Who is running bracket points this year?

?

I finally have my car together. I changed the carb back to the old one so it will most likely be running 10 teens. Initially I had planned to put a box in it and run Super Pro but I've since decided I'm going to footbrake it in Pro (the old Heavy). I'm thinking I will probably be one of the faster cars in the class - usually chasing. :D

I'll be running the NHRA Summit Racing (http://www.nhra.com/aboutnhr/etseries.htm) bracket points at Atco Raceway (http://www.atcorace.com) in Division 1. This winter they completed a bunch of improvements including new concrete walls the entire length of the track. I'm hoping to just go a couple of rounds every now and then in my rookie year.

I feel like I've been saying this for a couple of years now. :think: :D

But yeah - I'm ready this year. How about you?

;)

I'm looking forward to defending my pts title this year, it should be alot of fun being the one with the bullseye on his back.

Randy

I'm running Pro (old heavy) at the Grove with the teal car. Nixed the C6 order and picked up (will pick up this weekend) a very nice C5 'vert to run in the corvette challange at RP. I hope to be testing at ATCO on 3/4 and 3/5. :cool:

FYI: I am considered a rookie in the corvette challange.

Jax, I see more and more cars running in the high 9's. Doesn't matter to me 'cause I have a slow car anyway.

Takin a few yrs off, 4 yrs with no free summer weekends running 4 different tracks from open to close I'm burnt. Local track screwd us on points deal this year and rewarded guys that never paid into the points fund with where they finished off the record...nice huh? have done really well the last 2 yrs since stepping upto Modified/No Box finishing 5th '04 and 4th '05 (3rd actually but non entered points guy was rewarded the spot) can only guess the finish would've been better since I was 1st or 2nd all season in both track and summit super series for out track all year then could not finish last 2 races since motor blew in car..raced the truck, but hard to compete at this level in an untuned ride so was out 1/2 both days:(

Proved a small tired street car could hang/beat the stripped down gutted track only cars which was my main goal anyways:) When I come back, gonna be in a engine stand with wheels...bracket racing has no place for door cars anymore it seems to really compete....right tool for the job i guess. I'll miss it, but not the 5 digit expense it costs me to run like i did every year and time away from family freinds...cant race one track only, gotta stay in the saddle:)

Takin a few yrs off, 4 yrs with no free summer weekends running 4 different tracks from open to close I'm burnt. Local track screwd us on points deal this year and rewarded guys that never paid into the points fund with where they finished off the record...nice huh? have done really well the last 2 yrs since stepping upto Modified/No Box finishing 5th '04 and 4th '05 (3rd actually but non entered points guy was rewarded the spot) can only guess the finish would've been better since I was 1st or 2nd all season in both track and summit super series for out track all year then could not finish last 2 races since motor blew in car..raced the truck, but hard to compete at this level in an untuned ride so was out 1/2 both days:(

Proved a small tired street car could hang/beat the stripped down gutted track only cars which was my main goal anyways:) When I come back, gonna be in a engine stand with wheels...bracket racing has no place for door cars anymore it seems to really compete....right tool for the job i guess. I'll miss it, but not the 5 digit expense it costs me to run like i did every year and time away from family freinds...cant race one track only, gotta stay in the saddle:)
Sounds like you overextended yourself. You ran points at 4 tracks?? 2 I can see - especially around here where Atco runs on Saturdays (18) and E-Town runs on Sundays (11). But 4??

Door cars still have their place in bracket racing. Perhaps it is harder to get the job done in a door car in Super Pro but there are still plenty of drivers doing it. Take a look at the ratios on how many dragsters enter a Super race vs how many door cars. Of course if there are twice as many dragsters in the class as door cars, the chances are far greater that a dragster win the race. I'm not saying you're wrong - just that there are many variables to take into consideration. Take a look at this thread (http://forums.godragracing.com/viewtopic.php?t=30235) over at GoDragRacing.com. It's a good read.

;)

Oh lord no, aint no way I could chase points at 4 tracks :eek: I raced for points locally and when we were'nt running here we were out of town racing every weekend some place else chasing money. But yeah, it took alot of time and money.

