youknowtherest said:
F--k me. That's some driving. I hit .58 once, running a transbrake on a built C4 behind a 408 stroker. A good light for me is the mid .6's. My heart just won't stay still long enough to make the 5's. You must have ice water in your veins. :rockon:
It's easy on a full tree. Since that car is a manual FWD, and doesn't have much torque (1.5L), I can't expect a dramatic launch. So, I had to come up with a "torque converter" technique. Are you following?
I Roll forward in the box until I trip the front sensor, then roll back to trip the back sensor, then I just inch forward in the box again to clear the back sensor. I yank the e-brake to keep me set (built in linelock
), get the revs up at the top of the tree and dump the clutch to get the tires broiling around mid yellow. Then I roll into the gas to get the tire speed up (It keeps you in place better, and heats the tires better). Then, at the last yellow, throw the e-brake down. When you get the green, you are already on a slight creep forward. Just "blip" off the throttle to let the tires grab and roll back into the throttle gradually once you feel it hooking up. If you do it right, you'll burn out of the box with authority. Of course, it's tricky to not burn so much that you smoke out the sensors, and technique really is only good for street tires. So, basically, I use the tires as a torque converter. Since noone has seen that method, I should call it something like "Vulpine's Street-Brawler Drag Launch". I mean, who burns
IN the box?
And by the way, .548 isn't even the best I got! That was just the notable one where I hole-shot the vette - and we got it on video.
He was watching me burn instead of watching the tree, I guess. Later that day, after more practice, I ended up with a .5055! The guy in the tower announced it to the crowd and I got a standing O on the drive back past the stands... I didn't know why. I mean, my trap speed was only like 94 (my best time that day, don't laugh, the car only has like 100 hp) and I got my azz handed to me by a Supra. You know how it is, you don't really know how you did until you get your slip. I thought they were clapping for the Supra.
As they say, "run what you brung". I was just out having fun legally racing and ended up learning a lot. And, I taught some people a few things. Granted, my '85 isn't fast by any means (15.8 best), but I beat a couple people that day that I shouldn't have just on driving skill alone. THAT feels really good. I mean, to toss a nearly stock 20 year old 1.5L with 280k on it down the stip and get under 16 is doing something.
But, it gives you a sickness... you get a bug. You start to think, "Man, I need a faster ride so I can seriously school some of these tools. Wow, I hate to think what would happen when I sit on some serious heat." From then on, you've got the "itch".
I haven't had a chance to get my '91 to the strip yet. I wanted to get a new clutch/flywheel and a new tranny - I spun the second gear synchros racing cycles... oops. I've been fiending for a long time now.
