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merc
06-09-2007, 08:05 PM
Too tired to give much details, but I have posted photos of the event on my website. Enjoy.

http://web.mac.com/mwhite26/iWeb/Site/Pinks.html

John Nero
06-09-2007, 08:21 PM
way to go can't wait to hear the whole story

CBT
06-09-2007, 09:59 PM
Nice! Who's Marauder with the "I Do 125" tag?

Bluerauder
06-10-2007, 04:09 AM
Nice! Who's Marauder with the "I Do 125" tag?

It actually say's "I DO 12s". That would be Sherm and the plate is a bit of a pad 'cause he's frequently dipped into the 11's. :D

Thanks for the pics. I liked some of the racey ones. Oh yeah, the cars were nice too !! :rofl:

Looks like you had lots of fun. Hot too !!!

merc
06-10-2007, 04:53 AM
This was a historical day in Mercury Marauder history. If I have my fact correct this was the first group of Marauder on a Nationally televised show. Mike (Breadfan) had his best run to date. Sherman and I lined up together and showed the crowd how Marauders get-r-done. A ton of people attended the Pinks All Out at Maryland International. I estimated 5-10 thousand specters to include cars and crew. For cars nuts and drag racing fans Pinks All Out is the paramount amateur drag racing event, Top Fuel is number one. This was a hot two-day event and my best ET was 12.669 with a reaction time of .247 on the pro tree.


I will post more information as the day goes on and hopefully Mike, Chris, or Sherman with add their comments.

DEFYANT
06-10-2007, 07:28 AM
Awsome Mark!

Breadfan
06-10-2007, 09:18 AM
I'm running out just not to do some errands today, just was checking in, I'll add some comments and maybe some pics later on, it was a fun day indeed! We had three Marauders "arm dropped" the other day.

GAMike
06-10-2007, 10:05 AM
Way to represent guys:banana2: I am sure the crowd got an eyefull seeing your sleds run some impressive times. :cool:

sweetair
06-10-2007, 11:15 AM
Good job to all. Sounds like a strong showing.

Breadfan
06-10-2007, 09:44 PM
I had a great time and was still tired when I woke up this morning! We were there early and left late, a full day a racing.

The announcer at MIR loved our Marauders and had something to say each time on of the three pulled up. My second run during qualifying, which was one of my best ever, was with a bad Tbird SC that runs 12.3-12.4, we had a tight race that excited the announcer. I thought I was going to run him down until he inched ahead towards the end and got me by about 2 lengths.

It's not every day Marauder's get "arm dropped" by the PINKS team.

http://www.neuralimpulse.com/misc/03/IMG_0949074.jpg

http://www.neuralimpulse.com/misc/03/IMG_1005051.jpg

Breadfan
06-10-2007, 09:58 PM
A few more...

Breadfan staging
http://www.neuralimpulse.com/misc/03/IMG_0947072.jpg

Sherman doing a burnout
http://www.neuralimpulse.com/misc/03/IMG_0941066.jpg

merc (Mark) staging
http://www.neuralimpulse.com/misc/03/pdvd_000.jpg

DEFYANT
06-10-2007, 10:03 PM
Awsome! You guys rocked!

martyo
06-11-2007, 03:12 AM
What is "All Out"?

MarauderMark
06-11-2007, 04:22 AM
WTG Guys :up:

merc
06-11-2007, 06:08 AM
What is "All Out"?

All Out is when you have to use one of these

http://www.surfrider.org/olympicpeninsula/sanican.jpg

merc
06-11-2007, 06:29 AM
way to go can't wait to hear the whole story

The whole story day one: Friday

Registration is limited to the first 350 races that can dial-in at 12.99 and below. That’s not always an easy task due to the high heat and humidity. The gates opened at noon and it was a long slow line into the registration booth. The next stop was tech inspection. This inspection was the worst I have ever seen. No one looked under the hood, no safety equipment inspection, or anything. The inspectors only question is can this car to 12.99? The second part on the check-in was to sign a 3-page waver form. I couldn’t tell you what it said because I didn’t read the disclaimer. For all I known I could have signed away my home and next years income. The really cool part of the registration came at the end were your picture was taken and you received at Pinks All Out Racer T-Shirt. This is different then the ones available for retail sales.

