Well, I decided to get over my fear last Sunday and take the car out to HRP to see how it ran. I no longer had any excuses since I had slicks, skinnies, cage, and harness. I was a little scared because my only previous experience was running a slow-*** mid-14s Buick back in high school.

Bad news: had a few problems, and still don't know what my car really runs.

Good news: I am completely and totally hooked (as if I didn't like cars before), and cannot believe how much I loved doing this, problems and all.

Here's how it goes: Larry (PaiN), Larry's father, mmiller, and Steve are out there and help give me pointers. Major kudos to them - they were really helpful and glad to assist me. If you guys are reading this, beers are on me. <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />

I go through tech, and find out I need a flame-proof vest. Thought that was 9's or quicker. Doh! But Steve let me borrow his over the evening.

First pass - I'm screwing up my harness as I'm going through the staging lanes, so I get psyched out. Do a really gay-*** burnout. Then takes me forever to figure out that the guy near the staging beams is telling me to roll up my window. I freaked out too much so decided to do just a shakedown run. The car was a little squirrely, so I short shift at 5500 all the way down. Still pull 117 MPH, even with a 1.95 60ft.

Second pass - during burnout, realize guy has gone back out into the lane to spread VHT. Freak out and hit brakes - stalling car. Think they are going to love me there. Get on car a little harder, and run mid-11s at 121.

Third pass - dump clutch at 4500 RPM, and pull the wheels <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> Car bogged though, and still runs only mid 11-s. I somehow only pull a 1.77 60 ft. Destroy Mike TexaSS in adjacent lane (sorry about that).

Fourth pass - cap up my exhaust, and dump clutch at 4500. Pull wheels and carry some. Pull much better 1.59 60ft - having never done that before, it is a great feeling. Go to find third gear down track, and it is all grind. Give up and shift to 5th, and coast in to a 12.0 at 105 <img border="0" alt="[barf]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_barf.gif" /> Still destroy cowl-hood Stang in other lane.

Fifth pass - dump at 5500. Car holds, pulls wheels hard and carries. Definitely harder/faster than 4th pass. Third gear gone again, and no timing slips this pass - timer messed up. Guess I pulled a low 1.5x 60-ft, but will never know.

I did a few more passes, but the shock on the clutch threw it out of adjustment, so it was not releasing at high RPMs = no third gear = still don't know what car runs. I finally got around to lengthening the clutch rod again today, and it is now fine.

Overall impression - incredibly fun stuff, and beats the hell out of street racing (except for the occasional incidental kill). I also learned a few things

1) Getting a good 60-ft takes work
2) Get a trailer - changing all 4 tires in the hot summer sun = need to <img border="0" alt="[barf]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_barf.gif" />
3) 12-bolts whine like hell after a few hard launches

Though I may or may not have continuing O2 problems (still trying to figure that out), the 422 barely noticed all the runs. Not a drop of oil burnt, not a drop of coolant burnt, and not a sign of overheating. Amazing engine.

 

Not to bad for your first time out, it took me a while to get my 60's down.

Justin

 

Good going man!

I was really nervous my first time to the track also. It was amazing to me how great everyone at the track was. I didn't have a clue I needed a helmet but, some total stranger let me borrow his. It helps when your surrounded by people who love cars as much as you. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

PS - I still get nervous at the track and do lame *** burnouts sometimes. I even did a "Traction control burnout" one time. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Embarrassed]" src="gr_emb.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[jester]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_jest.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

Congratulations!

John <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />

 

I'm glad to hear that you finally made it to the track! You have a LOT left in the setup; you just have to get the hang of it. Lots of practice makes perfect. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> It'll just give you motivation to go back again. hehe My 1st time down the track was when I was 16 and in my dad's '68 Impala Custom 427 4-speed. I wheelhopped so bad off of the line that he was cringing, hoping I didn't break something. LOL! Who would've thought that one of the A4 ******' first pass down the strip was in a manual? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

 

Thanks for the thumbs up guys!

