The "BAD 05GT" Drag Racing Video Thread

As most of you know, I've been videotaping the vast majority of my drag races for quite sometime, and have posted them on various forums. I'm not going to repost all the older ones here, but they can be found on my Car Domain site: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2450734/2

However, I will be posting all my future videos here in this thread. Last weekend we raced on both Friday (at Qualcomm) and Saturday (at Barona). Both of these are 1/8-mile tracks and are they only tracks here in San Diego. Over 95% of my runs have been at these two tracks.

Anyway, here is the first batch from last Friday, 4/6/07.


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1/8-Mile Drags, RaceLegal at Qualcomm, April 6, 2007

This was a fun night at the track. The Stangpede Club was out in force for a trackside BBQ, with quite a few members making runs down the track. We had a great time hanging out, eating burgers and dogs, and watching the races!

All of our runs were on the 10psi blower pulley. The temperature was around 60 degrees all evening, but the humidity was pretty high (over 70%). Dew point was in the 50’s all night, which really hurt the air.

We only made 11 runs because we quit a little early. But one of them was good enough for another trophy! Donna won the Super Street Class trophy for running closest to the class index (7.50)!!

Here are the videos from Friday, April 6 at Qualcomm. My favorite vids are marked with the asterisks (**).

Video #1, Time 6:45 pm, DA = 369 ft:
My first run was against Ed. We both must have had first run jitters, because I went way early turning on the red light, and Ed was way late on the tree. Ed had some major traction problems (you can see the tire smoke in the vid). I ran 7.480 @ 91.84, with a 1.729 60-foot time. Ed’s spinning run resulted in an 8.921 @ 84.58, 2.141.

Video #2, Time 6:56 pm, DA = 369 ft:
Ed and I lined up again, but this time he had an excellent 0.536 light. I missed a perfect light by 0.004, going red at 0.496. Ed again had some traction problems, but mine hooked pretty well. I ran 7.395 @ 95.33, 1.706 to Ed’s 8.192 @ 87.55, 2.047.

**Video #3, Time 7:03 pm, DA = 376 ft:
This video was taken from mid-track. Both Ed and I turned on the red lights (my 0.493 to his 0.474), but he got better traction on this run. My 7.433 @ 92.21, 1.692 to his 7.917 @ 88.40, 1.849.

**Video #4, Time 7:25 pm, DA = 369 ft:
My fourth run was against a mid 7-sec Nova. A year and a half ago, this Nova would eat my lunch all the time, now I got a chance to get even. I cut a decent light (0.550 to his 0.615), and then outran him by a couple tenths. The timeslip showed my 7.387 @ 92.21, 1.680 beating his 7.591 @ 91.27, 1.705.

Video #5, Time 8:08 pm, DA = 348 ft:
This was Donna’s first run. This video (as well as the rest of them) was shot from the end of the track, where the Stangpede BBQ was set-up. There was an oil down on the left track, so Donna was forced to run on the right track. The traction on the right track is pathetic… they usually don’t have the higher HP cars run on that track for that reason. And you can see why. Donna spun really bad early in the run, and could only run an 8.120 @ 94.34, 2.248. The import in the other lane was waaaaayyyyy behind at 10.933 @ 67.87, 2.796.

Time 8:23 pm, DA = 348 ft:
Donna’s next run was the trophy run. But, I apparently was too busy stuffing my face at the BBQ to notice she was about to make a pass. So I didn’t get it on video. D’Oh! Her numbers were 7.522 @ 92.59, 1.795.

**Video #6, Time 8:42 pm, DA = 341 ft:
Donna’s 3rd (and final) run was her best of the night. She was up against a 96 Firebird. The Pontiac had some sort of issue at the starting line, so this was over early. Donna’s excellent 7.372 @ 95.13, 1.672 was much better than the Firebird’s 12.125 @ 73.29, 3.871.

**Video #7, Time 9:27 pm, DA = 327 ft:
My next run was against Ed’s car again, which also had some traction problems in the first 60 feet. I finally managed to cut a good light (0.516), and then ran 7.430 @ 94.93, 1.706. The silver mustang ran 8.240 @ 87.55, 2.072.

Video #8, Time 10:06 pm, DA = 294 ft:
Immediately on the launch, my car lost traction and broke loose, and I had to pedal it… basically killing the run. All I could muster was a 7.836 @ 94.33, 2.022. My opponent ran 10.325 @ 69.77, 2.401.

Time 10:22 pm, DA = 304 ft:
Unfortunately, we ran out of videotape, so my last two runs are not on video. On this pass I ran 7.424 @ 95.13, 1.712.

Time 10:43 pm, DA = 298 ft:
My last run of the night turned out to be the quickest run of the night. After a good 0.543 light, I ran 7.367 @ 95.13, 1.669.

