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12/27/01 - The pan is repaired, the motor and transmission, with a new converter, has been reinstalled and tested.  The car is ready to roll for the new season!  A few more minor enhancements are being done over the rest of the Winter.  

12/24/01 - Houston is preparing for the 2002 racing season.  His plans are to slow the car to be able to compete in Super Comp (8.90) class.  Some chassis adjustments must be made and a new Biondo Racing Products Mega 300 Delay and Throttle Stop Controller will be installed.  The Camaro did not race as much as Houston would have liked to during 2001, but the New Year promises to be much better.  Houston plans to take some purse money home in the coming year.  The name of the game will be consistency, and not quickness or speed.

11/18/01 - Houston took part in negotiations with No Problem Raceway Park for hosting the 2002 Louisiana Drag Classic.  Four other members of Bracket Master Racing Team and 2 members of the United Drag Racers of New Orleans conducted business with owner Pat Joffrion.  

11/11/01- During the team meeting Houston assumed the duties of Competition Committee Chairperson.  Houston's committee will initiate a Racer Survey to determine where improvements can be made in the next race.  They will also recommend the racing trips for 2002.  This Committee will team with the Executive Committee to help negotiate the terms for the 2002 Louisiana Drag Classic. 

11/10/01 - Tribute Race at Louisiana Raceway was not nice to "The Taz".  Houston cracked the oil pan and had to put the car on the trailer.  This is the second time the underside of the car has sustained damage at this track.  This may be the last time he will run in Eunice until the track return road is repaired.  

10/25/01 - Transmission problems in Memphis kept Houston out of the race.  The Tranny was removed, new clutches were installed and everything cleaned.  

10/17/01 - The tune-up for Memphis was done at No Problem Raceway.  This track has an Awesome Surface.  Houston had 60' times in the 1.1 sec. range.  The best time to date, with this motor was achieved today with a 8.14 sec. @ 166 MPH!  This beats the next best time by 0.22 sec.  For an 8 second car, that is really something!  Go Houston! Go Houston! Go Houston!

9/23/01 - Houston competed at "Black Sunday" at Gateway International Raceway.  Houston lost when he dialed in at 8.40 and ran a 8.36, as he coasted across the finish line after catching the car he was running and slowing up at his back fender!  The "Taz" is back!

8/18/01 - The pistons are notched, the motor is reassembled and started.  Would you believe, a head gasket leak!  If it's not one thing, it's another!  We will replace the copper head gaskets with the sandwich type Fel-Pro gaskets.  The slight loss of compression will not hurt that much.  

8/7/01 - They have decided to notch the pistons to give plug clearance and they will test all the springs and replace as necessary.  The car should be ready for this coming weekend.  The Champion Racing Plugs seem to be a problem also.  NGK racing plugs will be used in the future.  

8/4/01 - The car has been to the track twice.  There has been problems with the ignition system, plugs and now there is a broken valve spring.  The heads have been removed to replace and test the springs.  There is also a clearance problem between the spark plugs and the pistons.  This must be worked out before the heads are replaced.  Index Washers would be one way to solve this problem since the interference is less than 1/32".   The best run for the car so far is 9.01 sec. coasting across the line.  We know there is a lot more in there!  

7/13/01- Houston's Camaro, "The Taz", has undergone extensive changes on the inside to make the car more drivable and accessible for maintenance.  The dashboard was redesigned, the driver entrance was made better, the frame was modified to allow for easy transmission removal and maintenance and the oil filter access was made better.  All of these things will make working on the car and driving the car much better.  The work is complete.  The motor has been installed and started.  Testing began July 13, 2001.  

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