alfradio
Member +
Had always wanted to take part in the above race at
Mason-Dixon Dragway so, I requested (and was granted)
leave time for Saturday (06-23-12) so, at around 10am,
I departed Laurel and made my way along westbound I-70:
Several miles north of Frederick, MD I ran across this nice
lookin' Camero:
Seeing that an acquaintance of mine (Bennie Fields) lives
about 5 minutes from the track, I'd never think of racing at
Mason-Dixon without giving him a call... so a little while after I
staked out a place for TERCEL1 in the pit area, I gave Benny a
call and it wasn't too long before he was on sight with his
crew (That's Benny in the middle):
...his golf cart (Benny is too much!)
...and of course, The Punisher:
Well, there's really not much a story... Gates opened at 12 noon,
I paid my $30 entry fee found a place in the pits and got teched in.
TERCEL1 was almost placed into 'Sportsman Street' class
'cuz the tech guy didn't notice my front wheels were the DRIVE
wheels and they were equipped with M/T slicks, at which
point I was placed into the PRO-STREET class.
("What Me Worry?")
Once it was time for the first of only TWO timed runs for the
Pro Street class, the lanes were filled with around 30 or so,
10-12 sec ET, BIG SLICKED Chevys, Fords, MoPars and whatever!
Even though the class (in fact, all classes) ran under a handicap
(bracket) system, TERCEL1 was the only import on the property!
It was going to be a loooong afternoon!
It started pretty well with an average 2nd gear smokey burn out
and a decent 1/4 mile pass, despite the heat and humidity.
The 2nd pass was a total freak scene!
While attempting another 2nd gear burn out, I stalled TERCEL1
and after quickly firing it back up I rolled up to the line.... what's
the old saying... "A picture is worth a thousand words"?
<-ClickyAfter picking up the time slip for that pass and while making my
way back to the pits, I noticed a 13 sec ET and thought to
myself, "NO FREAKIN' WAY!!!" I could NOT believe the 1/4 mile
time on the slip... it just didn't feel like a 13 second pass!
I spend the next 1/2 hour trying to understand what had
happened (beside the obvious RED LIGHT)
and then it dawned on me... a nearly 3 second 60 foot time!?
(I don't think so!) and an 1/8 mile speed of close to 350 MPH....!
See for yourself:
The really annoying thing was that THIS was my LAST opportunity
in which to get a handle on the ET which I would put on my
windshield because the next time down the track was to be,
round #1 of ELIMINATIONS! Nothing left to for now was to just
sit and wait:
While I cooled in the shade of the tent, I reflected on how much
gamesmanship is involved in bracket racing (sandbagging etc)
Because I always (as they say on "PINKS"), run ALL-OUT, I see
what TERCEL1 has been running, knock a tenth or so off the
best ET to insure (hopefully) that I wouldn't run quicker than my
best time of the day.
However, as I was discussing with Tammy prior to the above run,
there are many racers who will ADD a few tenths to their time
which, in effect give them that much more of a head start but,
then they have to let off the gas if they're too far ahead of their
competition so they don't 'break out' (run quicker than what's on
their windshield)
EXAMPLE:
Let's say TERCEL1 is racing a 10 sec car... I put a 15 (sec) on my
windshield giving me a 5 second head start... a head start which
would be hard (if not impossible) for the 10 sec. car to overcome!
BUT, WAIT!!! If TERCEL1 is in reality a 12 sec car, wouldn't it
"break out" (run quicker than its posted 15 sec.)? YES... unless
if, towards the end of the 1/4 mile, it eased off the gas and tried
to cross the finish line slightly ahead of the hard charging 10 sec.
car.
While the above is an extreme example, I hope it demonstrates
the concept (as I understand it)
I, personally, would just as soon RACE (all-out) and hope for the
best...
The staging lane conversation with Tammy revealed that she too
felt the same way: RACE ALL-OUT!!!
Ironically, I'd find out soon enough as it was Tammy in her 11 sec.
station wagon (with a roll bar) that lined up across from TERCEL1
in the first round of eliminations:
<-ClickyBy the way, after TERCEL1 was eliminated, I joined Benny's
friends up in the stands to wath (and video) the PUNISHER in
what would be its final pass of the day:
<-ClickyAround 6PM, after Benny's last pass, (losing on a RED LIGHT) we
all pulled up stakes and went our separate ways.
All and all, a very nice day at the races at a very nice track,
Mason-Dixon Dragway!
The weather wasn't as brutally HOT as prior few days had been
and an occasional cloud parking itself in front of the sun
(accompanied by a gentle breeze) helped the afternoon pass
somewhat comfortably...
Here's the day's very sparsely populated report card:
Until next time, this is alf saying, "Until next time!"
alf :homer:
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