sailsmen
12-21-2015, 11:27 AM
Marauder Mauls Mustang @ State Capitol Raceway Sunday Test-n-Tune
This Sunday was the last TNT of 2015. The forecast was for 70* and 65% humidity.
At 8:30am I head to Test-n-Tune at State Capitol Raceway in Port Allen, LA early Sunday morning to make the gate opening for 10:00am. It's cool day and the traffic is light. I focus on the steps for a good run, visualizing it in my head as I drive. I drive with 2 feet so I get used to braking with my left foot.
I drive for an hour and a half in full street trim, like I drove her off the lot new. The only prep at the track is to let the air out the rear tires to 18 psi.
There are over 12 cars in Tech so I pull up into the line. The Camaro behind me has on skinnies so I ask him how far he drove. He replied from French Settlement, which is about an hour. He tells me he is only running "Motor" today as in no Nitrous. The car in front is a black CTS with a plate that says BAD CAD.
I pitt behind the grand stands so I can easily walk over and see the cars run. I had to drive thru an accident scene on the way up so I very carefully check my tires to make sure there are no objects in them from the ride up and check the engine for leaks. I used to leave my hood open, but I had to stop, too many people coming by and pointing their hands under the hood asking questions.
I walk the launch area to find the groove, it's wider on the left side and there is less tire debris on the left. I make note of where the water box is, so I can back up into it, references - by the hotel ad on the passenger side and orange container on the driver's side. I also note where the starting line is.
There are over 30 Street Cars and the trailers have started arriving. Looks like it will be a big turnout. As soon as a few cars go down the track I will get in the Staging Lanes. I hear the cars making runs with no spin outs. It's time.
I pull in one of the lanes for street cars at the staging lanes, there are a dozen cars, half are pickups. There are Mustangs, Chargers, Camaros and Corvettes. I try to work my way into the left lane and I do!
I line up next to a white 2012 Mustang GT Coyote.
I drive around the water box, back up into it and wait for the track officials signal to do my burn out. He signals and I pull up slightly out of the water box, jam on the brake extra hard and stab the throttle until I see a large amount of smoke in my side view mirrors billowing out of both rear wheel wells. I then ease up to the starting line exactly on the groove.
I noticed the Coyote has street tires and does a lite burn out. The Coyote then pushes past the first yellow and right into the second yellow. I detect some inexperience or an expert who can go from the first yellow to the second yellow, staging perfectly. Well, since you went right to the second yellow I get to take my time, making you sweat, creeping into the first yellow and stop just as the second yellow lights up. I stand on the brake and raise the RPMs while focusing on the third yellow.
I see the third yellow and mash the throttle jumping ahead of the Coyote with a .087 R/T to his .133 R/T, putting me ahead by .046! At the 60' with my 1.801 vs his 2.091 I am .336 ahead, putting the Coyote out of view!!!
I scan my gauges and then look down the track ahead. Going straight and fast. I make sure I keep the pedal down past the finish line and then brake hard for the turn off. I let the Coyote pass me to turn off in front of me.
I get my slip from the time shack which shows the Coyote 13.026 @110.75 to my 12.131@115.25.
ROAD KILL!
Coyote Fricassee being served in the Pitts, compliments of a Marauder.
0.087 1.801 5.113 7.817 90.57 10.163 12.131 115.25
In the pitts I check under the hood for leaks and to make sure the Meth level in the tank has dropped, all aok. I check the wheel mark for tire slippage and there is none. I then drop the rear tire pressure to 17psi.
Time to go again, I line up next to a Dodge Ram pickup running Nitrous.
I am in the right lane and try to focus on 3rd yellow and mash the throttle. I get the jump with a -.03 Red Lite to his R/T of .055. At the 60' I am ahead with a 1.815 to his 1.967.
I continue pulling away with an 12.218 @114.02 to his 13.470 @101.77. I let the Dodge Ram pass me to turn off in front of me.
-0.038 1.815 5.157 7.873 89.91 10.234 12.218 114.02
I pull in the Pitts, same routine. I see there is no wheel slippage, I am not launching hard enough due to not bringing the RPMs up high enough prior to launch. I still got some rust to knock off.
