Note: It was brought to my attention by some of my close friends that I need to translate my blog postings for the not-so-race-savvy supporters out there. I’ll try my best to translate as I go…
Well, the little “funk” I’ve been going through trying to get acclimated to the new car has passed, I hope. I think it was directly associated to my annual birthday funk I go through, but nevertheless, it was frustrating and mentally draining. The funk disappeared, and I got my driving “Mo-jo” back. We have the car detuned so I could attempt a first 1/4 mile pass since I have been pretty consistent getting it down the 1/8 mile. (non-racer translation: the car is slowed down a bunch to keep it mild mannered and easy to drive)
So, out to the NMRA Reynolds, GA race on Saturday to make some exhibition passes (since bbf/twins are not legal by NMRA rule to run Pro 5.0). Straight out of the box, it ran a 7.51 @ 187 mph smooth and easy. Let me tell you, I thought the launch in these cars was surprising, it was NOTHING compared to feeling those dual chutes deploy! Those are the HARDEST hitting parachutes I’ve ever felt! (Non-racer translation: That was waaay cool, and its not even near its potential!)
We attempted 2 more qtr mile passes after that, but the car developed an electrical hiccup, and didn’t make any worthwhile hits.
The run can be viewed on NMRA TV. As long as they don’t switch the link location on me again, I should be the very last car down the track on that segment of the broadcast.
A few photos I found online have been placed in my photo gallery. If any of you see any other images out there I missed, send ’em my way. (All my photog friends couldn’t make it, so I had no photo/video for the site.)
On Sunday, after packing up at Reynolds the night before, traveling back to the shop (1 hour away), and then back PAST Reynolds again to Macon Nat’l Dragway in Macon, GA… we unloaded for the Dixie Pro Mod race and got to work trying to find the hiccup. Josh and I went over the whole car looking for loose connections, broken wires, or any sign of what may have caused the car to shut off on the starting line twice the night before, but didn’t find anything significant enough to have been the culprit.
So, we warmed it up and took it to the starting line. The problem seemed to be gone, and we were able to make it just past the shift transition before it got loose due to track conditions, still coasting to a 5.03 1/8th mile. (Non-racer translation: Whew! It was a little slippery out there!) That qualifying attempt made me the first turbo car ever to run with the Dixie Pro Mod Association after their new rule revision allowed deviation from the long standing nitrous only tradition. Further qualifying attempts proved more of the same challenges with traction, and I fell just short of qualifying for the 8 car field.
Overall, not a bad weekend. It was definitely good preparation for the upcoming Fun Ford Weekend event in Commerce (ATL), GA this weekend. I will be testing Thursday and racing Fri-Sun in Pro 5.0 for the first time. Payday for this event is $30,000 in Pro, which I don’t think I have a prayer for yet, but I’ll be turning up the wick to get a little closer. I’m hoping for a 6 second timeslip or a 200 mph pass… we’ll see if my ambitious goal will be obtainable so early!
Wish me luck!!!
