Larry and his wife Sue joined Bracket
Masters Racing Team after attending several meetings and participating
in a team car show. Larry has worked with Bracket Masters Racing
Team for over a year and has been giving advice and ideas to many of the
members for quite some time. Larry and Sue are always willing to
help any team member with advice and loaning parts. Larry is the
only current member of the team driving a Ford product. This is no
ordinary Ford. "The Stampeede Bandit" is a 7 second Mustang when
it is on the gas (NOS)! The car runs in the low 8 second range
when on straight motor. Larry has gone to the head of the class as
the quickest car on the team! Larry is currently rebuilding his
engine, and should come back stronger and quicker than before.
Larry and Sue participated in the
Katrina Toys for Kids Race at State Capitol Raceway in November 2006.
Larry prides himself in always using the best products that can be had
for a Ford. The car sports a movie camera mounted behind the
driver to watch his gauges while going down the track. He has many
other innovations that are not normally seen on a drag car.
Feb. 2-08 UpDate:
Well, this week
has been too wet to do much of any thing except working on The
Stampeede Bandit.
So, guess what we
did, that's right, just when you think you are finished, you think
of what about this or that.
We have been
having some problems with the starting of the engine. It seems that
this Hi-Compression-BBF will give the Starting System quite a work
out.
So we decided,
while the weather would not allow us to get any work done out side,
that we would try to relieve this Starter, Starting-Stress.
With this New
Danny-Bee Cam Belt Drive System, we had Mark Morris at Tims Engines
install a few weeks ago we decided to change the Cam Angle.
Mark came over,
we checked the Starting-Compression. Then we retarded the intake
center line on the Cam, put the water pump back on, rechecked the
Starting-Compression and it was reduced by about 10 to 15 lbs.
We cranked up the
engine, this seemed to help the Starter Bucking. Then, after warming
the engine up, we turned it off. Then when we hit the starter, "ALL
GOOD" it cranked with out all the extra Starter-Bucking.
Now if only it
would "Stop Raining", I sure wanted to go to the track to see what
this New Cam Angle would do to The Stampeede Bandit's performance.
However, we would not be able to do this till the weather improves.
The Weather Man said, Friday would be "The Day"
and yesterday was about as good a day for making power and going
fast, as it comes.
After contacting
Jason Reppond, (The Hired Gun) and advising him that tonight was
going to be "RACE NIGHT" My grandson, Adam Bumm and I washed and
waxed The Stampeede Bandit, loaded up and waited for the "Big Boss,"
Mrs. Sue, to get back from school, then it was off to the races.
Mr. Pat at NPR
told me about a short cut from Holden through Head of Island, this
saved us about 30 miles & 3/4 of an hour driving time not to ignore
the fuel savings at $3.39.9 a gallon, Thanks Mr. Pat.
Once there, we
made our two qualifying runs, Jason , (The Hired Gun) cut a .000
light. The track "WAS A HOOKING" our sixty foot was "ALL GOOD"
I was glad that we did not loose any with this New Cam
Angle setting.
We entered the
Gamblers Race, we were about the Fastest Car on the track and just
when I thought the track "WAS A HOOKING" it got better and we went
a .001 RED, well, "Thanks Mr. Pat & NPR".
So, with our
tails tucked, we entered "Super Pro". While making round after
round it was getting later & later and with the cold weather & cold
track, the track started getting loose. When the finals came it was
about time, the "TRACK TEMP" was down to 37 degrees. However, The
Hired Gun, was in action, The Stampeede Bandit was in
action, leaving the starting line on its back tires, and going
straight out the back door, between these two, this is what we call
a "Lethal Combination". Stampeede Racing brought home a "Really Nice
New Trophy". This thing realy looks good guys.
Thanks to Mrs.
Sue ,(THE BIG BOSS) for allowing us to play, Jason Reppond (The
Hired Gun) for doing what he does best, ignoring me Ha-Ha, Mr. Pat
and all the NPR Crew.
Boy, it
takes Great People to make up this Great Sport, You just got to love
it and winning is just the bonus. Larry Gotreaux, The Stampeede
Bandit, &
TheStampeedeBandit.com..........
Jan. 26, 2008 update... Well
thanks to Jegs, Clausen's Racing, Jim West at Tire Town, also
Jason Reppond, Brett Bezard, Adam Bumm, Mrs. Sue and I, and in
spite of the Cold Weather and Rain. We forged ahead with only
the Starting Line in mind. We were Cleaning & Recleaning,
Checking & Rechecking, to include Changing out New Burnt Fuel
Lines, Melted Wires, and so on, we finally finished putting The
Stampeede Bandit back together.
We also
Serviced both Fuel Systems Filters, Replaced the
Spark Plugs and finished with this just in time for the
Big Rain to Start
on Friday afternoon.
Well, it is
now
Saturday Morning and the Rain Finally Stopped. I Called
NPR at about 8:00am, they advised me Mr. Pat & the NPR Crew were
Drying the track since about 6:00am. With a delayed Starting
Time of an Hour or two the plan was to have the Quick-16 Points
Race.
Well we
finished loading up. Then, while heading out of Holden at about
10:00am. it started Raining again. Called NPR, only to find out
they had Called Off the Race.
Well, at
least The Stampeede Bandit will be ready for the next Race
Day......
From,
Stampeede Racing, Larry, Sue, and Jason Reppond (The Hired
Gun), Hope to see all you Guys & Gals at a Dry Track Soon....
Boy you just got to Love This Sport.......
Jan. 19, 2008 - Well, as you would
expect, "Wizzard Racing" Jason Woods & Crew did a "GREAT JOB"
updating the Chassis and Cage to SFI-25.5, (Top Sportsman). They
finished with the update at about
6:30-PM Friday night. My Grand Son Adam Bumm and I were there
waiting to load the Bandit up.
We hauled the
Bandit home, planning to leave out early
Saturday morning. Then after all the rain late
Friday Night &
Saturday Morning, Sue and I finally departed at about
10:30 AM. We were finally headed for Alexandria, La. to have
the Chassis/Cage Recertified.
Mr. Wesley
Robinson the NHRA's Inspector was having an inspection at "RICKS
RACING & AUTO REPAIR" there in
Alexandria.
There was quite a
few Race Cars and Drivers, there. Mr. Wesley was in a "Great Mood"
as always. He Inspected the Chassis & Cage on The Bandit, all
"GOOD". He then placed a the New NHRA Sticker on the Cage and we
returned home to Holden.
Now, all we need
to do is finish putting The Stampeede Bandit back together, get a
hold of Jason Reppond (The Hired Gun) and get to NPR for this next
Points Race
on Jan. 26.
This sure has
been a challenge getting all this done in a timely manner. You just
got to love this Sport. See you all at the Races soon, Larry, Sue
and Jason Reppond (The Hired Gun).
Jan. 14, 2008 -
Stampeede Bandit "UPDATE"
We are still
leading in the Quick-16 @ NPR. Jason and I went to the
Pro-Test-N-Tune on Jan. 5th, There were a bunch of Race Cars
Testing & Tuning.
Also, More
Street Cars than I have ever seen there before. However we were
still having High EGT issues. These issues have been a challenge to
say the least.
After discussing
our EGT problem with "Mr. Skip, we decided we were needing to Up
Grade our Fuel System. We changed to a Magna-Fuel PRO-500 and also
Upgraded our Fuel Line Sizes. These FORD Horses Drink a Great Deal
of Fuel when you give them a hard work out.
Then early this
week we had Tim's Engine Update our Cam Drive System from a Billet
Double Roller Chain to a Danny-Bee Belt Drive System. We will be
testing several different Cam Settings when we have the time.
Also after Tim's
finished the Cam Drive Up Date, Jason Reppond, Brett Bezard, Mark
Morris from Tim's Engines and I Returned to NPR on Wed. Jan.
9th. for some more High EGT Testing This time, we were able to
lower the EGT Temps.
There were
not very many Cars there to Test-&-Tune, maybe because it rained
most of that Day.
The Guys at NPR
prepped the Track about as good as I have ever seen it. Our 60ft was
about as good as any Quick-16, and lets face it that's PRETTY GOOD.
Then going down the track at full throttle without a "HICK UP" was
great.
Now, The
Stampeede Bandit is @ Wizzard Racing Chassis Shop, getting the
Chassis and the Cage Totally "UP GRADED" . With out any delays, we
will be back @ NPR for this next Quick-16
on Jan. 26th.
If all goes as
planned, maybe we will get another chance to show them Long Cars
that "REAL RACE CARS DO HAVE DOORS".
Dec. 10, 2007
Tim's Engines
finished with our 573ci BBF Freshen up
on Tuesday and we dynoed it Tuesday PM and we finished tuning
it
on Wednesday. We made 37 Pulls total. We picked up 60ft lbs
of Torque and an additional 37 HP. We finished the reinstall at
about
6:00 PM on Friday, thanks to Jason Reppond, Adam Bumm, and
Brett Bezar's help, all good.
