First run on the Guzzi Fighter Valaint

Exner Geek · Post subject: First run on the Guzzi Fighter Valaint (Sat Oct 08, 2011 7:55 pm)

I have been applying some of Guzzi Mark's tricks to my own car to get it a bit lighter. It was finally deemed race ready this week so we decided to take a trip to Cedar Falls, IA where we had made some nice runs last year. They have a Friday night test and tune and we decided that we would try to leave Minneapolis about noon so we could have dinner at Jack and Arne's grill your own steakhouse before the race. We didn't really get started until about 3PM and arrived at the track about 7. They run until 9:30, it was warm for October with an adjusted altitude of about 2200'.

I haven't raced at night since the 70s and it was quite challenging. It was so dark I couldn't figure out what gear I was in without a flashlight. I don't have any headlights so I wasn't sure if others could see me coming in the pits. The track itself was well lighted but I think I am too old for night time racing.

When I tried to do my burnout the line lock didn't work so I tried it again but only got a few spins on my way to the starting line. I was flustered and over staged and had to back up. I did remember to back up a fair distance to reset the sprag before the run. When I restaged I lit both bulbs at once and got even more flustered. I left early with a -.351 light at which point the car hopped and spun badly as it often does on a less than idea starting line. I kept my foot in it anyway because this was to be my warm up run anyway. Everything worked good the rest of the way down the track. The time slip was a 11.727 with a 1.74 60' time but the trap speed was a best ever 116.71MPH.

Back in the pits I was unable to fix the line lock in the dark. It was obvious the car would not be hooking up tonight so my friend Denny and I decided to load it up and go over to Jack and Arne's before they closed. In the process of loading the car on the trailer the coil wire burned in half the same way it did on my MSD equiped street car. We did get our steak dinner and drove all the way home afterwards arriving about 2AM.

Eventhough we had many problems, that awesome trap speed indicates we are on the right track to get that A/G record back from Guzzi some day. The rear view mirror that I made out of aluminum and plastic was a joke and I am going to have to go back to the 360 gram stocker. Same with the .020 door panels that are so thin you can't push the door open without damaging them. I will have to add a couple of pounds back to the car. There is a chance that we might get out one more time before the tracks here close.

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If you didn't drive it there, it's not a street car.

madmax/6 · Post subject: (Sat Oct 08, 2011 10:00 pm)

DAMN,thought I at least had the mph covered.Will spray in Vegas,then going back to NA to duel with ya.I think we will bee going back and forth.I bought a real light mirror today,and cutting more tommorrow.Guzzi Mark

madmax/6 · Post subject: (Sat Oct 08, 2011 10:09 pm)

My .020 aluminum 7075 is very stiff and doesnt act like tin foil.Is a little heavier.Has tensil strength higher than .042 steel.You will bee close to 200lbs lighter,but after I spray it I will tear down and freshen it and bump compression to just over 13 to 1.Think my hp gain might offset your weight loss,,,,I hope.We will see,I love this.Guzzi Mark

Dart270 · Post subject: (Sun Oct 09, 2011 6:06 am)

I am eating this up!! Man, almost 117 MPH is cookin'. Too bad Clay City is over - it was FAHAAAST over there.

We need to start planning the Midwest race soon. Sounds like Cedar Falls might be the best place?? Better for lots of folks except Mike and Ryan...

Lou

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Rob Simmons · Post subject: (Sun Oct 09, 2011 1:05 pm)

Very cool!

One quick question for both of you though...

If you're just worried about ET and MPH rather than bracket racing, why the need for any mirror at all? Confused

360 grams is 360 grams... Very Happy

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Rob
I want to "Slant" the world!
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madmax/6 · Post subject: (Sun Oct 09, 2011 2:54 pm)

For putting my make-up on.

slantzilla · Post subject: (Sun Oct 09, 2011 4:11 pm)

You guys are weird. Shocked

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sandy in BC · Post subject: (Sun Oct 09, 2011 4:36 pm)

I have a rear view mirror in my race car cuz once Im strapped in the shoulder check before backing up is impossible. Unloading off the trailer without a mirror is irresponsible.

.........I also like to check to see if I look mean enough before staging.....

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Ron Parker · Post subject: (Sun Oct 09, 2011 4:43 pm)

a outside mirror is for dumb ass like me . One year me and Dale Rose were in the finals at Hamiliton Ohio and he was having problems and I did not know that. I was about a second and halve spot. So I did my thing down the track and when I got about 100 ft from the finish line I looked over my left sholder to see where he was. I could not see him. I looked backwards and he was 300 feet behind me. By the time i realized they was no way he could catch me I was thru the traps. If you want a sick feeling go thru the traps 300 feet ahead of your compettior and not see the win light . I put a rear view mirror on after that. Thanks Ron

Yea I know Bagel but we doint make the same mistake twice

Exner Geek · Post subject: (Sun Oct 09, 2011 10:08 pm)

Not only that but you need it to tell if you can cut across the other lane to the return road.

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If you didn't drive it there, it's not a street car.

Rob Simmons · Post subject: (Mon Oct 10, 2011 6:33 am)

Thanks for that clarification all. Kinda obvious I ain't been drag racin' in quite awhile, huh? Rolling Eyes

Just don't line up next to me for awhile if I ever DO get something back on track! Laughing

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Rob
I want to "Slant" the world!
... one vehicle at a time...

Dart270 · Post subject: (Tue Oct 11, 2011 11:50 am)

Just leave that nice Duster together and RUN IT. I want to see a t'n't timeslip before winter, dangit!

Lou

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Return of the 64 Dart. Hang on...

Rob Simmons · Post subject: (Tue Oct 11, 2011 12:25 pm)

Ohio Valley has a few opportunities left still, but I don't know that it will happen this year. You saw the state of the Duster at Clay City and all the little things that still need to be done.

I haven't touched the Duster since Clay City, don't have a trailer, the Dart's blocking the garage, swim meets every weekend,... Rolling Eyes

But I DO have two mirrors! Laughing

Go Slow to go Fast,... Prudence is the better part of Valor... yada yada yada... (Look out! Shocked

Here comes Wayne with one of his 'Mater bashes... Laughing

)

I'll do what I can, but I may just have to leave the real racing to folks like Seymour and Mark. Wink

_________________
Rob
I want to "Slant" the world!
... one vehicle at a time...

slantzilla · Post subject: (Tue Oct 11, 2011 2:33 pm)

You sure you just don't want me to come down and tune that pig? Laughing

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Proud supporter of Mike Jeffrey Racing Engines since 1999.

Rob Simmons · Post subject: (Tue Oct 11, 2011 2:55 pm)

I've been hoping all year that you'd come down here and help me out! Shocked

You can even swing by and pick up Wayne on the way. He can provide the oatmeal raisin cookies. Laughing

Ain't that right, Cookie! Razz

_________________
Rob
I want to "Slant" the world!
... one vehicle at a time...

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