Every venue is different, but out local track is a small bucks set-up in the fact the real finals is a run off between a box and no-box car. With the $2K payout every saturday and sunday we're getting packed full of top class cars-rails-and even though out of 12 races we had 12 different winners, only 1 time did a no box car win and that was due to the box guy going red by .001 and running the nuber with a 1:)

It can be done cuz I'm sure we all have done it, but statistically if you pit the quality cars/drivers that typically meet in a final I would put money on the box car/rail everytime...he might not win everytime, but odds are definately in a rails favor...nothing affects them.

Sounds like you overextended yourself. You ran points at 4 tracks?? 2 I can see - especially around here where Atco runs on Saturdays (18) and E-Town runs on Sundays (11). But 4??
;)


Lets see.
Session 1 & 3 Pro Class at Maple Grove with the teal car.
10 races in the Corvette Challange at Raceway Park with the vette.
Special events F-body day Island Raceway , teal car
Gamblers race and 12.0 index weeknights at ATCO, teal car
"Vacation" excersions to Spensor Raceway with anything I get my hands on.

Linda is a race-widow March till November. :rolleyes:

I had a big response typed out yesterday but I guess I didn't hit the "submit" button. Duh.

Anyway, I contemplated running E-Town points because 11 Sundays are much easier to give up than 18 saturdays. But I think I'd rather race where I'm comfortable and have friends. Not to mention that I want to remain in the company of the #1 (by a landslide) track in Division 1.

Jim - I hope the same C6 offer holds true for the C5. :)

I think we're making that trip to Spencer Speedway with you, aren't we?

;)

I am going to run later on. My car is in the garage and the motor is out of it now. I am looking at having a 355 short block put together for me and hopefully get it back int he car before fall. Jax, ever used SEC in Bensalem? I'm going to drop off my block there this week...

My car is ready to go for the season and I'm planning to run the bracket points series at the local NHRA track. Also, hope to make it to the Division 4 finals bracket race in Dallas at the end of the summer. I have a trailer now and also plan to hit some out of town races this year (saves the stall & gears).

The bracket racing is a lot of fun and sometimes you can win some money, and I have several friends with bracket cars to hang-out with at the track. Also, my son has a dragster this year, so it will be fun having him at the races this summer. We're working together to have the dragster ready for the first bracket races in March.

I will be running No-E, but have firends who run Pro with E.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2189634

I took the last year and 1/2 off and only go to special events or when I feel like it, I'm doing Pro-Stick some this year, Hot Rod Power Tour, GM show at Carlisle, and maybe and EFI race or two. The points grind just gets to be too much after a while.

Steve

I am going to run later on. My car is in the garage and the motor is out of it now. I am looking at having a 355 short block put together for me and hopefully get it back int he car before fall. Jax, ever used SEC in Bensalem? I'm going to drop off my block there this week...
Never heard of them Brian. That doesn't really mean anything though! Glad to hear you're going to try to get out again this year!!

EDIT: Rick said he has heard of them. He never had any work done there but they've been around for a long time.

;)

Yeah I'm definately going to try and get out this year. I can go another year with minimal racing... I was soooooo mad I only got to a hand full of races last year.

This shop was recommended to me by a coupe of other race guys. I heard of them years ago and Yes they have been around forever. ever heard of the "Andalusia speed shop"? I was up there 2 weekends ago and their shop is full of stuff. They just bought a new CNC machine.... its a $100k CNC so they must do a decent buisness. I think they are bigger with the dirt guys, circle tracks, migits and sprints and stuff. Either way I know they can build a SBC. They dont have much of a website but here it is: www.speedequipcorp.com

Going to start with a 4 bolt block, building a 355. I dont know what to put in it but I think Eagle crank and rods... Build it to handle a 200 shot and never going to spin it past 7200. It will probably run me $3500 but you gotta pay to play. Maybe I can go out and actually make it a few round and win some of it back...;)

Brian - I'm going to PM Rick's number to you. He has some ideas for you and he enjoys talking about set-ups. I mentioned your plans to him and he said "PM my number to him!"

;)

Tomorrow is almost here! In 24 hours I should be in the pits warming up the car. :eek:

I'm actually quite nervous. I have never run in Pro on a points day. I've done the Street thing plenty of times and I've run in Pro on other "little" events but never with the caliber of footbrakers I'll be running with tomorrow.

I might try to get some runs in tonight if possible. Wish me luck!

;)

Good luck tomorrow Jackie!! Definately get out there tonight (so long as track prep is worth a crap-if not dont waste your time and gas since you will learn nothing and will not be able to set up/change the car to perfection since traction is not there like on race day. But the more seat time the better!!