Also, went to NPR
Friday Night, The Stampeede Bandit with Jason Driving ran an
8.17, with out a hiccup.
I am really
enjoying this Crew Chief Gig. Watching Jason and The Bandit in
action is great.
We left the
Bandit at NPR and went back
on Saturday morning for the Quick-16 Points Race. We
qualified 16th with an 8.16, in a field of 17 entrants, bumping out
the Lejunes Racing Camaro out of
Eunice, La.
We took out Two
of them ( Long Cars ) Dragsters in the first two rounds. Then in
the Third Round, just past the Finish line, a Dragster blew his
engine. This delayed our run over an Hour, the NPR crews did a
great job with the cleanup. However, after all this lost time, our
NOS Bottle pressure dropped and we fell short of our dial in. Mario
took the win light. all in all we had a great time, and The
Stampeede Bandit is ready for next time.
Thanks as always,
Larry, Jason, and Sue.
Dec. 3, 2007 - Larry and Jason are 1st in
points at No Problem Raceway Park. They are working on getting
their engine tested and re-installed in time for this weekends points
race at NPRP.
Nov. 16, 2007 - (Update from Larry) -
We made the field #14 out
of 19 entrants with an 8.22. We made it through the field and brought
home the Sticker, Trophy, and the ($$$$) money. Winning the Quick 16
was quite a Task, but Jason was on the Pole with a worst light of a .026
and a best of a .003. The bandit ran dead on with an 0, except when
Jason was on the brakes. We planned on going to SCD
on Sunday. However, in the NPR Finals, we had a Water Pump
Failure, and developed an oil leak. We then decided to take care of some
delayed maintenance. The Stampeede Bandit should be ready for next
weekend.
Nov. 10, 2007 - Larry and Jason won
the Sweet 16 at No Problem Raceway Park. Congratulations!
June 26, 2007 -
An update on THE STAMPEEDE BANDIT progress.
Jason Reppond is a Great Young Man, he has done a great job for us.
Also, for me, seeing the Bandit go down the track from behind it has
been a new adventure. That young man, reminds me of once upon a time
back, well about a life time ago. That this is a Fun Sport and the
People make it a Great Sport.
As you know, we were having issue when the new BBF. Well it started
taking water. After checking, we found that we had developed an intake
gasket leak. We replaced the .060 thick gasket with the New Style TFS
.120 thick gasket. We flushed the crank case with fresh oil. Removed the
Systems 1, oil filter, all clear ( except for tiny pieces of the intake
gasket ) refired the Engine, all ok, no water in the oil, Rechecked the
Oil Filter, all clear. Then we did a Leak-Down-Test, all Good.
Just talked to Jason Reppond, Advised him all good and that it is time
to go to the track. Hope it does not rain this weekend. Once we make a
all Engine Pass, we will Make our First "NOS " pass. on the new ENGINE.
Hope the Track can Safely hold the Testing. If things go as planned, I
think we will be ready for the upcoming Elm Grove, PA. event coming up
next month. Hope Jason will be available, I think I could get used to
this behind the scenes thing.
June 17, 2007 - Larry and Sue were out for
the Father's Day race. The car preformed very well during time
trials, with Jason driving and Larry lining him up, but a problem was
discovered before eliminations and they did not get to run the car.
June 2, 2007 - Larry and Sue were at State
Capitol Raceway with the "Stampeede Bandit" running a new engine.
They competed in the Quick-16 and qualified with a 8.93 pass. The
driver for tonight was Jason Reppond. This was the first time
driving the Mustang and Jason did a very good job. Larry was very
happy with the way the car went down the track, and it was the first
time that Larry had a chance to observe his car going down the track.
Larry was not able to drive due to an accident
that he and Sue were in late last year where they were both hurt and
their car was totaled. Larry still has his left leg in a flexible
brace/cast. They had a hard time trying to keep him seated and out
of the staging lanes.
Larry said he was only testing the car and
letting Jason get use to driving it before he unleashes the nitrous.
He also had the engine slightly detuned to drop approximately 120
horses. This new engine has the best of everything that you can
buy for a Ford engine. It is super strong and super light at the
same time. The next time we see the Bandit, we should see some
very low 8 second runs, but I would not be surprised if it dipped into
the 7's.
December 5, 2006 - Larry and Sue
participated in the Board of Directors Meeting to determine how the toys
would be distributed and how the profit from the race will be
distributed to the Katrina Kids in our area.
Larry & Sue
