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All things Drag Racing.
- Thread starter 500$k5
- Start date
I don't think it sucks, I think its just extremely competitive.
It's not for everyone. Nick and Brian are killer at either box or bottom bulb. I like the T-brake better than foot braking. Some people love foot braking it. I've found no significant performance difference with an NA car, it just feels more fun.
As for box vs no box. It just depends, I think most serious bracket racers don't want to deal with changing the front shock travel, launch RPM, front tire pressure, etc so often. It's faster and more accurate to just dial it in so you can kill the tree no matter the track, the weather, day vs night, etc.
In the pro class there was everything from dragsters dialed 3.80s at almost 190 MPH to door cars in the 7s in the 1/8th going less than a 100. You can't do that heads up or most of the cars wouldn't stand a chance.
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I will add this. It's not a spectator sport, watching it sucks because you can't tell who won without the scoreboard because it's always so close. So unless you know who is racing, or you are racing yourself, it does suck to just watch. I agree with you on that aspect.
I think it's just about more time racing and less time adjusting the car to get the best RT that round while not sacrificing consistency.
I think it's just about more time racing and less time adjusting the car to get the best RT that round while not sacrificing consistency.
I always laughed when we were running the National and Divisional events. You could tell which classes were running by the direction of flow from the snack bar to the stands. Box classes, the direction was towards the snack shack
From the get go it wasn't very serious as a track car, just a project for fun. I fell on the truck and engine cheap and had wanted to do a turbo V8. Fun to get out there, been a long time. And for sure, everyone with a "fast" car thinks it will run 10's and get to the track and put up 14's.
I hosted my brother's bachelor party in August and I let all the guys drive it, it was a hit. That's more what the truck is about.
I used to have a 6 speed fourth gen V8 Camaro like Bents with 175hp worth of nitrous. That one was hard to launch too but different, never invested/built a better rear end for it so that kinda was what it was.
They're 3 year old 555R's that are just near the wear band, so it will probably be due next summer anyway.
It's 4 linked (by me), I'd need to go measure stuff to plug in a calculator to tell you anti squat and instant center stuff but that could be worth looking at. It's been a few years since I did it and don't remember off the top of my head.
The stock rear end was a full float Dana 60, I cut the spindles off and welded on big bearing 9" ends and put 35 spline shafts in it. I think it's around 60" WMS, so I tried to leave some room for bigger tires if I tub the bed. Not afraid to do that at all, but the reason it's on the drag radials are so I can use it sometimes on the street too. I have a truck and trailer but I did drive that truck an hour each way to the strip last weekend, it's definitely not a dedicated drag racer. Nice to not have another trailer queen.
Tire suggestions would be very welcome!
Thanks
I agree, I don't own a car I can't drive on the street. If it can only be used at certain places they don't get used enough.
Thats cool you linked it. Are they adjustable or fixed links?
I'm using the X275 Pro M/T tires (28x10 tread) because that's the biggest I can fit in my stock wheelwells. If you can fit the X315 its a really bad@$$ tire. I like the drag radials because it feels more solid going down the track, you get less of that floaty feeling if you know what I mean. These are still DOT street legal but I surely wouldn't drive them in the rain. Sometimes my distributor has them in stock, sometimes they don't. They got hard to find this year at times.
Brian sent me that pic tonight, it's lookin' killer! I figured he sent it to you!Just another Folks built car...
She made it out of powder coating and is going back together.
View attachment 428038
That thing is going to be so light!
I'm hoping they take enough weight out of it i don't have to go on a massive diet!
Heath, did you follow FL2K22 this past weekend?
Cleetus cleaned up winning the Super street class and the Extreme 28 class by beating Rick Prosperos.
Last pass from the 3500 lbs El Camino on 275 drag radials,
60 foot.... 1.150
330........... 2.938
1/8 mile...4.335 @ 176.44 mph
1/4 mile...6.543 @ 221.38 mph
Cookin pretty good for a street driven door car!
Cleetus cleaned up winning the Super street class and the Extreme 28 class by beating Rick Prosperos.
Last pass from the 3500 lbs El Camino on 275 drag radials,
60 foot.... 1.150
330........... 2.938
1/8 mile...4.335 @ 176.44 mph
1/4 mile...6.543 @ 221.38 mph
Cookin pretty good for a street driven door car!
Ricks green rx7 has had Cleeter’s number for a couple years. Good see him have some success without blowing the rods out of it.
I didn't follow it no, I was racing at a track myself this past weekend, might skim through it eventually. I thought he switched to 315s when he put the BBC from SM in? Did he put 275s back on it? Sounds like he's well into the 6s now, nice! From my app that's about 2950 HP based on his MPH and 2500 HP based on his ET. Typical fast turbo car, flies out the big end.
