Well last night was the final one of the season for the Friday night street races at the Beaver. The weather was looking a bit iffy but I checked the website and it didn't say anything about a cancellation so I loaded all the crap I take to the track in the van, hitched up the trailer and loaded the car.
We have to leave kind of early because I have a 2 hour drive to the track. Right before we left I checked the website again and there it was, a notice that the races were canceled due to wet conditions. So I had to go and unload everything.
What made it worse was that this was the fifth consecutive week the races were rained out! We haven't actually raced since September the 18th. This year was horrible for rain outs with 11 all together I think it was. It seemed to rain every Friday night. I really wanted to get this one in since it'll be five months now before the track opens again.
It was a strange year for me. I started off hot getting to the finals in 4 of the first 7 races, and winning one of them. I was second in the points and feeling good. Little did I know it would be all downhill from there!
The bad streak started when I broke the transmission at a test and tune in early June, and when I missed a race because of it I fell to 4th in points. When I got it fixed, I couldn't get past the second round in the next 3 races, then I blew up my motor on the top end and nearly wrecked the car.
So I missed three more races while I worked to get a junk yard motor in the car to finish the season. When I did get back I just couldn't seem to find that groove I had going earlier. Then the last five races of the year got rained out.
So the final score card for the year would be:
Good - made it to the finals 4 times and also made some great new friends.
Bad - broke motor, broke trans, went out early far too often.
Although I went every night that the car wasn't broken I wound up only running 14 races for the year. That just isn't enough. So I have a rather ambitious plan for next year. I'm going to run both the Friday night street series and the Sunday IHRA races too. That is if I can keep the car together. I'll be building a brand new motor this winter so you can bet I'll be in a hurry for spring to arrive.
Well fellow racers that was my season, how was yours?
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OFR - old fart racing
We're not the fastest car at the track but we might be having the most fun.
If you're not having fun, then you're taking this stuff too seriously!
These things happen, look at it this way, this year you basically found every weak link in your car so hopefully next year you won't have nearly as many issues. I really haven't had a 'season" so to speak but the end of my year has been pretty crappy as well, I broke 11's (yay!!) but busted my clutch(boo!!), than my oil pump went out (boo!!), but I replaced it with a high volume unit and installed a bigger cam (Anderson N51Hr)(yay!!) and a High flo NOS bottle only to have the distributor gear disintegrate and cost me another oil pump(boo!!). I got it together again and bought some longtubes to put on only to find that the mac longtubes I had bought were for an AOD so it didn't work for my ride since there's no where for the clutch cable to go, so that's where I'm at with my car right now selling these to get another set of headers. So up and down the year has been, but I tell you what when the car is running I'm as happy as can be, if I can get it back together I'm hoping to run an 11.2 by the years end, that would really make me happy.
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93 LX 2.3 to 5.0 conversion. 60% of the time it works every time.
VTEC - All the lag of a turbo............None of the boost
If its Fast and reliable, it ain't cheap.
If its Cheap and reliable, it ain't fast.
If its Fast and cheap, it ain't reliable.
