UBNZO6D

OK I'll bite, where did you find a 5 mile straight away in this country that you had access to?

Greg

MikeyTX

Several of them in the desert along sections of old 66 for starters.

MikeyTX

And, we have sections of old yet well maintained US highways here in TX that are smooth like a bowling alley and run for miles.

dbs1vette

A few in NV. Ran an 06 GTO around 155 for several miles until that little dot in the big distance....no, couldn't be. Yep...county mounty.

Rookie racer, curious what speed you were at when you went by the mile marker?


And the "stock" comment on my 04 Z was a little tongue in cheek comment for all those who insist their car is "bone stock"...except for the cai, or cam n heads or LT's & tune, ect...

Rookieracer

178.5 at the one mile marker.

dbs1vette

Thanks. Sounds similar to my gains of 9-10mph. You've got me covered by 1mph there as well. I thought we'd see around 15mph gains from the mile to mile an a half.

That does it...I need mo powa!!!!

TopSpeedNeed

Lol, believe it or not, I understand your confusion, and how stupid it sounds. The only way I can justify the craziness of how I think about it, is I have been doing HPDE's for years, and I guess its just because I feel more comfortable if something goes south, usually, you spin out, and tag some corners of the car, and usually the only injuries are your pride when everybody there comes and takes pictures of your wrecked car. Where as, the videos I have seen of those high speed straight line events, when something goes south, be it driver induced or a mechanical failure, the car seems to catch a tire, start rolling, then tumble turning, and just plain ugly. And yes there have been people killed in HPDE's, I know, but just my issue, and my issue alone. Even the guys that have wrecked at Daytona, usually, its a spin and hit the wall, where as in all the years of HPDE's, I don't recall anyone rolling and tumble turning several times like I have seen in the high speed straight line stuff. And I have seen a corvette and a Porsche flip over at Roebling road, but I believe in both cases, the car was sliding sideways and when both right side tires caught the dirt, it rolled it once and landed back on the wheels. I just cant get the rolling over, and tumbling out of my head. Its just me, I know it sounds weird, but just being honest.

MikeyTX

I would be surprised to hear that anyone involved in top speed runs isn't aware of the dangers. Life is full of dangers. I reference my ex wife as a classic example ..........

jim2092

As a crew member of a Bonneville car that "only" goes 170 mph, I am just providing needed information for someone who plans to go that fast for the first time.

MindBend

It's the risk:benefit ratio. At 185+ you have no friends. If it's worth it to you, go for it. If you're willing to make the calculated risk, increase your survival chance by have extra safety gear. (fire-retardant suit, HANS, cage, etc, etc.)

USAF

Frame the timing slip.

Of course you do it

USAF

Rookieracer

Having crewed and driven in NASCAR for 30+ years, I'd be way more concerned about hitting a wall than I would about a top speed event with nothing around me to hit. Especially fearful of a side impact on a closed course with walls.

As they say " Its not the speed that kills you, its the sudden stop".

That said, common sense and good vehicle maintenance goes a long way to keeping you safe at a top speed event.

MikeyTX

Exactly !

3 Z06ZR1

Long amazing story! I looked on Ebay and found a perfect 2002 Silver Z06 in Phili PA. Flew in from Nebraska on a Saturday in July 2004.
The car had 7,XXX miles and was perfect. Made the deal with the owner. Drove from PA to be at a work assignment in Kansas City Mo.

On that coming Monday. 1600 miles and little over 36 hrs to do it. SO I put cruise on 75 mph.

All night I drove till the wee hours of 5am or so and the Sun was coming up on that sunday morning. I could see for miles off a hill NO
CARS ANYWHERE! OPEN ROAD!

So this is the time! I thought so I dropped to 4th gear 6500 rpm BANG hit 5th
was wizzing at 150 plus and climbing only to look and see

A %^$&# Indiana STATE trooper with his lights on waiting in the middle for me to go by!!!

I thought I'm going to jail anyway!! So I left it hammered for miles on end wizzed through 2 interchanges and pulled off on the 3rd one.

At least 5 miles WFO! I hit a steady 172 or so ! Never saw the cop again
Pulled in the truck stop hiding the car somewhat!

Ordered got a paper ordered breakfast waited to be arrested but they never came so I ate and 45 minutes to an hour later I filled up and left never saw them!

MikeyTX

^^^ "Gotta Love It !"

dbs1vette

Lucky sucka. I'd still be behind bars doing time probably. In NV they have a whole group of attorneys that specialize in speeding tickets. If you've got the $ you can avoid the points on your DL as well as the report to your insurance co. It cost me $450 if memory serves me right.

dbs1vette

Rookie racer, did you happen to find out what the C6 ZR1 was running on Sat?

Rookieracer

I don't remember seeing one. What color was it?

On Edit:

Found a pic of a white one in my camera folder. One of my buddies thinks it was 192, but I'm not really sure.

dbs1vette

Yeah, the only one I saw was white. Had an oil pressure issue on my last run which took all my focus off going around and asking folks what speeds they ran.
If it was 192 I'm wondering if he was stock or had some hp helpers? Wouldn't take just a smaller pulley or...

benspruce

I'm the guy who started this thread and I appreciate all of your input. I guess, to be completely honest, is that I am 73 years of age, and I'm not sure my reflexes would be as good as most of you if something required quick correction. I realize that at 180 mph there's not much time for a correction once something starts to go wrong, but I would enjoy celebrating my 75th birthday in 2018. In addition, my wife is not in favor of this event. So it may have to remain an intriguing idea while I consider it further. For those of you who do attend, have a great time. and be safe.