1/8 mile to 1/4 conversion...

[BattlestarGalactic]

As your 60ft drops, your MPH will drop a touch also since you are not getting a running(spinning) start.  That .2 improvement is likely where your 2 mph loss from last year went in the 1/8 mile.  That along with the better first gear.

Until you get things sorted out, I would not hang on those ET Numbers.   Focus on the MPH and make changes til the expected ET comes into view.

You'll be happy as you make some changes/improvements and watch the numbers get better.

[JERICOGTX]

Multiply your 1/8th mile time by 1.56 and you will always be close.

[Posi67]

Multiply your 1/8th mile time by 1.56 and you will always be close.

Calculators are fine but I've yet to find one that actually matches for HP, ET predictions or even the 1/8th vs 1/4. Some come close but there's too many variables IMO. Some cars pull hard (big blocks with 4 speeds) past 1/2 track while a small block with a Glide generally doesn't have much left. Exceptions to everything of course. Turbo's tend to MPH higher even with a lest than stellar 60'.

I had what I consider the "perfect" pass this weekend and using the 1.56 ratio I should have run a 9.77 based off my 6.26 1/8th mile but actually ran a 9.88 at 135.03. NHRA uses a 1.60 ratio which is even more optimistic. I suppose if ones combination was totally science out the numbers may align better.

Bottom line is.. you are making improvements, I agree with the others that feel you are easily in the 11's and knocking that 60' down will put a smile on your face. Congrats on the win btw....  I couldn't win against myself on a single this past weekend     

[cjshaker]

Calculators are fine but I've yet to find one that actually matches for HP, ET predictions or even the 1/8th vs 1/4. Some come close but there's too many variables IMO. Some cars pull hard (big blocks with 4 speeds) past 1/2 track while a small block with a Glide generally doesn't have much left. Exceptions to everything of course. Turbo's tend to MPH higher even with a lest than stellar 60'.

I had what I consider the "perfect" pass this weekend and using the 1.56 ratio I should have run a 9.77 based off my 6.26 1/8th mile but actually ran a 9.88 at 135.03. NHRA uses a 1.60 ratio which is even more optimistic. I suppose if ones combination was totally science out the numbers may align better.

Bottom line is.. you are making improvements, I agree with the others that feel you are easily in the 11's and knocking that 60' down will put a smile on your face. Congrats on the win btw....  I couldn't win against myself on a single this past weekend     

Thanks for chiming in. I'm certainly not focused on an exact time, just that I'm finally making some real improvements (minus all the mistakes I still made  )  Getting the car in the 11's was a big goal, and I knew I had to get my 60' down to do that. So whether it would have been a 11.7+ or a 11.99 really doesn't matter to me, because either way it would have been a big gain.

One stupid mistake I made was on my 2nd time trial. I think it was against Shady (?), when I staged to the second light before he had staged to the first. I know that's not good racer "etiquette", but got too focused on my own thing while staging. I realized right away what I did and felt bad about that. I didn't make that mistake again.

[BattlestarGalactic]

Not to worry Doug, I saw plenty of "double bulbing" going on.  Sometimes it just happens, even to the most seasoned racer.  Some just make it their routine to give themselves more time to "get ready".   In my very early years it would frazzle me, but now I just ignore everything and do my own thing if I get double bulbed.  Just don't get in a hurry to find the top bulb.  Make sure to look down on the track to see where the lights are at and use that to give you an idea where you need to stop before getting there.

At a regular weekend bracket race, double bulbing will get you sitting, waiting as your opponent will take that as an opportunity and since it takes 3 bulbs to turn on the timer, they will just really make you sit and wait before they turn their top bulb on.  All in hopes to screw with your head and get you to mess up.

At our stick races, it is common for if someone messes up, the opponent is to not stage, but wait for the other racer to back out and start over.  This is not typically allowed at normal races.  "Back up and pack up" was the saying.  Our races are run by our own rules.