One thing I should add - this board has been incredibly helpful. So much of what I was able to do and so much of what I knew I learned here.

 

It's totally addicting!

Sounds like just when you got your groove on, you had clutch problems.

 

Man it was fun watching you run! It has me going through track withdrawel something fierce ( time to finish up modding and race <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> ).

All I can say is you definately have NO FEAR! Most people wouldn't be out there on their first few passes doing near WOT dumps. Let alone popping 1.5x 60's. I think you would have made over 20 passes if you had your own firejacket <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> .

I'm gonna try and get some of that video captured for you guys. The firewire card I got to use with my camera doesn't seem to like my computer to well <img border="0" title="" alt="[Sad]" src="gr_sad.gif" /> .

Anyways when you heading back out?

 

Good runs <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

What was your best mph?

 

So what was your top trap speed? Cutting a 1.59 60' is most excellent for a gear banger. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

 

When I was still running about 1.76 60-fts, I was trapping at 121. Unfortunately, I had the third gear problem when I got into the 1.5x times. Still don't know what it will run.

A couple of guys at my work today read this post, and were amazed that I drive this car to work. But then, they only understand BMW's and Hondas, not *real* cars.

 

Sounds like you had alot of fun, a little more pratice and I bet you'll be running low 11's if not 10's! <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by LEO:
<strong>Sounds like you had alot of fun, a little more pratice and I bet you'll be running low 11's if not 10's! <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">exactly. youll only get better.good luck

wayne

 

Awesome! Nothing worse than drivetrain issues, yuck. Your times will only get better from here!

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Trevor D:
<strong>LOL! Who would've thought that one of the A4 ******' first pass down the strip was in a manual? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Actually that makes alot of sense! Intimidation can be a powerful thing <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> jk <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

 

Hey Greg, glad you had fun despite all the quirks LOL. People that have not felt a 1.5X 60' time in a manual car do not know what they are missing. I've driven some A4 cars that cut 1.4X and there is no comparsion. The 1.4X times in my car are unreal, that is the best part of the race <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

And yes, changing four wheels/tires SUCKS ***. Especially if you are running bracket races and win the events. You end up being the last car in the parking lot because all your victims rode home on trailers already. Exactly why I bought a trailer, I hated the extra time it takes to change tires twice in one evening (before and after racing). <img border="0" alt="[barf]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_barf.gif" />

Tony

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by PaiN:
<strong> All I can say is you definately have NO FEAR! Most people wouldn't be out there on their first few passes doing near WOT dumps. Let alone popping 1.5x 60's. I think you would have made over 20 passes if you had your own firejacket <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

Anyways when you heading back out?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I don't know if it was no fear or simply ignorance <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" /> But fun all the same. And I would have made 20 passes. Going to go out again this Sunday if it doesn't rain, but looks like rain right now.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Nine Ball:
<strong>
Hey Greg, glad you had fun despite all the quirks LOL. People that have not felt a 1.5X 60' time in a manual car do not know what they are missing. I've driven some A4 cars that cut 1.4X and there is no comparsion. The 1.4X times in my car are unreal, that is the best part of the race . </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yeah - when I cut the 1.5x times, I basically lost my stomach just like riding on a roller coaster going down a hill. It's wild.

I would have to think though that cutting too many fast 60-foots in an M6 car is eventually going to break something, carbon fiber driveshaft, dual-disk clutch, 12-bolt, 33-spline axles, and big wheel studs non-withstanding.

This is why I am seriously thinking about putting in an auto (like a 2004R) with about a Yank 3500 with it. Oh, and a 150 wet shot (hello low 10s maybe?). I love the M6, and would miss it badly, but this would definitely be faster and more reliable at the track. And the gas could make up for anything lost from the M6 on the street. But god that 60-foot felt great.

 

ID TRY LEAVING AT 5000/5500/6000