Author Topic: What event for First timer?  (Read 8364 times)

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Offline Sumner

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Re: What event for First timer?
« Reply #15 on: January 28, 2008, 09:56:51 PM »
YEah, I know.  everyone says, if you go as a spectator, you will come back as a racer, so we figure we might as well go with a car the first time.

  My car is a bit more than a street car, so I am not sure if I would want to try the 150mph club or a class of some sort with a higher speed possibility.

  Tell me what you think.

  Car,

  1988 Camaro IROCZ

  The car is actually built for outlaw street drag racing, but I have all the street chassis parts still, stiff springs/shocks, sway bars etc.

  It has a 427 Big block that dynoed at 802 hp on alcohol, but we switched back to gas, so it is probably about 750hp now.

  I plan to put a beefed up 700r4 in place of the powerglide, and use the lock up converter on a switch.

  I have no idea what rear gears to run.  I have a street rear with 3.27, but I think those may be to low, something in the 2 range be better?

  Here is a pic!



Is there a cage in there?? Fire bottles?? Chute??  What kind of suit and helmet do you have??  You really need to get a rule book and see what you are going to need and if you want to commit to that financially.  If you run in a class at speed week they are all going to be over 200 mph records, so you need all the safety equipment for over 200 mph, which basically means you will have to have safety gear and equipment that is the most stringent.  Not trying to discourage you, but just let you know what you will be expected to comply with.  The WOS 150 mph club would be a bit easier to comply with, but close to what you need to run at a SCTA meet.

Speed Week though is the ultimate spectator event.

I love 700R4's, but question that as a choice for the power levels you are talking and 4th and the lockup converter are two of the big weak points even when you buy the good stuff.  Since I'm building a turbo motor for my pickup and hopefully it is in the 600 hp range I'm moving from the 700R4 to a 4L80E that I had rebuilt with good parts, but even there the transmission guy who builds performance transmissions for a "name" transmission place said I'd still be better off to gear for 3rd and without the converter locking up.

Good luck and I can about guarantee you will love the salt if you are a car guy,

Sum

Offline Jeremy Blaze

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Re: What event for First timer?
« Reply #16 on: January 28, 2008, 10:07:13 PM »
YEs, there is a cage and 5 point harness as stated. 

  I don't think the car is 200mph capable, but again, I wave no idea.  I think I may set my sights on the 150mph club, I looked at the rules for it, and it should not be a problem.

  I may consider a TH400 then as well.

 
Never been to the salt.  Drag racer

roadtrip

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Re: What event for First timer?
« Reply #17 on: January 28, 2008, 10:15:01 PM »
Good looking car .......... are your inboard headlights removed?  I like that.

With a 3.27 gear and 28 in. tall tires you're at 150 at 5880 rpm theoretically, minus aero drag.

Where does the engine make it's power?

DS 

Offline Jeremy Blaze

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Re: What event for First timer?
« Reply #18 on: January 28, 2008, 10:18:11 PM »
My jacket and pants are SFI 3.2A/1.

  The motor makes power from 5000 to 7800 rpm.  But I may swap it with our milder 427 in the other car.  Its about a 600hp motor, but it is more like 4000 to 6800 rpm.

  The inboard headlightw were removed in the pics.  It was a EFI motor then and the cowl hood was not funtional.  Now the cowl seals to the carb.
Never been to the salt.  Drag racer

roadtrip

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Re: What event for First timer?
« Reply #19 on: January 28, 2008, 10:34:09 PM »
Sum's right ........ be sure you want to commit because that sucking sound you hear is you being sucked in to LSR.

Read, listen, learn ...............

DS

Offline Jonny Hotnuts

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Re: What event for First timer?
« Reply #20 on: January 28, 2008, 10:37:43 PM »
Quote
My jacket and pants are SFI 3.2A/1.

No good.
jonny_hotnuts@hotmail.com

"Sometimes it is impossible to deal with her, but most of the time she is very sweet, and if you caress her properly she will sing beautifully."
*Andres Segovia
(when Im not working on the car, I am ususally playing classical guitar)

Offline Jeremy Blaze

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Re: What event for First timer?
« Reply #21 on: January 28, 2008, 10:40:54 PM »
Need, what, SFI 3.2A/5?
Never been to the salt.  Drag racer

Offline Jeremy Blaze

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Re: What event for First timer?
« Reply #22 on: January 28, 2008, 10:42:42 PM »
According to the saltflatsc.om site rules for the 150 mph club state,


"Drivers must wear a SFI 3.2A/1 rated fire suit or better with an approved neck collar"
Never been to the salt.  Drag racer

Offline Stainless1

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Re: What event for First timer?
« Reply #23 on: January 28, 2008, 10:46:06 PM »
Here is all the rules for 150 club, found on the USFRA site.  This is a good low budget way to start getting sucked into LSR..  :roll:

150 MPH Club Rules
All drivers must be members of the USFRA., be a licensed driver, and sign a loss damage waiver to participate.
Successful completion of the technical inspection and payment of fees will allow as many timed passes on the course as the car/driver can make during the meet depending on the number of entrants.
An initial "licensing" pass at 125 mph will be required for all drivers to get the "feel" of the salt.
Maximum speed will be 160 mph any vehicle exceeding 160 mph will be disqualified from making any more passes and will not receive a timing slip.
An acceptable speed indicator is required so the driver has an indication of the car's speed at any point on the course.
Drivers will be required to participate in a driver orientation meeting with an experienced salt flats driver prior to racing.
Drivers will be required to sign a loss damage waiver to participate in the meet.
Wheel covers will be positively attached or removed.
Only gasoline, propane, or natural gas fuels may be used - NO nitrous, alcohol or nitro-fueled vehicles will be allowed.
Motorcycles must meet all the existing safety requirements in the current SCTA Bonneville Rule Book
The SCTA Bonneville Rule Book will be used as a guideline and reference for the purposes of safety requirements; i.e. Roll Bars.

