Desoto Drags Update.............

Tom Welch

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Hello,

For those inquiring minds.......

We arrived at the track this morning at about 10:45 and the facility was soaked from last nights rains. They had to pump the water from the track area with large pumps and firehose. At around noon I made my first pass...which was my best pass of the day at 10.00. I began to run out of nitrous down track(same bottle since BG...damn I'm dumb!) and the mph slowed to only 136, the 60' time was good though at 1.42 and I wish I could have had that on the next two passes. After freshening the bottle, I brain farted on the next pass and stumbled at the line and almost died, resulting in a 1.60 60' time but the car pulled good downtrack and ran a 10.04 at 142.07

It was almost 4 hours before our next pass due to extreme heat and several cars breaking and oiling the track which required long and extensive cleanup. At about 4 pm I made the last pass, a 10.11 at 142.72 but the track was very slippery and I spun in first, second and a bit into third gear. The 60' time was the worst of the day for me...I believe my worst ever on slicks, a 1.62. Typical of a track gone bad by extreme heat and excessive street type cars with no prep between rounds.(there was over 100 cars on hand)

All in all, a good day for me though, as nothing broke, the horsepower was there as evident in the typical MPH for my car, and the rains held off until I started to leave at about 4:30. Wanted a 9 second pass in the 100 degree heat, and a better driver in my car could have done it for me today as I made stupid mistakes early when the conditions where more favorable.

It was good to see everyone who came out, Chuck 98/RT10, MES, Chris from SF, 99ACR Mike, and I was even cordial to Cudaman!

The only other Viper to run was Cudaman and I don't know what he ran. The track personnel had elected to not have the timing lights turned on for this event which was a bummer.

Tom

P.S. The OAT gauge in my truck said 101 Degrees F. I'm quite sure it was hotter than that though, out on the asphalt staging lanes.
 

Cudaman

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I talked to track officials at the end of the day, they came in last night at 11:30 pm and there was 6" of water on the track from bleach box to 330 ft mark. They pumped it out with hugh pumps and was fine to run today .... but water was everywhere else.

Dragstrip 6 weeks ago got a couple of direct hits by lighting. They said it hit a pole and went into guard railand ran down the 1/4 mile arching off guard rail to ground every once in a while..... that would have been cool to see!!!! then it took out a couple of computers ..... one of which that posts times on display board. They are running time slips on a backup computer. They have ordered new computers and new timing tree with all LED lights.

It was so hot , I thought my tennis shoes would melt to track! I only got 3 passes in today.....there was tons of people there today, I was # 172 and there was other people that came in after me. First two runs were not that good..... I too forgot how to drag race .... hit rev limiter. After second pass it was at the end of the day ,I was determined to do better. So after second pass with engine heat soaked , I got back in line only had to wait for 5 cars. The third was a charm... better .....not outstanding but good. I ran a 1.470 @ 60 ft and a 10.711 @ 130.32 mph.

Antonio Ciocca was also there in his RT/10.

Tom "The Cordial" Welch did exactly was he had posted.... he was on his best behavior...... it was just like the "old times"!

It is like some of my fishing buddies would say : There is not a bad drag racing day( as long as you do not break anything)...... because you are out doing what you live and work for DRAG RACING......some days are just faster than others.

Cudaman :usa:
 

Cudaman

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Gawd, was it hot. I've been drinking water since I got home. It's going to take me two days to recover.

Chuck you sure got that right!!!!! My 11 year old son.... Jesse and I are sunburned as well.

Cudaman :usa:
 

Larry Macedo

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Tom and Ward, glad to hear you ladies were cordial to each other and had a good time. PS Parts are on the way.
 

Gerald

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..funny how people can fight in a chat room or online and when they meet eachother nothing happens.. booooh!!! I was looking forward to hearing a bench clearing brawl was about to happen... very dissapointing@!!!! Very!!

hmmmph... :laugh:
 
OP
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Tom Welch

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Gerald,

You are right! the keyboard is a powerful weapon that gets abused alot...and I am guilty at times myself. In reality, I have always liked Ward, he has a great family and I see them travel with him to many of the races, which is uncommon and noteworthy.(I also take my family with me whenever possible). I know my car is a bit faster, and I know that there are Vipers that are FASTER than mine, so I elected not to continue to be upset with him, but get over it and be a bigger man, as we all race together regularly and I'd rather have the commradere of my Viper peers. I also apologize to Ward and any who have read less than desireable posts from me regarding Ward.

Thats all Ive got to say bout that.

So, when you gonna get up from the keyboard and bring out your POS????LOL

Tom
 

Gerald

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hee hee, getting me to the track is like getting a dirty dog in a shower. Not my ticket and really don't even enjoy watching other ppl race. I just like driving the car to and from destinations and perhaps a little spirited run in between... :) Go get 'em for me..
 

CHAD

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Tom, I saw your first run yesterday and I must say, it was very smooth. Much smoother than I thought a 10.0, 6-speed nitrous car would look. I was expecting much more violent launches, shifts, sliding around, etc. Your car just hooked and went straight. I'm impressed.

Chad
 

Vip-RT10

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Chris, thanks for the recognition!... :) It was way too hot out there. I was hiding under any shade I could find. There was no way that I was going to race my Gen 1.5 out there with much faster fish in the pond. It was fun, and I can't wait for cooler days to come...that are Intercooler friendly!!! Gerald! :)
 

CHAD

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My bad, 1TONY1, what I meant to say was, "10.0, is that all you could muster?"

Seriously, I was just impressed with the VIPER performance, not necessarily BTR, but they were the ones I saw.

Chad
 

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