So I took the Alcohol car to the drag strip tonight.....

Discussion in 'Drag Racing' started by JMatt, Jun 19, 2008.

  1. JMatt

    JMatt Platinum Supporting Member

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    Ahhhhhhh hahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!

    So here's how it went down:

    My plan was to go to the track, and just launch off the footbrake instead of the transbrake because I didn't know how the car would handle and I didn't want a violent launch.

    Then, my plan was to roll into the throttle and not worry about my 60 foot times. After getting the car going, I was going to try to go full throttle through the 1/8th mile, then let off and coast through the 1/4 mile lights.

    EPIC FAILURE TO FOLLOW MY OWN PLAN!!!!!

    That's what I "planned" to do. Here's what happened:

    I roll into the water box, hit the brakes, hold the line lock button and let off the brakes for a nice big smokey burnout.

    Then I inch up to the starting line, just like in an SRT-8. I did not use the transbrake, instead I just followed my plan to use the footbrake.

    Pre-staged......



    Staged..........

    Yellow.....yellow.....yellow.....MASH THAT THROTTLE!!!!!!!!!!!

    Hold on for dear life. Felt like what it looks like when the Star Trex Enterprise goes into warp drive. I swear the entire dragstrip was an instant blur and looked completely different than anything I've ever experienced.

    Automatic shifter jams the trans into 2nd gear, I pass the 1/8th in what seemed like an instant. I do successfully let off after the 1/8th mile marker and coast the 2nd half.

    Here's the timeslip. My first timeslip ever in a true tube chassis, all out drag RACE car! (I was #101)

    [​IMG]
     
  2. 1FST4DR

    1FST4DR Supporting Vendor

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    Damn JMATT !! A 1.31?? Someone set that car up right for sure..Glad to hear your back in the saddle..
     
  3. SRT8bby

    SRT8bby Full Access Member

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    Sweet, now go change your undies - you stink.
     
  4. srt8_hmi

    srt8_hmi My dream is over.

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    I NEED to see that thing run.. Or fly actually! You ever hit up Muncie? 9.6 1/4 after letting of at the 1/8th... That's insane! Glad to see you out and about!
     
  5. SRT8bby

    SRT8bby Full Access Member

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    What is that car known to run with its previous owner?
     
  6. JMatt

    JMatt Platinum Supporting Member

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    Hahaha! You'd love this: My 14 year old son was there with my wife & I. Unknown to me, he told my wife that I'd run slower the 2nd time. Why, he says? "The Fear Factor!" He told his mom I'd go slower the second time because I'd be afraid after the first run.

    The little pecker was right.

    2nd run was 1.398 60'.

    I didn't get the shift right, so the first half of my run was a bit slow, but I held the throttle throughout, and ran:

    9.987 @ 135.25 mph.

    Again, not bad for trying NOT to go too fast. :whistle:
     
  7. HEMISFEAR

    HEMISFEAR Ur Friendly Canadian

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    HOLY CRAP MATT!! Thing must have felt like a rocket lol! Good to hear you recuperating as well. Next time...VIDEO!!!
     
  8. JMatt

    JMatt Platinum Supporting Member

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    Allegedly around 5.60 in the 1/8th. About 8.80 in the 1/4.
    Based on tonight's runs, once I know what I'm doing I think both those numbers are pretty plausible.
     
  9. StevoSRT

    StevoSRT Moderator

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    i love the 9.6 at 111mph hahahahaha.....

    good lord man!
     
  10. 1FST4DR

    1FST4DR Supporting Vendor

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    I assume you will be going for your license soon??
     
  11. 1bad4dr

    1bad4dr Mr. Meany

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    mmmmmmmmmm Track porn...

    I wanna ride.
     
  12. JMatt

    JMatt Platinum Supporting Member

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    Yup. Just got the chassis recertified for three years last night.
    Now I need a physical. Figure I'll just use an accident follow-up to have the Dr. sign off that I'm not likely to commit suicide or have a heart attack on the track. Then It's 6 test runs and a blindfold cockpit test for a license.


    Here's a great comparison of my times.

    I found a timeslip from last fall in the SRT-8 where I went the 1/4 mile in 12.441 seconds at 115.67 mph.

    Tonight was 5.901 seconds to 115.24 mph.

    That is a whole new world!!!

    I'm still grinning. :grin:
     
  13. MOL

    MOL SHOW & PERFORMANCE

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    you do not want to just roll into the throttle on a car like that. if you do it will not load the chassis and it will be a handful to drive. just wait till those 60 foot times come down than it will fell like you are going fast.
     
  14. JMatt

    JMatt Platinum Supporting Member

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    Baby steps man, baby steps. The car supposedly will turn 60' in the 1.21 to 1.24 range on the transbrake. Full throttle launches on footbrake will do for now. And for a rookie like me, 1.317 felt pretty fast for the first 60'.
     
  15. EricG

    EricG Full Access Member

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    Matt - that's awesome! :yes:

    Eric
     
  16. MOL

    MOL SHOW & PERFORMANCE

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    full foot back launches are good just don't try coming out soft and than jumping on it. when i first started driving my car it would get loose and sing close to the wall.
     
  17. SRT8bby

    SRT8bby Full Access Member

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    Dayum. Back in March when we had the NMCA event here in Bradenton, Josh and Bruce from HHP were here. Obviously Bruce was driving the BES car that runs 8.5xx's or so. Such an awesome sight to see up close and personal. Gotta love it.
     
  18. 1FST4DR

    1FST4DR Supporting Vendor

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    Mol has a good point Jmatt..Basically with a car like that You shit or get off the pot..lol
     
  19. JMatt

    JMatt Platinum Supporting Member

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    SOunds like solid advice. And that's what I did. With a 5,000rpm stall and a 2-speed powerglide, there's not really any other choice.
     
  20. 1FST4DR

    1FST4DR Supporting Vendor

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    BTW Wait until you try the brake. OMFG!! The most fun you can have with your clothes on