| Full Name: |
Butch Van Hekle |
| Screen Name: |
VANZ86 |
| Type and year of car: |
1986 Mustang GT |
| Born where: |
New Castle |
| Reside Where: |
New Castle |
| Family: |
I'm single with 1 brother - greg - allmtr9secstang |
| Pets: |
2 cats & 1 dog |
| Question and Answer |
| Modifications (car) |
396 c.i. Windsor, 13-1 comp., Windsor Sr Heads, Comp. Solid Cam, Powerglide Trans, and 4.56 gears.
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| Planned future mods |
Upgrade the front suspension and get the torque converter dialed - in.
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| Original Goal for car |
I purchased the car in 1998 for $1,800. The car from the start was gonna be a dedicated drag car( was driven on the street until the tags died), hehe. The first combo was a 357 c.i. Windsor, 10.7-1 comp.,and a T-5 tranny. It went 11.990 @ 115.
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| Present Goal for Car |
I would like to run 9's with the car with it's current powerplant and 9 inch slicks. I believe with some suspension and converter work it will be possible.
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| Reason for buying car |
I bought the car to go drag racing.
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| Other cars you considered buying |
The only cars that I have ever owned were mustangs and capris', the rest were trucks and vans. But of course I've had the occasional beaters.A 1970 Cutlass and a 1984 Chrysler 5th Avenue are among the favorites.
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| Car / Driver achievements |
I finished runner-up in the SSOTN 2003 fall gamblers race and won the SSOTN 2004 spring gamblers race.
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| Shout outs to people that helped you achieve these goals |
I would like to thank all the MOB RULES gang and especially Rich Smith. He has had a hand in my car from day 1, and the car would not be near as far as it is without his help. I would also like to thank my dad for his help at the track and putting up with dead grass in his backyard, so we can park our trailers. LOL
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| Best time |
10.42 @ 129 with a 1.46 60'
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| Do you have any regrets along the way? |
No regrets. If you are gonna play this game, you gotta be prepared for anything to happen at any time.
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| What was or is your favorite vehicle to this day and why? |
My favorite car I ever owned was a 1986 Mercury Capri GS 5.0. I bought the car in 1989 and was hooked on 5.0's ever since. I also owned a Florida State Trooper car when I lived in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. It was a blast to drive on the interstate, cars would just move outta the way for me, hehe.
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| What was your main reason was for becoming a part of the internets first and best mustang club? |
The main reason was Rich saying " hey, check this out", hehe.
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| What do you do for enjoyment besides racing? |
My first love is motocross and enduro riding. I raced the amateur dirtbike circuit when I was much younger with limited success. Now I just ride with friends for fun. I have sold of all of my dirtbikes except for one. It's a 1990 Honda CR500. Once I rode this bike, all others were worthless and weak, lol. I picked it up from a friend who had the entire engine rebuilt and when finished he was terrified to ride it, so I got a killer deal on it.
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| Who is your biggest rival on the track, and why? |
I don't see anyone as a rival, but Mike Mohring and I have had some fun at the last couple SSOTN Nats.
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| What upcoming events in 2004 do you plan on racing in if any? |
I will attend the Fall Nats and an occassional money race at Cecil.
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| How does it feel to be the SSOTN Nationals Gambler Champ?: |
It feels good being the reigning gamblers champ, cause I know the good drivers I had to beat to become it.
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| One last question, Where did you learn to make such great videos?: |
I have been making vids for a few years now. The first ones were not so great, but like anything else, the more you mess with it, the better you will get. I really enjoy trying to make videos that keep your attention and are in tune with the music and just flow.The system I use is called the Pinnacle Movie Box. For a few hundred bucks it is a great program.
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We thank you for your time, and wish you the best in the future.
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