I thought I would post up my experience since it has been a topic as of late.

Wordslayer, you aren't alone in going dragracing this weekend with very little experience. I can't help but jab a little though- all my runs were in the 13's.

I had my first 1/4 mile track time this weekend past. I went up to Island Dragway in NJ on Sunday and got 6 runs in. It was an absolute blast. And I have to add that I am very happy with my results for a first timer.

Let me preface by saying that from what I hear Island Dragway sucks(and after going I see why), and makes for poor times - other tracks would generally net a .2 or so better(we'll see soon at atco or maple grove(fingers crossed - maybe I'll hit 12's ion street radials)) and it was a little damp.

I'll put up all 6 and give captions:

For all I am car 1701

Run 1-First time ever - lugged it in first and then got going - HOM off and 31psi in front: Racing a late fox body with a huge scoop and drag radials, no launch on my part at all, but only lost by a length:

[IMG]local://upfiles/4404/FAADE58D31544E66BE5A31086B7D4AEB.jpg[/IMG]

Run 2-Much better---Remembered HOM, dropped tires to 25 and tried getting the revs up to 1800 and feathering out. Still a little slow out of the gates with a 2.215, bu tbetter. Racing a 90's camaro with drag radials: Beat him by .023 seconds !!!!! winna!!! 13.334 on my second run ever.

[IMG]local://upfiles/4404/5A5182EA87EB44B28CA099D564D2E10A.jpg[/IMG]

Run 3-Got the launch better this time - Tires at 23 and revs at 2000 feathered out. 2.157 60 foot. Felt real good, but I slipped on the 2-3 and hit the limiter, had to make it up - would have been a good run since I still did a 13.383...he was faster anyway, Camaro worked with headers...on full 285series mickey thompsons and teeny's up front.

[IMG]local://upfiles/4404/0F28EFF80D8248A8B5688A2D462EC0A0.jpg[/IMG]

Run 4-Vs. a late 60's or early 70's GTO (I have no clue about those cars) on drag radials yet again. I really watched the tree this time and cut a .104 (so-so) and just missed him by .07seconds at the finish. Trapped 108+.

[IMG]local://upfiles/4404/F7E9720AE46746379B0D536F3341003A.jpg[/IMG]

Run 5-Lucky us - the GTO and I got to go again. This time I nailed it and got him by .056 at the line. He wasn't happy.

Continued:
[IMG]local://upfiles/4404/6FAA62AEB6B04AEA91256B1590034355.jpg[/IMG]

 

Run 6-I got it down now - 19.5 psi up front and some more ***** at the launch - 6 runs and I am very pleased with my self. (Big pat on own back) Rookie is getting a clue. Cut a 2.105 60' and I can't bitch about that - now - gets better - cocky looking guy in a yellow '03 mustang svt with drag radials. Wouldn't acknowledge me...I even missed a shift slightly and hit 6500 on the tach for a sec, but recovered(it did drop my trap to 106+). I never saw him. Took him by .6 sec at the finish with my personal best on my first day at 13.278. Would've been even better if I shifted better. I am very happy with the results. I'd even say proud for my first time.

[IMG]local://upfiles/4404/DE40761AE5CF4372A0E68B34809EB0CD.jpg[/IMG]

All was done on standard street radials with stock suspension.

Road course seat time, and tons of street racing over 16 years didn't prepare me at all for the strip - it is a totally different experience. Very cool. I'll be doing this again soon. 30$ for a day is pretty easy to swallow.

BTW the srt-4 gets a lot of attention at the strip and a lot of props, too, after they see it go. Muscle cars beware. Egos will be broken.

Anyone think I can get the 60 under 2 and the quarter under 13 on street radials? This rookie is going for it next time out. I have a good feeling...

 

those times are terrific!

It is a blast, isn't it?

Hey, Pressure....what is your best time at the strip?

More comments later. This damned job gets in my way of a good time.

 

etown friday....come out!!!!!

 

I wish - My aunt is in from chi town and I have dinner resvs. at 7, so I won't be able - weekends are usually easier to swing for me. I'd love to go if I could, Amy - maybe next time - it would be nive to have 1 or 2 fellow srt's at the strip. Kind of lonely being the only 4 banger in a sea of 8's like I was last weekend. Still cool to beat them and make them [:@], but it would be nice to do it en masse.

When u going on a weekend? I'll do atco, etown,maplegrove...Really want to try it on a good track, now.

 

if etown is rained out friday we're going to lebanon valley sunday. that's kinda a trip for you, but you're welcome to come.

we usually go to the track friday's now, less people and more runs (8 or so compared to 3 on a saturday or sunday). the next time we'll be there on a weekend is nov 13th for street wars at englishtown. you should definetly come to that, we've got srts coming from mass, ct, pa, nj, ny, and ri!

definetly let me know when you're going again, we're always at the track, just apparently different ones than you! you should never have to be the only neon there

 

man i hope i do nearly as good as you did! i've never taken it to the track but we have one close by and i think i will go soon,and see how i compare.i know what you mean about having other srts around.i convoyed with 4 others for that dyno day and there were about 20 in all.was really cool to have other people around to talk car stuff with.

 

Yeah - unfortunately 250 miles is a bit much for a few runs at the strip. that's up by mass., right?

I'd be there on the 13th, but there is a pa srt-4mation track day at atco - I'll probably be there. If not - e-town could work - but I really just want to get in runs.

 

Nice time...

 

250 miles? damn. lebanon isn't as far as you think. it's about an hour and a half north of me, and etown is about an hour south. i'm not sure where in jersey you are though.