I met a guy at work that goes to these Test and Tune nights at PR. I'll probably head out there near the end of May or early June with him and get some runs in when I have some free time. I only live a mile from the track. Anyone done this yet?

http://www.pacificraceways.com

Click on 2005 Schedule and then on Drag Strip.
$35 the first time. He said you can usually get 4-5 runs in a night.

I'll post here before I head out there to see if anyone else wants to join us.

Greg

 

I havent...but its tempting to see what the car can do....Only thing that really holds me back is the helmet requirement we would have for the mustang ....and that I worry about thrashing too much on the car...

 

The guy I talked to said you didn't need a helmet unless you were under 13 sec, but I see on their web site it says helmet required below 13.99. I'll let you know how it goes. We should be right around 13.8 with no mods.

 

Nice looking car Greg. I have the exact same car sitting in my garage. It's about an hour and a half to head out there for me, would have to be an overnighter, but I think I could convince the wife into it. The only problem would be getting the Friday off to head out there. :bang:

 

I'll be back with my car in a week or so, and I've got 2 helmets. I'll be buying a third some time soon, so if you want a used helmet for track days, I can probably be convinced to give one up. Or, you can pick up a 3/4 helmet pretty cheap at a motorcycle place. I'd love to go to PR some night after I get back. Or a few nights.

 

I'm headed out to PR this Friday (6/3) to practice. Gates open at 4PM. Stop by if any of you can come out. We'll be in the pit area by the concession stand. Anyone can drive around the Pit Area and check out the cars. I'll be near a red 79 Camaro.

I'll post my times if they aren't too bad!

Greg

 

OK my times were bad but I'll still post. 1st time ever trying to drag, what a rush it was. To many things going through my brain at the start line. I tried to work on something different each time.

1st Run - Red light, no time. (oh yeah you need to touch the brake a little to stop after the second stage light)

2nd Run - 15.185 against another 2005 GT (picture below). Forgot to turn TCS off. Hit the Rev limiter before I could shift from second to third. He ran a 14.6 but slowed down to keep under 14.0 (you need a helmet if you run 13.99 or better). He ran 14.0 on his first run, then later ran a 13.77. His car was stock and he had raced before with a Jetta.

3rd Run - 14.503, no big mistakes on this one. A little wheel spin/hop. (time slip below, I'm #4226). Ran against a modified Civic. Tires chirped every time I shifted. Not sure what RPM I was shifting at, seat of the pants approach.

4th Run - 14.872, lugged it on the launch, watched the tach this time and granny shifted at 5500 RPM. Raced an older 5.0 He ran 15.429

[attachmentid=23236][attachmentid=23237]

I'll be working on R/T and launch technique in the future. Guess the car is only as good as the driver. At least the ony race I lost was to another 05 GT.

 

Sounds like you had fun... So your car is totally stock?

I am just concerned about hammering on my car at a drag strip- but the temptation is strong to try just once, I just always feel extremely guilty after pounding the car.

 

Hey? where did that weird post go????!

 

really...lol

 

AJC, yes totally stock. So was the other guys '05. He was just a better driver.
I was a little worried too, but these cars are rock solid. It didn't even seem like I was going that fast. Other than maybe a little clutch wear I don't think it was hard on the engine or transmission. I'll do it at least once more this summer, then again if I make any mods. It's nice to have a seat of the pants baseline on performance.
There must have been 40 other street cars there Friday night including lots of other Mustangs. I felt a little old since I had 20 years on most of the drivers I matched up against.

I'd like to see if your tires make any difference for you.
Here is another pic of the two of us heading to the start.
[attachmentid=23451]

Greg

 

DOh all this talk is making it tempting to try this one time but I think I Will need to get a helmet since I will most likely break the 13.99 barrier unless I really Blow the launch. Actually a friend offered up his racing helmet - so really the biggest issue is getting some free time to head down there... Its a long drive for me...
as for age... IM 40 this year.. OW.... :cry: