Gates open in 45 minutes, I've got my baby back and I'm on the way. My kids got me some neat stuff, Helmet (although they said my heads hard enuff I don't need it) Maverick hat and vanity plate. I'll post some times and pics when I get back.
Got the hat at Walmart Russ. Here's the best run of the night. Reaction time .992 60 ft. 2.242 330 ft. 6.362 MPH 70.87 1320 9.818 The only time I put my foot totally in it was on the first run and I almost lost it in the other lane it was fishtailing so bad. I can't hookup on these street tires. The only other street car there was a Mustang LX 5.0 He beat me by a half second because his reaction time was half a second faster. If we had equal reaction times I woulda beat him by a 1/10. The car did me proud though....alot of people liked it.
Yup, you definetely need two things; 1) Nitto Drag Radials (or BFG), 2) more practice at the light. All it takes is time and money! Personally, to help get good r/t's, as soon as I light the pre-stage (top bulb), I bring my rpm's up to where I need (want) them, then immediatley focus on the third amber (3rd 'count down' light). I then inch forward until the second yellow (fully staged) light comes on in my upward periferal vision - then 'bump' in a few times (letting go of and then quickly hitting the brakes - moving the car a few inches into the fully "staged" area. All the time, I am staring at the 3rd amber. When it turns on - close your eyes and let her rip! You'll get there with practice. The 2.2+ 60 definetely indicates you need stickies (the Nitto 245's are a good value for around $300 installed for a pair at Discount Tire Center). Good luck and keep us posted on your next trip, as it's too much fun to not go back! -Rick more info at http://sco.dragracing.com/drag_racing/101/
Rick, thx alot for the advice, I'll try the closing the eyes trick next time out. What really bugs me is not being able to get into it hard without it gettin away from me, I was losing it so bad I had to totally let off the gas cause I was headed for the other lane. Having to part throttle to make a run sucks. Do they make a tire that will work well on the street and strip? It was a lot of fun, thats for sure.
That Nitto Drag Radial is a street/strip tire. Run it to the track on 'em and make your passes on 'em. You won't regret buying them. "Nitto NT-555R Drag Radial Tires are constructed for racing but are D.O.T. approved for regular street driving use. The temperature-dependent compound delivers maximum adhesion and improved quarter mile times when heated, while maintaining the longevity of the tread when cool. Other performance benefits include quick steering response and comfortable ride. NT-555R drag radials are "V" speed-rated, up to 149 mph." from http://www.steeda.com/store/-catalog/nitto555r.htm Our local Discount Tire Center can order them - they were the cheapest around ($300 for two mounted and balanced, 16"). You might check with your local DTC if you have one, otherwise, search on www.google.com. You'll be able to launch with these tires (use no more than 20 psi). Good luck and let 'er rip!
Rick I'm gonna get me a set of those tires...this week if possible. My question is what size? I've got quite a bit of room to work with and I'd like to fill the wheel well. The rims are 15x8 and the tires are 235/60's. Also I want to stay in the Sportsman class, at what point or time will they say the car is too fast...you need a roll bar etc.etc. I don't think low 8's would be an unreasonable expectation with a good reaction time and hookup on the holeshot.
Wow, when you get traction that 60 ft time will make a huge difference in your whole pass. I too sleep at the light and am going to focus this year on improving that. I cant wait to see what some traction will do for ya. Dan
riporter, welcome to the world of bracket racing. check with your local track to see what the limits are. classes differ from track to track. i run at an nhra track in division7. the classes are street, sportsmen and pro. pro, here is any car with electronics (dragsters, door cars, roadsters, etc), sportsmen is any car w/o electronics ( goes from 7.49 to about 15.49), open pipes and slicks allowed. then street class. must have dot tires and mufflers, cannot go faster than 12.00. nhra says quicker than 13.99 must have a driveshaft loop and helmet. the lower limit is set at 12.0 beacause nhra rule book says that after 11.99 and faster you start to need roll bars/ roll cages depending on how fast you are going. get a rule book for your association (nhra or ihra). that way you won't be surprised if you move the battery to the rear or any of the other things you might decide to do in the future. good luck and have fun. by the way i sure hope that was a 660 time rather than 1320 or your way to fast alredy
rick, i see you got a time slip for your birthday. way to go. i am trying to find a m/m hat. wally world didn't have them at the store i went to....frank...:bananaman :bananaman
hey Rick- I've got 275/60r15's under mine with 8 inch wide rims. Had to get creative with the traction bars and clearance is tight between the tires and springs, but it fits. those 235s are tiny! I actually had that size before I bought these 275's. They didn't stand a chance against even a part throttle launch. I think you'll find a taller tire will help with wheelspin too. Grabber71 (Cliff from BC) has 295/50r15's on his rig and they fit pretty well. Those are about two inches shorter than mine, but have a nice wide footprint.
Thx for all the great info guys, Don I'm gonna keep it in the Street class, don't want to make it where I have to start radical changes on the car. I don't know why the time slip spit out that 1320ft. time like that, I got to thinkin about it afterwards, this aint even a 1/4 mile track...lol. Frank I got a time slip but no pics, the wife lost the camera at the strip, it fell out of her pocket in the stands and someone picked it up Ray your dead on about the tires bud, my son said he could still hear them barkin 200 ft down the strip as I was givin it full throttle. A friend just gave me a set of Centerlines today and I gonna do somethin before next Friday, even if its wrong.