Once everyone had changed tires, add race gas, and made final adjustments we waited in the 100-degree heat for 3 hours till our numbers were called to make the first of 3 runs for Test-N-Tune. The first run was a Classic, Sherman and I have lined up and gave a great burnout to start things out.
http://web.mac.com/mwhite26/iWeb/Site/Pinks_files/DSC03634.jpg
The track was hooking pretty well and Sherman dialed a 12.20 to my 13.00. Working out good reaction times against the Pro Tree is much different then the Sportsman Tree. We reviewed the group’s time slips and I know I need to step things up a notch. My second run yielded a 13.22 with a 1.9 60 ft time. I could not believe my car was running so poorly. I concluded that I added too much race gas (3 gallons), too little air pressure in the tires (15 pounds) and moved my boost pump setting to one degree toward rich. The third and finial run came at 7:00 P.M. and the heat was still monstrous. I was able to squeak out 12.95 at 103.05 miles per hour. The first day ended with no car casualties in our group of five, except a snapped wheel stud from over tightening a lug nuts. Chirs melted a pair of spark plugs spraying nitrous, but he anticipated the problem and carried extra plugs.

http://web.mac.com/mwhite26/iWeb/Site/Pinks_files/DSC03686.jpg

As the event approached 10:00 P.M the track timing system was shut down due to lighting. It was a long day and the 1.5-hour drive back to Manassas seemed like forever. We all need rest because we need to have our A game on for the main event Saturday.

The whole story day two: Saturday

The air was pleasantly cool that morning and the forecast called for no rain. Mike (Breadfan) showed up to add to the group. This was his first major event and he was excited about participating in the show.

http://web.mac.com/mwhite26/iWeb/Site/Pinks_files/DSC03690.jpg

If we were lucky one of us would be on T.V. and make history. If not, we were going to have the time of our lives. Sherman's son Chris (Blown3.8) brought his Thunderbird cousins out for the event also. These birds were fast and offered a challenge against the Trilogy Marauders. As we waited with anticipation Anthony and Chris repaired my axle and added a need stud. Chris Afro Engineered a cold air box as everyone talked about what was coming next.

http://web.mac.com/mwhite26/iWeb/Site/Pinks_files/DSC03687.jpg

After yesterdays brutal heat we switched from soda to water. All three tents were used as Anthony cooked burgers and hot dogs. Everyone laughed and joked as the day progressed.

http://web.mac.com/mwhite26/iWeb/Site/Pinks_files/DSC03750.jpg

Pinks All Out Events have a large turnout. This one is no exception. Saturdays racing started off with timed runs. We were all ready and anxious to line them up. I was able to get my best reaction time and ET (12.669@103.09). The T-Birds were running approximately 12.40s and Mike felt he could get more out of his car if needed. Poor Sherman Mohammed Ali was resting in the shade after two days of heat. The second run was going to be a hand drop by Rich Christensen. That's right, he was going to hand drop all 350 competitors.

http://web.mac.com/mwhite26/iWeb/Site/Pinks_files/DSC03825.jpg

At 2:00 the track announcer called our cars. We delayed our departure, but didn’t time everything exactly as planned. As a group we wanted to be last so we would have a competitive showing because our cars were closely matched. It’s not fun running a 10 second cars all out. After the mad dash to the staging lanes I was completely rushed because Pam was still in the car, the windows were down, I had no helmet or jacket on, and the MIR staff was waving me into starting line. Holy Crap, after months of preparation it was all going to fall apart in seconds. I got everything together, but failed to get a good burn on the tires. Rich gave me the thumbs up on the light and wait for the other car to light the second bulb. Both bulbs were light and Rich made a slight gustier and I released the brake and hit the gas prematurely. OMG, I have to re-stage as I watched Rich give me the hand signs for being a idiot. After a few minutes the race was on. My reaction time on the hands was slow and I tucked my head down in despair because I blew it. The good news is Mike (Breadfan) and the run of his life. I am sure he will not forget that day.

merc
06-13-2007, 07:06 PM
Here is a short video of the first round before Rich hand drops the group. You will need quicktime plug-in to view.

http://web.mac.com/mwhite26/iWeb/Site/Pinks%20Movie.html

ctrlraven
06-14-2007, 06:35 AM
Here is a short video of the first round before Rich hand drops the group. You will need quicktime plug-in to view.

http://web.mac.com/mwhite26/iWeb/Site/Pinks%20Movie.html


Cop car on steroids LOL, that's just too funny.

Breadfan
06-14-2007, 07:30 AM
The good news is Mike (Breadfan) and the run of his life. I am sure he will not forget that day.

Great synopsis of the event! I have to agree with this statement, I had a blast and won't soon forget it. I know there are some who dog the PINKS show from time to time, but I for one enjoy it, and All-Out is a great show - where else can the everyday racer who never gets big time recognition have a chance to race on TV? I think that show does a lot to promote the show and give the grassroots aspect a boost.

I ran only two runs that weekend as I arrived at MIR on Saturday morning, missing the Friday night test and tune. I spent Friday afternoon getting off of work early to perform some last minute prep on my car including picking up my drag radials, washing it, changing oil, loading up for the day ahead, etc. Just doing that I was burning up in the 100+ degree day.