I remember when he dyno'd it the first time and it just "braaap" and bam 2000 wheel ponies without revving to the moon like his old LS. I remember thinking, about time he go big block! And he was playing heck with the 4 link in the beginning. I remember thinking, no no no. But then he got it working. Of course if I was playing with a IRS like he was used to I wouldn't know what I was doing either. When my cousin was racing stock in his LS vette a few years back he ditched the IRS and went bolt in 4 link. He sold that car for a pretty penny because it was the fastest in its specific class and no one could touch it.
I do wish I could build myself a $200K car, but we can't all get them, ha ha. But to be honest, I don' t have enough time for the maintenance at that level, and I'm not willing to go funny car cage at this point. My rules is I have to be able to put my family of 5 in it. I redid my entire my entire car 5 years ago and have only changed the oil and checked the valve lash and plugs so far. But eventually it will need lifters and valve springs and the trans needs a refresh since that was the only thing I didn't start over on 5 years ago, that was 12 years ago! I'll probably just put new seals, frictions and seals in this time. I shouldn't need new bushings, hard parts or solenoids again.
I saw last year someone broke the world record and got in the high 3s at like 200 MPH in the 1/8th on 275 drag radials! That's like high 5s, that is completely nuts!
Now you got me curious if he's still on 315s or he switched back to 275s, either way, damn fast!
I remember when he dyno'd it the first time and it just "braaap" and bam 2000 wheel ponies without revving to the moon like his old LS. I remember thinking, about time he go big block! And he was playing heck with the 4 link in the beginning. I remember thinking, no no no. But then he got it working. Of course if I was playing with a IRS like he was used to I wouldn't know what I was doing either. When my cousin was racing stock in his LS vette a few years back he ditched the IRS and went bolt in 4 link. He sold that car for a pretty penny because it was the fastest in its specific class and no one could touch it.
I do wish I could build myself a $200K car, but we can't all get them, ha ha. But to be honest, I don' t have enough time for the maintenance at that level, and I'm not willing to go funny car cage at this point. My rules is I have to be able to put my family of 5 in it. I redid my entire my entire car 5 years ago and have only changed the oil and checked the valve lash and plugs so far. But eventually it will need lifters and valve springs and the trans needs a refresh since that was the only thing I didn't start over on 5 years ago, that was 12 years ago! I'll probably just put new seals, frictions and seals in this time. I shouldn't need new bushings, hard parts or solenoids again.
I saw last year someone broke the world record and got in the high 3s at like 200 MPH in the 1/8th on 275 drag radials! That's like high 5s, that is completely nuts!
Now you got me curious if he's still on 315s or he switched back to 275s, either way, damn fast!
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He was on the 275’s this weekend.
I just saw this from my DI newsletter...
dragillustrated.com
Extreme 28s make sense for 275s.
I also can't believe he only won $10K for that achievement. That's one huge reason why bracket racing is so popular. It doesn't take a $200K car to win $10K, you could win $100K with a $10K car if you know what you are doing. Its just boring to watch. Much more fun to watch someone go really fast on small tires. The radial vs the world classes are truly crazy. 4500 HP door cars and no wheelie bars!
I think the big difference is bracket racing is a participant sport, and this type of stuff, because of the major cost, is more of a spectator sport.
For example, in order to go that fast, you have to run aluminum rods pretty much, which only last so many passes. And that right there is a major commitment in both cost and maintenance time to swap connecting rods on a predetermined basis. They have gotten a lot better than they used to be, but still a commitment.
‘Cleetus McFarland’ Headlines 10th Annual FL2K Winners with Double Victory | Drag Illustrated
Two drag-and-drive stars, Garrett “Cleetus McFarland” Mitchell and Rick Prospero, faced off in a double final round for big money, big checks, and big trophies in two different classes to wrap up the 10th annual FL2K presented by Brian Crower at Gainesville Raceway. Mitchell scored the win with...
dragillustrated.com
Extreme 28s make sense for 275s.
I also can't believe he only won $10K for that achievement. That's one huge reason why bracket racing is so popular. It doesn't take a $200K car to win $10K, you could win $100K with a $10K car if you know what you are doing. Its just boring to watch. Much more fun to watch someone go really fast on small tires. The radial vs the world classes are truly crazy. 4500 HP door cars and no wheelie bars!
I think the big difference is bracket racing is a participant sport, and this type of stuff, because of the major cost, is more of a spectator sport.
For example, in order to go that fast, you have to run aluminum rods pretty much, which only last so many passes. And that right there is a major commitment in both cost and maintenance time to swap connecting rods on a predetermined basis. They have gotten a lot better than they used to be, but still a commitment.
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I bet he makes $20-50K off of the videos for the weekend, because not boring.
What was cool was Cleetus got some good help from some key people this weekend. First was Pete Harrel, same guy that built Mike Finnigan's Hemi for Blasphemi, then Rick Prosperos had some good tuning advice for him as well...IIRC that was chassis set-up advice. I suspect Rick knew Mullet had him covered.
