Nebraska Speedster reunion wild cherry 2 update

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2017: Nebraska Speedster reunion wild cherry 2 update
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Robert A Weitzel on Friday, June 16, 2017 - 10:25 pm:

Wild cherry 2 race team 7 days left. And oh shoot happens the car the story and now the hurdles. Erik. My friend was t bone on the free way Yesterday on 99 in sac California some j a In a Honda hit a s u v And sent the SUV into Eric's. Suburban , It rolled 3 times, if it weren't for the shit he left in the back of the suburban from the auburn swap meet he would walked away instead it battered him inside the cab of the subraban (Sometimes life is just busy and we don't unload)never the less it scalped him is what his dad said and 7 days to race and we're scrambling nevertheless Erik. Spent the night in the hospital He suppose to get out today FYI. I'll be going no matter what I'm also bring. A Buffalo wheel. That Kevin Pharis makes so the Midwest can see his fine workman ship. Wild cherry 2


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Robert A Weitzel on Friday, June 16, 2017 - 11:24 pm:

Here is what the suburban looks like Suburban


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Duey_C on Friday, June 16, 2017 - 11:46 pm:

Argh.
Best wishes and prayers for Erik.
Give it to 'em hard with that naughty Cherry!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erik Barrett in Auburn Ca. on Saturday, June 17, 2017 - 12:54 am:

Hello forum friends,
By the grace of God I am at home tonight with my family. I was clipped by a hit-run driver and spun out across four lanes of freeway. I have a vivid memory of sliding down route 99 sideways and looking out my driver's window at the grille of a Peterbilt gasoline tanker about six feet away. Finally the tires bit in and my rig rolled several times before coming to rest on its wheels on the shoulder. A part of my scalp was removed. The windshield stove in but the docs said no glass was found in me so it's possible that a box of Sioux valve seat tooling joined me up front for the ride. The left side and rear of my rig fared no better than what you can see in the pic. It's the most violent thing I have ever gone through. I feel like I have been beaten with the ugly stick. I hate to think what could have happened had I been in my little Saturn. I believe my beloved Suburban gave its life for mine. The care of my wounds requires irrigation and dressing changes twice daily, plus a follow up appointment early next week. This precludes my going to Lincoln. Even if I went there is no way I could put my helmet on to race. This sucks because the rules there allow only two runs per driver, so the Wild Cherry II has two runs for the title. Bob and the Cherry are up to the task. Wish us luck anyway, just to be sure.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Saturday, June 17, 2017 - 12:55 am:

Wholly mackerel! I just got a message from a mutual friend was the first I heard about it.
I often wonder about the many times I drive a (over?) loaded vehicle with the inside stacked to the headliner. I always drive carefully. But no matter how careful you are? Some idiot can come out from the bushes and get you (almost happened to me today).
Best wishes for Erik! Being pelted by rusty stuff is tough! And scalp lacerations are not fun. Take care Erik B! Keep us informed Robert W.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Terry Horlick in Penn Valley, CA on Saturday, June 17, 2017 - 01:55 am:

Erik,
I just got a heads up on this post from David Dewey. Sorry to hear about this, but it is good to hear that you will be able to mend. Get healed up and the car and races will still be there later on!

Take it easy and just get better!

Terry Horlick


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kevin Matthiesen on Saturday, June 17, 2017 - 02:08 am:

I am sorry to hear about this accident, but buy your description things could have turned out much worse.
Most types of racing will allow a injured driver to be replaced, particularly if the injury happens before the event starts. Why won't this event do so, there must be a qualified driver needing a ride.
Take care Erik and get well soon.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Dewey, N. California on Saturday, June 17, 2017 - 02:16 am:

What Wayne & Terry said! Don't worry about the race, your main job now is to heal! Sure glad you're home, a hospital is no place to recover--and my wife works in one! (No, I'm not saying, "Take my wife--Please!") :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Burger in Spokane on Saturday, June 17, 2017 - 03:16 am:

Growing up, a neighbor family down the road had an incident that I
often think about when someone gets hurt. See, Dad worked a big
money job and was often out of the country on business. He came
home periodically and on one such occasion found the house empty,
except for his teenage son, who was down in a basement full of skunky
smelling smoke, stoned out of his gourd.

Dad had zero humor for this situation and proceeded to tenderize
the young lad with his fists, knees, boots, and elbows until the kid was
no longer able to put up any resistance. Up until this point, Dad was
without a word.

When the kerfuffle was over, Dad leaned over the kid and simply
said "Don't do that" in a quiet voice, and proceeded to leave the room.

Seeing that GMC, I can once again hear Mr. Anderson's firm but
quiet voice advising "Don't do that".

