Update on Jerry at Route 66!!

[MikesMerc]

Jerry gave me a call this afternoon with an update on his first run at Route 66 and Holy Cow is all I can say!! He hasn't broken Marty's record....yet. But I'd be shocked if he didn't come really close if not set a new reocrd. On his very first run, with track temps well over 100 degrees, he hole shotted to a 1.52 60 foot!! Unfortunately, he had to lift just past half track as the back end got squirrely.

His typical trap speeds have been around 125-126mph. Because he lifted his trap was "only" 114mph. But, GET THIS, he still runs a 10.85!!!! LOL...based on his 60 foot (1.522) and 1/8 mile times (6.851), he's looking at traps near 130mph and a mid to low 10 second run if he doesn't need to lift.

He's working some tire pressure and suspension tweaks, so we'll no soon enough. Stay tuned.....

[Smokie]

Mike what does "the back end got squirrely" mean? He lost traction past the half-way point? or are you referring to some sort of suspension instability? Thanks.

[MikesMerc]

Mike what does "the back end got squirrely" mean? He lost traction past the half-way point? or are you referring to some sort of suspension instability? Thanks.

He's not sure. He described it as if it felt like a loss of traction which occured at about mid track. Whether he actually lost traction or not is unknown. There are various reasons why the "back end" can get "squirrely" such as a real loss of traction where the tires spin, or a "wobble" which can be caused by slicks with a lot of sidewall flex.

If anyone has experienced this "squirrely" feeling on the track, you know what I mean. Although I've never experienced it in my marauder, I certainly have in my SC 5.0 mustang...and it is downright frightening.:eek: When you are moving that fast and begin to feel the back end of the car get loose, its enough to scare the poop out of you. Jerry said it was a real hair raising experience.

As it stands, Jerry and pit crew think his tire pressure was just a bit too low causing sidewall flex and the "loose" feeling. They were going to try upping the tire PSI from about 12 to 14-15.

[Bradley G]

That is incredible!
I got to get to the track!:run:

[Smokie]

He's not sure. He described it as if it felt like a loss of traction which occured at about mid track. Whether he actually lost traction or not is unknown. There are various reasons why the "back end" can get "squirrely" such as a real loss of traction where the tires spin, or a "wobble" which can be caused by slicks with a lot of sidewall flex.

If anyone has experienced this "squirrely" feeling on the track, you know what I mean. Although I've never experienced it in my marauder, I certainly have in my SC 5.0 mustang...and it is downright frightening.:eek: When you are moving that fast and begin to feel the back end of the car get loose, its enough to scare the poop out of you. Jerry said it was a real hair raising experience.

As it stands, Jerry and pit crew think his tire pressure was just a bit too low causing sidewall flex and the "loose" feeling. They were going to try upping the tire PSI from about 12 to 14-15.

12 psi??? I don't know crap about racing, but it sure seems a tad low to me. I had a bad experience one time at the track, went sideways doing about 70 mph, my right foot was glued to the floor board and my brain kept screaming "pull up" my right foot was refusing to obey..it almost got very ugly.

Jerry already had a 1.4 sixty foot. I don't think he has to have a 1.4 to run mid 10's, but he does need a trap speed above 125 mph for low to mid 10's...my opinion.:D

[sailsmen]

He may want to check that each tire is round. A square tire can also cause the same problem.

[MikesMerc]

Jerry already had a 1.4 sixty foot. I don't think he has to have a 1.4 to run mid 10's, but he does need a trap speed above 125 mph for low to mid 10's

I agree. Consider this. On his previous best run, he ran a 10.80 at 126mph. This last run he lifted and still ran a 10.85 at 114. Its obvious that his last round of tuning adjustments have him making seriously more power. Not too mention that its in the high 90s at Route 66 and well over 100 on the track. Much hotter than he previous run as well.

Whether or not he gets the record this outting, it sure is interesting to watch and hear about it.

[Zack]

I will be there at 8am tomorrow.
Let me know if he wants me to bring a set of Z&M Control arms out.
Im not joking.

[Smokie]

Whether or not he gets the record this outting, it sure is interesting to watch and hear about it.

Jerry has a tremendous competitive spirit...I have no doubt he will run mid to low 10's, I just want for it to happen safely, a loose rear end at over 100 mph is like you said "scares the poop out of you":eek:

[MikesMerc]

I will be there at 8am tomorrow.
Let me know if he wants me to bring a set of Z&M Control arms out.
Im not joking.

Thanks Zack. With Don Walsh Jr and his crew backing Jerry up, I'm pretty sure they know what the cause is. And they seem confident its a tire issue. But I'll ask him if he calls again tonight none the less.

[Tallboy]

My guess is the problem may be the construction of the Drag Slicks, perhaps a stiffer sidewall is needed?

Zack-bring the control arms just in case, and send my best to Jerry.

[MikesMerc]

I think 12 psi was just too low for the power and wieght of the car. If I recall, Marty mentioned the same problem when he used true slicks at similar power levels.

[Breadfan]

Wish I could be there! Good luck to Jerry and his crew, thanks for keeping those of us who can't make it up to date!






Oh and send Jerry down to Mason-Dixon sometime. ;)

[martyo]

I think 12 psi was just too low for the power and wieght of the car. If I recall, Marty mentioned the same problem when he used true slicks at similar power levels.

Let Jerry know that at 12 psi I had to change my shorts and to try 14-15 psi.

Also tell him that using two kits is cheating! :D

Man I hope he beats my record. It will give me something to look forward to in the fall when I dust my workhorse off again.

I sure wish I had Jerry's cell phone so I could wish him some luck and chat with him.

Good luck Mr. B.!

[bigslim]

I will be there at 8am tomorrow.
Let me know if he wants me to bring a set of Z&M Control arms out.
Im not joking.
Remember, he is a Metco dealer. Would be interesting to see the difference though.

[bigslim]

I got his number. Gotta get rid of the Mountain Dew and start drinking "Kool-aid" to get his number. ;)

Let Jerry know that at 12 psi I had to change my shorts and to try 14-15 psi.

Also tell him that using two kits is cheating! :D

Man I hope he beats my record. It will give me something to look forward to in the fall when I dust my workhorse off again.

I sure wish I had Jerry's cell phone so I could wish him some luck and chat with him.

Good luck Mr. B.!