Once back at the track, yet another crew huddle takes place, and the setup for the drag strip shots is determined. The MCC crew decides that a couple of different shots would be good, and they inform Phil and Phil how these next few moments will go. It’s important for everyone to be on the same page so the taping runs smoothly.

First, Dennis will ride with Phil (the elder) down the strip a couple of times. The camera is set up just past the starting line, and tapes Phil and Dennis as Phil does a short burnout. Phil stages the car, launches, and runs a high 12-second time. The Nova idles back to the bleach box, Dennis and the crew converse via radio, and Phil prepares to make another pass with Dennis riding shotgun. Another run, another high-12 second e.t. at about 110 mph, and the Nova is back at the bleach box.

After those shots are taped, it’s decided to make a pass on the Nova for a low elapsed time. Phil (the younger) takes the wheel, does a good burnout, and blasts through the quarter in 12.6 seconds at 110-plus. That’s about 3-tenths off the Nova’s best e.t., but not bad for the green track conditions.

Another brief huddle occurs, and the group decides to tape the Nova running against the younger Phil’s ‘69 SS Camaro. A couple of passes are made, and the races are relatively close, with both cars running in the 12-second range. Dennis is strategically placed between the cars on the starting line, next to the starter, so he’s in the shot when the cars launch.
It’s taken pretty much all day to film everything necessary for the six-minute segment, and undoubtedly the majority of the tape will end up on the cutting room floor. But, tape is cheap, as they say, and it’s certainly better to have too much footage than not enough!

Dennis and the crew converse with everyone for awhile after the shooting is wrapped up, and one of the lucky crewmembers actually takes a ride down the strip with Phil in the Nova. He seems pleased when the car returns. Those guys may have the best jobs in the world.

Our look into the making of a My Classic Car segment is incomplete, at best. There is much work to do after the footage has been obtained. But that involves editors in dark studios cutting and mixing tapes and sound bites. The fun part is the actual taping itself, and we hope this brief insight gives you an idea of what it takes to create a high-quality television production. Think about all the work described above, and think about two-to-three segments per show, and 26 or so shows a year! It’s a busy schedule indeed, but one can certainly tell that it’s a labor of love on the part of the guys doing it. Be sure to tune in!