Roush-Yates Open House.

We haven’t been to any races since Virginia but the Sandflea has been busy. After Virginia, we came back with a wounded engine, but had to put that on the back burner due to the open house at Roush-Yates the following Wednesday. At the end of the day of the open house the guys pushed the car around back and started taking the engine out of the car. Sandy said he is not quite use to all the help. I mean these guys knew he had a wounded bullet and just took it upon their selves to get started on it. Service with a smile. The engine had broken some rocker arms and had backfired through the carburetors. Everything has been fixed, so now Sandy has to find the time to reassemble the engine.

The open house was an outstanding event. It was invitation only that included a lot of high profile racing people. It is in the heart of Nascar country, so of course a lot of Nascar guys were around. The open house was for existing and potential new customers. Sandy had quite a few of both there and from what I saw, I think they were all impressed. The picture of what looks like an office is actually the assembly area. You will notice an opening into each work area where a designated person assembles his engine. This may be drag racing, nationwide and cup, dirt track, or the 24 hours of Daytona engines. All this done in an area cleaner than my kitchen.

There was plenty happening outside as well. Along with Sandy’s car on display, there were world of outlaw cars, modified cars, dirt trackers, and an occasional cup car. But to me, the most interesting car on the grounds was the brand new Ford Mustang Pro Stocker of Justin Humphries. He and his family were in attendance enjoying the meet and greet with everyone. The car itself is a work of art and I can’t wait to see it go down the track. I think Sandy said they should have the engine on the dyno this week. If it produces the horse power they are predicting, it should be a contender from the very start.

Speaking of high profile people, this picture is of the three main people. You have Jack Roush, who spoke a lot about his drag racing in the early days. He talked about the Maverick he and Wayne Gapp ran in Pro Stock and the championship they won together. I myself still have, I think a 1973 Gapp and Roush Ford Pinto Pro Stock model car that is from back in the day. I also have a Barry Setzer Vega Funny Car, Don Prudomme’s Army Chevy Monza and his Army Top Fuel Dragster. I don’t think Prudomme actually had an Army Dragster but they did make one. I also have an Al Segrini Black Magic Vega Funny Car. Oh well, enough about that. Back to the three main men. You have Roush, then the general manger George Gable who brought Sandy on board and last but not least Doug Yates. Doug talked about where the company is going in the future and what fun they had getting there. His dad Robert Yates was also on hand.

There was a big crowd on that day and the main thing you had to worry about was the camera bulbs flashing. A lot of picture taking. Among the picture takers, you had Van Abernathy from Drag Illustrated taking pictures as well as Sandy’s mom Freda, who took this picture of the best looking guys on the grounds. There was great food as well as some signature Roush-Yates wine that was produced by Lucien Wilkins (Sandy’s dad) vineyard. It is Spencer Mountain Vineyards in Boone, NC. A fun time was had by all and Sandy thanks everyone who attended. See you guys at the races.

Don