Tom Covington Runs Personal Best (5/15/2010)

[DEEPNHOCK]

Tom is running his Stude powered Avanti at the Nostalgia drags south of Richmond this weekend.

He ran a personal best Friday in the eighth mile, and bested that Saturday morning.
They had both 1/8th mile stuff and quarter mile stuff going on, so Tom did a bit of both....

Then, Tom was invited to be part of the opening race program where they took a select group of 1963 and earlier race cars and did some old school 'flag start' 1/4 mile drag races.
Here's a video (with some agitated audio)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nO7nTTXcC1s

Tom went out in the 2nd round of Saturday eliminations, but made a test pass late in the afternoon, after it cooled off a bit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHBAohm4w94

[u]9.79 @ 131.19 MPH!!!!</u>

More info and lot's of pic's will be up soon over at Sonny's Racing Studebaker site..

http://www.racingstudebakers.com/foo/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2020

Best part is... We are heading over there now to do it all again on....
Sunday SUNDAY [u]SUNDAY!!!! </u>
Jeff[8D]



http://community.webshots.com/user/deepnhock
Note: SDC# 070190 (and earlier...)

(edited for clarity)

[okc63avanti]

Jeff,

Can you tell us a little more about the engine in this "Stude powered Avanti"?

John


63R-2386 under restoration & modification

[j.byrd]

Jeff, the time and speed is WOW!!!, but I don't understand how this is just 1/8th mile time with that speed as our Avanti ran a 10.2 at only 67 mph in the eighth. Did they switch to 1/4 mile for the time and speed you have posted?? The video sure looked like 1/4 mile. Just curious, LOVE drag racing (especially when I am doing it!) Thanks, slow John.

[Sonny]

quote:Originally posted by okc63avanti
Jeff,

Can you tell us a little more about the engine in this "Stude powered Avanti"?

John

Yep, it sure is Studebaker powered! It's a pro tube frame with a full Avanti body. Tom does ALL of his own mod work and wrenching. As Tom, Ted Harbit, Richard Poe, the "salt teams" and a number of "pure stocker" guys have clearly demonstrated, Studebakers ARE competitive.

The best part is that, in my opinion, we haven't captured ALL of the potential of the Studebaker V8. If you've been keeping track at the racing forums, you'll know that there are fellas hard at work doing just that, probing every inch of the Stude V8 to wring out the power. Granted, it is NOT a BB Ford, Mo-pop or Chevy, never will be, but for being competitive in it's class, it's very hard to beat. If we can ever get our hands on some "goodies", (similar to aftermarket parts available for all of the brand-x small blocks), watch out![^]

Sonny
http://RacingStudebakers.com

[okc63avanti]

Sonny,

Is there a link to Tom's site or details as to how much engine is bored, pistons, cams, heads, supercharger(s) or turbocharger(s), etc. etc.

John


63R-2386 under restoration & modification

[Sonny]

quote:Originally posted by okc63avanti

Sonny,

Is there a link to Tom's site or details as to how much engine is bored, pistons, cams, heads, supercharger(s) or turbocharger(s), etc. etc.

John

Yessir... Kind of a long read, but well worth it. Here; http://www.racingstudebakers.com/foo...php?f=9&t=1210

Lots-o-pictures of Tom's car here, (Thanks to the Jeffster) http://rides.webshots.com/album/560765123ObLArm

Sonny
http://RacingStudebakers.com

[wolfie]

Congrats Tom!!! Sounds awesome! Steve

[BobPalma]

Congratulations, Tom. Well done! Keep up the good work. [8D]BP

[41 Frank]

That's cookin'[] Nice going Tom.

[DEEPNHOCK]

They can switch from 1/8th to the quarter.
The program was originally set for the quarter, but due to some track wetness down track, they switched the whole program to the eighth..
Kind of wierd, but workable.
Tom is right at the edge for the quarter with the gear he is running.
Jeff[8D]

quote:Originally posted by j.byrd

Jeff, the time and speed is WOW!!!, but I don't understand how this is just 1/8th mile time with that speed as our Avanti ran a 10.2 at only 67 mph in the eighth. Did they switch to 1/4 mile for the time and speed you have posted?? The video sure looked like 1/4 mile. Just curious, LOVE drag racing (especially when I am doing it!) Thanks, slow John.

http://community.webshots.com/user/deepnhock
Note: SDC# 070190 (and earlier...)

[vmania]

Tom and his work are AWESOME!!!... He's a true gentleman and his Studebaker knowledge is incredible, I'm proud to call him my friend... "I guess it'll be a "plus" for my GH considering Tom re-built my motor" (I know he used ALL of the good stuff!!)... Thanks Tom and Congrats on your run!!

[DEEPNHOCK]

Tom is a searcher. He searches for knowledge and is meticulous about the process.
It sure was fun seeing him get some publicity, and perform well.
Fun weekend for sure.
The smile on his face when I stuck the camera in his door after 'another' record run was priceless.
Jeff[8D]

quote:Originally posted by vmania

Tom and his work are AWESOME!!!... He's a true gentleman and his Studebaker knowledge is incredible, I'm proud to call him my friend... "I guess it'll be a "plus" for my GH considering Tom re-built my motor" (I know he used ALL of the good stuff!!)... Thanks Tom and Congrats on your run!!