I think there is still more in the car, especially on the 315's
Yes, most people even if they won would of only made $10K and lost their @$$ on that weekend based on the car needed to win it. Hence it being a spectator sport, you either have to have huge sponsors, or a huge channel, or both to win and still make money. Or I guess you could just have a huge fat wallet and not care if you are doing it just to say you did it and just spend a boatload of money.I bet he makes $20-50K off of the videos for the weekend, because not boring.
I think they can definitely add more boost but nearly 3000 HP might be the limit of that cast aluminum Brodix block. At some point very near that (or below it even) I would think they will need to step up to a billet block like an SMX.
I think the bracket racing is still more fun to watch than some of the 8.90 and 9.90 classes. I would rather the cars leave at different times and launch hard than to both launch at the same time, momentarily, and then just roll there for a second or so on the throttle stop so they can run 8.90 at 190 MPH. That's just weird.
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Unless he was just clowning he mentioned the billet block being next, and mentioned he'd be calling Steve about it...All weekend they never changed the back half of the tune, they just kept chipping away at the 60, and then added lock-up shortly after the 1/8th. The lock-up deal really added the mph to his runs, I think he gained 9 or 10 mph
There are definitely some weird and boring ways to drag race. I am not for that, it should be entertaining and fun. I believe that is why the drag and drive stuff is gaining so much popularity now.
There are definitely some weird and boring ways to drag race. I am not for that, it should be entertaining and fun. I believe that is why the drag and drive stuff is gaining so much popularity now.
My boss used to run a 900hp N/A rail with mechanical fuel injection.
He said he didn't always win money, but most of the time it didn't cost him a chit load, and he listed the race 'team' (him and his wife) as a business. Meaning he could write off a lot of stuff as maintenance and losses if things broke. He had fun and generally got a decent tax check each year, beyond any winnings.
He said he didn't always win money, but most of the time it didn't cost him a chit load, and he listed the race 'team' (him and his wife) as a business. Meaning he could write off a lot of stuff as maintenance and losses if things broke. He had fun and generally got a decent tax check each year, beyond any winnings.
You can tell this isn't a drag racing forum with all the bashing of drag racing. 
Of course I am not on any other forums, just throwing out some humor.
My cousins have raced so many different classes I lost track. Yet, they keep coming back to the bracket racing because that's where they can win the most prize money. I think there is 3 or 4 different million dollar races you can go to now each year. And several $100K, $50K etc. The stands are usually empty because everyone watching is someone who knows someone that's racing and they are all in the pits.
I think all this new types of racing are good for the sport, because they bring a lot of attention to it and a lot of new interest. And they are admittedly more fun to watch with so much power and so little tires or a not prepped surface. Yet I think something like 4 drag racers have died this year, these new classes are definitely not the safest. Thousands of HP and tiny tires or no prep are not a good way to go straight down the track.
And the drag and drive is impressive, because to go that fast and still drive down the road is not easy, very respectable.
I myself would like to participate in drag week someday, just to experience it. Just once. I've watched it in person a couple times, but I'm not much of a watcher, I feel weird not racing too.
I drive my car on the street, drove it to fish fry Friday night, hauled the family, and then raced with it over the weekend. I love a dual purpose rig. Do I wish it was lighter or faster, yes. Did I have just as much fun with it when it was a 10 or 12 second ride and not an 8 second ride? Pretty much I had fun with it no matter how fast it was.
I think as long as we all keep racing the way we like to race that's what makes the sport so much fun.
We just need to keep ....
I encourage everyone to go race at the track. Race whatever you have. Heck some people race their bone stock daily drivers. I've raced next to a Toyota Yaris before even! Just have fun.
Of course I am not on any other forums, just throwing out some humor.My cousins have raced so many different classes I lost track. Yet, they keep coming back to the bracket racing because that's where they can win the most prize money. I think there is 3 or 4 different million dollar races you can go to now each year. And several $100K, $50K etc. The stands are usually empty because everyone watching is someone who knows someone that's racing and they are all in the pits.
I think all this new types of racing are good for the sport, because they bring a lot of attention to it and a lot of new interest. And they are admittedly more fun to watch with so much power and so little tires or a not prepped surface. Yet I think something like 4 drag racers have died this year, these new classes are definitely not the safest. Thousands of HP and tiny tires or no prep are not a good way to go straight down the track.
And the drag and drive is impressive, because to go that fast and still drive down the road is not easy, very respectable.
I myself would like to participate in drag week someday, just to experience it. Just once. I've watched it in person a couple times, but I'm not much of a watcher, I feel weird not racing too.
I drive my car on the street, drove it to fish fry Friday night, hauled the family, and then raced with it over the weekend. I love a dual purpose rig. Do I wish it was lighter or faster, yes. Did I have just as much fun with it when it was a 10 or 12 second ride and not an 8 second ride? Pretty much I had fun with it no matter how fast it was.
I think as long as we all keep racing the way we like to race that's what makes the sport so much fun.
We just need to keep ....
I encourage everyone to go race at the track. Race whatever you have. Heck some people race their bone stock daily drivers. I've raced next to a Toyota Yaris before even! Just have fun.
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