Teaching Safety to the kids

 
The Roadster and I were out doing what we do best "Teaching Safety" with kids.  This time working with the folks from the University Of Maryland Extension in St. Marys County.  The event was "farm safety day" and was held at the county fair ground in Leonardtown Maryland.  The kids love the Roadster just like they love the fire trucks.  And if they like your rig....they listen to ya!  (60-70 kids)

Mahaffey is now on facebook

I finally went on facebook, and have already reconnected to some old fire Department buddies.  You can go on there and see some of my old FD photos and coworkers from the best job in the world.  

"I MET A BUNCH OF HEROES TODAY"

I took the roadster to a car show today.  it was at the Veterans home in Charlotte Hall Maryland.  I got there a little late, but I arrived to find the veterans roaming around looking at the cars.  I got out and shook as many hands as I could.  I told them it was my pleasure to meet them (most in wheel chairs).  I did'nt get to spend much time with my car show friends, for I was focused on the reason I enjoy myself today USA VETERANS.  I got a trophy just like everyone else.  When I think of a trophy, I think of a champion.  After everyone got their trophies and had left, I marched my trophy in the building and found a "REAL CHAMPION"...."A REAL HERO".  I found Mr. Gilbert Wurzbacker a Korean War Veteran who served on the USS FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT.  The second of the three Midway Class Aircraft Carriers.  Then from 1958 to the early eighties was a Baltimore City Maryland Career Firefighter. Mr. Wurzbacker is a Champion and I awarded him my trophy. "I MET A BUNCH OF HEROES TODAY"  
pictured is Gilbert, myself, and Gilbert's daughter Shirley. 

Auto Racing's first lady "Miss Hurst Shifter" Linda Vaughn

Linda Vaughn "Miss Hurst Shifter" spent a few minutes with me at the York Reunion this past weekend.  She remembered the Roadster from it's life as a NHRA Super/Gas racer.  The last run down the quarter mile was round four at the 98 NHRA Pontiac Excitement Nationals in Columbus Ohio.  I had just taken out two former NHRA World Champions in the two previous rounds.  I had just cleared the tower tunnel and was the next set of cars to go in the water box.  Standing there was Linda, she walked over to the car leaned in to the cage in front of me and said "I love this car" and I was no good after that....went .395 red.  Here are a few photos of that run, now that was big time racing.  Also a few photos of Linda with the car as it is today.  To the right of Linda leaning in the car, is the actual 55 Chevy car from "Two lane blacktop" 

The Roadster at York U.S. 30 Reunion Show

The Roadster was in the company, of some of the greatest drag racing history of all time.  Famous Fuel Dragsters, Funny Cars, Gassers, Super/Stockers and Stockers of yesterday.  Many of them sporting lettering on the side that read NHRA RECORD HOLDER (and then the date) WOW... that is some really cool stuff in my book! 

    

60 Corvette update (front suspension)

The front suspension was dismantled, blasted, painted, then reassembled.  It has new Strange racing brakes set-up to match the rear.  The Calvert racing 90/10 shock will provide the travel control needed.  

    

THE DANGERS OF A FUNNY CAR CAGE

 Another funny car driver was killed today in Englishtown at the Supernationals.  The cause of death was listed as "head injury".  When is NHRA and IHRA going to stop allowing/mandating that roll cages be built right beside your head.  When your head whipps and thrashes around in a crash, it can contact a roll cage member.  Now if this happens, it's like being struck by a pipe or a baseball bat.  There should be no way that your head (from any angle) should be able to contact any roll cage member or support bar.  Next time you watch a NASCAR race, try to find a steel roll bar support anywhere close to the driver's head (you won't find one).  They need to make the cages wider and deeper to eliminate the chance of driver contact.  John Force has already changed his cages/chassis, but not enough for me. 

Wade Mahaffey