Ouch ! Hope you heal up quick.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan McEachern on Saturday, June 17, 2017 - 09:47 am:

Eric- my best to you! Although you're banged up, you're here to tell the tale and that's what counts. I once had a head on collision on a city street in my Blazer and had two Model A blocks in the back they ended up in the front seat with me, so I know the feeling. Heal fast and keep goin.
Dan


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Walter Higgins on Saturday, June 17, 2017 - 12:13 pm:

Glad to hear you're still on the right side of the dirt and best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Several years ago a firefighter friend told me that many of the occupant injuries he saw at accidents were the result of junk (now projectiles) in the car rather than the accident itself. Ever since then I have been diligent about not hauling heavy stuff inside with me, or at the very least tying it down.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Saylor, Citrus Heights, Ca on Saturday, June 17, 2017 - 12:59 pm:

All of us at Mother Lode Model T Club are wishing you a speedy recovery.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erik Barrett in Auburn Ca. on Saturday, June 17, 2017 - 03:18 pm:

Thanks everyone. Thankful to be in as good a condition as I am right now, even as sore as l am. I can always get another Suburban. It's likely the driver that caused this mess has no insurance but mine will replace it. So now when I say, "life goes on", it is truly a blessing.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Saturday, June 17, 2017 - 03:54 pm:

So pleased that it wasn't worse! And so happy to see you commenting here so soon after such a close one. Pamper yourself for a few days. Then get busy doing the things you enjoy doing! (Like running the Wild Cherry 2!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chris Instness on Saturday, June 17, 2017 - 06:11 pm:

Glad to hear you are okay Erik. Looks like it was a pretty nasty accident. Sorry to hear you can't make wild cherry's next event.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Terry Horlick in Penn Valley, CA on Saturday, June 17, 2017 - 10:28 pm:

Erik, I have seen you do some amazing car restoration work. So take it easy and heal up, then I am sure you can buff that damage right out of the Suburban!

Cheers, TH


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Nevada Bob Middleton on Sunday, June 18, 2017 - 01:31 am:

Erik
Get better glad your home and mending


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erik Barrett in Auburn Ca. on Sunday, June 18, 2017 - 02:37 am:

I have posted on the Wild Cherry II Facebook page that driving the car is the most excitement I have ever had in eight seconds. That is no longer the case. Thanks again to everyone for your prayers and thoughts.
Fordially, Erik


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Greenlees on Sunday, June 18, 2017 - 08:37 am:

Eric, Very sorry to hear about your accident and hope you heal quickly!

I looked at all your other posts but did not find any info about the engine other than the Gemsa head.

When you feel better and have the time could you tell us more about the rest of the engine like: block mods, crankshaft, and bearings and caps, oil pump and lines, rods, pistons and cam and valve train.

Would like to know what makes this engine tick and allows it to run at 6000 rpm. If it needs to be kept confidential I understand, but am just curious about it as I have a coupe of period "T" racing engines and a 1913 racing chassis.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gene Carrothers Huntington Beach on Sunday, June 18, 2017 - 07:19 pm:

Glad to hear you survived it and will recover OK maybe not the Suburban..

Get Well Soon


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erik Barrett in Auburn Ca. on Sunday, June 18, 2017 - 07:50 pm:

I can always get another Suburban. Thankful to be here posting on this forum. David, I will PM you or post details about the engine.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Dewey, N. California on Sunday, June 18, 2017 - 09:22 pm:

Erik posted me he thinks he's 3/*" shorter now! I know he must be doing OK, as his sense of humor is back! Erik, you probably can use a few weeks of "recovery" time, although I know it's very hard for you to slow down any!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Dewey, N. California on Sunday, June 18, 2017 - 09:26 pm:

Aurgh, that's supposed to be 3/8"


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Doris, AZ on Monday, June 19, 2017 - 01:18 am:

Erik, Wow, the Suburban looks terrible! Glad to hear you are OK and on the road to a full recovery.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erik Barrett in Auburn Ca. on Monday, June 19, 2017 - 04:08 am:

Well, folks, I have come to the point where I can look at my head. I have a low tolerance for seeing things that should be inside of me. I had to replace my own dressings after removing my shirt tonight taking the bandage with it. It's pretty ugly, but so what? I got it handled and have not had to take any pain medication since yesterday. I am thinking of getting a big hat and going to Lincoln with the Wild Cherry race team. The seven staples in my scalp will have to wait until I get home. The docs can find them. Can't hurt much more than when they were put in. I found out that local anaesthetic isn't used on scalp wounds. They hurt like a bitch. Small price to pay for survival and being able to drive model T's again. Thanks again to everyone for the thoughts and prayers. I am thankful for this forum community and the support it gives everyone in their pursuit of enjoying and preserving model T's in many forms from original to restored all the way to the Wild Cherry racer. We hope to put the model T back on the front page of Ford racing news where it was during the glory days of Long Beach.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Monday, June 19, 2017 - 05:45 am:

