Summit ET Championship - What do you think?

[spdpilot]

I was out at the Toyota Drag Strip (Irwindale) website and checking things out there and they run the Summit ET Championship there.

I am strongly considering running my 98 Cobra in this series. I have time to prepare for it. By the looks of the 2008 Schedule, it doesn't start until March.

This is a bracket racing series. Where you run at 6 events at the local track through out the year. You accumilate points depending where you place at each event.

Then after the 6th race, the points leader in each class get to go to phoenix for the Division race in Sept (I think). If you become the Division winner in your class at that race, you get to go to Pomona for the Nationals.

So all in all, it is 8 events spread throughout the year. Which I can handle and not to much traveling.

I was considering running the Pro class or Sportsman class. The rules are pretty relaxed and it is all about consistency.

Anyone ever run in this racing? Know of anyone who does? I have some questions. Maybe Barona runs the same series, I am not sure.

I ran NHRA years ago, but have been out of the loop in bracket racing for 20 years. The last car I ran was an alchohol funny car running in IHRA about 13 years ago.

What do you guys think? Maybe WS should consider running the race car in it as well. But I am thinking about running my car in it.

 

[gmantheman]

I say go for it. I have heard that Irwindale is also known as the King of Hook.

 

[02gt]

better have an auto for it, the guy with the yellow GTO won last year and his car runs pretty consistant

 

[Mach1Marauder]

better have an auto for it, the guy with the yellow GTO won last year and his car runs pretty consistant

Yup..........an auto is almost mandatory.
You might be able to get by at the local level, but even at Division 7 level, it's tough as hell. Most guys will have a weatherstation with a prediction program.
DOn't let that dissuade you though! I've been to the finals in ModMotor and had a stick the first year. That was tight racing too.
Go racing and have fun!
If you're really interested in doing this, I can give you quite a few tips that I learned with running a stick in a bracket class.

 

[HisPony]

If you're really interested in doing this, I can give you quite a few tips that I learned with running a stick in a bracket class.

I am interested in hearing your advice.

 

[Mach1Marauder]

I am interested in hearing your advice.

The advice would be given over the phone........there's a LOT of it!

Maybe I should start a drag racing 101 thread?

 

[spdpilot]

I am working on an Auto for my car right now. I know that is mandatory if you want to WIN. You can be competitive with a stick if you have a good car setup and you have the shifting talent. I must admit, I do not.

Reading the rules, it the reason Pro and Sportsman seem to overlap in the ET ranges, but Sportsman is non-electronic, which I read to mean no Transbrake etc and maybe more obtainable just simply because there is more human involvment. I know all about electronic racing (not this racing series, just in general) and I have seen these guys dial these cars in.

I have seen that yellow GTO run several times. Not only is it quick for what it is, it is dead on every run. And actually, it was seeing the GTO that got me interested in doing it myself.

Going to the track is fun for TNT, but it would be nice to compete and work towards something also.

I will take you up on the phone call at some point here. Anything you want to post up about it in the mean time would be helpful.

This sounds like a great series that the WS race car might be able to compete in also. Orange is another one I would think might do well in it. Keep the comments coming!

 

[02gt]

hey i do have a q' for ya though, when deep staging how much distance do leave and usually how much does it cut off as far as ET goes?

 

[Mach1Marauder]

hey i do have a q' for ya though, when deep staging how much distance do leave and usually how much does it cut off as far as ET goes?

Deep staging does a few things.
Improves your RT on a slow reacting car.
But it raises your ET and screws up your 60ft numbers.

Staging SHALLOW will get you the best numbers as far as ET goes. Look at it like this. If you stage shallow as possible(just barely tripping on the second staging light), you get a "running start" at the 1/4 mile. Runout is slightly different at each track and is also dependent on your front tire size.

 

[HisPony]

Deep staging does a few things.
Improves your RT on a slow reacting car.
But it raises your ET and screws up your 60ft numbers.

Staging SHALLOW will get you the best numbers as far as ET goes. Look at it like this. If you stage shallow as possible(just barely tripping on the second staging light), you get a "running start" at the 1/4 mile. Runout is slightly different at each track and is also dependent on your front tire size.

Is Summit different from NHRA or Lucas Series? The only reason I ask is that I remember reading if you knock the top light out it is an auto disqual.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[Mach1Marauder]

Is Summit different from NHRA or Lucas Series? The only reason I ask is that I remember reading if you knock the top light out it is an auto disqual.

Thanks in advance!!

Dunno for sure, MOST classes with redlight ya if you turn off the first bulb.
That's a specific class question.

I've never had to deep stage my car.

 

[spdpilot]

I have deep staged a few times at the Q when I am racing for braging rights. Meaning I don't care about ET, just getting to the finish first. In fact, there is a video of me doing this to pretty healthy 5.0 Mustang and you can see the advantage. Your 60ft is crap, but who cares if you are ahead. They don't red light you.

But If you foot brake it, you got make sure you don't let it roll or you will red light.

You are suppose to forwarn the starter if you are going to deep stage. I have never done it a Barona, so I don't know what they will do if it happens.

 

[sdsubzero4]

You are suppose to forwarn the starter if you are going to deep stage. I have never done it a Barona, so I don't know what they will do if it happens.

They do deep stage at Barona. Like you said, just need to let the starter know or the stager.

 

[HisPony]

They do deep stage at Barona. Like you said, just need to let the starter know or the stager.

Most tracks make you put "DEEP" on the windshield if you plan to Deep Stage.

 

[Mach1Marauder]

Generally, If you have identical cars, one staged deep and the other staged shallow and if both drivers have exactly the same RT, the one staged shallow will beat the one staged deep. The shallow staged car has more runout, therefore more of a "running Start" than the deep staged car.

Like I said before, just ASK if it allowed. TnT really doesn't matter, but if it is eliminations at an event, you should know. IF it is allowed, almost all classes require you to write "DEEP" on your car near your car numbers. This lets the starter know that you're want to do so he will give you time to move in and turn off the second bulb.

 

[95BEASTstang]

Alot of good info ..... Should help me break into the 8's on street tires !!!!!

 

[spdpilot]

So.... just to be clear for some of you....

Shallow staging increases your reaction time, reduces your elapsed time and increases trap speed.

Deep staging decreases your reaction time, increases elapsed time and reduces the final trap speed, putting you at the edge of disqualification.

FOR ME.....

Watch my videos. You can see the advantage deep staging off the line, but you also notice how I start to get pulled at the end and thats because they have more MPH then me. But normally I am too far ahead for them to catch me. Less track (distance for me) with Deep Staging.

Depends on which vehicle I am racing. Bigger tires, spoilers, all play a part how the beams get triggered.

I rarely ever knock out the first light. I try stage deep enough to keep both lights lit up.

But you are right. If you are going for et, don't stage deep. Use the 11 inches (approx) of roll room to your advantage.

 

[spdpilot]

FYI

I know you guys are talking about staging deep enough to knock out the second light.

But you can still stage pretty deep and keep both lights lit up. And you won't have to say anything to track or write DEEP on your window.

There is a lot of room in there before you knock out the first light.