GS 163

I am thinking about going to the local 1/8 mile track one of these days. What could I expect to run and is it really worth it?(only going 1/8 mile) A friend of mine took his Rustang out there last week and said there were quite a few people and some really nice cars out there running. He said he ran mid 9's. Is that good? is it possible to figure out roughly, a 1/4 mile time from the 1/8 mile time? Ive never gone racing at a track before, but the itch is starting to get really bad.:D Thanks for any feedback.:)

RatRacer

75% of your mph is achieved in the first 1/8th mile. It's also where you really feel the acceleration. In the second 1/8 things seem to settle down quite a bit.

A decent rule of thumb for predicting your 1/4 time is to multiply the 1/8 ET x 1.55.

Basically the first 1/8 is where the excitement is so get out to your local track and have some fun.

Nathan Plemons

Personally I don't think it would be that fun. Mainly because it is hard to compare numbers with people and you'd be curious what it would really run in the 1/4. I disagree with the statement about all the excitement being in th first 1/8th. Sure you get most of your speed, but sometimes the 1/4 can even things out.

For example I beat a highly modded nitrous mustang because he just couldn't hang in the quarter. He was ahead of me for a while but I blew past him at the end. To me it's fun to know that my car will go over 90 mph. I would like a 1/2 or mile long track. That would get rid of a bunch of the crap. Sure it's fun to drive my car in the quarter, but that's not all. I drive it on the street as well, so let's see what it will really do. I think a mile long drag strip would be cool because you would get more streetable cars out and less people who's top end is little more than their 1/4 mile speed.

However, that being said, if an 1/8th mile track is what you have access to than go for it. I said I wouldn't race my car, then I did "just to see what it would do" now I'm hooked and keep right on modding. It's an addicting sport I can promise you that. You'll notice that not many of the people who have stock cars drag race, if they do than they also have plans for upgrades. You begin to wonder what little things you can do to pick up those few precious tenth's. Small mods turn into big mods, etc. Have fun and let us know what you run ;)

Just beware you'll have emptier pockets.

BTW, just for an example, I have a friend who drives a 92 Dodge Daytona. We convinced him to take that thing to the track. It was almost embarrising, 19.60's @ 70 mph. He could do that legally on the street!!! Anyway we asked him what he thought "this is fun as f&*(&*!!!!!" How pushing your car to the limits (70 mph) can be fun I'm not sure, but he loved it. We promptly got him into a Camaro so he could further enjoy the sport. :chevy


[Modified by Nathan Plemons, 5:23 PM 12/5/2001]

CFI-EFI

Nathan, Bring your car out to the Salt Flats.

mackeyred96

For comparison my best 1/8 mile is 7.394 at @ 94.94 mph.

Nathan Plemons

Hey I'd like to, just can't afford the trip or to break anything right now.

:cheers:

Red Rocket

Forum hype and bragging rights are usually set with 1/4 mile times. When you really think about it, you usually win or lose the race in the first 60' so it does not matter if its 1/8 mile or 1/4 mile. I always look at 1/8 mile tracks as a good time to work on burnouts and launching. Have had more fun on the 1/8 mile tracks.


[Modified by Red Rocket, 7:03 PM 12/5/2001]

Beach Bum

I will be racing an 1/8th mile track frequently in the coming year simply because one opened up that is about 35-40 minutes from me... in addition the will have a NHRA Summit series.

My best is 7.33 @ 93 mph in the 1/8th... that'll be improved upon my next time to the track.. I hope.

It depends, but typically if somebody can run quicker than 7.80 you will have broke into the 11's on a 1/4 mile track... now this varies depending on if you have a hard launcher or a high hp stickshift motor... but its in the ballpark. Also if you can break into the 6's with a 6.99.... this typically is the threshold for a 10 second et... but once again depends on variables.

cheers,
Beach

jay17

Here's my best timeslip so far. If I take the 1/8*1.54 it comes out to be exactly what the 1/4 is.

93 ragtop

I ran a best of 8.70 at I believe 82.?? mph. That was with a 3.54 gear and a k&n air filter. Everything else stock including orig. exhaust etc. I have a friend who has a 94 and it is 100% and he was running 9.0 but I cant remember his MPH. From what I have seen the c-4 is very competive, when comparing it to stock cars. The c-5 are faster by a little, The Vipers are trouble, but mustangs, older vettes, etc are usually not faster then the c-4 vette.
By the way, and a lot on here might disagree with this but if you are going to go to the track and race the mustang, and this is your first time, leave the ASR on and let it control your wheel spin. Leave on the last yellow light. Assuming you are an Auto, I dont believe you will have any problems beating him. Good luck

RatRacer

Red Rocket, Do you have that MTI 396 in your car now? If so you should hook up with us out at Kennedale tomorrow night. The weather is supposed to be excellent. I'm going to be attempting to get my car into the 7.40's-7.50's


[Modified by Cam Potter, 8:13 AM 12/6/2001]

Red Rocket

Cam, thanks for the offer. Did not realize Kennedale was still open. It is a
great track and alot of fun out there on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Cannot make it this Friday because of other commitments but will try and get out there. You are running some good times. Ran my best 1/8 at Kennedale, 7.65, with the 350. Still tuning the 396 and getting a different exhaust but it needs to get out on the track.

RatRacer

Maybe next time. 7.65 on the motor is flying. I expect it to pick up quite a bit with your new engine. I look forward to meeting you on the track soon. It should be a good race.

Red Rocket

Kennedale this time of year is when to get your best times. 55-60 degrees and a sticky track help. Not sure what the 396 is going to run on Nitto Drag Radials. The 350 set up was with 16" ET Streets which I sold. Might get a set of the 15" ET Streets and put them on my 15" set up. Will put the beefed up ujoints and spindles to a real test with that combo. :) Glad to see more Corvettes going out to Kennedale. The owner of the track is a big Corvette guy.

notbob

Why can't we have 60mi tracks?

I wanna see long term run how the cars handle ;)

1/4mi ain't poopie, do that speed for 60mi without any major damage to your car now that's power ;)