What are my times telling me?

[TomO]

What are my times telling me?

During the last race of the year my car really picked up in et and some in mph thru the qtr mile. I did not change a thing. The day was in the low 70’s. I know that “good air” will improve the performance of an engine but I picked up (decreased et) almost .200 of a second and increased 2 mph. Seems to me that this is quite a change in performance for a change in air. Over the past four years it seems like my car runs a lot better when it is a cool day. My 60’ did not change but from there on out you can see the pick up in performance in the numbers. The plugs are nice and tan in color. Does this increase in performance sound about in line?? Is this telling me that the secondary jetting in my car is rich??? Any input is appreciated.

TomO

[Fran Preve]

Tom: because the 60 didn't change much if at all it's my guess it was the air. If you knew the "density altitude" from week to week you can only guess how much the air changed and what way. Density altitude is affected by not just temperature but also barometric pressure (higher is better) and humidity (lower is better).

Where is the track located?. I know at Maple Grove in PA times at this time of the year are the best times the cars usually run. I was at a Bracket Finals back in the mid 90's where the density altitude when "mineshaft" from Friday to Saturday and we ALL went under by a bunch, tenth, 2 tenths, sometimes 3 tenths (and these are the best drivers at each of 20 tracks in NHRA's Divison #1. You'd dial and run under by bunches. Point is, fall air can be the best air all year. Your 60 stayed the same then you picked up MPH, MPH is horsepower, your incrementals were better all along the way so there isn't one end better than the other.

PS: be glad you ain't got a computer car, they go up and down a few tenths from run to run and on the same day!.

[TomO]

Fran - Thanks for your reply on my question. I really did not have any idea of how much good fall air should have on my times. I was hoping that the times would tell me wether or not my carb is jetted correctly and it sound like it is since the times picked up on both ends of the track. I have a feeling that my class index will drop to 14.00s next year - this is a heads up series w/.400 tree. I am looking for changes in tune up that will get me closer in the spring and summer months.

TomO

[Fran Preve]

Wish I could help you more Tom. Good luck.

[tripowerguy]

Hey Tom are you going to Wentzville next August? If so, we might run in the same class. It is run on an index and it beats bracket drags 10 ways to sunday. I like heads up and you just can't break out. I was in the 14's and plugged up the headers and was running 15.01 to 15.10. I won 5 races. and 2 trophies. :) Roy

[TomO]

Roy – I am interested in going to Wentzville in August. The only style of racing that I have participated in has been the heads up index. I really enjoy it!!!! I remember your race report from last years race and it sounded like you had a blast. When the time gets closer please remind me.

I do not know about you but I cannot wait for next season….

TomO

[tripowerguy]

Me too! Although I don't compete in but about 3 or 4 races a year. I am going to Bakersfield to the March meet. My cousin and my ex brother-in-law are going to meet there. My exbrother-in-law has lots of money and is partners with the DeFrank Hemi Cuda. I went to the first March meet in 1959. It is great to see front engine dragsters, fuel roadsters and old super stockers. They don't have sponsers, they do it for the love of it. :clap Roy

[TomO]

HOLY COW!!!!! Roy, I just found that Wentzville is closed for GOOD. I guess that the land has been bought by a land devleoper of high end housing.

TomO

[tripowerguy]

What a bummer, I am a little out of touch being down here in Florida. I hadn't heard about that. The little tracks are having a hard time of it. You know about the legal troubles of Mo-Kan don't you? They have been fighting a developer for years in court. He wants the track for a ready made air strip and they won't sell so he has them in court all the time on nusiance things. The latest is the the noise upsets his ducks on his lake. If you can go there and support them or others like them do so. :mad: Roy

[TomO]

Roy - Yes I know that MOKAN is having leagal trouble. "Save The Kan" is the name of their legal fund. KCIR is no different - they are having trouble with some neibors that have moved in over the past 5 years. Most of the small track were built 30+ years ago and at that time they were way out in the country and now the city has grown around them. We got our first snow this morning 5"+. Have fun out on the beach. I wounder is ozark has a heads up program? Stay warm! ;)

Tom

[tripowerguy]

The last time I raced at Ozark they didn't have a heads up program. They had only bracket racing. I would think that once racers raced heads up they wouldn't want it any other way. Talk to you some more this winter. I'm hoping to make a few changes to the 348 to get a little more speed out of it. I need to put it on the dyno and see if my fuel to air is right. Also I need another carrier so I can go lower with the gears. I haven't been able to come up with one yet. Roy

[Tom Kochtanek]

Roy and TomO:

I guess my buddies made that last trip down Wentzville a few weeks back. They took their cars to MO-KAN about 2 weeks ago and really liked the "informality" of the place. I read about the legal battles on their website, and I hope they can survive that threat. I have been encouraged that I shoud have my first drag experience there at MO-KAN, and hopefully I will be ready by this Spring or Summer :)


Cheers,
TomK

[TomO]

TomK - MoKan would be a great track to get your feet wet. Let me know a couple weeks in advance and I will drive my car down and make a couple of passes.
TomO

[jim_ss409]

The crew at KCIR were also great to deal with. And the guy from Vamp racing that I talked to was also really helpful. I think they were really looking forward to having the 348's and 409's come out to race. Too bad we got rained out. :cry

[tripowerguy]

Tom O and Tom K if you are going to Mo-Kan in the spring post the dates on the site so I can plan to attend also. :) Roy