead in getting it back running but I can be a patient man. Besides Dagmar says if I bring home another car, I'll only be able to count to 20 in the shower. If that means, what I think that means....I am not bringing any more cars home for a while.  |
|
|
|
Post by huntersrun on Oct 17, 2007 10:45:01 GMT -5
Ted,
I have pictures from when the car was in it's prime at Chimmney Rock. With CHAP Group working on it the car will be Awsome. Steve and Steve kept Mike Greens hillclimb rocket in top trim.
Now if only you could find a driver......
Ha Ha.
Congrats on the purchase, you should have fun.
Richard
|
|
|
|
Post by JB BANDIT on Oct 17, 2007 15:25:11 GMT -5
IT SEEMS LIKE ONCE YOU START SOMETHING, IT JUST NEVER RESTS. I NEED TO FIND SOME TIME TO STOP BY AND CAHT. IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT A DAY OR 2 TO GET THE CAR BACK TO DRIVING TRIM. AT 230 HP, IT SHOULD BE DRIVABLE BY MOST ANYONE. IT WAS A VERY PREDICTABLE CART UNTIL IT WENT OVER 300 HP. AUTOCROSSING THIS CAR IS A MUST. IT WILL NOT BURN UP. STAGING WARM-UP ON THE MOTOR IS IMPORTANT TILL YOU GET TO LINE TEMPERATURE. BACK TO BACK RUNS ARE QUESTIONABLE AND NOT ADVISED. USE THE WINGS AT ALL TIMES AS THEY WORK AT 50-60 MPH AND UP. TO NOT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE WING FEEL IS CRAZY. LEARN ALL YOU CAN ALL THE TIME.
.... 2 THINGS ... #1 - I ALSO WOULD HAVE A HARD TIME FITTING IN THE CAR NOW AND NEED TO GO ON A DIET. #2 - IF YOUR OVER 55, MAKE SURE THERE IS A DOCTOR AROUND UNTIL YOU GET USED TO THE CAR, ... HEART SPECIALIST IS PREFFERED.
I AM IN SPARTANBURG AND BRISTOL AND ASHVILLE ON OCCAISION AND CAN STOP BY. ............ JB
|
|
|
|
Post by tedebayer on Oct 17, 2007 16:09:47 GMT -5
JERRY!
Trust me...this will not rest!!!! And YOU started this! ;D
and thank you for what you started.
I have really been looking forward to talk with you.
According to a video tape from my archives, you said you named it the Bandit because you wanted to come down south and steal our trophies away. Mission accomplished!!! Really enjoyed watching you drive that car.
Please send me an email at tedagmar@juno.com or call (864) 915-5052
|
|
|
|
Post by Steve Eckerich on Oct 17, 2007 20:50:00 GMT -5
Jerry, it is great to see you kicking!! I keep giving parts to your daughter to keep her Mazda going. Drop me a PM and give me your current number when you get a chance. I asked Ted if he got the injection system so I guess you still have plans for a pickup hillclimber??
Steve Eckerich
|
|
|
|
Post by ffhillclimber on Oct 17, 2007 21:01:18 GMT -5
Jerry,
It's is great to have one of the legends of hillclimbing on this forum. I hope you'll contribute both some history and stories of the good ol' days for the all of us to enjoy. Welcome aboard!