I decide to concentrate on my launch in lieu of my R/T.
I line up next to an F150. 10 years ago most of these pickups were running in the 16's and now in the 13's!
I am in the left lane, the one I prefer and it gives me confidence for a harder launch. I jab on the brake extra hard and nail the throttle for an extra Smokey burn out.
I load up the suspension and raise the RPMs until the Marauder moves towards the starting line and hold it. I focus on the third yellow and mash it. I am ahead by .126 on the R/T, then by .317 with a 60' of 1.794 vs his 1.985. He is now out of sight.
I finish 12.112 @114.59 to his 13.410 @103.01. I let the F150 pass me to turn off in front of me.
0.149 1.794 5.094 7.79 90.45 10.138 12.112 114.59
I am very happy 3 passes and I got to let 3 cars pass me after the finish line.
In the Pitts everything checks aok. The wheel slipped! I notice there are a lot of cars lining up and the temp is rising.
I still need to launch harder! I am confident my next trip to the track all the 60' will be in the 1.7s.
A golf cart comes by and it's Jeff. Jeff was a tech at a shop that used to work on my Marauder. His son is running a rail for the first time. Jeff gives me a ride to his rail. I knew his son ran Jr. Rails. The found a rail that was laid up with a frozen motor and today is their first run. They are just doing the 60' until they get the trans shifting sorted out.
I decide it's a good time to head back. I go to the fuel depot to air up. I meet Lee who has a Camaro convertible that he plasti-dipped. He runs 10.8 on nitrous.
The Marauder gets lots of attention whenever I bring it to the track, but I notice no longer by many fellow drivers
I start heading back and realize I forgot to take a Pic, so I stop at the nearby gas station.
I really feel good knowing I was so gracious to allow those 3 cars to pass me after the finish and letting them make the turn off in front of me.
I pity them knowing its a Lose Lose, if they beat me they beat a Grandma Car and when I beat them they were beaten by a Grandma Car, which is difficult for them to explain.
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/IMG_20151220_123801.jpg
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/IMG_20151221_110501.jpg
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/IMG_20151221_111016.jpg
This Sunday was the last TNT of 2015. The forecast was for 70* and 65% humidity.
At 8:30am I head to Test-n-Tune at State Capitol Raceway in Port Allen, LA early Sunday morning to make the gate opening for 10:00am. It's cool day and the traffic is light. I focus on the steps for a good run, visualizing it in my head as I drive. I drive with 2 feet so I get used to braking with my left foot.
I drive for an hour and a half in full street trim, like I drove her off the lot new. The only prep at the track is to let the air out the rear tires to 18 psi.
There are over 12 cars in Tech so I pull up into the line. The Camaro behind me has on skinnies so I ask him how far he drove. He replied from French Settlement, which is about an hour. He tells me he is only running "Motor" today as in no Nitrous. The car in front is a black CTS with a plate that says BAD CAD.
I pitt behind the grand stands so I can easily walk over and see the cars run. I had to drive thru an accident scene on the way up so I very carefully check my tires to make sure there are no objects in them from the ride up and check the engine for leaks. I used to leave my hood open, but I had to stop, too many people coming by and pointing their hands under the hood asking questions.
I walk the launch area to find the groove, it's wider on the left side and there is less tire debris on the left. I make note of where the water box is, so I can back up into it, references - by the hotel ad on the passenger side and orange container on the driver's side. I also note where the starting line is.
There are over 30 Street Cars and the trailers have started arriving. Looks like it will be a big turnout. As soon as a few cars go down the track I will get in the Staging Lanes. I hear the cars making runs with no spin outs. It's time.
I pull in one of the lanes for street cars at the staging lanes, there are a dozen cars, half are pickups. There are Mustangs, Chargers, Camaros and Corvettes. I try to work my way into the left lane and I do!
I line up next to a white 2012 Mustang GT Coyote.
I drive around the water box, back up into it and wait for the track officials signal to do my burn out. He signals and I pull up slightly out of the water box, jam on the brake extra hard and stab the throttle until I see a large amount of smoke in my side view mirrors billowing out of both rear wheel wells. I then ease up to the starting line exactly on the groove.
