Racing in Germany....

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360duster

360duster

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Bavaria / Germany
Hi Guys,

last Weekend we were at the biggest event here in Germany, the "nitrolympx" at Hockenheim race track. Pretty cool track, one and only purpose built quarter mile over here.

Got some bad weather, so track time was much less than expected, also because all FIA-classes are running there.

was 12th from 36 Starters after Q1, 11.34 et with a 11.20 dial in (still learning ;-)), did not get another qualification run because track staff saw some fluid under the car…..but there wasnt any. Went from 12th to 15th place after that, then into eliminations. Got a good start with .106 reaction, 1.51 60ft, but unfortunately i put it into neutral shifting from 2 to 3.....would have been a new pb for me, around 11.2x. I think it would have been a break out, so never mind. Car´s ok, rev limit saved my day :). Little Tricky to use the stock column shifter when getting this fast :)
At least i know that i´m on the right way to get my 10.99 time slip, the new best 1.51 60ft. is promising.

whole Story and some vids here at out Team page: The A-Team Dragrace

Thanks Michael

Some Pics:
nitro´s2019_basti.jpg
nitro´s2019_basti2.jpg
nitro´s2019intro.jpg
timeslipQ1.jpg
timeslipE1.jpg
goodnightValiant.jpg
nitro´s2019_burnout.jpg
​
 
I race with a bunch of very quick cars using column shifters. It’s a big change and may not be for you, but most run a reverse manual valve body. The worst you can do is go 1st to third and they do it a bunch still. That and They “try” and brace their extra fingers on the dash pad if they can reach it. Helps stabilize the hand a bit. Console shift for me and I would do the third to neutral deal enough that under the console I made a lock out. Open the ash tray and theres a lever to unlock 3rd to neutral. You might look at making a physical lock on the column.
 
I already thought about some mechanical lock out....but not about the reverse pattern Valve Body. this would totally eliminate the Problem. Thanks!

Michael
 
Cool! Yeah, if you have to use a column shift, a reverse valve body would help a lot (I have one in my car by Turbo Action). An aftermarket shifter would be best/safest with a reverse lockout.
 
Also IIRC a reverse manual lets you run more line pressure. Not sure though
 
Yes, you need some Kind of License regarding wich class you wanna run and where you wanna run (only Germany or whole Europe). It´s supplied by the german Motorsports association called "DMSB", they also make the technical rules.

Michael
 
360duster said:
Yes, you need some Kind of License regarding wich class you wanna run and where you wanna run (only Germany or whole Europe). It´s supplied by the german Motorsports association called "DMSB", they also make the technical rules.

Michael
Click to expand...
I was just reading about racing in The Netherlands and they mentioned the need for a license and they have 12,000 competition licensed drivers IIRC. 17,000,000 people jammed into a country the size of West Virginia and they still have room to race.

They are bringing back F1 to Zandvoort next year... that track suffers from weather as I believe it sits next to the North Sea. If you have ever seen the James Garner movie Grand Prix there are racing scenes from that track. Great movie BTW.
 
Yes, your correct….Zandvoort is located directly at the North sea. The Netherlands do also have a quartermile track at a place called Drachten, but unfortunately the races there are sometimes canceled because of unclear financial Situation as far as i know.

Michael
 
360duster said:
Yes, your correct….Zandvoort is located directly at the North sea. The Netherlands do also have a quartermile track at a place called Drachten, but unfortunately the races there are sometimes canceled because of unclear financial Situation as far as i know.

Michael
Click to expand...
 
360duster said:
Hi Guys,

last Weekend we were at the biggest event here in Germany, the "nitrolympx" at Hockenheim race track. Pretty cool track, one and only purpose built quarter mile over here.

