UMTR (Stick shift drag racing)

[Martin0660]

FYI - I have wanted to go run with the UMTR guys for a while, but it just never seemed to work out. This weekend they where at Steel Valley (1/8th mile west of Stuebenville) so we hauled out to give it a shot.

I have to say, the UMTR guys are amazing. All of the folks involved with the organization came around, introduced themselves, thanked ME for coming out with them, and generally made us feel welcome to be with them. They are a real stand up bunch of guys that are out to enjoy and promote stick shiift racing, and have fun while doing it. They travel very well, brought in a bunch of cars for the quick stick class (30+) and there was like 20 in the street stick class. Wide variety of cars, wild wheels up launches, high revs, quite the show.

It was refreshing to be around guys like this for sure, especially guys that really get stick shift racing. That wasnt the only thing that made it feel good, as you could tell they where very sincere in welocming us, and trying to make sure it was a good time. There were some issues with the track at Steel Valley for the real high powered cars, and they went as far as offering ANYBODY that wanted to leave their money back if they didnt feel safe about it. Not money back from the track, but they would pay it back from their organization.

I will be hitting more of their races next year for sure. These guys are a class act.

Bob Myers

[casper gt]

+1 I went down there with Bob & they all made me feel welcome & I'm an auto. almost makes me want to put a stick in mine..............yeah right

[yeahloh95]

Do They Run Any Local Tracks?

[Martin0660]

[QUOTE=casper gt;130530makes me want to put a stick in mine[/QUOTE]

Now we are talking, I knew you would come around :D

Do They Run Any Local Tracks?

As close as they get is National Trail (Columbus), Thompson, Quaker City, and of course Steel Valley (although Im not sure if they will go back there). Primarily Ohio based tracks. I will be hitting several of their races next year for sure.

Bob Myers

[CobraII]

I saw a couple of pics. The '70 AMX was way cool, and my favorite, of what I saw, was the '64 Fairlane wagon. Wagons rock!!

[Martin0660]

Lot's of way cool old school stuff for sure. Nothing like a 428 SCJ being speed shifted via a toploader at 8000 RPM :D

Those guys are way cool. Beyond being stick shift nuts (most people dont get it anyway), they are out to put on a show every pass and have fun doing it.

Bob Myers

[altoona]

Ah yes, stick shift racing. What? Is there some other kind?

I've already decided that when I get too old to drive a stick I'll give up racing!

[mustang50lx]

Lot's of way cool old school stuff for sure. Nothing like a 428 SCJ being speed shifted via a toploader at 8000 RPM :D

Those guys are way cool. Beyond being stick shift nuts (most people dont get it anyway), they are out to put on a show every pass and have fun doing it.

Bob Myers

A big block shifting at 8K. I cringe just thinking about it. That must have been a sight to see. Of course that could be the "shift your BB Olds at 6500 and you better bring a shovel" in me.