There is an implicit thing that is needed for someone to run a nitro powered engine whether it is in a cackle car, a nostalgia dragster, or a full blown modern top fuel car. That thing is trust, because this stuff is very dangerous. You need the trust of your crew, you need the trust of your equipment, and you need the trust of your competitors and peers. The first cackle car I ever saw start up in person blew the right half of an iron hemi block nearly across the race track. I will never forget the sight of those pistons and rods swinging (however briefly) in the open as the other side of the engine belched fire. That was a very brutal education in how volatile a fuel nitro is and how unforgiving the stuff can be when you do not treat it with the proper respect.
The reason for the big flames and fun at the cacklefest (aside from all the timing being pulled out of the engine!) is trust. Lots of these guys have been at it for decades. Before they were restoring these cars they were running them and blowing them to pieces. The understand the pitfalls and the fact that most of these cackle cars have period equipment on them makes these guys virtual experts. Trying to run a new car with the methods they use on these old things would result in massive destruction pretty quickly! We love the cacklefest and these photos are visual proof as to why.
CLICK THE CACKLEFEST IMAGES BELOW TO MAKE THEM LARGER!