I remember my first year stepping up, mentally I knew I could give them guys a run for their money, but the first 3-4 races I had butterflies and over pyched myself. Once I felt comfortable with the new group in the lanes I got back to business and started rollin and never looked back. You know your better than that fool staging next to you and know your going to win every round your in so there's nothing to be nervious about!! Why did anybody else show up that day since they're just pawns in your way as you make your push to the pay out window. :)

You are now about to see how shadey/cagey some of the older guys are, some will try to play head games with you and it will take a few races to figure out who those cagey fockers are, then you'll know what to do next time you pair up. Pay VERY close attention to who dials what and how they run throughout the day so you can judge how much their holding on you or if their dialed honest, this will help you at the stripe. My advise is most guys bag .01-.02 to compensate for a bad R/T or a slight drop in their 60' so they have room to "catch up", once you get better at driving the stripe you will be able to implement this same tactic. I can probably count on both hands over the past few years how many races I've been in (win or lose) that were under power at the finish line. Just the way it is, but once you see/catch a bagger and you know you own the tree...dial it tight and push'em out, works everytime:) Tactic works great for me when running stupid dragsters as well, they come up on me at 170+mph to my 120mph and there is noo way they can judge anything coming up that fast-same with me the slow guy. So if I know they're bagging .01-.02 I dial either right on or .01 under so I can run it out back and force them to break out.

You'll have fun, just know your only as good as your competition. You either step up or are left behind.

Good luck tomorrow!!!

Josh

Tomorrow is almost here! In 24 hours I should be in the pits warming up the car. :eek:
I'm actually quite nervous. I have never run in Pro on a points day. I've done the Street thing plenty of times and I've run in Pro on other "little" events but never with the caliber of footbrakers I'll be running with tomorrow.
I might try to get some runs in tonight if possible. Wish me luck!
;)

Jax, you'll do fine. Running PRO at ATCO is a piece of cake. Competition isn't so good. :think: Sort of like running with the hitters of a $10k race or the Division 1 finals every weekend. Just take each round as they come. All you got to do is win that round. You have a killer car and a great crew. Relax and just do it. IMO Atco has the deepest list of hitters around. They will push you to become a better driver. I'll be running at RP in the corvette challange on Saturday and running PRO at the Grove starting 2/28. Good luck to you all. Better yet, knock 'em on their a$$ and make your own luck. I'll let you know when I have an "off" week and plan to run at ATCO. ;)

Most all tracks have tough competition around the country, and my local track is no exception. I believe we were ahead of Ennis Texas last year in the division bracket points and Ennis is a really big facility. Tomorrow is the first race of the season, then the next two weekends as well (3 races in a row). So, we’re starting hard early season and after those first three, I should have some indication how I’ll do this season. (No-E Street).

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2189634

Dial'er tight and kill'em on the tree and push'em out the back. Good Luck


Jim, I thought you were going on the box this year?

Steve

Running 37 Races this year, some of them Sat / Sun races.
Competing in the IHRA Summit Racing Series. Our season does not get started until April 1st, (A fools day for sure). :D

I do like Steve's saying "Dial'er tight and kill'em on the tree and push'em out the back" need to put that on T-Shirt. :cool:

Dial'er tight and kill'em on the tree and push'em out the back. Good Luck
Jim, I thought you were going on the box this year?
Steve

Steve, I was going to borrow the box from Jax's crew chief but need to upgrade a few things to be competitive in superpro. I reallocated assets to a 99 'vette so the only upgrades for the bird this season was a new set of rear tires. They also dropped the cut in street to 11.50 so I can now double enter the bird in 2 classes each week (Street and Pro). I do have the option of using the box later this season. We'll see how the points thing goes.

Jim,

Don't you just love that asset reallocation stuff! I bought my C5 vert brand new in 2000 and it's still absolutely bone friggen stock. The temptation is there to start tweeking but I'm gonna try to trade it for a C6 Z06 in about 2 years, so I don't want to dork it up with stuff that will not add value.

Steve

Well, I'm out of here for the day. We dropped the car off last night but the track was too dang crowded to make any passes. I'll get at least 2 time shots today - 3 if I'm lucky.

Thanks for the words of wisdom guys. I have had my share of old (and young - though the youngs ones are, for the most part, very accepting of women in the sport) guys trying to spook me out.

