Westfields Rock On Posted October 11, 2004 Author Posted October 11, 2004 yes, i lost to a stripped out, 1.6 tuned zetec fiesta with a 1.25ltr fiesta gearbox. im doing 0.6secs quicker than the stock GT6 specs here need tune up. my new manifold to replace my 6-2-1 might help. 6-3-1. Quote
v7slr Posted October 11, 2004 Posted October 11, 2004 I've done a couple of drag-strip days. Good fun. In general, the simple (i.e. cheap) things to improve are: ->Softer compound tyres ->Softer pressure in the tyres (you'll have to experiment but don't go too low or it'll be dangerous) ->Reduce car weight (and driver? ) ->Adjust launch technique (see below). With my car, on ACB10's, you'd think they would be great at launching but they are so stiff in the sidewall that wheelspinning off the line is counterproductive. Better to moderate the clutch... but again there's a limit there too. I found that if I go for a balls-out launch at a local set of traffic lights (Chateau Impney, Droitwich for the Midlanders), the road surface is very "pointy" which suits the ACB10's well. I can attempt a wheelspin launch and I generally only get a little bit of spin before I'm "yanked" down the road. At Santa Pod, the start-line rubber laid down by all the big boys is of no use to me. The car's just not heavy enough and the rubber to rubber interface makes it feel like I'm driving on wet grass. No "sticktion". By the way... I'm no expert. I've only had a couple of goes at it, and probably only the same number of runs as you in total. Bear in mind I had a 205bhp Caterham at about 600Kg all up weight (with fat knacker driver), I managed only 12.9 sec at 106mph. Not especially amazing but using my AC22 (which I set up at Santa Pod and got to within 1/10th of a sec of the official time) I can do a fairly repeatable 11.5 sec at "The Chateau". Quote
steve_m Posted October 11, 2004 Posted October 11, 2004 I managed 12.8s at 106 mph at Santa Pod but they put sand on the start line to protect the new tarmac that had been laid for another race the following week, I ought to have got 12.4-12.5. Spinning wheels on the start line is a real problem if you're running on road tyres. The first 60 ft of the run is where you can make the biggest difference, my 60ft time was 2.2s to start with then with less wheelspin it came down to 2.0s and with more practice that will come down to 1.7 to 1.8. The burnout can really help here too, fit a line lock to the front brakes so you can stop the car and still spin the rears - if you can get some heat into the tyres then you'll grip sooner. After 60ft it's all about power and aerodynamics and there's nothing you can do about this without spending money, other than making sure the car is running as best it can, remove any excess weight like spare wheel and keep the fuel tank as near empty as you can. There are other tricks too, like over inflating the front tyres, some people put them up to 50-60 psi to reduce the rolling resistance but this can be a bit dodgy when you have to stop ! Quote
Bazzer Posted October 11, 2004 Posted October 11, 2004 12.9 at Thorney Island on my 4th and last run was geting faster each time. As people say it seams it is all about the lunch Bazzer Quote
thos Posted October 11, 2004 Posted October 11, 2004 Can you get a line-lock for the front brakes which is operable from the driver seat ? Quote
cidersurfer Posted October 11, 2004 Posted October 11, 2004 Yep, lots of drag racers use them. From my Vdub days see here.. Quote
Jon Murray Posted October 12, 2004 Posted October 12, 2004 Wroxy, If you have adjustable dampers on the rear, set them to their softest setting. You will notice that a lot of the faster guys with rear wheel drive have very soft rear springs and damper settings, this lets the back end sit down, transferring the weight to the rear axle for better traction. With Front wheel drive, the opposite is the case, i.e. you set the rear of the car rock hard, so that it doesn't sit down at the rear thus taking weight from the front (driven) wheels. If this all fails, throw me the keys and I'll show you how it's done Takes practice. Jon Quote
samcooke Posted October 12, 2004 Posted October 12, 2004 Pink is one of the slowest colours available. Get it painted in something a bit less rubbish. Quote
adhawkins Posted October 12, 2004 Posted October 12, 2004 Pink is one of the slowest colours available. Get it painted in something a bit less rubbish. Purple? Andy Quote
deadscoob Posted October 12, 2004 Posted October 12, 2004 Only ever went to Santa Pod once in the XTR2 - did 3 runs, best was 12.5. 1st 2 times I kept forgetting to change gear - kept wondering what that "babababababababababa" was then realised I needed to change up Quote
Buzz Billsberry Posted October 12, 2004 Posted October 12, 2004 Pink is one of the slowest colours available. Get it painted in something a bit less rubbish. I think Bamzzzz won't agree he one his class in the SS with a pink westfield against some serious competition Buzz Quote
Westfields Rock On Posted October 12, 2004 Author Posted October 12, 2004 I was put up against a 2.2cosworth escort in pearlesent pink. he was running mid 13s. Quote
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