Bracket Racers.....
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 32,545
Likes: 2
From: Lithia FL
Cruise-In II & IV Veteran
CI VI Drag Champ!
Bracket Racers.....
I know to be consitent you want the car to be the same every time and that includes weight.
Do you try to gauge (no pun intended) the amount of fuel in the car or do you eliminate that variable by racing with a full tank EVERY time?
Do you try to gauge (no pun intended) the amount of fuel in the car or do you eliminate that variable by racing with a full tank EVERY time?
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,870
Likes: 25
From: Long Island, NY
Re: Bracket Racers..... (REDGAR)
Edger
What I do is fill up before I leave for the track.
The track is 70 miles away. I burn about 3 gallons.
This way I have the same amount of fuel in the tank every time.
But, the 2 or 3 time shots should give you the dial in number for the day.
Also, since the weather is changing every week, I don't see how you could base you dial in on last week's numbers ?
Vic
What I do is fill up before I leave for the track.
The track is 70 miles away. I burn about 3 gallons.
This way I have the same amount of fuel in the tank every time.
But, the 2 or 3 time shots should give you the dial in number for the day.
Also, since the weather is changing every week, I don't see how you could base you dial in on last week's numbers ?
Vic
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 32,545
Likes: 2
From: Lithia FL
Cruise-In II & IV Veteran
CI VI Drag Champ!
Re: Bracket Racers..... (Vic'89)
So you are basically a full tank racer Vic.
I think I am switching to full tank racer too
Thanks
[Modified by REDGAR, 11:55 AM 2/8/2002]
I think I am switching to full tank racer too
Thanks
[Modified by REDGAR, 11:55 AM 2/8/2002]
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,381
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
Thankfully my range and average MPG gauges are very very good indicators of how much gas exactly is left in the tank. I typically try to weigh in on the scale around 3350 give or take 15 pounds when I am at the track.
Normally I try to gauge it so that I get to the track with 1/3-1/2 tank of gas. If the weight is fine, then I leave the car alone. If I am too heavy, I will take the spare tire out to save 30 pounds. If 30 pounds is too much, I'll toss some of my tools back in the hatch. :)
Normally I try to gauge it so that I get to the track with 1/3-1/2 tank of gas. If the weight is fine, then I leave the car alone. If I am too heavy, I will take the spare tire out to save 30 pounds. If 30 pounds is too much, I'll toss some of my tools back in the hatch. :)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,172
Likes: 11
From: somers, ny
Re: Bracket Racers..... (REDGAR)
i've seen some of the Stockers measuretheir fuel after each run. They run with the tank pretty low for max performance, and add whatever they burned on the previous run. easy with the vette. my buddy would use a ruler.
I usually do what Vic does as far as filling the tank, however in the good air i try to keep it just above 1/2 tank for best performance, but i gotta be careful cause if it drops below 1/2 tnk, it will suck air at launch.
I usually do what Vic does as far as filling the tank, however in the good air i try to keep it just above 1/2 tank for best performance, but i gotta be careful cause if it drops below 1/2 tnk, it will suck air at launch.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 32,545
Likes: 2
From: Lithia FL
Cruise-In II & IV Veteran
CI VI Drag Champ!
Re: (ConeKLR)
I'm with you on the same amount of fuel but how certain are you that it is accurate? Is the gauge accurate? If we say within 1/8th of a tank give or take, that is like a 1/4 tank variable.
[Modified by REDGAR, 3:13 PM 2/8/2002]
[Modified by REDGAR, 3:13 PM 2/8/2002]
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 32,782
Likes: 11
From: Former NCM Drag Racing coordinator, National director Corvette Challenge Spring Hill, Tennessee: Whiting, New Jersey
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: Bracket Racers..... (REDGAR)
I want to hear Panuzzo's reply on this one :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy:
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 32,545
Likes: 2
From: Lithia FL
Cruise-In II & IV Veteran
CI VI Drag Champ!
Re: Bracket Racers..... (Vic'89)
I understand that but I am thinking like the car could have different characteristics is you start the day with 1/2 tank getting down ot 1/8th tank vs. starting with a Full tank and getting to 1/2 tank.
I guess I am splitting hairs
I guess I am splitting hairs
Also, since the weather is changing every week, I don't see how you could base you dial in on last week's numbers ?
Vic
Vic
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 32,782
Likes: 11
From: Former NCM Drag Racing coordinator, National director Corvette Challenge Spring Hill, Tennessee: Whiting, New Jersey
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: Bracket Racers..... (REDGAR)
Edgar, you must adjust for fuel load just as you would weather or track conditions but you should never count on fuel weight for traction.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Huntersville NC
Re: Bracket Racers..... (mackeyred96)
Last season I started off running on a half tank, by the end of the season I was runnig a full tank of gas because the car ran more consistant. Take it for what its worth, my car is easier to predict a full tank.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 13,298
Likes: 14
From: Somers NY
Re: Bracket Racers..... (mackeyred96)
I want to hear Panuzzo's reply on this one :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy:
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 32,545
Likes: 2
From: Lithia FL
Cruise-In II & IV Veteran
CI VI Drag Champ!
