For the Adventure – Tina Konstatos Steps Up Her Game for Second Sick Summer Appearance
“Compared to 2023 where we had literally no challenges to face, this year was faced with fuel issues, tensioner issues, belt slip and running out of E85 on the side of the road a couple times.
Times of arguing over the directions, GPS, a hotel we literally thought was out of a scary movie, going back 20 miles after missing a check point, where to stop to eat, there was also many laughs.”
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This week’s “For the Adventure – Stories from the Road” comes from Tina Konstatos, who participated in her first drag-and-drive at the 2023 edition of Sick Summer Presented by TBM Brakes. She planned to make changes for 2024 to step up her ‘She Gone’ 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass for this year’s Sick Summer event Presented by Motion Raceworks, and details her experience here:
My first ever drag n drive was Sick Summer 2023, when my husband Jerry Konstatos put us with my 1987 Cutlass, “She Gone” on the waiting list. As luck would have it, we got in, and SURVIVED SICK SUMMER 2023 in the Dial-Your Own (DYO) Class D (11.50-seconds and slower), placing 38th out of almost 130 cars. I made top 100 to earn my place for 2024.
It was my husband’s mission to make the Cutlass faster by then. We spent a few months prior to Sick Summer 2024’s event working till all hours of the nights after working 12+ hours at our shop (Repairs Plus Motorsports Inc).
I shared our progress along the way, and we were ready to test one week prior, where I got two of my personal best times.
We then tackled the trailer we would be pulling for the first time (Thank you to Xtreme Graphics for the sponsorship wrap). We finished literally Saturday night with everything before heading out Sunday morning to day 0 check in. All our upgrades put me in the DYO Class C (10-seconds to 11.49-seconds).
I was impressed at how well the Cutlass pulled the trailer like a champ, not even feeling it back there as we drove at 55 to 60 mph during the routes.
Compared to 2023 where we had literally no challenges to face, this year was faced with fuel issues, tensioner issues, belt slip and running out of E85 on the side of the road a couple times, dipping into the fuel jugs we luckily had.
Times of arguing over the directions, GPS, a hotel we literally thought was out of a scary movie, going back 20 miles after missing a check point, where to stop to eat, there was also many laughs.
Singing to the radio that would come in and out at its leisure, the middle finger sign to each other, big trailer burn outs (compliments of the hubby), meeting more new people and adding to our race family.
I came in 28th out of 116 in my class (10 better than the previous year). I wouldn’t want to do this exhausting but AMAZING SICK event with anyone else but my husband. My biggest thank you is to him.
He always pushes me harder and to do better and go faster. He helps me to overcome my fears and uncomfortable zones. He sacrifices his own car, racing and sleep for my dreams to come true first. He is my biggest fan and truly my SICKEST RIDE OR DIE! I couldn’t have done this without him.
To Tom Bailey, Keith & Tonya Turk, all the Sick staff, Byron Dragway, Cordova Dragway, Tri State Raceway, Great Lakes Dragaway, all the photographers and media, all the racers, fans and my friends and family who came to support me…..THANK YOU WITH ALL MY HEART!
I hope to make a few spots in the magazine, as well as in the top 100 again to secure my spot for 2025. I’m already making goals to accomplish there.
Tell us your story, and we might share it here on For the Adventure.
We’re looking for you to contribute to the Sickness with stories, articles, event coverage, and more! You don’t need writing experience, just a desire to share your stories. It can be about a build you’re doing in your garage or driveway, your experience on a drag-and-drive (from a participant or cruiser perspective), or even an article about your plans to participate in a drag-and-drive.
Interested? Send your submissions to info@sickthemagazine.com and check your e-mails and spam folders. We might select your story, and will send you a follow up before it gets used! We will publish one story each week on the Sick the Magazine website on Thursdays! We can’t read your stories until you submit them, so get on it!
Photos courtesy of Tina Konstatos, Mr. Fabulous Photography, Stoll Photography.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com