Virgin No More

[STLR FN]

Well after 18mos of ownership I finally took the Marauder to the track. This was my first time since driving that I went on an actual track to drag race. I went with the MCM'rs and Team FME tonight at Milan. Didn't do bad I suppose. My first run I was asleep at the wheel with a .5481 rt with a 2.34 60ft and a 15.53 et @ 84.76. After playing around and getting the 'awestruck' outta me I finally got a best rt of .2361 with a 2.30 60 ft and 15.50 rt at 91.85. But my best run(the 5th & last run) was a 15.34 @91.61 with a rt of .3380. 60 foot times are killing me but a guess drag radials should/would help out a lot.

I'm #84 on the slip.

My Time Slip (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/showimage.php?i=5015&c=3)

BTW: This is addicting. I'm ready to go again. :D

[JMan]

You're correct - drag racing is addictive. Nice runs for a first outing. I'm sure you can eek-out another tenth or two with continued practice!

Best Luck,

J

[Bradley G]

Good going Brother!
Wait till you get the feel of it and beat a car substantially faster than yours in bracket racing.:eek: It only gets better from here.

[jim geary]

I don't understand the thrill of bracket racing? Please explain. I don't mean to
change the thread.

[Bluerauder]

I don't understand the thrill of bracket racing? Please explain. I don't mean to
change the thread.
I am no expert by any means. However, the dial-in and bracket racing essentially equalizes the cars and puts the onus on driver skill and R/T. Selecting the dial-in and matching it (or at least getting close without "breaking out") is a driver skill in how well he knows himself and his car. The difference in dial-ins sets the head start advantage for the slower car. A poor R/T can eat your advantage. First car crossing the finish line is the winner.

ETs show whose car is faster. Bracket racing is won by the driver (if his car performs as expected).

That's just my opinion based on my extensive experience in drag racing (with a total of 6 passes). :rolleyes: Even with my bonestock Marauder, it allowed me to be "competitive" within my bracket (the slowest of 4 brackets that night -- not including the 8-9 second monster demos).

[jim geary]

Please explain the term Breaking Out?

[STLR FN]

Please explain the term Breaking Out?Say your dial in is 15.53 and you run a 14.99, you "broke out" of your dial in time. It 'basically' evens out the ringers and by that I mean a car that is capable of running faster than it's actual dial in time.

[Bluerauder]

Please explain the term Breaking Out?

Breaking Out is running faster than your "dial-in". The dial-in is your prediction of what you'll run. It prevents a faster car from padding his time. Some of the guys that I have seen run MMs (and other cars, too) are so good at knowing the feel of their car that they can "sense" a 0.1 or 0.2 second difference and actually tap the brakes to "slow down" a tad to make sure they don't Break Out.

Breaking Out = Elimination/Disqualification and not moving to the next round of competition.

[jim geary]

Thanks guys. I go almost every week to a 1/8 mile track but am not a
competor. No guts. Actually I just don't want to break my car. Too much
invested and it ain't paid for yet.
Now I understand when I see some of the racers applying their brakes.
Thanks.