Nice, always love your vids.

Thanks Dave... and the ones from Sat, 4/7/07 are better than these. I'll get them done soon (I hope).

Nice video's Don and Donna.

Very nice videos!

Great videos as always. I think it so cool that your girlfriend or wife drives also.

Thanks guys... and Donna is my wife of 28 years!!

1/8-Mile Drags, Barona, April 7, 2007

These are a few videos we took of some friends running at the track last Saturday: Cher driving her ’07 Parnelli Jones Saleen, John with his ’07 Mustang GT, and of course Ed and AJ in Ed’s 2005 Saleen SC’ed Satin Silver GT. My videos will be posted a little later tonight.

Video #1
This is Cher in her new Saleen Parnelli Jones racing a pretty quick Buick Skylark, who went red. Cher had a killer reaction time of 0.006, and ran an awesome 8.26 @ 84.53. Other than drag tires, her PJ is bone stock. That’s mighty impressive! The Buick ran 7.34 @ 94.17.

Video #2
On this run, Cher was racing Rick Reynolds and his 900hp Pinto. That Pinto is just sick. Cher ran 8.48 @ 83.22 vs Rick’s 5.89 @ 120.52.

Video #3
Cher got hold of another 5-second car on this run… a Corvette. Yet another all-out race car. Cher went rolled in deep, and went red by 0.02, then ran 8.77 @ 82.00. The Vette ran 5.98 @ 116.54.

Video #4
In this race, Ed was lined up against a Nova. While the Chevy was going red, Ed was cutting a good 0.05 light, and running a 7.86 @ 87.82. The Nova ran 6.21 @ 113.55.

Video #5
Ed is racing a Chevelle on this run. And check out the scoreboards at the beginning of the run. Both of them went 0.001 red!! I don’t recall seeing a race before where both drivers cut -0.001’s. Ed ran 7.83 @ 87.93 against 7.25 @ 92.82.

Video #6
Cher’s string of 5-second opponents continued here. This 70 Mach is awesome, both in the looks department and in the performance (big block on the bottle). Notice the similarities between the two cars… look-alikes. Cher ran 8.54 @ 81.43 to the Mach’s 6.00 @ 117.27.

Video #7
A little slower car faced Cher next… it was just a low 6-sec car. haha. She went 8.63 @ 82.23 to the Chevy’s 6.22 @ 108.83.

Video #8
Things are looking up for Cher now… only a low 7-sec Buick in the other lane now. Cher recorded an 8.43 @ 82.00 to the Buick’s 7.23 @ 93.87.

Video #9
AJ was running a truck on this run. Keep an eye on the truck right on the launch. He gets a little loose and comes pretty close to the center guard rail near the tree. AJ ran 7.87 @ 79.58 to a 10.77 @ 73.06 for the pick-up.

Video #10
AJ and Cher raced on this run. AJ ran a very nice 7.64 @ 90.63 to Cher’s 8.53 @ 82.49.

Video #11
This is John in his new ’07 Vista Blue GT. It’s a bone stock automatic car. He was running in the High Roller Gambler ($50 buy-in, with a $500 min purse). This is Round #1. John was dialed in at 9.17 against the Pinto on steroids at 5.66. Rick broke out by 0.01 and John was on to Rd #2, the semis. John ran 9.26 @ 78.12 to the Pinto’s 5.65 @ 112.50.

Video #12
In Round 2, John was against an ’80 Cutlass. John was dialed in at 9.20 and the Olds at 8.45. John makes a killer pass and runs right on his number with a 9.20 @ 77.52. John is on to the Finals! The Cutlass ran 8.52 @ 80.06.

Video #13
John finds himself up against the toughest racer at the track. Gary is a long time drag racer, who switched to street car a few years ago. His wins a lot of races and money, and runs an LS2 GTO. He is usually deadly consistent and cuts great lights… he doesn’t lose very often. But, John got the better of him this time. John won the $500 when he tree’d Gary by about a full tenth, and ran a braking 9.27 @ 78.49 on a 9.20 dial. The GTO spun the tires on the shift, and ran 8.42 @ 86.25 on an 8.38 dial. Congrats to John!

1/8-Mile Drags, Barona, April 7, 2007

This turned out to be a blustery, cool day at Barona. The temps ranged from mid 50s to high 60’s, with a dew point around 50. And until I get a roll bar in the car, I have to slow the car down and run the 10# blower pulley. Of the 8 runs I made, 7 of them were in the 7.40s (and the 8th was 7.50), which is about as consistent as I’ve seen this car in a while. But, we didn’t run any bracket races this day, just a bunch of test and tune runs.