The one that stands out most in my mind was at a Philadelphia Modifiers Race. I used to run my dad's 67 Camaro Convertible in that every spring and fall (runs 14's). I end up in the staging lanes next to a Falcon Wagon and some old guy gets out. He looks at my car and then back his dial on the window - 24.XX. :eek: He walked over to me and said in a creepy voice "look out for the SLOW cars!!!" Thanks pal. We stage. That 10 seconds on the starting line looking at his brake lights was the longest 10 seconds of my life! Regardless, he couldn't run the number (who could at that speed?) and lost. I went to the final that race...

Anyway - I'm leaving. Hope ya'll have a great day. It's supposed to be around 65 and sunny all day!!!

;)

good luck Jacki.... Let us know how you do. You have a great car and an awsome crew cheif. Atco has a tough crowd but in the end its all about having fun isnt it? I only ran 1 race last year but 8-9 points races the year before. I still have not won a round in Heavy, lol. I'll go at it again later this year.

Thanks to the hook up w/Rick. Tell him I really appreciate him taking the time out of his day to introduce me to the machince shop. I dropped off the block last week. Hopefully I'll have a running motor in a month or 2. Rick offered to help put it together, I might take him up on it since Liz just enrolled into college again to get her Masters...

Good luck, B

good luck Jacki.... Let us know how you do. You have a great car and an awsome crew cheif. Atco has a tough crowd but in the end its all about having fun isnt it? I only ran 1 race last year but 8-9 points races the year before. I still have not won a round in Heavy, lol. I'll go at it again later this year.

Thanks to the hook up w/Rick. Tell him I really appreciate him taking the time out of his day to introduce me to the machince shop. I dropped off the block last week. Hopefully I'll have a running motor in a month or 2. Rick offered to help put it together, I might take him up on it since Liz just enrolled into college again to get her Masters...

Good luck, B
Rick said "no problem!" He loves hooking up friends with other good people. I'm sure he would be thrilled to help you put it together when it's done. And good luck to Liz. I completed my MBA in April last year - I couldn't be happier with my decision to get a Master's degree. I'm sure she'll have some tough times with studying and making some sacrifices but be supportive of her - help her see the big picture when it gets tough for her. She'll need it!!!! When all is said and done, she'll be happy she stuck it out.

Yesterday I lost first round. :( I ended up next to Brian Mullaney - former Street points champion. He stepped up to Heavy this year and is very well respected at the track. I blocked him out and went into the "zone" after pulling through the wall. I was less nervous first round than I was for my 2 time shots!! I forced myself to hit the tree as hard as I could because I normally lose first round by NOT hitting the tree and handing the race over. Instead, this time I went .049 red. The car also ran .04 under my dial!!! I dialed a 10.11 after making a throw away 1st time shot (11.13 missed 1st gear) and a so-so 2nd time shot (10.12 bad traction due to a bad burnout). I think my first round pass is where the car will be this year though - it was a good pass b/c I was relaxed. Not sure how, but I was!!

Today I have that giant lump and bruise on my lower back that hurts like heck but it's a good hurt (need more padding in my seat). I'm looking forward to next week.

The guys in Heavy aka Pro, are great. Brian Mullaney gave me a hug before we ran and said "don't kick my ass too bad Jacki." Since most of the guys have known me forever (including Brian Mullaney) they were very, very supportive.

;)

Jax, you got the first time out done and over with. Its a long season. I would advise not to "step" up to cut a better light. The driver needs to be the same and change the car to "step" up (raise the launch rpm a little). Easy to say I did the same error Saturday. I cut a bad light but won it on the top end then "steped" up next round and went .035 red. With a bad light you have a chanch to work the top end, red is dead. Bud's words of wisdom. Kicker is I went .010, dropped 100 rpm and went .018, 016, 079 woops, and -.035. I heard that Rick held his own in his first Super Pro appearance. :cool:
After my burnout I stop before the prestage line, shift all the way up into neutral give a short rev (to be sure I'm in neutral) and one click back into first. I too forgot to put the car back into first gear and launched in second.
What kind a light did Brian cut? .020-.029 ??? If that's the case their (the group of atco killers) going on their safe consertivative settings and not on "full kill" against you. You don't always need to go .00x to win.

Put some ice on your boo-boo and see what you did right Saturday. Build from there. Relaxed is the key (ok controlled panic), keep a clear head and just do it. Things will fall into place with seat time. ;)