>2

If you've never had the thrill of Drag Racing your car at the strip, here is your chance!

Lyle Larson and DC Performance will be running a series of these Thursday Evening events throughout the year.  Lyle will be spending time with us before we stage the cars on the 1/8 mile track.  He will be teaching us the basics and etiquette of drag racing.  
We will be covering the basics of the lights, staging, and launching the Viper for maximum traction.   This will be a progressive series that will give us the skills to be good 1/8 and 1/4 milers.

Helmets ARE the only minimum requirement.
(Some of us will have a helmet we can share with those of you who don't yet own one, but if you can borrow one before arriving at the drags you'll be assured of being able to run your car as often as you want rather than waiting to share one)

Come out and run or just come support the Club and watch!  It's only $20 to run your car, $10 to watch!

Date:  February 2, 2012
Time:  Please try to arrive about 3:30 or by 4PM so you can be in the group that gets the special walk-through and briefing by Lyle.  The track is making special provisions for the Viper group!  Drags start at 5PM.
Where: Irwindale Speedway    http://www.toyotaspeedwayatirwindale.com/dragstrip/index.html (http://www.toyotaspeedwayatirwindale.com/dragstrip/index.html)
         500 Speedway Dr
         Irwindale   CA   91706     MAP TO SPEEDWAY (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=500+Speedway+Drive,+Irwindale,+CA&hl=en&ll=34.119763,-117.969732&spn=0.041781,0.098276&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=40.817312,100.634766&oq=500+Speedway+Dr.,+Irwinda&hnear=500+Speedway+Dr,+Irwindale,+Los+Angeles,+California+91706&t=m&z=14)
Cost: $20.00 for the night

Attending:

Lance
Anthony
Gary
Ben
Paul W.
Pam
Nino
Angel
Leo
Anhtuan
Lisa & Dave
Bruce
Tim
Jacque and Jane

Hello Im new to V.C.A. and just bought my first viper and plan on attending as many events as possible. My question is Im wanting to attend but not sure about running till Im ready. Can I do that? I dont mind paying the fee even if I dont run, its  for a great cause. Im looing forward to meeting people who can show me the way.

Welcome to the Club Gary !
Great to have you onboard and look forward to meeting you.
There will be no problem at all with coming out and checking things out at the Drags.
This will be our first session of the year and Lyle will be starting at square one with us, so it is the perfect time for you to come on out.  You won't be alone.

We have a couple of events coming in January and encourage you to come out to those as well to meet some of our members.

Lance

Gary,

Learning to properly launch a stock Viper can be challenging.  Learning to launch a supercharged Viper can be even tougher.

You won't find a better place to begin that learning process or more folks with experience doing it who are willing to share their knowledge with you.

Also, starting at an 1/8 mile track is much easier and safer than running the full 1/4 mile.

Dan  <2

I'm in! At least with the eighth mile the splitter and wing won't slow me down as much.  >v

I don't expect to break any "speed records" but this is an opportunity to learn!  I enjoyed the chance to do the drags part at the car control clinic and would like to learn more about how the Viper feels and when to shift when it takes off from the launch.  Come on guys, you can all do WAYYYYY better than me, so come on and make a couple runs (or more) just to see how fun it is!  Lyle is a great teacher.  Pam

Lyle will meet with the guys at the drag strip and will let us know what all will be required.  We do know helmets will be, and for those of you who do not own one, we should have enough there that they can be shared.  I'll pick up some of the head socks so we'll have some if you have to borrow a helmet.  He said that the drag strip is very excited about our group coming out for this and are going all out for us!  They will walk us down the strip if we are there by 4PM, and will even bring us inside the tower so we can see how it works.  It will be a training and practice experience, so each Viper driver will be given personal instructions on how to properly launch your Viper at the lights.  Please check back here and on the original post for further info when Lyle gets it the end of the week.  Lyle is very fired up about this and excited about giving some of the Viper drivers this great opportunity to learn and have fun, so let's support this effort so we can do it again! 

Wish I could make this one but have a work meeting that night!  Bad luck for me.

Good luck to all that attend.

Dan  <2

Please add Nino to the list.  I want to see what the 48 would do. <  Just kidding, I'm bring the 03.

I'm in, see you guys there!

I stopped in and visited with Lyle at DC Performance today.
He is working with the Track to make sure we are well taken care of that night.

We will get some very good instruction, hopefully get a chance to walk the track and definitely get some great passes in.   I'm excited to do this and hope we get quite a few people out, even though it is a Thursday evening.