Here are the videos from Saturday, April 7 at Barona. The vids marked with the asterisks (**) are my favorites.

Video #1, Time 9:55 am, DA = 1,926 ft:
Donna’s first run started off with a really nice burnout. She was up against a Camaro, which also is capable of low 7-sec ETs. Donna missed the tree by -0.014 sec, but out ran the Camaro. He apparently had some 60-foot traction issues. She went 7.424 @ 92.674, 1.675 60-ft time to his 7.518 @ 98.587, 1.965.

**Video #2, Time 10:00 am, DA = 1,934 ft:
Donna’s next run was against a Chevy II. Two evenly matched cars in this one. Donna grabbed more than 2-tenths at the tree, and then ran a quicker 7.384 @ 92.870, 1.660 to the Chevy’s 7.392 @ 95.265, 1.832. Donna’s 7.38 was the quickest run of the day.

**Video #3, Time 10:04 am, DA = 1,946 ft:
Donna hotlapped it back to the line, this time against some rear-tire dragging, FWD purple import of undetermined origin. haha… you gotta check out it’s “burnout”. Donna cut a great 0.033 light and ram 7.488 @ 92.967, 1.717 to the more pedestrian time of 10.080 @ 71.673, 2.471 for the import.

**Video #4, Time 10:30 am, DA = 1,993 ft:
The first car I raced was an LS1 5.7L GTO running 10psi boost. Even though he was 4 hundredths quicker, I had 5 hundredths on him at the tree. My light was bad (0.127), but his was worse (0.174). But, he passed me by the time we reached the tree, and we were basically side by side all the way down the track with me closing ever so slowly. It was a fun race because it was so close. Apparently, my top end was enough to pull past him at the stripe, because my 7.474 @ 94.520, 1.681 beat his 7.435 @ 92.996, 1.572. The margin of victory was a mere 0.008 seconds… I didn’t even know who had won until I picked up the timeslip. Winning on a holeshot always feels good!

**Video #5, Time 10:56 am, DA = 2,035 ft:
This time I was paired up with a Corvette Stingray. I cut a decent 0.068 light, and then ran away from the Vette. My 7.481 @ 91.727, 1.676 was more than 2 seconds better than his 9.699 @ 70.220, 2.117.

**Video #6, Time 11:13 am, DA = 2,089 ft:
This is the second run against the same silver GTO. Again, he was about 0.04 quicker, but this time I had him on the tree by a whopping 3 tenths. My light wasn’t good (0.107), but compared to his 0.417, it was killer. I had him by 3 car lengths or so at the stripe. I ran 7.400 @ 92.572, 1.628 to his 7.362 @ 93.618, 1.563. I was 2-for-2 on holeshot wins against the GTO now. And this was my quickest run of the day and best 60’ time.

Video #7, Time 1:08 pm, DA = 2,634 ft:
After the lunch break, Donna went up against a 6-sec Vega. For whatever reason, the car slowed after the 60 foot mark, and could only muster a 7.654 @ 91.608, 1.669. The Vega ripped off a 6.439 @ 104.780, 1.330.

Video #8, Time 1:15 pm, DA = 2,610 ft:
Donna decided to take a little nap on this one, but there were enough ponies to drive around the truck with a 7.428 @ 92.703, 1.669 to his 8.444 @ 79.993, 1.860.

**Video #9, Time 1:44 pm, DA = 2,834 ft:
This time, I got a chance to take on an even more heavily modified 5.7L GTO, running 13psi boost, with a new tranny, too. With all those cubic inches and much more boost, I thought he would run away from me. But, I got him on the tree. I cut a decent 0.053 light compared to his way late 0.310, and he couldn’t catch me. My 7.449 @ 94.156, 1.663 beat his 7.236 @ 94.580, 1.593. The margin of victory was 0.044 seconds. Pretty close at the end… about 1/2-car length. And my 3rd holeshot win over a GTO of the day. Life was good at that moment.

Video #10, Time 1:53 pm, DA = 2,909 ft:
The 2nd run against the red GTO didn’t turn out as well as the first one. I got about 6/100’s on the tree (0.074 to 0.131), but it wasn’t enough. He beat me by 0.120 sec (about a car length). I ran 7.449 @ 92.196, 1.658 vs 7.272 @ 94.549, 1.613. So all in all, I was 3 out of 4 against the blown GTOs today.

Video #11, Time 2:31 pm, DA = 2,826 ft:
Donna found herself lined up next to the same Vega she ran earlier. Both of them cut excellent lights with the Vega 2-thou quicker, 0.026 to 0.024. Donna ran 7.503 @ 92.289, 1.715 to his 6.724 @ 101.532, 1.456.

