Goodrich- It’s been more than 40 years since Mike Stock’s light blue 1964 Ford Galaxy first rolled off the assembly line.
But the old Ford sure ain’t showing her age.
Stocks, 33, and his mint Galaxy is one of 350 racers gearing up to take part in racing during a taping of the drag race show ‘Speed PINKS: ALL OUT,? scheduled for June 30 at the Milan Dragway in Milan, Mich.
Stocks says he isn’t planning much to get ready for the event.
‘I washed it,? he laughs. ?…The car’s just great. It’s low maintenance. We made a few runs last week at Midland. It’s running well, very consistent.?
Stock says he should turn in 10.80 seconds at 122 (mph) quarter-mile with a fastest time of 10.70.
The show takes its title from the races it hosts in which drivers race for ‘Pinks?, or ownership, of the competitors vehicle.
But Stocks is in no danger of losing his baby. The race he’s signed up for is for a $10,000 cash prize.
Just gaining entry to the race was an event in itself.
Stock’s wife, Lindalee, recalls March 9, the day race tickets went on sale. She says the family had two people on cell phones, one person on a home phone and fourth on the computer in an attempt to secure one of the 350 tickets.
Daneen Baxter, Vice President at Milan Dragway, says tickets to participate in the race sold out in less than 15 minutes at cost of $20 each.
However, says Baxter, once a ticket is obtained, no further qualifications are required of drivers.
Stocks says he’s excited to hit the dragway, but stresses that just because a driver makes it into the crowd of 350 it’s no guarantee they will be able to actually compete for the $10,000. After running a few laps, 16 cars are selected to go on to the race for the cash.
‘So you kind of just have to be lucky,? says Stocks.
Stocks? calm is not to be mistaken for naivete. He’s an experienced racer who says he began participating in the sport at age 15, even before having a driver’s license. Stocks also used to do Top Fuel racing.
The sport can be dangerous, Stocks acknowledges, but he says he feels more comfortable on a racetrack than a highway.
‘The cars are relatively safe. I think it’s safer probably than driving down the road,? says Stocks.
Lindalee is supportive.
‘I was a little nervous before we went (and drove at Milan) last week because we hadn’t done it in a while. We’re just so excited,? says Lindalee.
She’s not the only one.
Baxter says she’s been working on bringing the show to the area for some time.
‘I’ve been in contact with the producers for a year and a half, encouraging them that the Motor City needed them, and apparently it paid off,? says Baxter.
Baxter says the Dragway is estimating an attendance of 30,000- 35,000 at the event.
‘This event will probably be the biggest drag racing event we’ve ever hosted, ? says Baxter. ‘We’re so excited here. We’re beside ourselves. The energy and the excitement we’ve felt has been unlike anything we’ve ever seen here before.?
Baxter adds the event differs from the traditional racing at the track because it will not use computer systems to start the race and determine a winner. Host of the show Rich Christensen starts each race using his arms, while his cousin Kail Christensen spots the winner at the finish line.
‘Eyes, ears and hearts determine everything on PINKS. The (race) lights take out the human factor,? says Christensen.
Standing beside the car in their backyard, Stocks? sons Jake, 11 and Mike Jr., 18 months, admire their father’s car as he speaks of the machine’s specifics.
‘They’re both into fast things,? Lindalee says of their children.
She and her husband smile, since that seems to run in the family.