Add me to the list if possible.

Hey Angel,
You bringing the Viper or Camaro or Bike?  >m

I'll be there.  See you all at the track.

Thursday Night is coming up FAST !!!
Who else is coming out?

Make sure you bring your helmets !

Lisa & Dave can't seem to log onto the site so have called me to let you all know that they will be at the Drags this Thursday, too! 

 =15
      Lyle from DC Performance just called and reminded me that I should let you all know that he would like to see us there about 3:30 Thursday afternoon... that's this COMING THURSDAY!!!  Wow, time creeps up on us.  We'll start our official tour of the strip, where they'll walk us down and show us where we should start shutting down, at 4PM.  The first cars start at the track at 5PM.  Lyle will bring a couple helmets to loan for those who don't own them, and Paul & I will loan ours, also, so we should be able to keep everyone who wants to drive out there on the track.  If any others of you have a loaner helmet, please contact me, Lyle or Lance!
      For those of you who have never done this before, this will be a hands-on, personal assisted training experience to teach you how to take off and run the 1/8 mile.  You don't have to worry about being the fastest; just learn to do it and have fun so you are prepared to run the drags at the VOI's and other events such as Car Control Clinics (where you will learn more).  For those who know what you're doing, it's an excellent opportunity to refresh your skills.  And for $20 to run as many times as you want, how can you beat that?
      Paul Winters has a helmet he has used only a couple times that he is willing to sell at a reasonable price.   Let me know if interested.  Pam
<2

Not new to Vipers, but new to VCA. These are the events I want to go to, and sounds fun for a first event!! However, I need new tires so I can't make it.

Come on out anyhow and enjoy the fun.
It would be great to meet you.

Please count me in too, this is too close to home to pass up...  But I'm already feeling bad for my tires...

Quote from: Ryan on January 30, 2012, 06:31:16 PM
Not new to Vipers, but new to VCA. These are the events I want to go to, and sounds fun for a first event!! However, I need new tires so I can't make it.

Ryan,
I have an extra set of SSR wheels w/ barely used Kumho V700 tires that I'm selling.  Contact me if interested.
Bruce 626 371 6667

I picked up a few of those medical hair covers (those blue throw-away head covers) so anyone who needs to borrow a helmet can use one of those before putting the helmet on. <1  See you there!  And come on, guys, try to come to this!  It will be fun.  And Lyle said that there's plenty of good food vendors there. Paul & I are new to this sort of thing, so having such good instruction available for beginners is fantastic.
>g

I'm exited! Should be fun!!  <2

Quote from: ACRBruce on January 30, 2012, 09:53:32 PM
Ryan,
I have an extra set of SSR wheels w/ barely used Kumho V700 tires that I'm selling.  Contact me if interested.
Bruce 626 371 6667

Thanks Bruce. My problem is I'm not sure what wheels I'll have. Oddly enough my brother was given a set of Gen III wheels, but my dad has them in New Mexico. Not sure when I'll be able to get them so it really comes down to if I buy some times for Gen II wheels or Gen III.

Quote from: ACRBruce on January 30, 2012, 09:53:32 PM
Ryan,
I have an extra set of SSR wheels w/ barely used Kumho V700 tires that I'm selling.  Contact me if interested.
Bruce 626 371 6667

Hey Bruce,

What are you asking for your SSRs?

Dan

Thank You Lyle, Dan and DC Performance for putting this together for us !!
It was a really cool event.  Being able to walk the track and learn about all the different elements of drag racing really helped.   We look forward to Round 2 !

As always, pictures are up on my site www.kouchicentral.com (http://www.kouchicentral.com)
Here are just a few.

(http://www.kouchicentral.com/images/12-3%20Irwindale/DSC_0703.JPG)

(http://www.kouchicentral.com/images/12-3%20Irwindale/DSC_0714.JPG)

(http://www.kouchicentral.com/images/12-3%20Irwindale/DSC_0720.JPG)

(http://www.kouchicentral.com/images/12-3%20Irwindale/DSC_0710.JPG)

(http://www.kouchicentral.com/images/12-3%20Irwindale/DSC_0699.JPG)

Welcome to the Club Leo !!