SAFETY REQUIREMENTS:
A four- (4) point roll bar approved by a recognized Racing sanctioning organization must be installed in the vehicle; driver is responsible to provide objective evidence of approval. Integral Corvette-type roll bar is not acceptable.
The seat assembly must be adequately braced by a portion of the roll bar assembly.
The vehicle must have a 4 point or better seat belt restraint system (5 point is highly recommended) with
Arm restraints or an approved window net.
Drivers must wear a SFI 3.2A/1 rated fire suit or better with an approved neck collar.
The driver must wear a Snell 2000 (or later) approved, full-face helmet.
Motorcycle riders must have full leathers, one piece or zip together, leather boots and gloves, and a Snell 2000 (or later) approved, full-face helmet with full face shield.
Tires must be V or Z rated street tires or acceptable racing tires with metal valve caps. (Metal valve stems are highly recommended).
Cars must have an adequate battery tie down.
Driver must have objective evidence of tire speed rating. No tires wider than 10" will be allowed, unless the tires are OEM to the vehicle. (Narrow tires work better on the Salt).
Dual throttle return springs are recommended.
Drive line loops are required in the front 25% of each section of drive shaft on rear-wheel cars where adequate retention and control of a broken driveline is not assured by body/frame design.
A minimum 5 lb. Coast guard-approved fire extinguisher must be positively mounted in the vehicle in an approved quick release bracket
A ground cover must be used under the car in the pit area. Waste fluids will not be dumped, they will be taken off the salt for disposal. Pit areas and general Salt will be kept neat and clean at all times.
INSPEC'IION:
Driver must be licensed and vehicles must be currently licensed and street legal in their respective state.
Each car will require inspection by a minimum of 2 inspectors to enter.
Fees will not be charged for any inspection.
Inspection will verify the acceptable condition of the engine, drive train, wheels, tires, fuel, steering, braking, and safety systems to an approved checklist.
Decisions of the inspectors are final in the areas of safety assessment and requirements.
COURSE:
Course will be a 2 mile long course with a trap at the end of the second mile.
QUALIFYING:
Drivers will become a Member of the 150 MPH Club by making two passes over 150 mph but less than 161 mph during the meet.

« Last Edit: January 28, 2008, 10:47:56 PM by Stainless1 »
Stainless
Red Hat 228.039, 2001, 65ci, Bockscar Lakester #1000 with a little N2O

Offline Sumner

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Re: What event for First timer?
« Reply #24 on: January 28, 2008, 10:51:56 PM »
My jacket and pants are SFI 3.2A/1.

  The motor makes power from 5000 to 7800 rpm.  But I may swap it with our milder 427 in the other car.  Its about a 600hp motor, but it is more like 4000 to 6800 rpm.

  The inboard headlightw were removed in the pics.  It was a EFI motor then and the cowl hood was not funtional.  Now the cowl seals to the carb.

An honest 600 hp will get you over 200 most likely.  Here are some spreadsheets that will help you figure gearing if you need that help:

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/bvillecar/bville-spreadsheet-index.html

For a SCTA event you will need 11 lbs of fire agent (over 5 for the driver).  The suit you will need will have to be SFI 3.2a/15 for over 175 unblown, SFI 3.2/20 blown front engine cars over 175.  Also you will need tires for racing  as designated by the manufacture for speeds in excess of 200.  All of these items are available and this page might help you there:

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/bvillecar/bvillelinks.htm

have fun,

Sum

Offline Jonny Hotnuts

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Re: What event for First timer?
« Reply #25 on: January 28, 2008, 10:54:26 PM »
I assumed that because he was talking about SW or WF that is where he wanted to run.
jonny_hotnuts@hotmail.com

"Sometimes it is impossible to deal with her, but most of the time she is very sweet, and if you caress her properly she will sing beautifully."
*Andres Segovia
(when Im not working on the car, I am ususally playing classical guitar)

Offline Jeremy Blaze

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Re: What event for First timer?
« Reply #26 on: January 28, 2008, 10:54:50 PM »
Thanks guys for the help!  If the ball gets rolling I'll start a build diary!

  I have printed off a bunch of the links, and will start reading!
Never been to the salt.  Drag racer

Offline Jeremy Blaze

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Re: What event for First timer?
« Reply #27 on: January 28, 2008, 10:56:24 PM »
Yes, if we run a car it would be at World of Speed.
Never been to the salt.  Drag racer

Offline Bville701

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Re: What event for First timer?
« Reply #28 on: January 28, 2008, 11:10:19 PM »
I would really suggest getting a rule book. That would help you learn what you need and what class is best for you to run in.

We have had similar or same year Camaros at Speed Week run smaller motors than the one you're running at over 200MPH. So, it all depends on when you want to run and what you want to run.

Personally I think your car is capable of running 200MPH with the right gearing. If SCTA thinks the same way your going to need a lot mre safety equipment. The roll cage and belts sound good, but you'll need fire bottles and a parachute. Even if you don't need to run a parachute, I would suggest having one just in case.
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Offline Stan Back

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Re: What event for First timer?
« Reply #29 on: January 29, 2008, 12:01:19 PM »
Back to the original question . . .

First trip (spectator) Speed Week.   More cars, more everything.

Want to race?  Go 150?  World of Speed.  To run SCTA, your car must conform to the safety rules at the level of speed which the record-holder has for the class you fit into, not how fast you think or want to go.  In your case, the added safety equipment (parachute(s)), fire bottles, race tires, etc., may be more than you care to spend, starting out.
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