I decided that I needed some seat time to prepare for the Wally race at Bradenton. I haven’t been down the track for about 6 to 8 weeks so I went down to PBIR last night. Wed night is the night to be there if you want some seat time. I made 12 passes and easily could have done 5 or 6 more. Gates open at 5:00 but I didn’t start making passes until about 7:00. First thing I had to do when I arrived was relax.

First pass was .023 RT. Then .086,.100 and .119. I was losing concentration so decided to eat supper. OK, now I’m back at it, refreshed and ready. Cut a .032 RT, then .010, .027, .006. I’m happy that I was getting into fighting shape so quickly so I’m gonna go for perfect and decide to push the tree just a tad. -.071 RED. Didn’t mean to push it that hard so I had to try again. -.050 RED. OK,I’m hard headed so I’m going to try one more time. -.001 RED. Lesson learned. Don’t push the tree cause you’re gonna get bit. Just let it happen. Perfect lights happen on their own when they feel like it.

Time for one more pass before I make that 100 mi trek home. Decided to launch in 2nd gear. Cut a .014 light by changing my spot on the tree and ran .950 slower. Time to go home and will make one more training session next Wed if the weather permits. Like I said, if you need seat time you cannot beat PBIR on Wed.

 

Where you at in Floriduh?

Fuzzy Dice made 6-7 evenly-spaced 1/8-mile passes a few weeks ago at CFRC, near the airport in Orlando, and could've made that many more, had he wanted.

good-lights for so-little current seat-time, but I'd been content with .032 RT, then .010, .027, .006:
hard to say you got "tree'd" when you're 29-or-better

 

Bob i like the improvement after supper..what did you have?

 

2 ham and cheese sandwiches with mayo, onion and sweet pickles.

Webster

 

I raced Manny Susa 2 or 3 yrs ago at Bradenton. If you don't know him he is one of the best in the country. I ran dead on my dial with a .030 RT. He missed his dial by .02 but he beat me with a .002 light. I got treed.

In my dreams I imagine an .015 average but in real life I want .020.

 

A winning recipe

 

Best advice I can give is beat Fuzzy Dice (sorry Dan) to the concession stand.

I think we will meet at Bradenton for a test/tune 8/22?

Looking forward to seeing you at the track, watch out for that GlensGages guy,Same for Fuzzy Dice,they can be tough on the tree and consistent with the right car.Which car are you guy's bringing

 

Yeah, yeah...not anymore RJ...I have been bringing my own Subway low fat sammich to the track for a while now...do not get in between me and my low fat, however...he he...

We can all hang out together on the 22nd...I plan to be there as well...Glen and I will be fabbing up and installing an aluminum firewall for the rear of my car the day before...I am interested to see what my car does in the 1/4 mile...

I need work on my R/T's as well...when I switched from Hoosier drag radail slicks to MT stiff sidewall bias ply slicks my R/T's went from .020's to .040's...I need to play with tire pressures and see if that will help...I want to raise up above the 15 lbs. I usually run...the MT's may be wadding slightly...

BTW, Web...I hear Orlando Speedworld is the same at test n tune these days...all teh passes you want...

 

I didn't know they had a track for geriatrics in Florida.

When ya comin back? I miss eating at the track, never improved my reaction time, but it did taste good.

 

The sweet pickles did it.

at least you have your spot on the tree. You just need to stage in the same spot for the Wally race.

 

If you only brought ONE Subway low fat sammich with you that would be good. It's the other 9 that are putting the weight on you. I really don't know how to say this but I would advise you to go to a body shop. They know that the firewall on your car is up front.

We have discussed SpeedWorld before. No track prep is the reason I won't go back there for T&T.

 

See, if you had a real race car you would know the NHRA requires two firewalls to protect the driver...front and back if you have an aftermarket fuel cell and battery in the rear...

Any other questions, daily driver boy?....he he he....

 

One question. You ever heard of a flash shield?

 

Don't think I wouldn't like to come up there. I've read your posts about Beaver Springs and Jessica's brownies.

 

I always stage the same. As shallow as possible on a Sportsman tree. I will bump in on a Pro tree. My problem is pushing the tree. Almost every event I go red. Then, if I start thinking about it, .08/.12 is the norm. It's just because I'm not getting any seat time.

If this helps anyone reading this, I compare drag racing to golf. If I play once a month it can get ugly. If I play a few times a week I can shave maybe 15/20 shots a game. I'm not a natural and really have to work at it. If you're going to succeed in this sport of drag racing or any other for that matter you better play a lot.

 

Yeah...that's what they used to call the rear firewall in the 1948 NHRA rulebook....he he he

 

Some things never change regardless of what NHRA does. They say O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis. I say To me it will always be Indianapolis Raceway Park.

The one NHRA event held at Indianapolis Raceway Park is called "the oldest, and most prestegious race in the NHRA." I set a national record there. It's been there since 1961.

I will continue racing at Indianapolis Raceway Park, now go install your FLASH SHIELD.

 

You don't make it to the finals cutting perfect lights, but winning rounds. With all due respect and in my opinion, of course.

I look forward to seeing you Sept 12 at OSW. If you are not busy one day, take a drive up and have a cold one. I'm about a mile off the Fisk Blvd exit, about 20 minutes north of 192.

 

You're probably less than 30 minutes from me. Sept. 12 is the date my grand daughter is getting married in Michigan and then I'm going to my place up there for 6 to 8 weeks. Not sure when I'll be back or racing again.

I had another successful T&T at PBIR last night. Lights varied from .003 to .032. I'm looking forward to Bradenton on Saturday. As a friend of mine always says to the other competitors, bring it on. I'm bringing my A game and leaving with a Wally.

 

Thing is, I know how consistent your car is, so you are definitely in the game. Good Luck!

Have a safe trip up north and Congratulations on the nuptials.