(http://www.kouchicentral.com/images/12-3%20Irwindale/DSC_0693.JPG)

(http://www.kouchicentral.com/images/12-3%20Irwindale/DSC_0689.JPG)

(http://www.kouchicentral.com/images/12-3%20Irwindale/DSC_0686.JPG)

(http://www.kouchicentral.com/images/12-3%20Irwindale/DSC_0740.JPG)

(http://www.kouchicentral.com/images/12-3%20Irwindale/DSC_0793.JPG)

Had a great time dragging my ACR for the first time! Thank you for putting this event on.
Here's a video clip of one of my runs, 8.0 @ 93 mph.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8svtH_WTCY&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

1/8th mile sure feels short, though. Is there a track we could run the full 1/4 mile?

I'm waiting for ACRBruce to post his video of you   >w   >m

Nice run !
Our goal is baby steps here.  Get everyone comfortable with the start, reaction time and getting traction.

8.0 is pretty good.  There were a lot of 6's (by cars set up for dragging) and 7's being run too.   Lyle in the SRT8 Jeep ran in the 7's.
Pretty fun to watch.

Hopefully we can work in a few more Thurs 1/8 mile runs, then rent the track on a Sunday so that it will be JUST our vipers.  This will get us a lot more passes.   Then we will hit the 1/4 mile well prepared.

And by the way...Great job everyone !

Don't post my first run when I stalled it!  <B  >w

Hey Anthuan,
You looked really fast out there. What did you run? Were you low 7's and over 100 mph?

Quote from: Banzai Ben on February 03, 2012, 07:56:35 AM
Don't post my first run when I stalled it!  <B  >w

Don't say you stalled it.   Your story should be  " I was giving the other guy a head start !!! "

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgeH_GZ07XQ
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgeH_GZ07XQ)


And before Buckinham can jump in and make fun of you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckx9pOBa_Y8

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckx9pOBa_Y8)

Man, where did these two guys learn how to drive!  >l  ^8

Yeah, like Lance said, I was giving the Lightening a head start!  >w

Ouch Lance!!!  that hurt my feelings!!  I'll be looking for you at Willow in March, let me see if I can run my tow hook through your rear bumper.  Make sure you have the back end camera on, it'll will make a great video.

Ben my problem was Lance asked me to try on his hand made wooden flip-flops just before.



Sure looks like you guys had a fun time, I had to go to PHX for a family event.

Hey Ben, nice terminal speed there...  I was gonna run but after seeing your run, I decided not to so Lance won't be able to post my runs.  BTW I wanted to delete the video from my camera  >4 but Mr. Pres ordered me to keep it.  >u

Quote from: redtanrt10 on February 03, 2012, 10:42:26 AM
Ouch Lance!!!  that hurt my feelings!!  I'll be looking for you at Willow in March, let me see if I can run my tow hook through your rear bumper.  Make sure you have the back end camera on, it'll will make a great video.

Ben my problem was Lance asked me to try on his hand made wooden flip-flops just before.



Sure looks like you guys had a fun time, I had to go to PHX for a family event.

^8  Yes but I will still be in FRONT of you  !    (Probably a lap down but still in front ! )

Quote from: ACRBruce on February 03, 2012, 10:58:43 AM
Hey Ben, nice terminal speed there...  I was gonna run but after seeing your run, I decided not to so Lance won't be able to post my runs.  BTW I wanted to delete the video from my camera  >4 but Mr. Pres ordered me to keep it.  >u

Hey Bruce, You and I better go and parctice BEFORE the next Club trip out there.  I think these guys are going to be gunning for us now.   =14

Yeah, I wanna race you guys now!  <2

Launching a manual trans car is not easy. Too much rpm and you spin, not enough and you stall, like I did.

Good night of fun!  Thank you to Lyle and DC for setting it up and supporting us out there.

Quote from: Banzai Ben on February 03, 2012, 07:56:35 AM
Don't post my first run when I stalled it!  <B  >w

Hey Anthuan,
You looked really fast out there. What did you run? Were you low 7's and over 100 mph?

The track was actually kinda slippery out there last night.  Unusual since I typically get solid runs at Irwindale.  Made 5 runs but only 2 good clean passes.  The rest I was slipping and sliding and had to let off and get back on the throttle again..."pedalling it" as they say.  My best runs of the night were a 6.69 at 102.73 and a 6.7 at 102.76.  The runs where I had to let off were low 7s around 100 mph.  The previous Thurs I did manage a personal best ET of 6.67 and it was 103.7 just shy of my best MPH of 104.

Also on a side note...most of you will now see the importance of traction at the strip.  For those interested in better tires for the drag strip...I do have a set for the Viper that I will be putting up for sale this weekend.

