He had the fastest car in town

He had the fastest car in town;

Nay, the fastest car around

Some say his foot was made of lead

And sooner or later he’d be dead.

In Spokane for the big show,

At 4 o’clock he had to go

To the Raceway to show the Yanks

Canucks and Stangs can surely rank.

On with the dumps, off with the plates

Time trials were closing, Raider was late.

Skinnies up front and slicks in the back,

Raider was ready, she was on the attack.

With front brakes locked he did the burn

Raider was next, it was her turn

Creeping up slowly so he could stage

He kept his eyes glued to the tachometer gauge.

Popping the clutch at around 4 grand

He wanted to be fastest in the land

He didn’t know it but at that time

He broke a stud right on the line.

In less than a second he had to shift

Out of first gear, (this was a gift).

Moments later he shifted again

He was beating the car in the right lane.

One more shift, the end of the quarter

Then braking hard to make the corner

The car was weaving and making a sound

Like the tire was broken, it was out of round.

Making it slowly across the lot

Raider was ailing, the wheel was shot

With a crash and a scraping the car was down

The wheel was rolling in front, on the ground.

Racing was over, at least for the night

With a 12.94 that sounded all right

At one-oh-six with the wheel staying on
He wasn't complaining though he hadn't won

At the awards that were held the next day

He was pleasantly surprised to hear them say

He had won Best Time at the strip

Despite only making that one fateful trip.

Pit-crew Barbie was elated

For the guy whom she had dated

Lost his wheel not going fast

So he’ll be around, he’s going to last.

He had the fastest car in town

Or maybe the fastest car around

Raider is ready, for another turn

Watch Race City, they will return.

Written after my experience at Spokane RaceWay in Washington, Labour Day Weekend, 1997.

Raider is the name of my 1987 Mustang Convertible that I was racing..