Video #12, Time 3:24 pm, DA = 2,692 ft:
Donna and Cher decided they wanted to take a shot on the pro tree (where all three ambers flash simultaneously, followed by the green light 0.400 second later). I don’t think they were quite ready for it. We won’t mention the RTs (but you can seem them on the scoreboards). Donna ran a 7.619 @ 91.861, 1.716 to Cher’s 8.534 @ 82.379, 1.882.

**Video #13, Time 3:35 pm, DA = 2,692 ft:
This time I was racing a suh-weet 70 Mach 1, running a big block on nitrous. Normally, this car will run in the high 5s/low 6s, but his transbrake didn’t hold, and he had problems at the line. I also lost my concentration when I saw him lurch, and my RT was not so good. My timeslip said 7.437 @ 92.361, 1.678 to his 10.314 @ 118.128. Obviously his ET was hosed.

Video #14, Time 3:53 pm, DA = 2,642 ft:
This time I was racing Cher, and I was asleep at the tree. Cher cut a good 0.069 light, though. I ran 7.481 @ 90.979, 1.652 to Cher’s 8.671 @ 82.102, 1.999.

**Video #15, Time 3:59 pm, DA = 2,603 ft:
I hotlapped it back to the staging lanes, and got paired up against AJ, Ed’s son. Both of us had really good RTs, with him being slightly better… 0.020 to 0.023. I slowed to a 7.505 @ 94.567, 1.712 to AJ’s 7.854 @ 89.596, 1.827. My trap speed of 94.567mph was the highest of the day for the car.

**Video #16, Time 4:14 pm, DA = 2,579 ft:
This was the last run of the day, and Donna had a solo pass. She clicked off the best 60-foot time of the day (1.625), and then ran a nice 7.400 @ 92.011.

Saw your link on the other site...subtle, I like it.

Is this Big John??

silverpoison said:

Is this Big John??

Click to expand...

Not Adam's cousin... a different "Big John".

How long do you think this link will last?

Earl

On Saturday, 4/21/07 we were at Barona. Ken3030 was there also with his Paxton Novi blown '05. He and Donna were paired up several times, so those runs will be in my list of vids to be posted a little later. But here are two other runs of Ken's that we caught on video:


Ken vs. Ranchero: On this run, the Ranchero's differential exploded and dumped it's guts all over the track. Ken ran 7.60 @ 91.11.

Ken vs. AMC Hornet: The Hornet is a solid 6-sec car. Ken ran 7.75 @ 90.31. I was standing about 75 before the finish line with the camera.

1/8-Mile Drags, Barona, April 21, 2007

After a steady (and fairly heavy) rain Friday night, it took a while for the staff to dry the track on Saturday morning. Things got started late, but the track was in great shape and hooking well. Several cars actually broke because of the bite. I saw one differential explode, one pinion shaft snap, and one driveshaft twist off. The weather was breezy and cool, with temps in the high 50s to low 60’s. The dew point was in the mid 40’s all day.

As is now the norm for track days, I have to slow the car down and run the 10# blower pulley. Overall, we made 17 runs. All of them ranged between 7.32 and 7.45. The trap speed was in the 92-95 range all day. The average for the day was 7.38 @ 93.8. My RTs were not especially good, but Donna was cutting some very good lights all weekend. On Saturday, she had four lights that were 0.018 or better (and a couple near miss reds, too)

This was also the weekend for Summit Series #5 (Sat) and #6 (Sun).

Here are the videos from Saturday, April 21 at Barona. The vids marked with the asterisks (**) are my favorites.

Video #1, Time 11:21 am, DA = 1,632 ft:
Because I was running in the Summit Series later, I took all of the morning session time trial runs. On the first run, I was up against a strong mid 6-sec Chevy. After a 0.077 light, I ran it out for a 7.388 @ 92.625, 1.638. The opponent went 6.694 @ 101.135, 1.437.

Video #2, Time 11:55 am, DA = 1,632 ft:
This time I was facing a low 6-sec Biscayne. This car hauls butt for as big as it is. I went red by 0.025, while he cut a nice 0.031. My 7.453 @ 94.132, 1.664 was way behind his 6.369 @ 107.323, 1.388.

Video #3, Time 12:28 pm, DA = 2,028 ft:
My third run was against yet another mid 6-sec car… a Challenger. I was already five hundredths behind on the tree (0.023 to 0.071), and the Didge ran away from me. I ran 7.417 @ 95.072, 1.673 to his 6.691 @ 100.837, 1.420.