I noticed the Coyote has street tires and does a lite burn out. The Coyote then pushes past the first yellow and right into the second yellow. I detect some inexperience or an expert who can go from the first yellow to the second yellow, staging perfectly. Well, since you went right to the second yellow I get to take my time, making you sweat, creeping into the first yellow and stop just as the second yellow lights up. I stand on the brake and raise the RPMs while focusing on the third yellow.
I see the third yellow and mash the throttle jumping ahead of the Coyote with a .087 R/T to his .133 R/T, putting me ahead by .046! At the 60' with my 1.801 vs his 2.091 I am .336 ahead, putting the Coyote out of view!!!
I scan my gauges and then look down the track ahead. Going straight and fast. I make sure I keep the pedal down past the finish line and then brake hard for the turn off. I let the Coyote pass me to turn off in front of me.
I get my slip from the time shack which shows the Coyote 13.026 @110.75 to my 12.131@115.25.
ROAD KILL!
Coyote Fricassee being served in the Pitts, compliments of a Marauder.
0.087 1.801 5.113 7.817 90.57 10.163 12.131 115.25
In the pitts I check under the hood for leaks and to make sure the Meth level in the tank has dropped, all aok. I check the wheel mark for tire slippage and there is none. I then drop the rear tire pressure to 17psi.
Time to go again, I line up next to a Dodge Ram pickup running Nitrous.
I am in the right lane and try to focus on 3rd yellow and mash the throttle. I get the jump with a -.03 Red Lite to his R/T of .055. At the 60' I am ahead with a 1.815 to his 1.967.
I continue pulling away with an 12.218 @114.02 to his 13.470 @101.77. I let the Dodge Ram pass me to turn off in front of me.
-0.038 1.815 5.157 7.873 89.91 10.234 12.218 114.02
I pull in the Pitts, same routine. I see there is no wheel slippage, I am not launching hard enough due to not bringing the RPMs up high enough prior to launch. I still got some rust to knock off.
I decide to concentrate on my launch in lieu of my R/T.
I line up next to an F150. 10 years ago most of these pickups were running in the 16's and now in the 13's!
I am in the left lane, the one I prefer and it gives me confidence for a harder launch. I jab on the brake extra hard and nail the throttle for an extra Smokey burn out.
I load up the suspension and raise the RPMs until the Marauder moves towards the starting line and hold it. I focus on the third yellow and mash it. I am ahead by .126 on the R/T, then by .317 with a 60' of 1.794 vs his 1.985. He is now out of sight.
I finish 12.112 @114.59 to his 13.410 @103.01. I let the F150 pass me to turn off in front of me.
0.149 1.794 5.094 7.79 90.45 10.138 12.112 114.59
I am very happy 3 passes and I got to let 3 cars pass me after the finish line.
In the Pitts everything checks aok. The wheel slipped! I notice there are a lot of cars lining up and the temp is rising.
I still need to launch harder! I am confident my next trip to the track all the 60' will be in the 1.7s.
A golf cart comes by and it's Jeff. Jeff was a tech at a shop that used to work on my Marauder. His son is running a rail for the first time. Jeff gives me a ride to his rail. I knew his son ran Jr. Rails. The found a rail that was laid up with a frozen motor and today is their first run. They are just doing the 60' until they get the trans shifting sorted out.
I decide it's a good time to head back. I go to the fuel depot to air up. I meet Lee who has a Camaro convertible that he plasti-dipped. He runs 10.8 on nitrous.
The Marauder gets lots of attention whenever I bring it to the track, but I notice no longer by many fellow drivers
I start heading back and realize I forgot to take a Pic, so I stop at the nearby gas station.
I really feel good knowing I was so gracious to allow those 3 cars to pass me after the finish and letting them make the turn off in front of me.
I pity them knowing its a Lose Lose, if they beat me they beat a Grandma Car and when I beat them they were beaten by a Grandma Car, which is difficult for them to explain.
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/IMG_20151220_123801.jpg
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/IMG_20151221_110501.jpg
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/IMG_20151221_111016.jpg