If anyone could pull this off after what you just went through? You can! Go and watch, or go and race, or stay home and recuperate? It is your call to make. If you do go, and do any driving (on the highways, roads, or the hill), be extra careful. It is normal after a crash like yours to have your automatic reactions to try to reset themselves. It works kind of like PTSD, and can make your responses to normal situations a little off. Just a little added caution, make yourself realize that things are normal as before, and you should be fine.
Have fun regardless!
Drive carefully, and do enjoy! W2


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Dewey, N. California on Monday, June 19, 2017 - 12:56 pm:

Yes, mind Wayne's words--have someone ELSE drive you there!! I knew you wouldn't stay put, it's just not in your nature! Glad to hear you are doing so well. Just DO NOT overdo--you'll set yourself back without realizing it. I know it's hard for you to do, but "act lazy" for a bit!!!
You're in our thoughts.
David & Linda D.
PS, How's your Dad doing on the midi pouches? Too hot for outdoor work!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erik Barrett in Auburn Ca. on Monday, June 19, 2017 - 01:33 pm:

I won't be driving anything for a while. There are two other drivers to handle that if I go. I'll just be taking it easy either way.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Monday, June 19, 2017 - 04:01 pm:

Good for you is good for all.
Take care my friend! I am so grateful that it wasn't worse.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen - Eastern Nebraska on Tuesday, June 20, 2017 - 09:18 am:

Erik,
Hope to see you in Lincoln...


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erik Barrett in Auburn Ca. on Tuesday, June 20, 2017 - 10:18 am:

I will be there. I am taking it easy in the back seat of our tow rig enjoying the A/C and the company of my dad and racing partners. We left this morning for Lincoln. See you there.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erik Barrett in Auburn Ca. on Thursday, June 22, 2017 - 06:56 am:

OK folks, we rolled into Lincoln tonight. Had a heck of a time getting here. Had to backtrack 85 miles on Tuesday because yours truly forgot baggage at my house. Twelve hours later our tow vehicle lunched the water pump in Wyoming at about midnight. We stopped and poured in what we had for coolant. A few miles later we poured in a case of bottled water we had on board. Then all of the other beverages. That hurt. Anyway we made it to the next town and replaced the water pump this morning after a taxi ride to Auto Zone from the Chicken Run taxi company. Not kidding. They showed up with a 15 year old Toyota missing one fender and part of the front seat. Got the job done and we were on our way. Lots of trailers in the hotel parking lot but the one thing that got my attention was the 26 roadster that made the cross country Lincoln Highway trip recently and I encountered on the last day of that adventure in California. We are excited to be here and be a part of this event. Root for the Wild Cherry II to beat the model A's.
Fordially, Erik


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By mark herdman on Thursday, June 22, 2017 - 08:48 pm:

Take it easy and enjoy Erik


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Nevada Bob Middleton on Thursday, June 22, 2017 - 09:10 pm:

Enjoy Erik and the WC2 TEAM sorry my job turned upside down or i be with you GUYS.
sounds like your well on your way to a good recovery
Keep us post
Nv bob


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erik Barrett in Auburn Ca. on Friday, June 23, 2017 - 06:28 pm:

OK guys the race is a wrap. As it turns out there were three cars faster than the WC2, all of them model B powered unlimited budget monsters. These guys beat us by less than half a second, and we were not running at our best. We are going back to the shop to get this thing tuned right. Thanks to all of our supporters.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Saturday, June 24, 2017 - 12:57 am:

Maybe not the goal, but it sounds like you did really well!
Take it easy and enjoy!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erik Barrett in Auburn Ca. on Saturday, June 24, 2017 - 01:25 am:

Well, the goal was to come here and make a good show for the model T and our supporters. Mission accomplished. Everyone here put together a great event. Thanks to all of you.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Saturday, June 24, 2017 - 02:06 am:

SCORE!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Sullivan on Saturday, June 24, 2017 - 11:36 am:

Wish I'd been there! Maybe next time. Any other competitive T's? Like to see pictures. Dave in Bellingham,WA


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jon Crane on Saturday, June 24, 2017 - 01:22 pm:

Eric
Nice meeting you guys. Great that you were able to attend even though it included a few bandages.