**Video #4, Time 12:54 pm, DA = 2,013 ft:
Run #4 was against yet another 6-sec car, a 62 Chevy. Once again, the guy not only tree’d me bad (0.005 to 0.081), but ran away too. My 7.406 @ 92.566, 1.650 was bested by his 6.724 @ 102.692, 1.506. At least the announcer gave Kenne Bell a little promo. Hehe

Video #5, Time 2:27 pm, DA = 2,127 ft:
This was Round #1 of the Summit Series. I was dialed in at 7.44 and the hot rod truck was dialed in at 7.26. So I was getting 18 hundredths at the start. We were side-by-side all the way down the track, and I just barely kept my bumper in front of him. It was so close, I couldn’t even lift at the end. I beat him by 0.03, but I also broke out by 0.03. The difference was on the tree. He had me 0.076. It was a bad time to cut my worst light of the whole weekend (0.137 to his 0.061). I ran 7.410 @ 95.086, 1.665 to his 7.336 @ 92.241, 1.607. It was a fun run anyway… I always like the close ones the best.

**Video #6, Time 3:22 pm, DA = 2,402 ft:
The right lane was closed for a long time while the track staff cleaned up the remnants of a differential explosion. That gear oil is a pain to clean up. So, Donna’s first run of the day was a solo pass. And she came out chopping down the tree. She cut a 0.013 light en route to a 7.402 @ 92.530, 1.639.

Video #7, Time 3:35 pm, DA = 2,196 ft:
Donna’s next run was against a Chevelle. Normally this would have been a good race, because the bowtie is a low 7-sec car. But, he got out of it for some reason and slowed down. Donna ran a 7.398 @ 95.298, 1.665 to the Chevelle’s 8.414 @ 78.615, 1.636.

**Video #8, Time 4:16 pm, DA = 2,138 ft:
Here is the first time Donna raced Ken in his Paxton Novi blown ’06 Mustang. Donna drilled the tree again, cutting an 0.018 RT. She then turned a 7.384 @ 92.332, 1.627 to Ken’s 7.586 @ 90.954, 1.755.

**Video #9, Time 4:40 pm, DA = 2,110 ft:
On this run, Donna was up against a Fox Mustang with an F-2 Procharger on it. This thing was sick. He ran a 6.0 against Donna on this pass, but later in the day went 5.4 at over 130… yikes! Donna again cut a killer light (0.011), but even a huge holeshot advantage wasn’t enough to make up over a second. Her 7.345 @ 92.601, 1.613 was a solid run, but was still 5 car lengths behind the 6.015 @ 115.214, 1.346.

**Video #10, Time 4:46 pm, DA = 2,083 ft:
Donna and Ken lined up for the second time, and this time they both left a little early. Donna was 0.017 red, and ran 7.354 @ 95.465, 1.641. Ken went 7.623 @ 90.192, 1.754, leaving 0.051 early.

Video #11, Time 5:12 pm, DA = 2,036 ft:
My next opponent was a Buick Grand National. We both went red, but he was more red than me. My 7.417 @ 92.463, 1.663 was quicker than his 8.040 @ 82.698, 1.615.

**Video #12, Time 5:27 pm, DA = 2,036 ft:
On this pass, I faced a 5-sec roadster. He never once saw my taillights. In fact, my burnout was a little much, and Donna couldn’t see my taillights for a while either. hehe. The car just disappears behind the cloud of smoke. Even though this ended up my personal best run of the weekend, 7.351 @ 95.286, 1.621, it was way behind the roadster’s 5.911 @ 115.999, 1.320. But, I got the win light, because he went red. There’s my consolation. haha.

**Video #13, Time 5:31 pm, DA = 2,017 ft:
I made a solo pass this time, stopping the clocks with a 7.396 @ 92.882, 1.641.

**Video #14, Time 5:47 pm, DA = 2,078 ft:
Donna and Ken went at it again on this run. Both were napping at the tree, and the timeslip showed Donna running a 7.367 @ 95.262, 1.631 and Ken a 7.599 @ 91.386, 1.791.

**Video #15, Time 6:00 pm, DA = 2,036 ft:
The final pairing between Ken and Donna, showed a win light in Ken’s lane when Donna went red by 0.028. But, she ran a very nice 7.330 @ 92.514, 1.610 to Ken’s 7.784 @ 90.154, 1.898.

**Video #16, Time 6:03 pm, DA = 2,041 ft:
Three minutes later, Donna was lined up for a solo pass. After ripping off an awesome 0.004 RT, she backed up her previous 7.33 with another one. She ran 7.338 @ 95.785, 1.627. The trap speed was the highest of the whole weekend, and the 2nd highest mph ever on the 10# pulley.

