I went drag racing today - f*cking gutted

[Fast Guy]

I went to Shakespeare today and did a few runs up the strip.

The excuses first.


It was pretty hot during the day. I was sweating quite well in the car, so not perfect weather for racing, but OK none the less.

I was carrying quite abit more fuel than usual as my car seems to be abit more economical with the few small aero mods I've done. I had just under 1/2 a tank instead of the usual 1/4 (about 10kg there). I stripped the car but took some stuff I didn't need a good 5kg) and still have one lightweight part to fit that will save another 10kg too. So thats 25kg minimum I could have saved.

I was running 1.1bar, but it tails off up the revs.

My 60fts look good on paper, but traction off the line didn't seem perfect at times.

I did 7 runs and there was about 0.13s between them.

I checked Nisr227s letstorquebhp.com site and it reckons I need about another 10bhp or 25kg less to knock off those 64thou to get an 11.99 1/4 on the standard turbo. (304bhp and 1075kg)

If only it had been colder, if only I wasn't carrying that little bit of extra weight, if only I'd turned the boost up abit..........:doh:

I'll weigh the car on monday to see what it is.

As you can imagine, I'm gutted.


It's a couple of years since I last took it up the strip. The only mods in that time are aero and probably another 25kg shaved off. My time has gone down by almost 0.4 and speed has gone up by about 3mph.

I like how inaccurate my speedo is. It was showing almost 125 over the line.:-D

I wish I could have done that 11.99 today, but I think I've proved it should be possible on the standard turbo, as I have a good 20bhp less than some have had on the standard turbo.

Oh well, time for a bigger turbo I think.

 

[pulsarboby]

excellent times are those carl, just goes to prove how much quicker the rb models are over short distances you would never get a time like that in a standard stripped car.
good reaction times too8)

 

[Fast Guy]

My first run had a 2+second reaction time. I was half asleep and noticed the lights had changed, so I mashed the throttle and went. I noticed I'd launched at 6500+rpm. Previously when I'd tried that it bogged down. It felt like it wheel span too much, so I went stright round for another run.

When I compared the 2 slips and noticed the better 60ft on the first run, I tried giving it as much throttle as I could for the next runs. Some were good, but I messed a couple by changing gear early and just catching the limiter in the higher gears. It's just a shame I seemed to be wheel spinning off the line all day. Possibly it was helping looking at those 60fts, but it just didn't feel as good as normal.

 

[bracpan]

Nice one....good to see the aero parts do a bit of good. I also gained on top speed from the year before.
Good luck
Phil

 

[frp]

Well done carl nothing to be disappointed about. I'm going to the japshow on Saturday and hoping for 11.99 or better. Mines a lot heavier though albeit more ponies. Just need to get the launch Sorted last time they were 2.4s I think but only 3k set off. do you think the more power you car has the more traction loss you're getting?

Steve

 

[Fast Guy]

I think I might be getting to the point where I don't have enough weight on the wheels. My last 3 runs (fastest included) were with front tyre pressures at 20psi. That seemed to give slightly better launches than 26psi. Maybe I should have dropped it even further to see if it improved again.



There was an RS500 there today doing 16sec 1/4s He looked like he was taking it very easy off the line, but still getting 105 terminals, so plenty of power. You need to launch it to get good times. It's just a case of do you trust your gearbox.

 

[frp]

My best terminal was 115 think I need 117or more for 11s. My tyres are usually very low pressure. Last time my box had only just been put in with new clutch.. if I could get a 1.7 60ft id be over the moon. Did you play with the coilovers?

Steve

 

[Fast Guy]

Not realy. I was going to, but never did. I just put the fronts mid position damping wise and left it at that.

If you want a 1.7 60ft, you're going to have to risk your box by launching it hard. I was launching at 6500rpm ish today. I think one was even 7K rpm.

If you want a fast time,launch it then redline it in every gear and don't miss a gear or hit the limiter.

 

[gtirx2]

Great times mate,your 60ft times are real good and consistent.
I should also be going up to the rwyb at santa pod on saterday,hoping to beat 12.8 what i got last time.
What tyre pressures do you guys run then?I am thinking 20psi in the front and leave the rears a 30psi?

 

[frp]

I guess ill just have to give it a go. Have to drive it home though :lol:

Steve

 

[Fast Guy]

Take a foot pump with you, then you can play around with your pressures.
I got a 1.632 at Elvington in the rain, but I can't remember what pressure that was at. Today, fronts were 25ish then 20psi for the last 3. Rear were untouched at 30ish.

Having said that 1.669 was on 20psi and 1.670 was on 25psi.

 

[gtirx2]

Thanks mate i will give it a go.

 

[vss irvine]

Have to drive it home though .lol.

Steve

steve you'll need this

http://www.rac.co.uk/uk-breakdown/

 

[DannyGTI-R]

I also need to to brake into the 1.7's as 60ft times as last year only did 3 runs but 12.3's were best and that was launching at 6.5k all 60ft time were in the 1.8's. Terminals of 113mph. All tyres at 30psi may be that where I was losing out ???

 

[frp]

Cheers martyn I have the full AA cover which covers me so any car I'm in even as a passenger is covered fully. Very good service in the past. Only thing is I'm sure all the breakdown things don't recover within so many miles of tracks/circuits etc. Can't remember where I read that though might have been the AA that said it?.
I was trying to persuade jimmy to bring his transit with spares and a crane! :lol:
Steve

 

[dave]

what engine parts and boost setup you have?

 

[vss irvine]

hope it all holds together for you steve,

but if your chasing those times your going to have to forget you need to drive it home!!

 

[darkyGTI-R]

Nice one Carl they are very respectable times wish my standard R could go like that lol

 

[HotSnot92]

very good times m8
i got a 13.3 at the pod last year with a 1.7 to 60ft but lanched it at 4k and over the line at 102mph the car was packed with my tent clothes water subs amp ect ect im 2 lazy to strip the car :lol::lol::lol::lol: would love 2 get into the 12s :-D

 

[stevepudney]

good times carl but what can I say, time marches on so age and slower reactions creep up on us all ;-)