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Big Dave Kaut |
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Page 8 of ? Pages
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Welcome to Page Eight of The Racing Years By David L. Kaut
1973 fourth year of driving, fifth year in racing. Note from Dan: many of the articles and pictures from Dave's 1973 scrapbook were loose in the book. Adhesives in the tape had long ago failed. As a result, I have had to abandon the organization of the material and will leave that to the reader. I decided to build a "64 Chevelle, I don't know if it will be done by next year or not, but will give it a try. I insulated the garage. wired it, put heat out there so we could work. Stripped out a '57 Chevy wagon and a '64 Chevelle. Going to put the "57 Chevy under the Chevelle body. Dutch has been good enough guy to help me build the car. Got started in the middle of October. Didn;t realize how much work it could be. Had many depressing thoughts of all the work we had to put in, but I'm sure our labor won't be wasted. I took step by step pictures so memory won't be lost. Took more money than I realized and I actually didn't put that much money in it. Time ran out on us before the season got started so we had to go ahead and bring the '57 down so we could get it ready for the season.
44 is the same car. Nothing has been changed except new paint on the front fenders and hood and a new engine. Dad decided to make me a proposition to buy me a larger engine. I decided to buy Ed Morris' engine for $600. It really sounds good. Playland is going to have one race with the large tires then go to 8 inch. Suspension modifications will have to be made for the smaller tires. Bought and arm net for the left front door for my own protection. Having trouble getting all the power to the ground. Smoking my tires bad. First Race- Easter Sunday, April 22, 1973- Playland decided to have an Invitational Open Competition. All the hot shots were there. For the last three years, Dave has been putting down his feelings about how he raced. This year I (Kathy) am going to put down my feelings about the races. Dave won his heat, came in 4th in the trophy dash and was 3rd in the "A" when Bob Kosiski spun him out and he had to start all over. He ends up coming in 7th in the "A". Won $38. Dave had Ed Morris' old engine this year and it's really a mover.. That engine really runs. p.s. Dave will put small notes in to explain technical details.
Second Race- Saturday, May 5,1973- Can't get the power to the ground, Prideaux was running well. Engine runs beyond my expectations. Dave won his heat, got pole position in the trophy dash and won it and came out 2nd in the "A". He really tried to beat out Frank Prideaux but Frank is really running well and he ended up coming in practically beside him. Won $111.
Third Race- Saturday, May 12,1973- Dave got 3rd in the heat. In the feature he was in 3rd place when Jim Shaw spun him out and he started almost a lap behind the last car. He worked his way back up to 3rd. Everyone congratulated Dave on driving such a good race. He really made things exciting for everyone. Won $65.
Fourth Race- Saturday, May 19,1973- Dave came in 2nd in his heat, 2nd in the trophy dash and 3rd in the "A" feature. He tried is darndest to get around #28 Bob Golden but he just couldn't do it. Because the track was slick and Golden was pushing Dave out, he finally had to settle for 3rd. Won $77.50.
Saturday, May 26,1973- Rained out. Fifth Race Saturday, May 28,1973- Memorial day race- Dave came in 7th in his heat, 3rd in the consolation race and 9th in the "A" Feature. The car jsut didn't work that night. He got the right rear tire too hot during the "A" Feature and blew out befroe the end of the race. There were 9 laps left when it blew. Won $30.
Sixth Race Saturday, June 2,1973- Well, Dave finallly had a really good night. After Monday, Dave didn't know if the car would "hang on to the track" or not. He bought 3 new tires and made a few changes. Prideaux was on the inside and in 3rd place and Dave on the outside of him when Prideaux pushed him to 3rd row out and both of them headed for the fence. Prideaux was out of the race and Dave went to the back. This was on the 19th lap and from there Dave moved to the lead. Won $150.
Seventh Race Saturday, June 9,1973- Dave came in 3rd in his heat behind Don Doeblin and Walter Johnson. He couldn't get around Walter for anything. He just about caught him but couldn't quite do it. In the "A" Feature he started dead last and worked his way up to 2nd behind Prideaux. Won $105.
Eighth Race Saturday, June 16,1973- Won $107.50. Came in 3rd in the heat and 2nd in the "A" Feature. He cannot get all the power of the engine to the ground.
Sunday, June 17,1973- Midwest Speedway, Lincoln- Bought $216 worth of dirt tires. Wasn't exactly sure until tonight if they would work or not. Came in 1st in my heat, 2nd in the trophy dash and 2nd in the "A" Feature. WOn $190. This is the most I've ever won in one night. p.s. The tires did work.. Sprained my wrist in the trophy dash.
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