**Video #17, Time 6:14 pm, DA = 2,038 ft:
The final run of the day was another solo. Although, Donna was expecting the other Mustang to be there (they held him back for some reason). So, when the tree dropped, she wasn’t expecting it. But, regardless of the RT, she proceeded to run the quickest ET of the day, as well as the first 1.5x 60’ time ever on the 10# pulley. She ran 7.324 @ 93.106, 1.597.

dude...you 2 make for some great racers! cutting some awesome lights!

Thanks Mick!

1/8-Mile Drags, Barona, April 22, 2007

Sunday was also a good day at the track. Between the two of us, we got in 21 runs. Not counting three runs where we had some tire spin on the launch, all of passes were in the 7.30 to 7.47 range (again, running only 10psi boost). The trap speeds stayed between 92-95 mph just like the day before. The average for the day was 7.39 @ 93.9. My RTs were better than the day before, and Donna also had very good lights again. Her average RT was 0.054, while mine was 0.064.

The weather was again breezy and cool, with temps in the high 50s to mid 60’s. The dew point was again in the mid 40’s all day. The density altitude was a few hundred feet worse than Saturday, but it didn’t seem to make much of a difference.

Here are the videos from Sunday, April 22 at Barona. The vids marked with the asterisks (**) are my favorites.

Video #1, Time 10:07 am, DA = 1,883 ft:
My first run was my worst run of the weekend. When I powerbraked it at the line, I went too high and the car lurched, rolled the beams (going way red) and then spun on the launch. I ran 7.559 @ 92.232, 1.767 (bad) to the Nova’s 6.673 @ 101.223.

**Video #2, Time 10:18 am, DA = 1,848 ft:
This video should be called “synchronicity”. It looks like the Fox Mustang and my car were choreographed… at least up until the launch. I just missed that perfect light, going red by only three thousandths (-0.003). I ran a 7.390 @ 92.712, 1.649 to the Fox’s 9.539 @ 72.081, 2.063.

**Video #3, Time 11:01 am, DA = 1,931 ft:
On this run, I was paired up with a wicked wheelstanding ’57 Chevy. Even though I had Pete by about 8/100’s on the tree (0.056 to 0.137), he drove around me pretty quickly to take the stripe by about 3-4 car lengths. I ran 7.392 @ 93.086, 1.661 to Pete’s 6.872 @ 97.880. I’d love to have my car launch like this ’57!! BTW, Pete is currently #5 in points in the Pro category of the Barona Summit Series. (Pete, if you see this, here is some bonus vid of you in the 1st round of the Summit Race: Video link)

Video #4, Time 11:19 am, DA = 2,013 ft:
Run #4 was against a mid 6-sec Chevy. He went 5 thou red and I had a decent 0.057 light. But my 7.431 @ 92.028, 1.668 was way behind his 6.521 @ 104.644, 1.392.

Video #5, Time 11:28 am, DA = 2,129 ft:
This time I was paired up against a 6-sec Falcon. When the car next to you has a parachute and wheelie bars, you know it’s not going to be close. Check out the launch by the Falcon… pretty wild! I rolled in a little deep when I staged, and it cost me. I went red by 0.034. The timeslip showed a 7.458 @ 94.845, 1.678 for me, and a 6.531 @ 111.099, 1.318 for the Falcon.

**Video #6, Time 11:34 am, DA = 2,076 ft:
My next run was against George’s Chevelle. When I was running the 12# pulley, George and I would match up pretty closely. He’s a good driver and the car is very consistent. George is the current points leader in the Pro category of the Summit Series at Barona. But, I just can’t keep up with him on 10psi boost. Even though I had a 0.009 light to his 0.051, it wasn’t enough. He beat me by about 2 tenths. I ran 7.415 @ 95.012, 1.653 to his 7.191 @ 95.563, 1.567.

Video #7, Time 11:57 am, DA = 2,323 ft:
I got back into the 7.30’s on this run. I ran 7.397 @ 92.596, 1.658 to my opponent’s 6.635 @ 102.303.

Video #8, Time 1:30 pm, DA = 2,452 ft:
This was Round #1 of the Summit Series. I was dialed in at 7.42 and the Dodge was dialed in at 6.45. So I was getting almost a full second on the start. After being so late in the Summit Race on Saturday, I went up there determined to take a shot at the tree. But, I lit the red bulb, and it was over. In fact, both of us went red (my -0.021 to his -0.001), but since I fouled first, he won. And for some reason, my car slowed down even after a long cool down. All I could run was 7.470 @ 92.043, 1.679 to his 6.458 @ 106.754, 1.452 (right on his dial… nice run!).

