Car of the Week: Tags Hot Rod Shop/Clark Racing & The "Carbon Fiber & Rust Longtop" Chevy II

Welcome to the BTE Racing Car of the Week series, where we feature our customers and fans, and the cars (and trucks) they love to race. Today, it's all about Tags Hot Rod Shop and Clark Racing of Brandon, MS. We spoke to Chris Taggart for the information on their three racing vehicles including a Longtop 1967 Chevy II Wagon with a unique paint job. 

 How did you get into drag racing?
My family has always been in to racing. I remember going to the races with my father Robert Taggart as a small child.

When and where was your first race?
My first race at a race track was 1982 at Jackson International Dragway in Pearl, MS.

What model/year do you race now?
We have a few race cars at Tags Hot Rod Shop/Clark Racing. My brother Ryan drives the Longtop 1967 Chevy II wagon (pictured). I drive a ’67 Chevy II Hardtop SS, and Ken Clark drives the Candy Brandywine 70 Nova. We all take turns driving "The Black Truck 59 Chevy" that was Super Chevy Magazine’s January 2014 feature. We race that at the Super Chevy show in Memphis every year.

Does your car have a nickname?
We just call it the Longtop Chevy II or Carbon Fiber and Rust Longtop. The motor parts all look like carbon fiber and the body looks rusty and the car has neither.

What's under the hood?
Pat Musi 14-degree 632 with Gary Williams intake and carbs, two Induction Solutions nitrous oxide foggers.

Which BTE products do you use in your vehicles?
Powerglide transmissions, bolt together torque converters, two-piece powerglide case and bellhousings

Someone you look up to in racing?
Larry Larson a Drag Week five time champ and fastest Drag Week car ever!

If money were no object, what would you drive?
IHRA Pro Stock Mountain Motor! Or a Top Fuel dragster.

What is your pre-race ritual (if you have one)?
Dont really have one. I just make it to the track early enough to get decent parking!    

What You Should Look For In A Planetary Gear Set For A Powerglide Transmission

What To Look For
Today, powerglide transmissions are reliable up to as much as 3000 horsepower in certain applications. The backbone of this entire system is the planetary gear assembly. The modern aftermarket gear set for powerglide transmissions should feature many of these upgrades as found in our own BTE powerglide planetary gear sets.

• Straight or spur cut gears are stronger and have less thrust loading
• USA made 9310 vaccumelt steel gears that have been heat treated and processed for maximum durability
• The output shaft is made of forged steel 
• Pins made from aerospace-grade steel
• A locking retainer system to reinforce and maintain the gear pinions
• A billet steel flange plate for the sun gear

BTE offers our planetary assemblies in long and short versions as well as in larger TH400 sized output shafts. We also have three first gear ratios 1.80, 1.98, and 1.69.  Each ratio is suited for specific types of cars, so please contact BTE if you need any assistance in choosing a ratio for your transmission.  

What To Avoid
The OEM powerglide was manufactured with two first gear ratios - 1.76 and 1.82. The 1.82 gear set is not suitable for most drag racing applications as its power limit is no more than ~ 550 HP engines in even lightweight cars.

Why? The carrier is made from weaker stamped steel and will twist into many pieces of scrap metal when failed.

Somewhere In Between
The 1.76 is stronger, featuring a machined steel carrier and heavier duty gears. However, the upper limit of the 1.76 for most cars is ~800 hp. Some may take more or less power as none of the parts were originally designed for high performance usage.

Maintenance
A well made planetary assembly should be relatively maintenance free, however, we do offer pinion and bearing replacement kits that are a recommended service item that should be replaced at least every two years. Be sure to also use quality transmission fluid that offers proper lubrication to keep things functioning properly.

Car of the Week: Kole Pritchett's "Ugly Duckling" 1980 Chevy Monza

Welcome to the BTE Racing Car of the Week series, where we feature our customers and fans, and the cars (and trucks) they love to race. Today, it’s all about Kole Pritchett of Knoxville, TN and his 1980 Chevy Monza.

How did you get into drag racing?
I grew up around it with my dad and uncles.

When and where was your first race?
At the I-40 Dragway in a Jr dragster when I was nine years old.

What model/year do you race now?
1980 Chevy Monza

Does your car have a nickname?
The Ugly Duckling

What's under the hood?
A 404-cid small block Chevy prepped by Midsouth Racing topped by a Rupert carb

Which BTE products do you use in your vehicle?
An 8" BTE converter and all transmission components

Why do you use BTE?
Great products and excellent customer service. Bill, Brandon, and Neal has always treated us like family.

Someone you look up to in racing?
I can't name just one. I'd have to say my dad, my uncle Larry, Luke Bogacki, and Scotty Richardson.

If money were no object, what would you drive?
Either a top sportsman car or a nitrous pro mod

What is your pre-race ritual (if you have one)?
Take a deep breath and clear my mind.

Car of the Week: Daniel Wright's 1993 Chevy S-10

Welcome to the BTE Racing Car of the Week series, where we feature our customers and fans, and the cars (and trucks) they love to race. Today, it’s all about Daniel Wright in Arkansas and his 1993 Chevy S-10. 

How did you get into drag racing?
15 yrs

When and where was your first race?
Centerville Dragway Centerville Ar

What model/year do you race now?
1993 chevy S10

Does your car have a nickname? 
“Lil’ Blue”

What's under the hood?
468 BBC

Which BTE products do you use in your vehicle? 
BTE Powerglide,  BTE transmission case, BTE 8 in converter

Why do you use BTE?
Price and quality

Someone you look up to in racing?
Dick Harrell, aka "Mr. Chevrolet"

If money were no object, what would you drive?
’67 Camaro

What is your pre-race ritual (if you have one)?
Pray for luck!

Monster Truck Week: Interview With USA-1's Crew Chief, Part II

It’s officially Monster Truck Week here at BTE, where we’re featuring the largest vehicle we sponsor throughout the year: USA-1 monster truck from Gauger Motorsports. To get some information on this beast of a truck, we talked to USA-1’s crew chief, Scott Bryant, who told us all about the monster truck world. Part 1 of this interview ran Tuesday, March 31.

The USA-1 Crew

What is the most exciting part of a monster truck event?
Each part of a monster truck event has its own elements of excitement.  Kids always enjoy the pit parties because they can get up close to those big trucks. Racing has the competitive element that any motorsports fan can appreciate. In freestyle, drivers perform moves that shock and wow spectators.
           
For the team, the most exciting part is when we win. We have run with several very competitive teams so far this year on the Monster X Tour. Any time we take a racing, wheelie, or freestyle victory, it means a lot because every team on the Monster X tour is very tough and works very hard.

How old is USA-1?
USA-1 was one of the first monster trucks created. It began performing in 1981. In 1988, a second USA-1 was built for racing. It won the inaugural Monster Truck Racing Championship that year. However, save for the occasional cameo appearance, the USA-1 name has been absent from competition for over 20 years. Gauger Motorsports was able to partner with USA-1’s creator, Everett Jasmer, to bring this name back to competition. It has been a huge honor running USA-1 this year.

Who is the driver of USA-1?
Roger Gauger is not only the driver of the truck, but also a 23-year veteran of the monster truck industry. He is also an accomplished fabricator, which comes in handy as a monster truck driver and owner. Roger and his wife, Kathy bought their first monster truck in 1991 and have kept the business going through their company, Gauger Motorsports. USA-1 is a new addition to their fleet.

How many crew members go along with USA-1 to events? What do they normally have to do during the course of a night?
We typically have two crew members travel to shows. The first thing that must be done upon arrival is unloading the truck and mounting the large tires. In order to fit the truck into the hauler, the large tires must be dismounted and “toter” tires installed so the truck is narrow enough be loaded. Once “tired up” the truck is then moved into the stadium into pit position. Then the tools are moved in and the pit area is set up. Suspension and tire pressure adjustments are made and final cleaning is done before the pit party. Next the trucks are moved into positions for the pit party, then back to the pits afterwards. Once the event starts it’s all hands on deck to do what it takes to keep the truck running its best. If something breaks we do what it takes to get the truck back in the show. After the event, we “tire down” and load everything back up.  It’s a very full day.