|
|
|
|
Post by JB BANDIT on Oct 17, 2007 22:03:04 GMT -5
EVERYONE WHO RAN CHIMNEY ROCK CARRIED A PIECE OF LEGEND WITH THEM. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO FIND THE LEVEL OF INTERNAL BELIEF TO ALLOW ME TO DRIVE THAT FAST. IT WAS AN EYE-OPENER FOR ME IN WHAT I BELIEVED I COULD DO .... AND ANYONE ELSE COULD DO WITH A LEVEL OF BELIEF IN THEIR ABILITIES. I WILL BE BACK. I HAVE 2 PLANS FOR CARS. AT LEAST 1 OF WHICH SHOULD HATCH. IT IS SLOWLY BUGGING ME TO BE AWAY FROM THIS SPORT AND THE FRIENDS I HAVE IN IT. THE STORIES BEHIND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS CAR OVER THE YEARS IS INTERESTING. AS FAR AS THE NAME ... IT WAS NOT GEARED TO CHIMNEY ROCK NECESSARILY AS IT WAS SOLO2/1 EVENTS. MAZDA BANDIT AR1 (AUTOCROSS ROTARY #1 ). WE ACTUALLY THOUGHT OF BUILDING SEVERAL. I AM GLAD IT DID NOT HAPPEN, AS WE MISSED THE MARK BY PLENTY. IT TOOK ABOUT 3-4 YEARS BEFORE THE CAR ACTUALLY STARTED TO WORK ADEQUATELY ... AND THEN ANOTHER 2-3 YEARS TO LEARN HOW TO KEEP TRANNIES TOGETHER AND MAKE THE CAR HANDLE SOMEWHAT. AS FAR AS REVIEVING THIS CAR, IT SHOULD NOT TAKE MUCH. IT WILL BE GOOD TO START WITH THE 230 HP RANGE AS IT WILL GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO GET USED TO THE CAR. UNLESS SOME SHOCKS/SPRINGS WERE CHANGED, THE CAR MAY HANDLE SOMEWHAT LIKE A STONE. (UNTIL THE WINGS COME INTO PLAY) IT WAS ALWAYS A BUMBLE BEE AND REQUIRED CONSTANT COURSE ADJUSTMENTS WITH 300 HP. LOWER HP THAN THAT WILL BE MORE CONTROLLABLE AND STILL DAMNED FAST. STEVE ... THANKS FOR TAKING CAR OF MY DAUGHTER WHEN NECESSARY. SHE REALLY APPRECIATES IT AS WELL AS I. FUEL INJECTION WAS NOT SOLD WITH THE CAR. 2 ITEMS I AM LOOKING FOR ARE AN 80's REYNARD AND A TOYOTA TACOMA SHORT BED REGULAR CAB WITH A BLOWN MOTOR OR WRECKED BUT GOOD TITLE. MY E-MAIL ADDRESS IS KIEFT@BRIGHT.NET. WEB SITE IS WWW.BANDITMACHINE.COM . TED, WHATEVER YOU NEED AS FAR AS INFO , OR MAYBE HELP, I WILL TRY TO PROVIDE .... YOUR GONNA' HAVE FUN. ALSO, THE TERM "LEGEND" BUGS ME ... FELLOW RACER THAT "STOOD OUT A BIT" WORKS. THANKS, JERRY |
|
|
|
Post by ffhillclimber on Oct 19, 2007 16:26:18 GMT -5
OK Jerry, here's a question for you. What brought all you folks down from Ohio to run Chimney Rock in the first place and why don't we ever see anyone from up there any more? I'm speaking of not only folks like yourself but some of the younger racers? Is it lack of promotion or no interest in hillclimbs?
|
|
|
|
Post by JB BANDIT on Oct 21, 2007 11:01:21 GMT -5
WHEN I WAS YOUNGER ... 23-25 YRS OLD, I BELONGED TO MOSCC, A SMALL BUT LONG ESTABLISHED SPORTS CAR CLUB THAT WAS BIG INTO AUTOCROSS. JACK BAUMGARDNER USED TO RACE A MINI COOPER (ROAD RACE) AND I THINK IT WAS SOME OF THOSE EARLIER PEOPLE WHO STARTED THE CHIMNEY ROCK TRAVEL EVERY SPRING. I DO NOT HAVE THE WHOLE STORY, BUT I KNOW THAT IS A PART OF IT. CHIMNEY ROCK WAS NOT A HILLCLIMB ... IT WAS A SPRING (AND SOMETIMES FALL) SPECTICAL. IT WAS A CHANCE TO RACE, DRINK, VISIT FRIENDS, MAKE NEW ONES, DRINK, BRAG (INCLUDES LYING), OBSERVE THE OPPOSITE SEX, DRINK, AND SOMETIMES GET A TROPHY. THE STAGE WAS SET FOR YOU, WITH A SUPER ANNOUNCER, AND ALL YOU HAD TO DO WAS DRIVE A CAR UP A MOUNTAIN AND PEOPLE WOULD WATCH AND CHEER. NOW-A-DAYS I WOULD COMPARE IT TO ME STREAKING AND ACTUALLY FINDING SOMEONE WHO WANTED TO WATCH.
