Ruby now has a little over 500 miles on her so it was time to stretch her legs a little. I headed down to Moroso drag strip for their Friday night test and tune session with visions of world records dancing in my head. The first thing I noticed is there are a lot of fast cars out there. The second thing I noticed is that I'm really not very good at this anymore. The final thing I notice is that driving technique has changed a lot from my days with my 14.7 second '69 Road Runner.

First run: 2,000 rpm launch; dump the clutch and bog the engine. Power shift to second and third.

14.7 @ 96 with 2.3 60 ft.

Second run: 4,000 rpm launch; dump the clutch. Lots of wheel spin and axle tramp. Bounce off the rev limiter and power shift to 2nd. Miss 3rd gear, find 5th gear. Go back to 3rd and put tail between legs.

15.6 @ 88 with 2.6 60 ft.

Third run: 4,000 rpm launch; slip the clutch (first time I have ever tried this). Good bite, little if any wheel spin but still a little axle tramp. Power shift to 2nd but granny shift to third. Did shift to 4th just before line which may have cost me a little.

13.95 @ 99 with 2.1 60 ft.

When I picked up my timing slip the guy said I would have to have a helmet before I could run again. They have a rule that says you need a helmet if you run better than 13.99. I don't think I have ever been so happy to be disqualified in all my life

I went home with a much deeper respect for the guys who are actually getting these things to run mid 13's. It takes a lot more driver skill than just flooring the gas and dumping the clutch.

The Boss Hog
(I shall return . . . . . . )

 

I just love how you have named your car "Ruby", fits very nicely. She's a beauty too.

 

Sounds like a good time ..... Glad you took it to the track to 'stretch' the old legs!

I'm still kind of stumped at the trap speed ... Where are these things running out of gas ?

In my '99 Cobra, a 13.95 would be good for 102-103.

Congrats on being DQ'd!!!

 

Sounds like you had a good time, the most important thing. I would probably be good competition for you since I have not driven a stick (let alone race) for a few years.

 

Two Things -

#1 - Looks like you did darn good for getting back in the saddle again.

#2 Thanks - I had it in the back of my mind that when I got my car I would take it to the strip for the fun of it. Then it hit me that it had been 40 years since I was on an official strip and started gettng second thoughts....you reminded me how much fun it use to be

....also, appreciate the starting tips.

 

Others have had good results from shifting sooner. HP climbs all the way to redline (or darn near it) on this engine, but torque is dropping off.

Good job, I can't wait to go try mine out at a track. I'm sure I'll take some time to figure the right launch. Must have been a good track, hooking well; if I launch at 2500rpm on a back road, I boil the tires.

 

Congratulations. Sounds like you had a lot of fun. Now go out and buy a helmetl and go have more fun!

 

You did a great job in describing the launch and the results you got. From my experience at the strip with a manual, you will most likely have to warm/clean the tires a bit but be careful to make sure they are dry. You will not have to do a burnout with the stock tires (pull in the water box, smoky haze, etc) - just pull up (by driving around the water box) and do a quick spin (dump the clutch with the dry tires) and 'clean' them a bit. Watch out for water that might have been dragged on up to the lights by someone who didn't do things right who was ahead of you. Water at that point will absolutely guarantee wheel spin and most likely wheel hop. Tire surfaces that are not consistently warm/dry will cause vicious wheel hop so that is why you want to be sure your rear tires are properly conditioned as you pull up to stage.

At the line, you will absolutely have to slip the clutch a bit and roll into it. Otherwise, you will get the spin/hop or bog that you saw. Best results are obtained with slipping it slightly and rolling into the throttle almost instantaneously as you let out the clutch.

Remember to launch on the (Edit: THIRD) amber light. Waiting till the green will cost you a huge amount of reaction time and launching on the second one will most likely net you a red light/disqualification (if racing).

Keep us posted - you did great! (And you should wear a helmet, no matter WHAT speed or ET you run. Just for your own safety. )

 

Congrats on getting DQ'd. Normally that would not be a good thing but in this case it is since you beat the requirement time for the helmet rule. Good job

 

Nice going Boss!

And I hadn't realized that you are (somewhat) local to me.

My brother runs at Moroso with his 'Baby' every now and then (see the website I have linked under my profile at the bottom of my post ).

His wife just recently got her Redfire GT and he plans on eventually taking it up there. My Black GT is due in soon so we might take that as well. Be nice to park all the Ponies nice and close with Ruby in there!


Here's a pic of my brother's car after winning the '03 Citrus Nationals at Moroso.

 

Tom,
I got a good hearted laugh out of the beginning of your post. That would be me. I have not been to a dragstrip in 35 years. Cause their just to far away for me these days. I have often though about launching at he strip today. Takes a few runs to find what will work the best. I would like to do it again a few times, without having to worry about where is Mr. Policeman.
Enjoy your GT.

Bruce

 

Hey Tom, glad to hear you're out havin' fun. Wish I had mine.... unfortunately I'm limited to bench racing at this point.
Try shifting at 5500 or so, since that's about where the torque peters off. Once upon a time, there was a thread here that mentioned one of the drivers got a better ET shifting at that point. I think you're on the money slipin' the clutch, though.

I wonder what the guys would tell you if you showed up with a bicycle helmet.... just to be funny.

 

Boss and Ruby, I shall see you both there once I get my new '05 stang early next year. The weather (race wise) should still be good for another few months. Moroso - where else can you go over 100mph legally all night long for only $15???

 

Boss

So when are YOU going to need new tires?

 

All,
Thanks for all the positive replies I was a little concerned about posting such poor numbers but, hey, you gotta start somewhere I have to admit that I was more than a little nervous when I got there. Someone asked "how's it run?" and I answered "Tuesday". Another asked "how do you like it?" and I answered "Redfire". I'm sure word got around quickly to watch out for the crazy old guy in the Mustang!

I will say that Ruby did get her fair share of attention in the pits. Even had one guy take her picture. I had a ball and will be going back again.

The Boss Hog
(a.k.a. Don Garlits . . . . . . . )

 

Tom, Let me know when you go again. I would love to go out there and letting her run hard. I've never ran at the track and would just love too. I've been out there quite abit watching races, but never had a vehicle worth running there. Also, I believe you would, but did you have the TCS on or off?

 

I firmly believe that Drag Racing at the track is the most fun you can possibly have with your clothes ON.

 

13.95 for a first time out with that car is not bad.Hope I do as well.I am a poor manual guy,im used to autos,but im learning.

 

You just convinced me to buy an auto trannie.

 

B) Black Beauty just turned 1100 miles and celebrated w/ an oil change... been considering takin' her to the track after 1500 miles... other than racing on a pc -I'm completely green on any of this... your story is very encouraging