I knew that I would have a very limited racing schedule in 2009. I wasn’t happy with my lights the previous year and focused on my practice tree. I started a daily routine at the end of December and worked to .020 average with a +-.020. 90% of the time I was between .000 and .039. I decided (due to limited $$$) that I would run the street Mustang this year instead of the bracket Firebird. Unable to do any pre-season testing I entered directly into the bracket racing season. After four events (semi’s, second round loss, quarter’s loss, and a first round loss) I was really confused about my lights. My lights with the car were in the .080 range. ????? A lot different than my .020’s on the practice tree. At the recommendation of my bracket racing professor, I went to a T&T and put the car on a pro .500 tree. I was .080 on the pro tree as well. Car was actually setup for .080 lights. I changed the rollout in my practice tree and was able to duplicate my track times. I was leaving deep as hard as possible and couldn’t make the car leave harder unless I put $$$ into the car (converter, suspension, etc). With the limited budget (non existent) I decided to try to slow the car so I could use the second amber. I was still at the T &T so I decided to shallow stage off idle. My light was .460. Keep in mind that launching on the 2nd amber shaves .500 from RT as opposed to using the 3rd amber. Ok still too fast to go off the 2nd amber. The next day I got the idea to further slow the car by launching out of second. On paper launching from second with the 3.73 gears should put me pretty close to green. Instead of going to another T&T (no time) I entered another bracket race. Nothing is more fun than testing a car during eliminations. That and going to the dentist. Leaving shallow in second gear thing on the second amber put me -.00x red. I lowered the tires to 20lbs all around and was .00x. Problem is that on a .000 setting with my +-.020 window, I knew I was going to be red 20% of the time. I know that because of all the practice tree time spent off season. Got to the semis in one class and lost 3rd round in the other. At that point is was time to quit racing for a bit. Another month passed until I got out again. Lack of seat and lack of practice tree time gave me a pair of first round loses. Again another month off but I did get back to the practice tree. Next time out (Friday night race) got a win and (still testing during eliminations) found that I could slow my reaction by lifting my foot off the gas pedal. The put me in the .020 setting that I was looking for. Went out the next Saturday and lost 2nd and 3rd rounds due to me being stupid and not RT related. 2 weeks later make another race. I was cutting very constant lights and lost a heartbreaker in the 3rd round. Scored a first round loss the following outing. I still have one more weekend scheduled to race, Saturday November 14 and Sunday November 15. I just got a new set of rear tires for the race. Plans are to do a track rental that Saturday and enter the bracket race Sunday.
Things learned: Testing for RT needs to be with a pro .500 tree. The importance of having the proper roll out set in the practice tree. The importance of using the practice tree. The importance of pre-season seat time. The importance of actual bracket racing seat time.
Next season: I really have to see how the my current job pans out. My wife and I work for the same company who was just recently purchased. There is a pretty good chance that we will be laid off. Plans are that we will move to Florida. Move may happen early next year. That being the case I will run points in Division 2. If I’m still north I’ll run points at Maple Grove with the Firebird and at Raceway Park with the Mustang. Also plan to attend index races with the Firebird (I love launching off the T-brake). I have been approached to drive a 10 second Malibu next season and that is another open option if I’m still in Division 1 land. I’ll have to consider what the advantages the Malibu has to offer.
Overall had a decent season. Learned the “proper” way to dial a car into the tree. Didn’t break myself or the car, had a great time, and was able to make it to the money rounds pretty consistently. Looking forward to see what the 2010 season brings.
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'07 Ford Mustang GT Alloy Metallic
4.6 Auto, 3.73 gears, C&L CAI, Diablo 91 octane tune, drag radials, and a saftey loop. What else do I need for a 14 second bracket car?
i dont care what you say mike,the last rainout wasnt my fault!
i feel his pain on the rainouts this year as well,even though i liove about 3hrs from him,our home tracks are roughly a 45minute drive away from each other,so the weather is similar at both places
i did accomplish my goal for the year to break into the 12's with my GT40P headed convertible,which i dont think is too bad considering the car and combo
just picked up my winter time fun project,a pretty clean and straight 98k original mile 1987 4cyl Notchback roller for $550..its a cheese-mobile car,roll up windows,no sunroof,no factory a/c,etc...PERFECT.
plans for that include swapping the vert's motor,trans,rear and suspension,along with a tubular k member and coilovers up front,and maybe a few other things like a line lock and msd box/2step,and hopefully a nice shiny new paint job(although the paint on it is in really good shape for a 22 yr old car)..im figuring with the more solid body and a few hundred pounds off it,i shoudl be able to run mid 12's consistently for next year
im also considering running the NHRA sunday races at Numidia next year. the track owner also told me they plan on having their $1000 street races once a month next season
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92 lx 5.0 vert-,stock plastic airbox,stock T-5,shifter & clutch,stock 19lb injectors and fuel pump,no radio,speakers or cruise control..antenna delete(for less wind resistance)
(new)best so far 12.712 @ 105.99mph 1.752 60ft
FOR SALE/TRADE: 17x9 Chrome Cobra R wheels w/ tires,check my classfied ad
im also considering running the NHRA sunday races at Numidia next year. the track owner also told me they plan on having their $1000 street races once a month next season
That's a great payout for a street class. I never got the time to visit this year. I really wanted to run on a Friday night. Over the years, I've been there three times (Sunday points races) and have never won a single round. Lost once to a guy driving an old gold '65 chevy and twice to a gal driving an orange and tan '55? chevy wagon. Tom Harhart and Mary Ellen Walkins. Both very classy racers. I'll keep an eye on Numidia's schedule next year and be on a lookout for the big purse. Or just split my entry fees and send it directly to Mary Ellen and Tom.
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'07 Ford Mustang GT Alloy Metallic
4.6 Auto, 3.73 gears, C&L CAI, Diablo 91 octane tune, drag radials, and a saftey loop. What else do I need for a 14 second bracket car?
That's a great payout for a street class. I never got the time to visit this year. I really wanted to run on a Friday night. Over the years, I've been there three times (Sunday points races) and have never won a single round. Lost once to a guy driving an old gold '65 chevy and twice to a gal driving an orange and tan '55? chevy wagon. Tom Harhart and Mary Ellen Walkins. Both very classy racers. I'll keep an eye on Numidia's schedule next year and be on a lookout for the big purse. Or just split my entry fees and send it directly to Mary Ellen and Tom.
I know what you're talking about on that one! I lined up four times this year against Mike Rowe in eliminations and am 0 for 4. They were usually pretty close, the MOV on one that I remember was .005! He's probably the best in our class and they say to be the best you have to race the best so I keep trying. Maybe next year I'll get him, - well at least once.
Not to make too many excuses but another thing that really hurt me this year was just when I got the lights down where they needed to be I blew up my 393. When I came back with the 351 in the car it didn't react nearly as fast and I just couldn't break the beam fast enough. I guess I could have tried deep staging but I didn't want to change everything I was doing since I will have a fast reacting car again next year, and was just kind of riding out the season. I didn't have the option of launching on a different amber as we run a pro tree.
Kazman, what type of practice tree do you use? I've never used one, but I take it they are very helpful? Maybe that's something I should invest in to pass the time this winter. Any info you can give me would be appreciated.
And Joe, you mean you don't have that notch together yet? You've had it for 3 days now, what's the hold up? That thing's going to be sweet, can't wait to see it next year. Should be a world of difference over that portly 'vert. Not that you didn't wring every last tenth out of the old car.
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OFR - old fart racing
We're not the fastest car at the track but we might be having the most fun.
If you're not having fun, then you're taking this stuff too seriously!
an old gold '65 chevy and twice to a gal driving an orange and tan '55? chevy wagon. Tom Harhart and Mary Ellen Walkins. Both very classy racers.
yep,those two are there every weekend..Mary Ellen cuts consistent .00x lights every time..crazy
yeah,i should probably be ready to fire up the notch next week...i stared at it for a good 5 minutes today
and honestly,i think if the vert had some wider tires(or slicks instead of drag radials),i think i could have gotten another .1-.2 quicker at least..while i hooked up pretty consistently with the 235/60-15 DR's all year,still couldnt launch past 3500rpms..i think a 4k-4500rpm launch would have yielded some 1.6x sixty ft times at least
hope to see consistent 1.6's or better next year..gonna ride out the last 20 or so passes left on the 235's and then stuff some 275's under there
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92 lx 5.0 vert-,stock plastic airbox,stock T-5,shifter & clutch,stock 19lb injectors and fuel pump,no radio,speakers or cruise control..antenna delete(for less wind resistance)
(new)best so far 12.712 @ 105.99mph 1.752 60ft
FOR SALE/TRADE: 17x9 Chrome Cobra R wheels w/ tires,check my classfied ad
[quote=mmb617;1776932]
Kazman, what type of practice tree do you use? I've never used one, but I take it they are very helpful? Maybe that's something I should invest in to pass the time this winter. Any info you can give me would be appreciated.
quote]
I have a Biondo Final Round 3 and an old 1 player Altronics pocket. The table top is a ac powered and great for 2 players. The pocket is 9v battery powered and east to take anywhere. Links for both practice tree sites and a link to a corvette forum where were discussing practice trees.
'07 Ford Mustang GT Alloy Metallic
4.6 Auto, 3.73 gears, C&L CAI, Diablo 91 octane tune, drag radials, and a saftey loop. What else do I need for a 14 second bracket car?
A quiet end to an up and down year. 