Wild Cherry's team smack talk about spanking the A's came back on you. Fast Frank always says that to really be good at the hobby, you need a nickname. Perhaps SPANKY would be appropriate for the Wild Cherry crowd.
See you again in two years.
jon crane


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chadwick Azevedo on Saturday, June 24, 2017 - 02:30 pm:

Bump to get rid of the spam


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Coiro on Saturday, June 24, 2017 - 03:14 pm:

anti-spam bump


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Warren on Tuesday, June 27, 2017 - 12:51 am:

Eric, WOW, I had no Idea that you were banged up, I did notice the bandages under the hat but just thought it may have been a new sweat band of some sort. It was great to finally meet you , Robert and your Dad and to see Wild Cherry. You guys are troopers. Hope you make it home safely with no problems.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Robert A Weitzel on Tuesday, June 27, 2017 - 09:29 pm:

John great to meet you to if your ever in auburn or newcastle California Look us up P s love the car great build


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Nevada Bob Middleton on Wednesday, June 28, 2017 - 12:14 am:

Sound like like i should just called in
But finding another job might be hard to do had this one almost 25 years
Hope all make it home safe


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Nevada Bob Middleton on Wednesday, June 28, 2017 - 12:18 am:

Sound like like i should just called in
But finding another job might be hard to do had this one almost 25 years
Hope all make it home safe


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erik Barrett in Auburn Ca. on Thursday, June 29, 2017 - 09:14 pm:

We are all home in good shape. Not so much the race car. We were running all day on three cylinders with compression, so we got beat by at least three model A's. That's racing for you. If you aren't breaking it, you're not racing. If you talk the talk, you gotta walk the walk or die trying. We gave it our best. Now we are going back into the engine. I think something went wrong with one of the new valve seats. We also need to address the cylinder clearance. Too much blowby. I don't know if it was by mistake or by design, but I was pleased they gave a separate trophy to the T guys running more period authentic equipment. That's fair to them, as we didn't build the car to race those guys with our T block and frame and not much else. We had a great time and look forward to our next race. Till then, more time and $$$$.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Bender Tulsa Oklahoma on Thursday, June 29, 2017 - 09:46 pm:

Erik
We didn't get a trophy, Rich made a mistake. There was only one trophy in the T-5 class and the Wild Cherry won.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Nevada Bob Middleton on Friday, June 30, 2017 - 01:11 am:

Mike B
WC2 is impressive and if Rw and Erik get the mechanicals nailed down they got great chance being top dog


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erik Barrett in Auburn Ca. on Friday, June 30, 2017 - 02:25 pm:

I don't know how to approach this with the FAST guys. It's unfair for people racing period authentic speedsters with antique speed equipment to compete with the Wild Cherry. We just don't want to be grouped with a class of cars that could likely be used to disqualify them for King of the Hill, which is what we built the car for. That why we were very careful to build the car just inside all of the rules for our class so we can't be disqualified that way. It's very clear that a number of the A guys don't want us racing. If we are disqualified for the trophy, that's OK as long as we can still race. When we get this thing ironed out and happen to set fast time, the guy with the trophy will still know he got beat by a model T.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jon Crane on Friday, June 30, 2017 - 02:48 pm:

Eric
I'm and A/B type guy and was impressed with your Wild Cherry. You are always welcome in my book Hope to see you and the rest of the SPANKY crowd in two years. Get'er debugged and you will be spanking the A's. .


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Dewey, N. California on Friday, June 30, 2017 - 02:51 pm:

I think the Wild Cherry is amazing, and if the A guys feel threatened, even better!! And I'm an old A guy! However, since I don't have any depth perception, I don't think my going fast is a good idea for me or the folks in front of me. Of course, to quote the old "Great Race" movie, "First rule of Italian race car driving--What's a behind you is not important!" Of course, if you're driving your Model T down the road and all you see in the mirror is the center of a Peterbuilt radiator, that might not be true!!
:-)
Erik, great you made the trip and are back again and doing good. I am impressed you did so well on three cylinders!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Frank Harris from Long Beach, CA on Friday, June 30, 2017 - 03:44 pm:

The regulations produced by the F.A.S.T group are aimed at the Model A,B, and C Ford engines. Model T's are grouped into stock, flat head and overhead valve configurations. So a car with a T crank must run against one with a full pressure Model C crank. When the Long Beach Model T Club ran the Shell Hill climb they had many classifications for Model T's. It is truly a task to fit model T's into so few classes and be fair.

There are 15 classes for the A.B. and C engines regulating body styles and flat head and overhead valve.

There are six classes for the Model T engines breaking down into stock bodied and speedsters and the only difference on the engines is flat head or overhead valve. A T engine can have more modifications than an A B C because of the crank shafts and oil pressure configurations. None of these factors are considered in these runs.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erik Barrett in Auburn Ca. on Saturday, July 01, 2017 - 12:26 am:

Thanks for the support everyone. We'll keep at it and have a great time doing it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry Sherman on Monday, July 10, 2017 - 01:38 pm:

Erik, haven't been checking the forum lately. I actually had ear surgery June 30th, too many loud cars. Good luck on your recovery. Talked to Robert and he mentioned dropping the valve seat but not the accident. Jerry


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