Friday night a friend stopped by offering pit crew help and crashed in the spare room, we left early the next morning for MIR. Got down and did the tire swaps, and some other setups.

Thanks to a guy named Jerry Barnes and a company called Trilogy, I got some last minute things taken care of that including getting my Trilogy tune moved to my old Xcal2. Jerry and his team got my tune loaded on the Xcal2 and shipped back to me in record time - I figured it was too late when I sent it to him that same week, but I was wrong! So I was able to use my Xcal2 to datalog, something I feel adds value to tracking how the runs go and how the car reacts to different conditions.

My first run was OK but certainly not my best, I made a few mistakes that cost me some time. I went back to the pits to regroup and prepare for the second run.

I may have had an advantage on the second run though, after a not-so-good first run, I scooted my way up the staging lanes for Run #2 not worrying about it. I figured so long as I can hook the tires and read Rich's arm drop I'd be fine. What a lie! In the back of my head I was thinking otherwise, just thinking "geez I'm gonna miss read that arm drop I know it!"

The track was gripping very well, when doing my burnout the tires were hitting some very grippy spots and the backend scooted left a bit. During the start of my burnout, one of the PINKS crew was walking in front of my car, not really paying much attention to this big beast at first:

http://www.neuralimpulse.com/misc/03/DSC03780.jpg

As the monster of a car started making some noise I guess it grabbed his attention though:
http://www.neuralimpulse.com/misc/03/IMG_0946071.jpg

I staged, and the adrenaline was there. Looked out my windsheild and there was Rich, staring right at me, looking for my "I'm ready" nod. I nodded, and loaded up the converter. I was so focused on watching Rich I had hardly noticed I was staged next to a very fast SC T-Bird from our pit group.
http://www.neuralimpulse.com/misc/03/IMG_0948073.jpg

Rich raised his arms, then dropped them, and I punched it. The car did exactly what it was supposed to do - the mickey thompson dr's gripped into the vht and rubber surface of the track and even with the monster torque from the Trilogized motor they held on as best they could. I felt like I was taking off from an aircraft carrier as I was pinned to my seat. If Rich had any expression on his face I didn't see it, I was 60 feet past him in no time at all.
http://www.neuralimpulse.com/misc/03/IMG_0949074.jpg

As I continued forward the 1-2 shift hit nicely and I was off. Looking over, I saw the front fender of a Tbird. Over the whine of the blower I could hear the announcer going crazy, two big cars going at it, running close together! The Tbird was pulling on me, gaining ground, I was seeing his tailights by about half track but he was staying put.

All of a sudden I started reeling him in. I started to think if I could keep this up I'd have him by the end of the track. But he hit his powerband and nitrous again and regained his lead. When we crossed the beams I believe he was about 2 cars ahead and we running steady at that pace.

After that race I hit the scales, with 3/4 tank of gas and me in the car along with full interior I had a race weight of 4500lbs. Talking with the Tbird driver he's run 12.3-12.5 and had felt that was a decent run. I felt very good about that run, although PINKS rules meant no timeslip I felt it was a solid 12.8 run, which isn't bad for a stock pulley Trilogy with fully stock suspension and converter. 12.6-12.7 feels attainable in the current setup, and I think those MT's had some more grip left.

At the end of the day though I think that between Mark, Sherman, and myself that we made a good showing for the Mercury Marauder!

High-C
06-14-2007, 07:51 AM
It sounds like you guys had a great time!!! Good job representing our cars and the CAM.
Cheers. :beer:

Bluerauder
06-14-2007, 09:24 AM
At the end of the day though I think that between Mark, Sherman, and myself that we made a good showing for the Mercury Marauder!
Helluva write up, Mike. :up: I was riding along with you as I was reading and could feel that adrenaline rush. Was that Blown 3.8 in the other lane??

Thanks to merc, Sherm and Breadfan for representing the MM community. :2thumbs:

Breadfan
06-14-2007, 09:41 AM
Helluva write up, Mike. :up: I was riding along with you as I was reading and could feel that adrenaline rush. Was that Blown 3.8 in the other lane??

Thanks to merc, Sherm and Breadfan for representing the MM community. :2thumbs:

Thanks!

Nope it wasn't Blown3.8, it was one of his friends from the SC Tbird club though.

For both runs I staged behind Sherm and merc, so I missed seeing their runs, I did see some nice Marauder burnouts though and enjoyed reading merc's write up on their runs as well.

Hopefully PINKS will return to MIR or Virginia Motorsports park soon!

DEFYANT
06-14-2007, 09:47 AM
Mike, that was an awsome write up! The pics and story synch perfectly!!

Wish I made this event!

offroadkarter
06-15-2007, 02:44 PM
So When is this going on TV? I must set my tivo