By Colby Hillman

The Leadfoot/Duntov/Concierge Crew, along with Glen Hutchinson of Hutchinson Racing Engines out of Sacramento managed to pull off the impossible task of completely rebuilding “Mr. Feathers” in less than 5 weeks, leaving Denton Texas on Monday the 4th. for the 1600-mile journey to the track. When Lynn and I arrived at 9:00 am Wednesday morning the four massive semis had already unloaded and completely set up. Mr. Feathers lined up under one of the three 30 X 60-foot canopies protruding from the semicircle of big rigs and in the middle of the 10-car team looked mean, fresh, and ready to go.

Sporting a new all aluminum 800 HP motor, NASCAR “quick turn” power steering, a rebuilt “G Force” transmission and extreme duty differential – both with huge Modine coolers. To help stop the beast upgraded Delco J-56 twin pin titanium insert brakes and bringing up the rear was an improved 22-gallon ATL fuel cell with advanced “Quickfil” system. 

Our first practice went well with Mr. Feathers logging the fastest time in the forty car multi-class field. The new motor, addition of power steering and the backing down of the rear gear ratio to a 3.36 really resulted in the vehicle being a dream to drive. 

The test and practice sessions and the first race were uneventful with me shaving full seconds off each session. My teammates Clair Schwendeman and Joe Nemechek (yes – Front Row Joe”) were the class of our twenty-eight car Group 6 field with Concierge owner Sam LeCompte and myself continually swapping spots in the top fifteen of the 38 Corvettes entered. 

Race one on Saturday, which turned out to be the only race that I would run, consisted of forty-two cars. Due to a late grid, I started 28th and worked my way up to 18th. overall and ended up finishing fourth. in class. Overall, it was a good weekend.