Just returned home from Dragweek 2017. The event can't be explained, it must be experienced. It is one of the best experiences one can have in the "hot rod" community. Though I had a little bigger expectation for my car this year being that I had more horsepower than last year, it was good enough to win my class and have a great time. The first day at Cordova went as I expected. I went out shifting a little low at 7000 rpm and made a 9.10s pass, with a 1.26 60'. Second day at Gateway I missed 2nd gear after making a great launch but managed a 9.22 which was good enough to hold on to first so we packed up and left. During the trip from Gateway to Byron I broke a rocker arm and drove the remaining 200 miles on 7 cylinders. Next day aired some rockers to the hotel and the next morning changed the rocker and drove to Byron. Third day at Byron I lined up out of the grove and pull hard right out of the gate and had to pedal back. Since I arrived late I only had time for one pass but it was a 9.29 and good enough. Fourth day at Great Lakes I took off and the car would only rev to 4500 rpm, pulled back to the pits and broke another rocker. Swapped the rocker, went back up to the line and broke traction bad, but it went a 9.40 so again safe enough to go back to Cordova. Final day, to make sure I made a decent pass I rolled into the throttle and made a 9.22 pass. At this point, having "finished Drag week 2017" I wanted to try for an 8.99 pass that I think the car can do. I set the 2 step to 3500 rpm, held the transbrake, and .......... I spun very badly. What I did learn though is that I have to rework my rear suspension. Thats what I love about Drag Week and the men and women competitors, I learned from them that I have set my rear suspension up wrong. I will be working on that for next year to get this car to hook up better.
