PHOTO: RICK BELDEN
D.I. COLUMNIST
The Real Deal with Tommy D'Aprile
Today I am going to take a little
different turn and talk to you about
something that is very important
in your lives, or at least should be.
Some of you may be thinking about cars,
houses, jobs or money, but the answer to
this riddle is relationships.
We have all heard it said that the key
to good relationships is communication,
but do we really know how to communicate?
Communication comes in all shapes
and sizes and is seldom worked on to help
understand each other. You see, when people are not communicating
effectively, instead of trying to figure out what the other person
means or asking them what they mean, we think we know and receive
a message in the totally wrong context. Has this ever happened
to you? The answer for all of us should be a big YES.
Communication in race teams can certainly help the progress of
your team. Have you ever heard the statement, “You catch more flies
with honey”? The hard truth is we seldom make time to meet with
one another to discuss issues that can hinder relationships.
The employer that talks with his or her employees and has open
communication with them is likely to gain more work and respect
than the boss who just sees the employees as a number. The team
leader of a racing organization that displays open communication
about likes and dislikes and communicates openly on how to solve
issues and improve performance will most likely be more successful
than a hot-tempered fool.
Some seem to think that if we argue, yell, create a scene or just act
nasty we can get what we want. Although you may get your way for
a moment, the effects will not yield good results.
Now let’s get to another important area: The area of your marriages
and relationships. “Boy oh boy,” many of you are already saying.
This can be a very touchy subject for some. I’ve heard people say,
“if the boats not rocking then don’t mess with it.” But the real truth is
we all need effective communication to make our relationships better.
Not only once in a while, but more often than not, we have to sit
together and talk about things that are really important to us.
Men, this is for you. Most of us are not good at listening unless we
can fix the problem. In most cases you can’t fix anything. Just shut
up and listen when your partner is speaking. Most men, me included,
want to get offended if what is said to you is hurtful, but the beauty
of this is that if someone cares enough about you they will tell you
the hard truth.
I believe we need to set apart time out of our sometimes too busy
days to have communication with those we love. Time and time
again, people throw away something good for what they think is better.
The key here is “what they think” is better.
I’ve heard it said that the grass is not greener on the other side,
it’s most green where you water it. Why is it that the people closest
to us seem to get the littlest communication or water? I believe we
just simply get into routine and forget how blessed we are to have
one another. It’s hard work to keep a relationship strong, but isn’t
anything worth having worth working for?
We are all so far from perfect. Someone once told me if we are
waiting for perfect we will be single forever. How true. I myself
struggle with communication but have started to realize how very
important my relationships are and want to continue to work on the
new-found levels of communication and listening.
After all, if we work on these relationships and communications
the lasting effects can impact our families and children in ways you
never thought possible. It’s worth it to me. Is it worth it to you? As
always, the choice is yours to make.
Email Tommy at
[email protected]
July 2020
Stand on the Gas.
Trick Flow ups the ante of big block
Mopar performance with these
PowerPort ® 270 cylinder heads.
They feature raised 270cc Max
Wedge-style intake runners that
provide a straighter path to the
valve for greatly improved airflow
over factory Mopar heads. Then
there’s the PowerPort 270’s other
standard features: A356-T61 aluminum
construction, CNC Competition Ported
runners and chambers, 2.190"/1.760"
stainless valves, beefed-up rocker shaft bosses, PAC Racing Pacaloy™
valve springs, ductile iron valve seats, and bronze alloy valve guides.
For the fi nishing touch, the heads work in total harmony with all factorystyle
big block pistons, roller rockers, and headers.
Your Recipe for Big Block Mopar Performance! rm
New heads are just one component of the horsepower recipe.
To make it complete, you’re going to need some more ingredients.
Track Max ® Camshaft
Get even more power boost with a TrackMax camshaft. It is
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Cast Aluminum Valve Covers
Treat your build to cast aluminum valve covers! They
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distributor, and can be drilled to accept breathers.
Track Heat ® Intake Manifolds
Dyno Results
PowerPort 270
Test Engine: 10.15:1 compression Mopar 505 c.i.d. with Trick Flow PowerPort ® 270 cylinder heads
(TFS-61617802-C01), Trick Flow Track Max ® hydraulic roller camshaft (TFS-61602003), Trick Flow
retro-fit hydraulic roller lifters (TFS-21400011), Harland Sharp 1.6 ratio shaft mount roller rocker arms
(CSP-S70016KE), port matched Trick Flow Track Heat ® intake manifold (TFS-61600113), Trick Flow by
Quick Fuel Technology Track Heat Pro 950 cfm carburetor (TFS-20950R), Trick Flow billet aluminum
carburetor spacer (TFS-2141501B), 93 octane pump gas, Hooker headers with 2" primaries,
3 1 ⁄2" dual exhaust with Flowmaster mufflers.
Just oozing high performance, these high-rise single
plane Track Heat intakes feature a one-piece spider-type
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bonuses include bosses for nitrous nozzles and
extra material for custom port work.
TrickFlow.com • 1-330-630-1555
2007DUTF
Some parts are not legal for use in California or other states with similar laws/regulations.
Please check your state and/or local laws/regulations.
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