ZMax at VOI ... First timer

[viper067]

So my first attempt at drag racing, was a blast. Have a couple questions.

We got a lot of runs in, but even though I felt I was improving, my times kept getting worse.
I started at a 12.9 @ 111mph and slowly backed to 13.1 @ 101 or so....have to find my slips.

After I had stopped for the day, they cleaned the track and the guys I was running times were about 1 second better after cleaning. Is that normal? If I had hopped out on the clean track could I have run an 11.9?

With mods, I'm pushing about 450rwhp.

 

[ROCKET62]

I was there on Sunday afternoon and in talking to people - the track prep left a bit to be desired. I could not hook up no matter how I tried to launch and the best I could do was a 12.78 @ 124 mph. 60 ft times were a brutal 2.4 - 2.5. It was a lot of fun, but frustrating as I was hoping for better. Tried dropping the pressure in the super sports and that did not make a difference. Launched from 2500 - 4000 rpms and all that did was vary how much wheel spin I encountered.

 

[SlayerLS1]

I wouldn't worry much about the times that people got there. The prep was (understandably) terrible. Your car can run much faster than that.

 

[00VPRGTS]

The Sunday track prep was indeed terrible. The best I ran was 12.66 at 115 mph, that is with a stock engine setup and PS2s. The two twin turbo guys were breaking loose every shift.

 

[Tagoo]

So my first attempt at drag racing, was a blast. Have a couple questions.

If I had hopped out on the clean track could I have run an 11.9?

To improve your ET you really need to improve your 60' times. Generally speaking, to get a 1 second improvement in ET, you need about 1/2 second improvement in your 60' times. You don't say what your 60' times were, but I'm assuming in the 2.3-2.5 second range. Get into the 1.8 second range and you may ET at 11.9. To reduce 60' times by 1/2 second usually requires 1) LOTS of practice, 2) Drag radials, 3) REALLY good track prep- with lots of traction compound applied, or 4) a combination of all of the above.

Keep practicing and you will improve. Good luck!

 

[viper GTS-R]

The better of the two lanes appeared to be the left, from what I saw. My shoes felt stickier. The right lane barely had ANY rubber to about the 60 ft mark and guys (and gals) were spinning quite a bit. Rain didn't help the track either, I was down there Saturday with the B4 group and we got in about a dozen passes in before it started drizzling and then Herb had everyone do laps. After about 5 laps it became steady rain, Doug Herbert came by and we all had a brief chat before we went over to Charlotte to do the road course. It ended up raining there too. BLEH.

Sunday morning we were there and it was good to see everyone get a feel for the track. Made for some good photos! BTW Rocket62, I don't think there was a single angle I missed of your car. That thing is amazing!

--RS

 

[BigBadViper]

I was there on Friday and I made about 4 passes. My boost controller wasn't even on and I was spinning like crazy in every gear. I basically ran a 10.9 and then gave up. I was staring at the wall too many times for comfort. I think my best 60' time was around 2.0. Normally I am in the 1.3 - 1.4 range.

 

[speedracervr4]

My best et was 12.2 @122 with a 2.1 60ft and my best MPH out of three runs was 123 with a 2.3 60ft. It was my first time in the Viper at the strip and the traction was not there.

 

[Camfab]

I felt really bad for the guy who made the final pass Saturday. At least he was okay................ I managed a 12.92 in one of the SRT Challengers on Sunday. It's easily a 12.50 or better car with some good track prep, but after that pass the track got progressively worse. I miss the drag strip as we have had nothing but track closures out here.

 

[ROCKET62]

Why would the track prep be "understandably" terrible? I'm sure we paid to have a good track and they even had a "free" day when it rained.

I wouldn't worry much about the times that people got there. The prep was (understandably) terrible. Your car can run much faster than that.

 

[3whitevipers]

If I'm not mistaken, the weekend or so before was a NHRA drag event where there was a serious crash do to bad track conditions. Also in that event several top cars had to shut down early due to extreme looseness which cost them a win. I ran a SRT Challenger there at VOI and I got loose during the first run just before the traps. Later runs were OK. In group "B" at VOI at the end of the day on Sat. an Illinois Club member totaled his ACR near the traps--bouncing off both walls destroying all the body work. He was OK except for the "no insurance" issue. John Gastman confirmed this event. As you guys say there definitely were track issues at ZMax---Dave

 

[SlayerLS1]

Why would the track prep be "understandably" terrible? I'm sure we paid to have a good track and they even had a "free" day when it rained.

As you said, it rained on Friday night, rained on Saturday, and rained on Saturday night. You can only do so much to try to dry the surface off and get some traction. If people weren't hooking on Friday, well that's just a poor job.

 

[Mad Max]

12.50 at 118 with a 2.17 60' at ZMax. 98 Gen II with headers and PS 2's. Never did get ahold of the track. I've been down multiple different tracks in stick cars, a dragster and a Nostalgia Super Stocker. One of the slickest tracks I've been on.

 

[Next Phase]

Zmax is notorious for having bad prep... I knew that going into VOI. Countless owners were just spinning at the line. My best ET that day was when I left at just over 2k rpm, anything more and I would just spin.

I saw the WK2 (Jeep GC SRT8's) run in the 14 second range all day. Highly disappointed in seeing those times as my WK1 was running 13.3's at 101 mph (stock) in 80 degree weather earlier this year.

 

[TrackAire]

Zmax is notorious for having bad prep... I knew that going into VOI. Countless owners were just spinning at the line. My best ET that day was when I left at just over 2k rpm, anything more and I would just spin.

I saw the WK2 (Jeep GC SRT8's) run in the 14 second range all day. Highly disappointed in seeing those times as my WK1 was running 13.3's at 101 mph (stock) in 80 degree weather earlier this year.

Was it actually raining and ZMax didn't think prepping would help? Hard to believe a big name track like that has below average standards on track prepping. The higher the horsepower, the more dangerous a un-prepped track becomes.

George

 

[uvbnbit]

It was asked in our group if track was prepped (VHT? stuff). We were told it was, and recommended to "launch" at 2000rpm.
I tried 4 x's to come off line as easy as possible from idle. 22 psi in tires (BFG KDW's- not a good drag tire IMO) and couldn't do anything but spin.
1st pass was 2.4 60ft, 12.58/125 mph. got worse from there. I quit trying after that.

 

[Glen97]

Could not hook up at all off the line. The best I could run was 12.44 at 123.77 on Friday.

 

[Landman]

I have to say that I was expecting much better track preparation for such a large event. It was a little embarrassing running a 13.1 at 116mph as a best and getting my ass kicked my my brother inlaws stock 2000GTS.