First set is mounted on CCW 18's like these http://www.ccwheel.com/wheelprofiles-display.php?id=C12 and are M&H drag radials like these http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MNH-ROD23/ The drag radials have only had about 3 passes on them so are still in very great condition.  This set is all mounted and balanced and ready to go.  You just need to make sure your car has the brake relocate kit so you can mount 18 inch wheels on the back.  So you can just swap tires and drive to the track.

Second set are another pair of M&H drag radials http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MNH-ROD23/ but just tires only and have never been mounted or used.  You will need to supply the 18 in wheels.

Also to help you put your 1/8 mile ETs into a context that is easier to relate...here is a chart that shows what your 1/8 mile ET converts to (roughly) on a 1/4 mile track.  http://www.fl-thirdgen.org/quartermileconversion.html

Or you can just use this calculator http://www.fastnuf.com/QMC.html

Hey Anthuan,

Thanks for the conversion chart.

Wow! Great times, so your car runs about 10.4 in the quarter! That's awesome! >v
I only ran roughly 12.5  =16

Many thanks to Lyle for setting up this great afternoon/evening of drag racing for the Vipers.  It was a great way to get some of us who aren't familiar with the track or drags a little taste of what kind of fun is available with the Vipers. 

Anhtuan was definitely fun to watch !  He made it look soooo easy.  Thanks for coming and helping everyone out.   >v

Hopefully we can do this again real soon.

Mike & Lance - now I'm really looking forward to Big Willow and the chase down, it will be fun to watch.  I'll just be staying behind and observing.  =15

See you guys there..........

Scottp

It was good to give drag racing some more visibility among our members.  Irwindale is a bit chaotic on a Thursday night to try and keep such a large group together, but everyone seemed to have fun.  The next time I head out there I will let you all know.

This video is from a few years ago, but on a good night when the track is good you can get in a bunch of solid runs:

http://www.pod9.com/ant/racing/irwindale_11_07_08.wmv

Very cool....Will you give me lessons on a proper smoking burnout   >r

This is the same track that I raced the ZR1 for the Royal Purple contest (that never got televised because I beat him!).

Not crazy about the end of the track where one lane kinda merges into one.

Anhtuan,

What are the safety requirements and at what ET / Trap speeds?

I ran just over 7 seconds ET (on Auto Cross tires) but trapped at 108 mph in the ACR.

Dan

As it applies to most all of us...which are cars with un-altered floors, firewalls, and frame rails...in the 1/8 mile

For coupes, if you run 7.35 secs or quicker you will need to have:

-5-point roll bar
-Protective clothing (SFI jacket  with 3.2A/1 rating)
-5 point harness (with current date stamp they don't allow belts older than 2 years)

If they are real sticklers (which I have yet to encounter) they could also look at:
-SFI approved flywheel and/or clutch
-Screw-in valve stems
-No window tint expect factory

(For convertibles all the above fun starts at 8.25 or quicker)

If you run 6.99 or quicker then they could also look at making sure you have:
-Aftermarket axles with positive retention (not really an issue with our independent rear suspension)
-Transmission shield SFI Spec 4.1
-Harmonic Balancer SFI Spec 18.1

I am running around 6.7-ish and honestly I have never had them go that far into the inspection.  The Roll Bar, Jacket, and harness are usually about as far as they go.

MPH doesn't usually come into play on the 1/8 mile, but for 1/4 mile the rules start getting stiffer as you trap over 135 MPH.

A,

Thanks for the info.

I was afraid of how the drag rules would affect Viper.  Part of the reason I stopped messing with the drags.  Way too many rules that affect Viper.  Slower, less powerful cars are easier to run at the drags.

My ACR has the roll bar but no "down" bar up front", a fire system and 6 points, so I may or may not be OK.  It could trap 135 mph at 10.95 if everything goes right but it's not likely.

My 2004 Paxton Beast traps over 140 mph in the 1/4, is a convertible, has a roll bar with no down bar, 1/2 shaft loops, a scatter shield over the clutch, an SFI damper and 6 points with a fire bottle, so I likely could not run it fast either.

Your videos were cool to watch.

Dan

Great meeting everyone at the track.

Looks like we might be the last ones to get a chance to race at this track!

http://www.dailynews.com/ci_19947701

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20120213/NASCAR/120219947

Wow! That sucks. I guess Formula Drift will have to find a new location too. >o