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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,398
Likes: 2
From: Allentown PA
New record...Sort of...
I loaded up the Z for a trip to Island Dragway Friday night.
The results....after running 9.75 two weeks ago....a record 2 passes over 13 seconds. (13.42 and 14.20) I have never done this before in ANY car OR truck I have ever owned.
I have never seen a track with less traction in my life, it was unsafe unless you had a 13 second car. I will never go back, unless I decide to ruin a Civic and run it.
The results....after running 9.75 two weeks ago....a record 2 passes over 13 seconds. (13.42 and 14.20) I have never done this before in ANY car OR truck I have ever owned.
I have never seen a track with less traction in my life, it was unsafe unless you had a 13 second car. I will never go back, unless I decide to ruin a Civic and run it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,517
Likes: 50
From: hopatcong nj
I loaded up the Z for a trip to Island Dragway Friday night.
The results....after running 9.75 two weeks ago....a record 2 passes over 13 seconds. (13.42 and 14.20) I have never done this before in ANY car OR truck I have ever owned.
I have never seen a track with less traction in my life, it was unsafe unless you had a 13 second car. I will never go back, unless I decide to ruin a Civic and run it.
The results....after running 9.75 two weeks ago....a record 2 passes over 13 seconds. (13.42 and 14.20) I have never done this before in ANY car OR truck I have ever owned.
I have never seen a track with less traction in my life, it was unsafe unless you had a 13 second car. I will never go back, unless I decide to ruin a Civic and run it.
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,841
Likes: 1
From: Ride the Lightning NJ
Eventually, I sent them a note about my experience, along with photos of the bottom of my car to ask where they expected a driveshaft safety loop on a C5 Corvette. At that point I received the following...
1) First, I would like to take the time to apologize for the treatment you said you received at the track. Regarding the torque tube issue, I will be at the tech meetings with NHRA this weekend. Having personally not crawled under a late model vette, I don't want to make a decision one way or another at this time. I urge anyone who has a problem with any of our staff, or a disagreement in the interpretation of a rule to simply, and courteously, request any of our staff members to contact myself or (name removed). We will do our best to make a fair decision. Regarding issues such as this torque tube, we have heard time and again about certain items being allowed, even up to the National event level. Upon further investigation, most times, our tech personnel's decision was correct, and either what we were being told by the racer was inaccurate, or yes, other tracks turned a blind eye to an issue. Sorry, but we generally do not turn a blind eye to a safety issue.
2) I have spoken to most of my tech people already regarding the issues you presented, especially the personal treatment, or lack thereof. I hope it does not happen again. If you, or anyone feel they are being mistreated, or treated less than respectfully, I urge someone to calmly request ANYONE at the track with a two way radio, to get hold of myself, (name removed), or (name removed). One of us is ALWAYS on the property. The torque tube issue is resolved. After reviewing the rules and their intent, I do not feel that a driveshaft loop is required on the torque tube... Couple questions?
- Is there an issue with obtaining an SFI flywheel and clutch on 6 speed cars running quicker than 11.49?
- Is there a problem installing an SFI flexplate shield on similar auto trans cars?
- If an automatic trans or converter were to explode on a stock vehicle, would the fuel tanks be in danger of being punctured?
- Are there a set of guidlines your group follows in their series? If they are printed, I would like to have a copy in order to try to get on the same page as other tracks.
I did not reply to all of the above as I do not run a manual trans, have an SFI flexplate & housing on my car already and am not an engineer with GM to know the design specs enough to comment on any type of failures. I also added: "Guidelines followed by the tracks I run at are almost always posted on their web sites and tend to go along with the NHRA rules for each class as well as track specifics such as noise, mufflers, Db limits, etc."2) I have spoken to most of my tech people already regarding the issues you presented, especially the personal treatment, or lack thereof. I hope it does not happen again. If you, or anyone feel they are being mistreated, or treated less than respectfully, I urge someone to calmly request ANYONE at the track with a two way radio, to get hold of myself, (name removed), or (name removed). One of us is ALWAYS on the property. The torque tube issue is resolved. After reviewing the rules and their intent, I do not feel that a driveshaft loop is required on the torque tube... Couple questions?