WHAT MAY BE MISSING IN THE EQUATION TO CREATE ANOTHER "CHIMNEY ROCK" COULD BE RELATRED TO THE "TIMES WE LIVE IN". I WAS MIDDLE CLASS, I HAVE SLIPPED A BIT AND WORK 2x AS HARD TO KEEP UP. I DO NOT HAVE THE FREE TIME I USED TO. I AM SURE LOTS OF OTHERS FEEL THIS WAY. FINDING TIME TO PLAY COMES IN BITE SIZED SLOTS NOW. THIS IS ONLY 1 VARIABLE.
I THINK A "CHIMNEY ROCK" CAN BE MADE AGAIN, BUT IT WILL TAKE A NUCLEUS OF RACERS, THE LIKES OF WHICH WE MAY HAVE A HARD TIME ASSEMBLING. (NO OFFENSE TO ANY ONE DRIVER OR GROUP, BUT THOSE DAYS BROUGHT PEOPLE IN THAT WERE HUNGRY TO RUN THE HILL AND KICK BUTT. I KNOW THAT I WOULD SPEND 2-3 MONTHS PREPARING FOR 1 WEEKEND EVERY YEAR )
MORE THOUGHTS MAY FOLLOW, BUT I HAVE TO GO TO WORK. ONE THING I DID NOT MENTION SINCE I STARTED ALL MY CONVERSATIONS THAT NEEDS TO BE SAID. TO ME IT IS AN UNDERSTOOD THING, KIND OF A PART OF ME, BUT GEORGE BOWLAND IS A PERSON WHO CONNECTED WITH ME OVER THE YEARS. HE IS A VERY CLOSE FRIEND. HIS FRIENSHIP AND ENCOURAGEMENT HELPED ME OVER A COUPLE HURDLES. THE LEVEL OF COMPETITION HE ALWAYS BROUGHT TO THE TABLE WAS VERY HIGH. THE BEST RACE WE EVER HAD WAS NOT CHIMNEY ROCK. IT WAS BEECH MOUNTAIN THE YEAR WE GOT FOGGED OUT ON SUNDAY. I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO SEE THAT ONE UNFOLD, WIN OR LOSE.
THANKS GOODNESS CHIMNEY ROCK SHUT DOWN AFTER I GOT THE RECORD BACK. I WOULD HATE TO THINK HOW LOW GEORGE WOULD HAVE PUSHED IT. .... I MIGHT HAVE HAD TO BUILD 2 MORE CARS TO BEAT HIM.
.............. JERRY
|
|
|
|
Post by spence on Nov 10, 2007 8:51:17 GMT -5
Jerry has always understated his accomplishments as long as I've known him, and they haven't always come easy. He did his engineering the old fashioned way and not with computers or wind tunnels. When he won his first overall Chimney Rock I couldn't have been more proud if we were my own son. I hope he does build another car even if it will have to be much wider, because his current Mazda mini truck is not very well suited for the autocross course. Thanks Jerry for all the memories.
|
|
|
|
Post by tedebayer on Nov 10, 2007 9:38:02 GMT -5
Well put... I envy you getting to share that experience supplied in yearly chapters. I am getting pieces of it all at once as people write, I run across records and Steve Hampton, Steve Cook and I are putting her back together. Working on the hillclimb book and seeing old pictures, anecdotes people have written to me by email... it has really been fun. I laugh everytime I see Mike Green's car in a picture with it jacked up and his engineers pushing hibachis with glowing coals under the tires while spinning them. Gosh... I love the creativity of that time period. I am a big Mark Donahue fan and have read his book the Unfair Advantage many times. There are a lot of parallels to Jerry's work on this car... common sense, logic, trial and error...low budget for testing, materials and latest/greatest technology... limited engineering and fab resources....but look at the results! Wow. It has really been a pleasure ...watching George, John, Mike, Walt, Harvey, Ted and Jerry over the years. Getting the inside stories and "hands on" with Jerry's car is like touching history. WHEN we get Bandit together...don't expect much in performance results for a while... the new driver has a long way to go to catch up with the capability of the car. I did finally figure out what those two large chambers on the floor board in front of the seat were for... that was where he rested his bowling balls. I think it took them to drive this car the way he did!!! |
|
|
|
Post by ffhillclimber on Nov 10, 2007 20:51:09 GMT -5
With winter on the horizon, please share some of the stories with us. I was a spectator three times at Chimney Rock but never drove there. I had to wait until the first Beech Mountain, but I found my sport that day. I'm also looking forward to the "Our State" artical.