[cjshaker]

Several things I learned this go-round; one being to creep up just shy of the first light, then wait till the other guy is ready to stage. I quickly learned to not even worry about what the other person is doing, other than staging at the correct time. Another is to look at what the other persons dial-in is, so I get an idea of who goes first, and when, so I'm not waiting for 8+ seconds while holding the engine at launch RPM...ugh. At least I didn't drag the front tires this time, by forgetting to let go of the line-lok. Darn uphill track..lol

Drag Week is a whole different thing, because reaction time means nothing. Now that I'm getting a bit more comfortable with the staging process, it's time to work on reaction. I need to try and hit a few T&T nights at Norwalk.

[BattlestarGalactic]

Several things I learned this go-round; one being to creep up just shy of the first light, then wait till the other guy is ready to stage. I quickly learned to not even worry about what the other person is doing, other than staging at the correct time. Another is to look at what the other persons dial-in is, so I get an idea of who goes first, and when, so I'm not waiting for 8+ seconds while holding the engine at launch RPM...ugh. At least I didn't drag the front tires this time, by forgetting to let go of the line-lok. Darn uphill track..lol

Drag Week is a whole different thing, because reaction time means nothing. Now that I'm getting a bit more comfortable with the staging process, it's time to work on reaction. I need to try and hit a few T&T nights at Norwalk.

Yes, paying attention to dial in's is important and won't be a surprise on when your tree will come down(who leaves first).

Paying attention to how the other person stages is good.  The more formal the race event you will notice other drivers will follow along with their opponent for the most part.  "Courtesy" staging and all.   Unless my opponent is really screwing around, I hold back on my burnout and getting into the beams so we are together.  It keeps my mental "timing" the same.  Keeps me from just sitting in the middle of my routine.

Remember, if you set the front brakes really light(just enough to keep the car from rolling), it won't drag the tires if you are slow on letting off the button.

Come on up to DW42 on May 11th.  We have a stick race and you could run with us.  Lots of stick guys to talk to and learn from.  Likely get more runs then a TnT at Norwalk!!

[shady]

Calculators are fine but I've yet to find one that actually matches for HP, ET predictions or even the 1/8th vs 1/4. Some come close but there's too many variables IMO. Some cars pull hard (big blocks with 4 speeds) past 1/2 track while a small block with a Glide generally doesn't have much left. Exceptions to everything of course. Turbo's tend to MPH higher even with a lest than stellar 60'.

I had what I consider the "perfect" pass this weekend and using the 1.56 ratio I should have run a 9.77 based off my 6.26 1/8th mile but actually ran a 9.88 at 135.03. NHRA uses a 1.60 ratio which is even more optimistic. I suppose if ones combination was totally science out the numbers may align better.

Bottom line is.. you are making improvements, I agree with the others that feel you are easily in the 11's and knocking that 60' down will put a smile on your face. Congrats on the win btw....  I couldn't win against myself on a single this past weekend     

Thanks for chiming in. I'm certainly not focused on an exact time, just that I'm finally making some real improvements (minus all the mistakes I still made  )  Getting the car in the 11's was a big goal, and I knew I had to get my 60' down to do that. So whether it would have been a 11.7+ or a 11.99 really doesn't matter to me, because either way it would have been a big gain.

One stupid mistake I made was on my 2nd time trial. I think it was against Shady (?), when I staged to the second light before he had staged to the first. I know that's not good racer "etiquette", but got too focused on my own thing while staging. I realized right away what I did and felt bad about that. I didn't make that mistake again.

That was in the second round of cool fe eliminations.  IT worked. I was then in a hurry to get staged and went in a little too deep & did a -.008 red. NO biggie, also a learning curve for me. Glad you took home the win. No hard feelings.

[cjshaker]

That was in the second round of cool fe eliminations.  IT worked. I was then in a hurry to get staged and went in a little too deep & did a -.008 red. NO biggie, also a learning curve for me. Glad you took home the win. No hard feelings.

Shady, I can assure you it was not a tactic, just a rookie mistake..lol  The whole day moved so fast, I apparently got my rounds mixed up, thinking it was in time trials.

Larry, I just may have to try and make it up there, if the weather will break. Calling for more rain the whole 2nd half of next week, and I still can't even get the mower in the yard yet. As it is, I can only see my cats tails sticking up when walking through the grass..lol  Never been to DW42, so that will be a new experience. Sending you a PM with a couple of questions...