- Is there an issue with obtaining an SFI flywheel and clutch on 6 speed cars running quicker than 11.49?
- Is there a problem installing an SFI flexplate shield on similar auto trans cars?
- If an automatic trans or converter were to explode on a stock vehicle, would the fuel tanks be in danger of being punctured?
- Are there a set of guidlines your group follows in their series? If they are printed, I would like to have a copy in order to try to get on the same page as other tracks.
I have not returned and it's not high on my list.
Last edited by digivex; May 23, 2010 at 06:47 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,398
Likes: 2
From: Allentown PA
I had the same issue with the lack of a driveshaft loop last year myself. Along with expired belts.
This year they have the waiver that you usually sign at the gate, printed on the back of the tech sheet. I guess paying some guy/girl $20 a night put them over budget. Also they still refuse to use a second cashier, not matter how long the line gets.
My friend take his 9 second RX7 (Buick motor) and tells tech it runs 12's so they don't pay any attention to his car, there is nothing legal about it. If I go back, thats what I'm doing.
I'm glad you wrote them a letter, I have a whole bunch of complaints but never bother taking the time to write.
Friday night a guy was openly carrying a cooler filled with beer and no one said a thing. Also, I got held up at the line for 3 minutes because there was a clock problem, they would not let me do another burnout.
The track was/(is?) for sale, lets buy it and make it nice.
As an aside, at Beaver Springs, you only tech in once a month, you get a sticker for the month then you are good until that month ends. I love it there! Nice people, nice track, great owner, etc...
This year they have the waiver that you usually sign at the gate, printed on the back of the tech sheet. I guess paying some guy/girl $20 a night put them over budget. Also they still refuse to use a second cashier, not matter how long the line gets.
My friend take his 9 second RX7 (Buick motor) and tells tech it runs 12's so they don't pay any attention to his car, there is nothing legal about it. If I go back, thats what I'm doing.
I'm glad you wrote them a letter, I have a whole bunch of complaints but never bother taking the time to write.
Friday night a guy was openly carrying a cooler filled with beer and no one said a thing. Also, I got held up at the line for 3 minutes because there was a clock problem, they would not let me do another burnout.
The track was/(is?) for sale, lets buy it and make it nice.
As an aside, at Beaver Springs, you only tech in once a month, you get a sticker for the month then you are good until that month ends. I love it there! Nice people, nice track, great owner, etc...
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,254
Likes: 136
From: Short Hills, NJ
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,398
Likes: 2
From: Allentown PA
The problem is that they only care about safety if your car is fast. If you run 12's, as long as it has 4 wheels, it passes tech. There are plenty of unsafe cars racing there. But yes, you are right, attitude has a lot to do with it. That track was and may still be for sale, they simply don't care and wont spend the money on prep.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,251
Likes: 217
From: 2007 Nat'l Corvette Challenge 11.50 index Champ. New Jersey
Ron
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Providing the most proven supercharger kits for your C5/6/7 609-752-0321
Island is a track for stockish street cars (yes I know your car falls into that, but I mean non Paxton powered)
Definitely not the place for a fast car.
Definitely not the place for a fast car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 787
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn New York
Would never catch me there!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 763
Likes: 0
I've always wanted to go up to Island just to get some firsthand experience after all the things I've heard about the place. I was told that if you trap 100+, you need to be on the brakes quick cause the shutdown area isn't much. Negative experiences with track personnel seems to happen to a lot of people, but I have no actual experience myself with the track so I have nothing to add there. It makes me happy to have Englishtown around the corner, I've never had any negative experiences with the weekly employees at any time while racing there.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,398
Likes: 2
From: Allentown PA
On the plus side, you said I have a fast car
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,398
Likes: 2
From: Allentown PA
Pro
Joined: Dec 2007
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