Car Club: NETO; North East Timing Organization

For my first car club feature I am showcasing NETO; the North East Timing Organization. It's pronounced neat-o, because it is neat-o. This club focuses on sportsman nostalgia drag racing. This is organized drag racing for cars earlier than 1974-year models, in a traveling club format. Although I am sitting out this year, I have been a member of NETO in the past.
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This is not sitting around some shopping center parking lot in lawn chairs, these people are out there pushing their cars to the limit in actual competition. Here are some shots I took of a meet at Island Dragway in north New Jersey on Sunday, August 24th. Here's two typical NETO cars in time trials; a vintage '55 Chevy and a Chevelle muscle car.

Don't let the unassuming looks of this early Ford pickup fool you; it runs 11's.

The finish and detail of some of these cars rivals that of any show-car. Yes, drag parachutes are sometimes needed to slow these cars down.

Remember the Chevrolet Vega economy car? Don't mess with this one, it will do 9 seconds in the quarter mile.

1966-67 Chevy II's (Novas) are popular drag cars.

This show-quality '69 Camaro packs 502 cubic inches of big-block power.

Here a competitor sprays cold water from a garden sprayer onto a hot radiator to help cool down the motor in this classic '55; a time-honored tradition in the drag pits.

Where else are you going to see a Ford Fairlane sitting so low? At the drags, of course. Low ride height aids stability and reduces aerodynamic (air) drag.

Have you ever wondered where all the good early Camaros have gone? They're at the drags too.

This Nova looks like it's smiling. Perhaps it's because it knows how clean and fast it is.

The interior of a full-race car is an all-business environment. The steering wheel is temporarily removed via a quick-release hub for easier driver entry and exit.

This photo does not do this beautiful and fast Mopar justice. Another 10-second car.

Even Amber the wonder dog had a good time at the NETO drag meet. I am wondering whom she scared right out of their shoe.

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I have more photos of this event to post mid-week, so please check back later.

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NETO; the North East Timing Organization is a wonderful club, dedicated to fun competition of nostagia-style drag cars, in a low-pressure atmosphere. If you would like more information about NETO just e-mail club president Tony at tonyfeil@aol.com, or leave me a message in the comments.