Rick Sturz asked Kowalski Customs to do some machining of early ford spindles to fit anglia hub dragster wheels. Conversations continued which led to assembling the 331 Chrysler Hemi he has been piecing together for a few years to go into his brand new Rice‘s Performance vintage dragster chassis. I was able to assemble the blown Chrysler after careful checking and measuring which meant cutting the valve spring pockets, enlarging the pushrod holes for correct alignment, and making sure everything fits. When it was done I told him to bring the chassis over and we can put it in the frame and get it running. With only a week or so till our first Vintage Eliminator race we did a lot of parts ordering, long days, and late nights to go from a fresh roller to a running driving blown hemi dragster ready to test. Had to work right up till the last minute and as we were going through all the procedures and setting the seat belts with Rick suited up in the car the power goes out! So we just pretended we were at a night race and finished up with flashlights! Lol We just putted around the shop lot to make sure it steered and stopped, then put it on the trailer and took it to the South Mountain dragstrip. I got the chance to be test pilot and make the first pass. Did a short burnout, back up, then hit the throttle as the light came down. She pulled the front wheels and went left so I backed out of the throttle, got it back in line and stabbed it again. Apprehensive of the funky shifter I eased up at the shift into high gear then layed back down into the pedal. Pulled the chute before the finish line, shut it down, and coasted to the end of the track. Fully successful maiden voyage on a brand new car and combination! So much fun to strap into something unknown and get after it. Total Chuck Yeager style moment. Rick was next victim to put on his fire suit and make a couple runs. He has never driven anything like this before and I helped talk him through what needed to happen during a run. He made two more passes and is now totally hooked! Still improvements to make but it was a great test. Special thanks to Arbeale photography and Liz Leggett photography for the stills and videos! #kowalskicustoms #ricesperformance #arbealephotgraphy #southmountainraceway