For my rookie year, I think I'm doing okay.

There are about 65 people signed up for Pro points at Atco and I am currently ranked right about in the middle. I missed a race too!

How are you doing?

 

I'm entered in the 2006 points race at two different tracks (No-E Street, 12.00 index). I'm currently in 1st place at one track and tied for 2nd at the other. Won two events, one dash-for-cash and got two 3rd places already this year, and it don't get any better than that! Well, something has to go wrong and it did! I spun a rod bearing in my LT1 this weekend at the track.

I'm thinking about a Golen LT 383 short block, which should hold-up bracket racing and perform really well. Also, a quick way to get me back in the points race again. Hopefylly, I won't miss too many events while my Z28 is down.

I have been working very hard on my drag race driving techniques over the past few years and was starting realize some results this season. So, I'm very disappointed with the spun bearing and not currently being able to continue in the points race.

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

 

I'm doing great actually, I've gotten my reaction time down to about .07 with the trans-brake now, unfortunatley I blew the tras. last night and had to buy a new one, hopefully I can have it in by thursday.

 

Congrats guys!

Engineer - hope you can get back on the track quickly. It sucks when you're kickin' butt and your equipment fails you.

Mighty Mouse - hope you get your car back together too asap. My lights are sporadic, at best right now. They're improving but no where near where they need to be. Yesterday I made 5 passes (lost 2nd round) and my lights were: .032, .060, .019, .025, .046. Anything higher than .030 won't win a round at Atco. Although the 2nd round loss was b/c I took WAY too much stripe b/c my opponent "sneezed" and had a .176 reaction time. I did scrub off about 7mph on the top end but it wasn't worth anything, really... The car picked up a TON for some reason too.

Anyway, good luck everyone. Eventually I'll get out of second round.

 

The competition is really tough at most all tracks now days. If everyone is running their dial (and most experienced drivers do), it comes down to the R/T. A few weeks back in the semis I had a .023 light, however, the guy I was running (w/ .21 spot) had a .008. I caught him before the line and put a fender on him, but then broke-out. But I wasn’t too upset losing with an .023 light.

I guess I’m a sandbagger, but I like to dial-in about a tenth, or so slower than what I know I can run. That ensures I can always run my dial and can then let off when I’m ahead if needed. Also, not running your dial is “one” of “many” ways to lose bracket racing.

 

Your right about that. I'm getting somewhat frustrated since I'm doing pretty well, but I always run against a guy thats doing better.

A few weeks ago at the Super Chevy Show bonus race in MIR, I ran their modified track champ, Johnny Mattera in the first round, I had an .029 light and ran 13.062 on a 13.05 and he had an .026 light and ran 10.551 on a 10.54, we both lifted at the top end and he took the stripe by .0043. I bought back in and ran him again in the 6th round and choked with an -.06 redlight.

Friday night I ran one of the better footbrakers in the state, Steve Alford in the first round. He went .5069 on the tree and ran 6.896 on a 6.89, patting the gas. I was .5161 on the tree, but misjudged the stripe and lifted to an 8.503 on an 8.45.

I lost the first round last night with a .494 red and 8.383 on an 8.39. I bought back in and lost the 3rd round when I misjudged the stripe yet again and the guy went around me by .009.

I'm hoping my luck changes next weekend

 

Everyone gets beat up some paying their dues drag racing, however, you're gaining valuable experience in the process, even though it hurts at the time.

Some of the people you race at the track have been doing this for the past twenty years or more, and that is hard to beat (years of experience). So, hang in there and keep working on your drag race techniques and you’ll gain the valuable experience that will pay-off in the future.

Also, there is also the “luck factor” to deal with in drag racing, which you can’t control (i.e. good luck, opponent cuts a slow light, red lights, breaks out, Etc.). So, is it better to be good, or lucky drag racing? In bracket racing you need to be both, good and lucky to win!

 

that says it all right there

 

First race of the season. I screwed up and lost in the second round. My new engine has made 5 passes down the track and I haven't been towed back up the return road and onto my trailer yet.

For me, that's a good season so far.

 

Mine's not out yet, but we took my buddy's Mustnag out for a shakedown run yesterday and he ran 8.92 @ 154mph. It's a small (331ci) stroker with a Procharger. But the weight is just over 3,000lbs, which makes me jealous. I have another 50ci and run 10mph slower.

Rich

 

I'm still working the deep stage thing out. It's a harsh learning curve. Took the 'vette last Saturday and went 5 rounds in Pro at Maple. Not too bad for a real street car. Then went -.005 red round one this past weekend at RP. ugh !@#$!@#$. .046 is better than red. A lot of people hold at AR and its possible to cut a .046 drive hard then dump them, making them break out.

Jackie, I'll have the teal car at ATCO in 2 weeks. I'll be running in PRO and make it a point to avoid the girl in the Nova until the finals. See ya and your family then.

 

Thanks for the responses everyone!

I'm not racing again until the 27th so I have to get on the practice tree. I need to find my "spot."

Jim - congrats on going 5 rounds with the Vette! AWESOME. See you on the 27th.

 

After four races I'm tied for second. Been in the money every race. Haven't won yet. Runnered up in the first race. NHRA's new class is called street ET it's a 8.20 and slower 1/8th mile class or 13.00 and slower 1/4 mile class. Running a 95 Z with 3.23 gears and trying to shallow stage. RT's have been OK but I'm old so I can explain away a .080 (.580 the old way.) every now and then. I've lost three of the four races with a red light but they didn't really make me mad (-.09, -.06 and -.09 again) Then I went brain dead against the defending track champ (.090 to his .031) he goes one over so I'm dead no matter what I do.

Bill Mitchell
1999 Eagle One Race of Champions Winner
Bristol Dragway

Father of---Andy Mitchell
2001 NHRA Division 2 Champion

 

I recently installed nitrous on my car hoping to give me a bit if an edge if I'm slow on the tree. Most experienced drivers sand bag a bit, so if your slow on the tree you can spray it on the top end so they have trouble catching you and then dump'em, it'll force them into a breakout It takes a lot of practice and a lot of tough screw-ups before getting good at it, but I do believe it's a good way to recover from a slow reaction time.

 

What's up Chris! Good to here your still racing, that means there is at least one guy I can beat no matter what. j/k

Randy