|
|
|
|
Post by tedebayer on Nov 10, 2007 23:38:51 GMT -5
Stan
I will gladly... I am still working on the book so I hate to steal too much of my own thunder! ;D
I have also acquired a video produced by Mazda on the 1984 Chimney Rock hillclimb... the battle between John and Mike. Jeremy Cox, Per Olaf, Willie Stock, Rich Little, TJ and I watched it tonight. Wonderful tape...great race. Hollywood couldn't screw up a story line like that. Battled back and forth to the end. Those guys and George and Jerry... they really hung it out there. Over the years, I think they feared leaving the course and having to have a loss eating at their insides for a year... and to avoid that, they gave everything they had before they left.
One thing that really stuns me is older hillclimbers talking about learning the mountain. There were not as many of the high tech advantages we have today back then. Not so many videos or maps. They had six or seven runs per year to learn it.... at that rate, it literally took 4 to 5 years or more to learn the mountain. THEN you could begin to improve. Several said if you went up during other parts of the year to Chimney Rock and drove the course to learn it, it actually hurt you ...as you could not drive the line due to on coming traffic and it didn't look like the same place at sane driving speeds.
Two recent stories I uncovered :
1. A certain driver who shall remain nameless for now... was running up Chimney Rock and decided this was his run... all out balls to the walls. On rounding the house turn, his rear end came around and slapped the ivy wall and rubbed it for 15 feet or so. He was stunned.. wondered if he had a concussion but realized the car was rolling and tires seemed to still be attached so he hit the accelerator. When he broke the line at the top, he noticed everyone pointing at him and laughing... he got out of the car and looked... and behind his car was 15 feet of ivy he had drug all the way to the top.
2. Another driver, had spent all saturday night repairing his car. With no sleep, he donned his uniform and got drove his formula vee to the grid. He was dead tired... he pulled to the the line and Buck Muse slid the brake block behind his rear tire to keep him from rolling back. While waiting to pull off a car had gone of up the mountain so this driver's start was delayed. While waiting he fell asleep....his foot slipped off the brake but the car stayed thanks to the starter brake block behind the rear wheel. The driver woke up with Buck shaking his shoulder yelling "I said go!" The driver in a moment of adrenalin and fear jammed the pedal down and roared off the line...setting his best time of the weekend... amazing what a nap and a shot of adrenalin will do!
There are more to come... from naked streakers in wagons going down hill, to heavily endowed flashers, to guys who met their true loves there at the Rock... to drivers who wrecked 4 times in 4 years before getting to turn 7... and when they did make it past turn 7 on their 5th attempt almost pulled off course from shock because they had never been that far before and had no idea where the course went!!!! Some of the stories, I cannot repeat unfortunately... due to graphic nature or potential lawsuits ... but I am sure enjoying this!!!
Thanks. ..and stay tuned.
|
|
|
|
Post by spence on Nov 11, 2007 8:07:35 GMT -5
I guess by the sounds of it, that you didn't get the high performance secret when you got the car. I made Jerry a device to enhance his performance and guarantee a sub 2 minute run at Chimney Rock. It worked a lot better than I had ever imagined. I'll let Jerry explain it, or maybe he kept it for a secret performance enhancement. It's great to hear some of the old Chimney Rock stories again. And it is a fact about the movie cameras making the learning curve better. It was a real help when they leveled the picnic area so you could see through those curves, before people would let off in that area, or sometimes wreck (like Jim Pinney) because of the brake lockup. I still have a drawer full of t-shirts I refuse to throw away and I should have some pictures of John Scott and Harry Ingle and Frank Harmstead around here somewhere. The battles between Ingle and Finger were something to look forward to every year also. We used to have a early autocross every year to get the cars ready for the trip to Chimney Rock plus everybody at work knew exactly how many days it was till the next to North Carolina. I really miss that place. Be sure and let me know when the book comes out, will it be before the movie?
|
|
(Just teasin')
