Author Topic: GRUMPY'S TEAM (MELISSA AND RUSS) DID IT!  (Read 3345 times)

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Offline Steve Wood

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GRUMPY'S TEAM (MELISSA AND RUSS) DID IT!
« on: October 07 2021, 09:33:57 AM »
They put a full bodied (3600+ lb) Buick into the 8's on pump gas and alky.  You all know I am the one that should be called grumpy because I despise so many of the jerks that strut around bragging about their professionally  built engines, lightweight cars etc who don't want to run more than an 1/8th mile because they might hurt something.  Same ones that are online talking crap about everyone else who cannot afford to play in their league badmouthing them about their paint jobs or less that immaculate cars even if they run as fast as the Big Dawgs with their flown in tuners, and so on...  8.93@ 150 mph

But here are Grumpy's (Dan's) daughter and son-in-law -Melissa and Russ Merritt blowing everyone else away once again.  Melissa drives and Russ does the wrenching, the tuning, the fixing, the hauling, etc.  all the while working full time.  But what sets them apart from the crowd in my books is that they are genuinely nice!  I mean really nice!

They are what epitomizes real racing at the hobbyist level except there is nothing "hobbyist" about their performance, the car, or anything else they are associated with!  Real people doing real good! 

Congratulation s, Dan!  I know how proud you are!

Here is Melissa's write up that she posted on FB because Russ never says much!!

"He flipping did it!  He doesn’t like it being posted this way, but I am the one with the Facebook account, so yeah 😛.  His version:  We finally got it!   A few weeks ago, at Cecil, when we loaded it into the trailer with the winch, a lifted head, and a block filled with water, as frustrating as it was, I knew we weren’t done.  He busted his ass to get us back up and running the next weekend, so we were ready for the N/T race.  We raced smart that day.  Today we raced stupid, and it worked, plus we drove it into the trailer!  Of course, Grumpy was watching us from his favorite spot in the stands.
Russ makes it seem easy, but few see all the time and work he puts into that car.  His dedication got us here.  109 block, pump gas and Alky, PTE SLIC, 2004r, a foot brake and rolling over the scales at 3610. 🤘 We have a flipping great time doing what we do and consider ourselves lucky for every safe pass we make.   
And after the excitement came the tears.💔 There is such a big part of our team missing.  Mom, I am so sorry that we are a year late.  I heard every song you sent me today, and we all appreciated those clouds you sent for that last pass. You would have been the most excited one!  When the lights do down, I know that you are never far away.
No cake till 8’s!!  Bring on the cake!!  Cupcakes count."


Yep, your Mom is definitely smiling down!     :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
« Last Edit: October 07 2021, 09:40:39 AM by Steve Wood »
Steve Wood

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A lot of broken parts does not make you a racer; it makes you a slow learner.

Offline reality

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Re: GRUMPY'S TEAM (MELISSA AND RUSS) DID IT!
« Reply #1 on: October 07 2021, 10:27:31 AM »
WOW ; congratulation Russ and Melissa That's an elite club for sure.

And Steve, I completely agree with you on your first paragraph.

Offline nocooler

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Re: GRUMPY'S TEAM (MELISSA AND RUSS) DID IT!
« Reply #2 on: October 07 2021, 01:42:39 PM »
Congrats Russ, Melissa, and Dan!
IhaveaV8

Offline Grumpy

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Re: GRUMPY'S TEAM (MELISSA AND RUSS) DID IT!
« Reply #3 on: October 07 2021, 07:30:46 PM »
Thanks guys ! 2 devoted fools doing what they love. Both 1.2 60's off the footbrake. I trained her well.  :cheers: Russ is a slave to that car.. Always looking an trying new stuff. Something breaks he's on it.. They both tune the car. Well they throw out what the car did an where they need changes.. All baby steps !! Wish I had his drive and patience.  :cheers:

Offline Steve Wood

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Re: GRUMPY'S TEAM (MELISSA AND RUSS) DID IT!
« Reply #4 on: October 07 2021, 08:10:31 PM »
Dan, who has time for patience?  :D
Steve Wood

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Offline Grumpy

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Re: GRUMPY'S TEAM (MELISSA AND RUSS) DID IT!
« Reply #5 on: October 08 2021, 09:40:32 AM »
I have a little more as I got older but what really helps is sick humor.  :rock:.Brings reality back in focus.  :player: We are working on a new game plan for next year now.  :icon_eyes:

Offline Steve Wood

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Re: GRUMPY'S TEAM (MELISSA AND RUSS) DID IT!
« Reply #6 on: October 08 2021, 09:55:43 AM »
Having a plan always helps keep you going.  Having someone younger to share it with really helps!
Steve Wood

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A lot of broken parts does not make you a racer; it makes you a slow learner.

Offline Shimy87

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Re: GRUMPY'S TEAM (MELISSA AND RUSS) DID IT!
« Reply #7 on: October 08 2021, 11:56:44 AM »
amazing number...congr ats!!!
87 GN, K&N cold air, gutted cat, TT 5.7 chip, AFPR, 340 Walbro w/ hotwire, 60 LBS injectors, 981 valve springs, 206/206 Cam, RJC Powerplate, LS1 MAF & translator, Vacuum brakes, Hellwig rear sway bar, Energy suspension poly bushings, Razors Alky, Pypes exhaust, 5931 turbo, CK9.5 converter

Offline Grumpy

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Re: GRUMPY'S TEAM (MELISSA AND RUSS) DID IT!
« Reply #8 on: October 08 2021, 08:20:24 PM »
Forgot to add a power plate is on it to  :cool;

Offline Steve Wood

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Re: GRUMPY'S TEAM (MELISSA AND RUSS) DID IT!
« Reply #9 on: October 08 2021, 08:24:01 PM »
That power plate, foot braking a 2004r, and a ported pte stock location intercooler always gets me.

After all, we all know that none of that will work if you want to go faster than 12's LOL
Steve Wood

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Offline phil_long

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Re: GRUMPY'S TEAM (MELISSA AND RUSS) DID IT!
« Reply #10 on: October 11 2021, 09:53:11 AM »
Huge congrats for sure. That's a different class of car and team!!! 

Offline Steve Wood

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Re: GRUMPY'S TEAM (MELISSA AND RUSS) DID IT!
« Reply #11 on: October 11 2021, 01:45:53 PM »
CLASS...that is what they have.  
Steve Wood

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Offline Grumpy

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Re: GRUMPY'S TEAM (MELISSA AND RUSS) DID IT!
« Reply #12 on: October 11 2021, 08:07:51 PM »
 :icon_redface: Thanks guys . They are !! Me ?? I am just me  :rock:

Offline Steve Wood

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Re: GRUMPY'S TEAM (MELISSA AND RUSS) DID IT!
« Reply #13 on: October 11 2021, 08:32:12 PM »
You need to write a book
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A lot of broken parts does not make you a racer; it makes you a slow learner.

Offline Forzfed

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Re: GRUMPY'S TEAM (MELISSA AND RUSS) DID IT!
« Reply #14 on: October 12 2021, 02:20:18 PM »
Amazing run!! :cheers:  The car and Melissa just keep on impressing! :cheers:

 

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