**Video #9, Time 1:53 pm, DA = 2,430 ft:
Since I made the first 8 runs of the day, Donna was going to get the next 8. And her first one out of the box was one for the record books. First of all, she drilled the tree with a killer 0.009 reaction time, and then ripped off a 7.304 @ 95.627, 1.606. It was easily the best run of the weekend. The 7.304 was a new all time low for my car on the 10psi pulley… even with the DA in excess of 2,400 feet. The hard charging Buick Grand National (nitrous and turbo) has some big top end power, but a 0.321 light coupled with a 7.375 @ 106.274, 2.133 run, allowed Donna to take the stripe by 3-4 car lengths.

Video #10, Time 2:21 pm, DA = 2,347 ft:
Donna’s next run wasn’t as quick, but it was still pretty good. She was running against a crazy fast Plymouth Arrow. After going red by a mere 0.012, Donna ran 7.334 @ 94.936, 1.605. That’s the 2nd best short time on 10psi ever. The Arrow went 6.465 @ 108.238, 1.471.

**Video #11, Time 2:30 pm, DA = 2,308 ft:
Another 6-sec car faced off against Donna this time. The Vega went red by more than a tenth, and Donna cut a good 0.063 light. She ran 7.438 @ 92.510, 1.676 to the Vega’s 6.408 @ 107.594, 1.376. I like the camera angle on the launch on this video.

**Video #12, Time 2:33 pm, DA = 2,299 ft:
Three minutes later, Donna hotlapped it back for another run. It was a solo pass. She had yet another good RT (0.038), and the laid down a nice 7.367 @ 95.100, 1.648.

Video #13, Time 2:37 pm, DA = 2,425 ft:
Another hot lap and solo run resulted in a 7.459 @ 92.378, 1.687. She is still knocking down the tree… 0.043 this time.

**Video #14, Time 2:46 pm, DA = 2,358 ft:
Donna’s 4th run in a 16-minute span was against John and his ’07 Mustang GT. She got really antsy on the line, and left way early, but made yet another pass in the 7.30s. She went 7.380 @ 95.165, 1.634 to John’s 9.107 @ 77.682, 2.163.

Video #15, Time 3:26 pm, DA = 2,457 ft:
On this run, Donna was racing a Ranchero. I’m running out of ways to say this… she just flat drilled the tree again, cutting a 0.016 light. But, she brought the RPMs up too much on the powerbrake, causing the rear to kick out and break loose, spinning through 1st gear. This slowed the whole run down to a 7.541 @ 92.789, 1.753. The Ranchero ran 9.061 @ 76.837, 2.040, with a very nice 0.039 RT as well.

Video #16, Time 3:35 pm, DA = 2,440 ft:
There was a newbie on a motorcycle in the lane next to Donna on this run. I believe this was the girl’s first time down the track on her bike. The timeslip showed a 7.410 @ 94.946, 1.682, to the bike’s 11.444 @ 62.045, 2.823.

Video #17, Time 4:07 pm, DA = 2,315 ft:
This time it was my turn to face the Buick Grand National. This thing has got some serious top end pull… you don’t often see 7-second cars running 107mph! Even though he left early and I was tardy, I was ahead at the 60-foot mark. But by half-track, he was passing me, pulling hard and driving away. My 7.400 @ 92.659, 1.636 was not nearly enough for his 7.149 @ 107.580, 1.979.

**Video #18, Time 4:11 pm, DA = 2,330 ft:
I hotlapped it back for a solo run, running 7.391 @ 94.533, 1.616.

**Video #19, Time 4:22 pm, DA = 2,223 ft:
My last run of the day was another solo pass. And I just missed on the tree, going red by 0.011. I ran 7.413 @ 94.797, 1.652.

Video #20, Time 4:34 pm, DA = 2,230 ft:
Donna got back in the seat for a couple more solo runs. On this one, she over-powerbraked it and the tires spun through 1st gear, bouncing off the rev limiter in the process. The car slowed to a 7.569 @ 92.114, 1.748.

**Video #21, Time 4:40 pm, DA = 2,261 ft:
Her last run of the day was the 2nd best run of the day. She ran 7.329 @ 93.252, 1.620. I really like the camera angle on this run.

Nice job Don. Well done as usual.

1/8-Mile Drags, Barona, May 5, 2007

This trip to the track was the first evening session at Barona of 2007. We were looking forward to running under the lights, but the night ended prematurely due to a mechanical issue with the car. We only managed to get in 11 runs before I discovered a missing lug stud on the right front wheel. The stud had sheared off right at the rotor.

Not counting two runs where we had some tire spin on the launch, all of passes were in the 7.38 to 7.52 range (running only 10psi boost). The trap speeds stayed in the usual 92-95 mph range. The average for the day was 7.46 @ 93.3.

The weather was fairly nice, but a little warmer than previous weeks (yep, summertime is coming). The high temperature was about 72, and it dipped into the low 60s about sunset. The dew point was again in the upper 40’s all day. The density altitude was over 3,000 feet during the daylight, and dropped to around 2,400 as the sun went down.

