San Antonio Raceway

[Shinytrinkets]

Well, last Friday night was my first time going and actually running on the track. Wow...to say the least. It was awesome. I was a little dissapointed in my times though. My lowest time was 14.4, and my best reaction time was .6. I averaged about a 1 second reaction time however. Also, way dissapointed with the speed..I never got over 98 mph! Surprised with 300 horsepower and 315 lbs of torque...am I wrong? My tires are on their last leg so I wasn't getting to much grip and when I was taking off my back end was hopping all over the place. Hopefully when I go back again I will have some new tires, and maybe a few other little things like an oil change, new spark plugs...little stuff I suppose. I want to see how much difference that stuff may make. So, any suggestions for the next time? I want to try for mid 13's....hopefully getting there just involves a little better driving and not lots of money.:)
-Trink

[Miguel]

Try some drag radials, they helped my mechanic harness his 700HP monster.

[cvalois1]

I went to the dragway (New England Dragway, Epping NH) for the first time ever last night. I've got a 2001 Cobra Convertible w/ 3.73 gears, MGW shifter and Predator tuned. I also had a blast, but was disappointed in my times too.

My first run was a 14.358 @ 102.14 mph. Reaction time was .621 and the 60 foot time was 2.393 seconds. My best time, which included a missed shift into second was 13.728 @ 106.67 mph. Reaction time was .826 and the 60 foot time was 2.317 seconds. The biggest problem was getting traction in first and second gear.:(

I've got half worn BF Goodrich Comp T/A tires (245/45/17 front and rear) and I lowered the pressure to 25 pounds in the rear. I probably could have gone down to 15 pounds. Each time I launched, I let out the clutch at idle and mashed the gas. The rear wheels never grabbed in first gear. The rear end was hopping like crazy, even when shifting into 2nd. After one of my runs a guy came over and said my convertible top looked like it was expanding and crompressing quite a bit when all the wheel hop was happening. :eek: It seemed almost pointless. I felt like I was on ice. It is nothing on the street.

From what I understand from talking to others, racing slicks or street slicks (wide as you can fit) will help a lot. Focussing on getting off the line with minimal wheel spin and working to lower the 60 foot times to closer to 2.000 seconds or better will pay off in the end.:thumbsup: Maximum Motorsports makes a ton of suspension parts and drag and street grip box packages that could help.

I saw several non-supercharged Cobras and Mach 1s with average mods but either racing compound tires or M/T slicks running mid 12's. I also saw an '07 Shelby GT500 run a 14.5. It just takes a lot of practice and its all about figuring out how to get your car to hook up just right.

Last night was the last night open for the season, but I already cain't wait to get back up there to practice more!:D :bounce:

[geckorz]

Last weekend I also did my first drag. The best I did was 14.4 at 100 mph all of this with MAC cat backs. Not bad for a 97. Car is now having Long tubes, H pipe and stage 1 cluch, so I want to bring it back to the track and see what she will do. I was happy with my runs. :D