1/8-Mile Drags, Qualcomm, October 3, 2008
We went back to RaceLegal at Qualcomm, except this time we were running the track tune. Racing here is always a challenge, since the “track” is really just a parking lot. And there are a ton of cars with street tires there. So traction is always been hit and miss. However, it wasn’t hooking too bad considering where we were.
We made a total of sevens runs, six of which were better than the previous best ever at this track, including al all-time best for an 1/8-mi anywhere.
Here are the videos from Friday, October 3, at Qualcomm. The videos marked with the asterisks (**) are my favorites.
** Video #1, Time 6:58 pm, DA = 1,397 ft:
My first run turned out to be the best of the night, and the best ever ET on an 1/8-mile track. After a track-best 60’ time of 1.581, I ran a 6.798 @ 102.98. The MPH was also an all-time 1/8-mile best. Whatever was in the other lane struggled to a 14.716 @ 50.96.
** Video #2, Time 7:14 pm, DA = 1,393 ft:
Donna’s first run of the night ended up being a new personal best for her on an 1/8-mile track. After cutting a good 0.553 light (on a 0.500 tree), she tripped the beams in at 6.830 at 102.51, 1.611. The MPH was also an all-time 1/8-mile best. The pick-up truck running against ran 12.217 @ 56.31.
** Video #3, Time 8:16 pm, DA = 1,419 ft:
After the last pass, I noticed that the radiator fan had quit working. So, we had to allow for additional cool down time in the pits. Plus, I left the heater on during the runs to help keep the car cool. On this pass I was lined up against out friend Dan’s ’68 Camaro. In the past, we had always be evenly matched, and this was no exception. I got up on the converter to much, and the car rolled in deep, and then spun on the launch. Both of us left a little early (me by 0.01 second more than him), but since I spun, he had made that up almost a full tenth in the first 60’ (my 1.703 to his 1.618). I reeled him in, and got him by a couple car lengths at the stripe. The numbers were 6.962 @ 102.02, to 7.133 @ 97.19. These side by side runs are the best!!
Video #4, Time 8:56 pm, DA = 1,351 ft:
Donna’s next run was against a Neon SRT “jelly bean”. Both of them roiled in real deep, putting out the top bulb, and Donna went waaaay red. I think going in that deep cost her in the 60’ and the ET. The 60’ was only 1.706, and her timeslip said, 6.940 @ 102.51. The Neon ran 9.285 @ 81.81, 2.349.
Video #5, Time 9:42 pm, DA = 1,447 ft:
Now it was my turn to go red again… three in a row for me. haha. The 60’ foot was pretty good (1.592), but the car dropped off a couple hundredths to 6.850 @ 102.27. The other car (with the ironing board on the trunk) ran 9.782 @ 71.65, 2.156.
Video #6, Time 11:02 pm, DA = 1,451 ft:
On this pass, I took my son with me. With a passenger, I had to run slower than 8.50. So, the plan was to go all out to 1/2 track, then get on the brakes and let the other car come around me. Mission accomplished. After I nice 1.594 60’ time, I got on the brakes haldway down, and ran a stellat 10.704 @ 26.22. Yep… 26.22mph. Normally when you see an ET of 10.7, you expect 126mph… not 26mph. LOL. Anyway, the other car ran 8.668 @ 78.80, 1.949.
Video #7, Time 11:37 pm, DA = 1,414 ft:
On the last run of the night, the car stumbled badly in 1st gear for some strange reason. Not sure why. Anyway, I ended up running a 7.087 @ 99.77, 1.669. The other car ran 9.481 @ 73.77, 2.265.