Pretty off-topic for an audio forum but this was an interesting article

Jstas

Autoblog guys went drag racing at a Ford Racing Invitational event. Found out it wasn't as simple as running in a straight line.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/16/ford-racing-invitational-08-the-aftermath/

If anyone is looking to get into racing, aside from SCCA auto-cross races, drag racing is about as cheap of a thrill as you can get. You can run your Chevy Corvette or your Chevy Aveo. It can be modified to the hilt or bone-stock. Doesn't matter. You need long pants and a helmet at most tracks plus a car that is at least road worthy. If it's trailered in, it gets gone over more closely. But if it's registered, insured and inspected, it gets to run down the track. On a bracket/street night, usually between 15-25 bucks to run all night long. If it's crowded, you might not get a whole buncha runs in but you'll get at least 3 most nights. That's two qualifying rounds and one elimination.

Everyone should have a go at it at least once. It may seem unfulfilling but brackets are designed to eliminate the mismatching of cars and make it about the driver. Granted, because of the human factor, its flawed a bit but it works out well enough and winning the race is just a rush and euphoric feeling that not much else compares to.

Joe08867

I did some bracket racing back in 90-92. Did ok at Raceway Park in Englishtown NJ. Never won it all but made the finals a few times.

Had an 86 Cutlass Supreme with a 327 punched out .60 over and 3 dueces to make it easier to drive on the street. She would pull the wheels off the ground at the track. I miss that car. I sold it after all the tickets started piling up. She ran pretty consistent 11's.

Face

I blew out my back and neck last year and haven't been able to race since. Hopefully, later this year I'll be able to get back into the game, I miss it.

66chevyIISS

Drag racing is fairly cheap until you start breaking parts

obieone

WOW! You tore up some stuff! I remember riding in a car, when the front pin came out of the drive shaft. It was like King Kong was speed punching the floor of the car.

Face

You didn't have a loop?

66chevyIISS

My driveshaft loop is just past the transmission yoke, doesn't do me any good when it breaks in the middle and the back part is still attached. The only thing that would of saved me is a 2nd loop just after the differential.

Joe08867

66, Nasty Break! Did you find a cause other than HP? Was the angle off or something?

Face, Nice trophies! How long you been racing at E-Town?

66chevyIISS

Joe08867 wrote: »

66, Nasty Break! Did you find a cause other than HP? Was the angle off or something?

Basically they miscalculated my Critical speed when they built my driveshaft and as I was going down the track it was bending and twisting until it exploded on me at 111mph.

Critical speed:
The critical speed of a spinning shaft is described as the lowest speed which excites the shaft at it's natural frequency of vibration. This will cause the shaft to bend under the stress of vibration coupled with the centrifugal forces due to the rotation. In english, this means the shaft will vibrate very badly and possibly take a permanent bend (if not destroy the car in the process) as the critical speed is exceeded.

Joe08867

66, that sucks. It is amazing how much goes into it. When we first finished my car way back I had trouble at the top end with a vibration. I was lucky it only turned out to be a misbalanced tire. It was a pretty good vibration though. I can't imagine what yours felt like.

Face

Joe08867 wrote: »

Face, Nice trophies! How long you been racing at E-Town?

Thanks! On and off, about 8 years. I used to hit Atco and Cecil also, but with today's gas prices, I'll probably stick with E-town. Hopefully I'll be back in action later this year.

66chevyIISS wrote: »

Basically they miscalculated my Critical speed when they built my driveshaft and as I was going down the track it was bending and twisting until it exploded on me at 111mph.

Did you have to change your pants after that?