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excelguru
October 4th, 2004, 07:23 AM
Okay, let's get a few things straight right off the bat:

1. Those people who race on ESPN on Sunday afternoons are good.
2. I mean they're really good.
3. Burnouts are not as easy as they appear.
4. Everyone should do this.

Saturday afternoon, I drove a friend home in the Cobra after spending all day in the baking sun at a car show. On the way, he reminded me of a small 1/8 mile strip nearby that holds races on Fri and Sat nights during the summer.

"It only costs $10 to watch and another $10 to play. Heck, you should take this thing out there."

hmmm.....

And so I did. I really only had three good runs (the first three) out of 7 or 8 runs in total. My best reaction time was 0.416, best 60-foot was 1.951, and best ET was 8.476 at just over 87 mph (my fastest trap speed was just over 88 but had a slower ET). The rest of the runs were plagued by problems with grabbing 2nd gear (perhaps a linkage adjustment?)

What the numbers [u]don't</u> tell is how absolutely ADDICTIVE this is. I'm already thinking of how to talk the wife into letting me get back out there this coming weekend. I'll be changing plugs and re-setting the lash this week in hopes of resolving some nuisance issues. I plan to burn down the remaining tank of fuel so I can pump in a mix of high-octane and race fuel (don't re-start that thread, please... I'm experimenting here...).

I got to race a few times against a Mustang SVT, but was unfortunately unable to grab 2nd gear on those runs. It would've been a good race, too, as our best ET's were right on top of each other. And the best part... it's all perfectly legal.

Everyone should do this.

Keith :)
Unique Motorcars (http://www.uniquecobrareplicas.com)
Southern Automotive (http://www.southernautomotiveengines.com)
Bruce Bunn (the painter) (http://www.jodecoautobody.com)

My Photo Album (http://members5.clubphoto.com/keith355593/owner-429c-1.phtml)

weaver
October 4th, 2004, 08:04 AM
Brent, how about telling everyone how exspensive drag racing can be, that is why most people don't do it.

Alan

excelguru
October 4th, 2004, 08:18 AM
LOL... true, true...

How to make a small fortune in drag racing:

Step 1. Start with a large fortune...

Keith :)
Unique Motorcars (http://www.uniquecobrareplicas.com)
Southern Automotive (http://www.southernautomotiveengines.com)
Bruce Bunn (the painter) (http://www.jodecoautobody.com)

My Photo Album (http://members5.clubphoto.com/keith355593/owner-429c-1.phtml)

Brent
October 4th, 2004, 08:49 AM
Keith,

You are correct. It is a blast and it is VERY addictive. The problem is you are NEVER happy with the car or the speed. I have been 4.70 @ 145mph in the 1/8 mile and it felt HO-HUM after building up to that speed over a 10 year period of time. I ran out of money trying to go faster and faster. If a person can make a few passes now and then and be happy with the e.t and speed , they are a better person than I am. You are already planning and spending $ just to go a little quicker. Be careful, it is quite consuming.

On another note, when you think of getting on a sticky surface and dropping the hammer just take a look at those Jag pot aluminum outer housings, 5 U-joints, butt welded 1/2 shafts, and consider what they were intended to do.

Quote:
How to make a small fortune in drag racing:

Step 1. Start with a large fortune...

Damn that's funny!!






Brent
4279401
Candy Apple Red/White
402 FE/Toploader/3.54

excelguru
October 4th, 2004, 09:20 AM
Brent,

Wise words indeed! I'm certainly happy with it and had a blast doing it. I learned a long time ago that (a) someone else is always faster and (b) it's because they spent more money.

I do need to get some ignition issues resolved (whether I race it or not) and the track is a great way to test changes. This particular track is VERY close to home and provides a low-cost means of "getting it out of my system" so I won't do it on the street (which is SO difficult to avoid around here with all these ricers in town). Now, if I can just convince the kids who race through my neighborhood...

I don't wanna leave any souvenirs on the track, so I'm a tad easy on the whole "drop the hammer" thing. The whole time I was there, I was thinking, "Don't forget you have to drive it home." What a rush, though. :)

...4.70 in the 1/8 @ 145... geez, neither my wallet (nor my balls) are that big...

Keith :)
Unique Motorcars (http://www.uniquecobrareplicas.com)
Southern Automotive (http://www.southernautomotiveengines.com)
Bruce Bunn (the painter) (http://www.jodecoautobody.com)

My Photo Album (http://members5.clubphoto.com/keith355593/1141434/owner-429c.phtml)

JerryBP
October 4th, 2004, 11:02 AM
When you decide that your Cobra isn't a big enough thrill, we just might be able to help.
http://www.uniquecobra.com/uploaded/jerrybp/Rail.jpg
it runs in the 8s (with a little 350) on the 1/4 mile, much easier & cheaper to work on if you do break something than your Cobra, if interested make an offer.

Work in Progress, Unique 427-9429 400+hp 351C Tremec 3550-2 5spd Coal Black by Bruce, Greg & Jerry Porter Caldwell, Ohio

gasman
October 4th, 2004, 11:57 AM
Hey Keith, Don't forget, leave a little bit of clutch for Homecoming next year.

Steve Foushee
Unique #4279389

Poorboy
October 4th, 2004, 12:47 PM
Brent, You should have 6 u-joints. I had a VW dag car that went 6.54 @ 107 with a 4 cylinder VW engine 20 years ago

Brent
October 4th, 2004, 01:03 PM
Poorboy, You are correct! 6 U-Joints My math and my spiling ar boht pretie bad.

I am sure your VW weighed less than 2600 lbs and I am also sure it produced slightly less than 400 lbs of torque.





Brent
4279401
Candy Apple Red/White
402 FE/Toploader/3.54