Here are the videos from Saturday, May 5 at Barona. The vids marked with the asterisks (**) are my favorites.

Video #1, Time 2:29 pm, DA = 3,131 ft:
Donna’s first run of the day was bad… simple as that. Donna was the first car down that lane of the track and it was still pretty green. When she powerbraked the car, it rolled the beams, and then spun hard, resulting in a horrible 60-foot time, and an equally horrible ET. Even my camera work and narration was bad. Her opponent was a Duster, but on the video I say it is a Nova. Both cars are orange, and I just wasn’t paying close attention I guess. Anyway, the sorry numbers are: 8.051 @ 92.401, 2.107. The Duster ran 7.061 @ 98.686, 1.642.

**Video #2, Time 3:03 pm, DA = 3,101 ft:
Donna’s next run was much better. She was lined up against a Chevelle. Donna ran 7.408 @ 93.313, 1.688 to the Chevy’s 8.358 @ 80.024, 1.809.

Video #3, Time 3:09 pm, DA = 3,199 ft:
On this run, Donna was up against a 5-sec monster. Donna cut a nice 0.060 light, but the Chrysler was past her by the 60-foot cone and away he went. The timeslip showed a 7.452 @ 92.729, 1.707 for the Mustang, against a 5.990 @ 119.507, 1.353.

Video #4, Time 3:22 pm, DA = 3,209 ft:
My first run turned out to be my best pass of the day (I only made four runs total). I just missed on the tree, going 0.024 red, and then ran 7.452 @ 94.354, 1.665.

**Video #5, Time 3:58 pm, DA = 3,105 ft:
On this run, Ed was lined up in the other lane. I got a jump by about 8/100 on the tree (0.053 to 0.131). My 7.495 @ 93.813, 1.678 was about 3-4 car lengths ahead of Ed’s 7.848 @ 89.006, 1.776.

**Video #6, Time 4:32 pm, DA = 3,043 ft:
Again, I was racing Ed this time. I cut my best RT of the day on this run (0.007). I think Ed stopped for ice cream before he launched (inside joke). Anyway, I ran 7.469 @ 92.266, 1.693 to Ed’s 7.772 @ 88.857, 1.739.

**Video #7, Time 5:27 pm, DA = 2,806 ft:
Donna and AJ got in one more race before the dinner break. It’s hard to tell exactly what happened, but Donna’s 60’ time was off, so it may have spun at the launch. Anyway, this one ended up being very close all the way down the track. AJ had a slim 7 thousandths lead at the tree (0.050 to 0.057), and at 60 feet he was ahead by 0.106 sec. At half track, AJ was still 0.011 ahead, but Donna was gaining. When they crossed the finish line, Donna was ahead by 0.071 seconds (about 10 feet). Donna ran 7.609 @ 94.398, 1.815. AJ made a very good run, 7.687 @ 89.837, 1.716. I think that was the best run of the day for the silver pony.

Video #8, Time 6:53 pm, DA = 2,538 ft:
My last run of the day was the first round of the bracket race. I was dialed in at 7.47, and the Duster was at 6.94. This one was over before it started. As the tree started down, the car rolled a couple inches deeper. So I was way early (-0.112). To make it worse, the Duster only had a 0.235 light, so all I needed was to cut a 0.175 light or better, and I would have won. Anyway, I ran a 7.524 @ 93.775, 1.688 to his 6.882 @ 98.583, 1.504.

**Video #9, Time 7:23 pm, DA = 2,415 ft:
This run was the quickest pass of the day. Donna was racing a VW, and she just missed on the tree, with a -0.006 red light. Then she ran 7.385 @ 92.135, 1.626. The bug ran 9.117 @ 88.897, 2.145.

**Video #10, Time 7:29 pm, DA = 2,429 ft:
On this run, Donna was lined up against a Subaru. Although I didn’t see it at the time, the track scoreboards had not cleared from the previous run, and both cars sat fully staged for over 20 seconds before the tree activated. Donna did a fantastic job staying focused. She kept the converter loaded up and then cut a great 0.041 light when the amber lights finally showed up. The timeslip showed a run of 7.403 @ 95.084, 1.677. Her trap speed was the highest of the day. The Subie ran 8.268 @ 83.873, 1.757.

Video #11, Time 8:13 DA = 2,334:
The final run of the night was against a Buick Grand National. Normally, this is a pretty quick car, with a big top end speed. But something wasn’t right on this pass. After a -0.023 red light, Donna ran 7.475 @ 92.204, 1.696. The Buick could only muster a 9.090 @ 86.973, 2.304.