Re: Bracket Racers..... (mackeyred96)
John that is an interesting statement on not relying on fuel for traction. You read into on of my concerns.
Can you elaborate on why we should not rely on fuel for traction? (presuming we always run full tank of gas)
My real concern is am I hurting anything other than my ET running on a full tank of gas
Can you elaborate on why we should not rely on fuel for traction? (presuming we always run full tank of gas)
My real concern is am I hurting anything other than my ET running on a full tank of gas
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,870
Likes: 25
From: Long Island, NY
Re: Bracket Racers..... (REDGAR)
John that is an interesting statement on not relying on fuel for traction. You read into on of my concerns.
Can you elaborate on why we should not rely on fuel for traction? (presuming we always run full tank of gas)
My real concern is am I hurting anything other than my ET running on a full tank of gas
Can you elaborate on why we should not rely on fuel for traction? (presuming we always run full tank of gas)
My real concern is am I hurting anything other than my ET running on a full tank of gas
It would seem that the extra 100 lbs would help traction.
Vic
Race Director
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 13,298
Likes: 14
From: Somers NY
Re: Bracket Racers..... (REDGAR)
My real concern is am I hurting anything other than my ET running on a full tank of gas
Here is an example, when Bill Casey was running his car as a C/A and wanted to run D/A he had to either get a smaller motor, or ADD weight, so he added weight...the following year, he broke more parts than ever..
He finally made the car lighter, sold the big motor, & ran a 290 ci small motor to run D/A & his parts breakage went way down..
Agreed our cars are not running on the "edge" like a NHRA Comp car, but it IS the same principle.. If I can run at 3400 as opposed to 3500 why would I want to run at the heaver weight ? No advantage that I can see..?
However I'm always ready & willing to listen to other opinions, & if I agree I'd add weight if it would help me..
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Re: Bracket Racers..... (Red96Coupe)
Since I started with keeping 1/2 tank or more, I don't bog off the line anymore and my 60' has improved.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Bracket Racers..... (Red96Coupe)
I run with 1/4-1/3 tank and no spare/jack for a little better performance at the top end. I don't need to rely on the gauge accuracy only that it be consistent from day to day.
I agree with JP on the extra weight issue. More static weight means more inertia to be overcome on launch, Newton's Law. Less weight (mass) means less stress on the drive train.
Traction should be dealt with by adjusting driving technique, rubber and/or suspension as required.
So Edgar, you should run just enough fuel so as not to lean out before the end of the events and try to be consistent as possible. A few gallons is worth 10-15lbs and you can plug that variable into the equations to see how much that impacts your ET.
That's my story and I'm sticking with it.:)
[Modified by 65Z01, 2:25 AM 2/9/2002]
I agree with JP on the extra weight issue. More static weight means more inertia to be overcome on launch, Newton's Law. Less weight (mass) means less stress on the drive train.
Traction should be dealt with by adjusting driving technique, rubber and/or suspension as required.
So Edgar, you should run just enough fuel so as not to lean out before the end of the events and try to be consistent as possible. A few gallons is worth 10-15lbs and you can plug that variable into the equations to see how much that impacts your ET.
That's my story and I'm sticking with it.:)
[Modified by 65Z01, 2:25 AM 2/9/2002]
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 4,724
Likes: 16
From: Little Elm TX
Re: Bracket Racers..... (65Z01)
Good question Redgar,
As Ralph said, with an early C4 and if you run a 1.70 60 ft you have to run at least 1/4 tank of gas.... if you have the ability to run 1.6x 60 fts or quicker a 1/2 tank is advised other wise the pump will pick-up air for a split second that will hit your injectors 10-20 feet out.... not good for your 60 ft time as you could have guessed. Thus I typically race with 3/4 tank of gas. I haven't heard of 88 and up C4's having this problem.
As Vic said, as far as consistency, at our level the weather on that day will play a bigger role than a few gallons of gas.... but I can see the Pro's taking this seriously, they are not only trying to dial in their consistency motor consistecny, but they are also dialing in their weather stations, which means they have to pay attention to all variables including the weight of fuel and the effect it has on their suspension dynamics.
Beach Bum
As Ralph said, with an early C4 and if you run a 1.70 60 ft you have to run at least 1/4 tank of gas.... if you have the ability to run 1.6x 60 fts or quicker a 1/2 tank is advised other wise the pump will pick-up air for a split second that will hit your injectors 10-20 feet out.... not good for your 60 ft time as you could have guessed. Thus I typically race with 3/4 tank of gas. I haven't heard of 88 and up C4's having this problem.
As Vic said, as far as consistency, at our level the weather on that day will play a bigger role than a few gallons of gas.... but I can see the Pro's taking this seriously, they are not only trying to dial in their consistency motor consistecny, but they are also dialing in their weather stations, which means they have to pay attention to all variables including the weight of fuel and the effect it has on their suspension dynamics.
Beach Bum