Got some bad weather, so track time was much less than expected, also because all FIA-classes are running there.

was 12th from 36 Starters after Q1, 11.34 et with a 11.20 dial in (still learning ;-)), did not get another qualification run because track staff saw some fluid under the car…..but there wasnt any. Went from 12th to 15th place after that, then into eliminations. Got a good start with .106 reaction, 1.51 60ft, but unfortunately i put it into neutral shifting from 2 to 3.....would have been a new pb for me, around 11.2x. I think it would have been a break out, so never mind. Car´s ok, rev limit saved my day :). Little Tricky to use the stock column shifter when getting this fast :)
At least i know that i´m on the right way to get my 10.99 time slip, the new best 1.51 60ft. is promising.

whole Story and some vids here at out Team page: The A-Team Dragrace

Thanks Michael
Click to expand...

I`d get rid of that stock shifter , I cant tell u how many races it cost me , my partner was a Chrysler mech. and thot it was as good as sliced bread tho.
 
haha, i´ll seriously think about it. Thanks! This winter i´ll improve the front end, put on the QA1 stuff (Control arms, strut rods) and lightweight drag brake kit from Wilwood. Should be possible to get rid of some weight :)

Also thinking about a new cam with tighter lobe Separation....we´ll see how far my extra Money lasts ;-))

Michael
 
360duster said:
Hi Guys,

last Weekend we were at the biggest event here in Germany, the "nitrolympx" at Hockenheim race track. Pretty cool track, one and only purpose built quarter mile over here.

Got some bad weather, so track time was much less than expected, also because all FIA-classes are running there.

was 12th from 36 Starters after Q1, 11.34 et with a 11.20 dial in (still learning ;-)), did not get another qualification run because track staff saw some fluid under the car…..but there wasnt any. Went from 12th to 15th place after that, then into eliminations. Got a good start with .106 reaction, 1.51 60ft, but unfortunately i put it into neutral shifting from 2 to 3.....would have been a new pb for me, around 11.2x. I think it would have been a break out, so never mind. Car´s ok, rev limit saved my day :). Little Tricky to use the stock column shifter when getting this fast :)
At least i know that i´m on the right way to get my 10.99 time slip, the new best 1.51 60ft. is promising.

whole Story and some vids here at out Team page: The A-Team Dragrace

Thanks Michael
Click to expand...

Good job!
 
Hi Guys, we were racing last weekend at a for us unknown track in the east of germany, little city called Zerbst. I did not expect anything, considered it as season closer, have some fun and meet some friends there......but this track (old airfield) did very well....got a new PB with 11.09 @ 119 mph, some runs it even ran 120 mph. 1.55 60ft. is not bad at all, i´m positive that next season i can get a 10 sec. timeslip!

Zerbst_Oktober2019.jpg


So now wrenching season starts for me.....it´ll be fun, too ;-)

Michael
 
360duster said:
Hi Guys, we were racing last weekend at a for us unknown track in the east of germany, little city called Zerbst. I did not expect anything, considered it as season closer, have some fun and meet some friends there......but this track (old airfield) did very well....got a new PB with 11.09 @ 119 mph, some runs it even ran 120 mph. 1.55 60ft. is not bad at all, i´m positive that next season i can get a 10 sec. timeslip!

View attachment 1715408685

So now wrenching season starts for me.....it´ll be fun, too ;-)

Michael
Click to expand...

Congratulations!
 
Congratulations on new personal best! When are you leaving? On the last yellow?
 
Ha, i know i´m sleeping at the tree…..i def. need more seat time to practice. And yes, i try to leave on the last Yellow ;-)
 
You’re not THAT far off, just .020-.050 would be a nice average Remember, if you can’t find the goat in the staging lanes within 5-10 mins, you are the goat! Hehehehe! :) JK
 
Are those small bolt pattern 6” wide 340 steel wheels on the front? If so the regular a body 5” steel wheel is 1 1/2 lbs lighter!
 
yes, these are sbp 6x15" wheels. I´ll change to a lightweight brake setup that comes with big bolt pattern….and i already have a set of 3.5x15" draglites, will buy a set of frontrunners, too. car will definitely loose some frontend weight this winter.
 
Really cool pictures, Michael, thanks for sharing. Is that a Six Pack scoop on the little white car?
 
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