OMR autocrossers at the drag strip

[budweeks]

Hi Y'all,

Several of OMR's intrepid autocrossers invaded MoKan Dragway over between Joplin and Pittsburg last Friday for the weekly fun drags, to see what their cars would do in the quarter mile. Present were yours truly, Mark R., Opie V., Mark F., and Opie's brother Mike, who is a former OMR autocrosser and Autocrosser of the Year winner. So, to set the stage for my story, there were a Mustang, a Corvette, a Camaro, a Firebird, and a '65 Malibu present, along with an assortment of cars ranging from a street rod to some 9 second drag cars, and including a '49 Olds, a school bus, and a few super bikes.

But first a bit of history. Go on to the next paragraph if you don't want to hear about the '60's. I began my racing career, to whatever extent you can call it that, at this very venue in 1964, winning a trophy on my first time out in my '58 Ford Fairlane. Of course my parents didn't know, but after some anxious moments later that day seemed to accept that I was going to do car crazy things regardless. I took drag racing seriously in the late '60's when I was in college, and spent some good money on headers, gears, and slicks. The "gold standard" at that time was for a stock car to be able to get into the 13's in the quarter. I never made it there in my '67 Mustang 289, getting only to 14.3. Well, that has been an unfulfilled quest ever since.

So, I had an agenda for last Friday, as did some of the others. All intended just to have a good time, but Mark F. was determined to get into the 12's with his ESP Firebird. Mark R. wanted to drive home with a still-functional clutch, and Mike V. just wanted to make a good showing. And the results? Mark F. was fastest with a 13.06, just missing a 12 second pass. I achieved my long-delayed goal by getting a best of 13.72. Mark R. got a 13.78 and his clutch seemed fine. Opie and his torque-motor Camaro was fastest to 60 ft. and the eighth mile mark, and also bested his brother with a 13.85 to a 14.3. In the actual head-to-head racing, Mark F. was dynamite at the start (helped I'm sure by recent Pro Solo experience) while I seemed to be left sitting there too often. (It all happens fast and smoothness there is not an operative concept.) I think not walking the course made a difference. Ha!

As they say, a good time was had by all. No broken parts or bruised egos. But you know, I now know why I left drag racing a long time ago. It is not as interesting as autocross and kinds of racing that involve corners. Yes, I respect what it takes to do well, and the engineering involved, and the skill of the launch, and the technology that goes into low ETs, and the gamesmanship that is involved in bracket racing. But the course is always straight. The driver in me was not really that engaged. The launch is everything I kept hoping for a slalom or something to appear halfway down the track. That would have surprised a few folks!

Anyway, perhaps some others would like to try their hand. There were even a few front drivers there too, and one WRX.

See you next autocross.

[The Huff]

I like to hit the drag strip up occasionally too. I'm impressed with your Mach 1's time, the best I've ever gotten in my 08' was a 14.27.

I've been meaning to write in to tell about my new purchase, a 90 fox body.
I have always wanted one and sold my beloved motorcycle to get this one. I am going to autox with it on the 28th unfortunately with street tires. If I do decent, I would love for it to become my full time racer. But my hopes are not high especially after seeing how the fox body mustang's did at the July event. Does anyone know of any fox body mustang's that are competitive if set up correctly? It will still be a blast though, this thing is so fun to drive. It is going to suck getting beat by my wife in our 08' though LOL.

http://s539.photobucket.com/albums/ff35 ... anandsons/

[RacinAlt]

You guys will have to post the next time you head out........I might meet you up there, (as will others I am sure).

Frank is always a hoot at the strip, get a chance to strech its legs.

[budweeks]

Bobby, is Frank the RX-7/LS1? If so, that would be entertaining to watch, and certainly to drive.

[scoTT]

yeah... maybee Ill have to go to the next one... Maybee I can beat the rabbits all time best of 15.7@86.... haha

[craigb]

Bud, glad to have you and the fellas over in my neck of the woods. Wish I could be there the 28th, but a reschedule will keep me from being there...

[markyf]

Yeah, that was a blast drag racing, although I agree that autocrossing is more fun overall. In drag racing the starting line is all adrenaline and super fun. After that you only have to shift fast and good, which I seem to have some trouble doing. Automatics are not near as much of a challenge to do everything right (I may get argued with here).

I am still going to try to hit the 12's this year. Let's set a date so we can get a group of people out there to Rogersville at Ozark International Raceway.

Me and a friend with a Corvette are planning to go, probably next Friday, Sept 19. Let's just meet out there unless the weather is bad. I'll have my black Trans Am convertible.
With our slower cars, we can run a full 1/4 mi and get the timeslip. We can race for reaction time even if our cars are not close in actual 1/4 mi times.
Below is copied from their website. I also copied a link to their schedule.

"Want to run your car down the track?
Friday nights are the time to do it.
Premier Auto Outlet
Test-n-tune Friday
Gates open at 5:30
We will start running cars at 6:30
Spectator admission $8
$12 to race.
Under 12 free."

http://www.ozarkdragstrip.com/2008%20sc ... e2008.html

The track is located just south of Rogersville on Hwy U.
See you there!

[markyf]

We are going to postpone our drag race test and tune until next Friday, Sept 26. My car is not back together yet. Either way, nobody from OMR has replied on here so I guess there's nobody else that wants to go. We'll plan to be out there about 7 pm. Come on, let's race!

[RobertB]

I haven't ran this truck through the 1/4 yet. Truck has recovered from the blown head gaskets. It appears the head studs are holding tight. Checked the torque last weekend and everything was where it should be. I fell safe making some dyno pulls now. If I can get my truck tuned in by next weekend I'll be there.

[AutoXChris]

i can get 16.1 in the 1/4....... Every single time!:lol:


at least i'm consistent!

[The Huff]

I'm glad you postponed the drag strip. I've been out of town and wouldn't have been able to make it. I'll be there Friday!

[markyf]

It's a go! Me, a corvette buddy, and maybe Stan Bell will be there this Fri night for the test n tune drags. We'll try to be there at about 7 pm, although it starts at 6:30. It looks like "The Huff" may be there, too. I will be talking to some others also. Hope to see you all there. Let's see if our cars will go straight.

[scoTT]

we got out there last night around 9:00pm.... must have mist you guys... drove the wifes car out there to see how the ole battleship would do... 15.2 @90 was my second run... Its got a 14.9 in it I know but sharon wanted to make a pass so I didnt get to play anymore..

now she needs an ECU upgrade for more BOOOOOST...

[The Huff]

We must have just missed you. Not to good of a night. Marks car broke before his first pass and had to be towed and Stan's rev limiter was acting up. I ran a 15.1 @ 91.06mph in my 90' Mustang GT and my wife ran a 14.09 @ 99.9mph in our 08'.

[scoTT]

thats not good.... I heard a black TA locked up a diff or something... but they thought it was a coupe and not conv.....

Its fun when the Ladys want to race as well.... I cant get my wife to autoX but she will drag race... she made one pass in the A4 to the tune of 16.2... she (and I) needs more practice...