Racing: Drag - Road Course?

[Guest]

So.. I'm at a fork in the road with my mods. At this point, nothing I have put on the car excludes it from either Road Racing or Drag Racing. They're all about more power to the engine, more support in the driveline and more safety in getting the power through the whole system as safe as can be had.

Now... The next series of performance mods will start the journey in to one avenue or another and some mods will actually take away performance from the other.. I just don't know which one to do.. I've always been a 1/4 miler.... But, IRS and Manual tend to not lend themselves to that arena as well as an SRA and Auto would. (those of you launching the stick pigs know this one). But, road racing has its costs as well -- four tires instead of two, longer bouts of strain on the whole system, etc.

I love drag racing, but the faster I go with it, the more I'm required to add parts I can't run on the street. This kinda has never sat well with me. When I tell someone my car runs XXX @ XXX, I want it to be true.. Not come come with the caveat of "well, it runs XXX @ XXX on these tires, w/o the back seat, on a cool day after having sat for an hour" -- That's not truly what I would "run" if someone met up with me -- But, on the other hand, that's exactly how Human Athletes are treated.. Runners have their times/speeds on a particular type of day, in specific apparel and foot attire and after been warmed up, but rested.

So...

Opinions?

What route would you go?

[greennv]

Having owned a prostreeter for 20 yrs and flogged it at the track pretty regularly i know what you mean. Best timeslip was 9.24 @142 . problem with that was when i went from the tens to the nines it cost me around 10k. All joking aside 1/4 milers , faster you go the cost is that much greater. Now for the first time ever ,i took my car through the autocross at goodguys in Joliet this past september. i have a good friend whose name is Chris Jacobs that has a 66 Chevelle that autcrosses and he was a big 1/4 miler years ago. He talked me into taking the car out on the course. I can't begin to tell you how much fun i had . each time i went out i got faster and faster. It was a kick in the pants and i am hooked . Now in some ways it like drag racing ,the faster you want to go the more money you spend, but you have alot more to think about than drag racing which makes it more challenging.

[bannonm]

Hey Wiki,

I have been contemplating the same issue. With drag racing there will always be somebody faster and willing to spend more money to get there. The Camaro isn't made to be a HP monster without significant and costly upgrades, i.e. rear end designed for 450 HP. With your setup if you put wider tires that locked on takeoff your rear end won't last long.

When I bought my car in August I wanted to go the SC route. The more I looked into it, it just wasn't cost effective to me to upgrade everything else that needed to support that kind of power. I just couldn't see putting ZL1 kind of money into an SS.

So my plan is to do solo and autocross racing this Spring. The SCCA has programs that run over at Chicagoland Speedway starting in April. I'm less than 15 miles from the Autobahn and Chicagoland. Less driving for me vs. going to GLD or Byron. I can do this type of racing every weekend.

The thing about solo racing is that you don't need the highest horsepower car to do well. At a certain point it becomes more about the driver. Most solo courses run between 40-60 MPH. There are more turns in a solo course than formula racing, so you are constantly challenged. I have the basic bolt-ons now which put me over 410 RWHP, which is plenty good for solo driving. Autocross is another animal. Higher speeds and longer tracks where high HP helps. A friend of mine ran his Z06 at the Autobahn with an instructor and was doing 130 MPH in the curves. Although he was crapping his pants, the instructor said he wasn't even pushing his car to the fullest potential. So way different that solo racing.

I am leaning towards the solo racing simply because it's challenging, less stress, wear and tear on the car. You'd be amazed at the techniques used in solo even though you are at a relatively low speed. I have been reading a book on solo racing which discusses all aspects of it. If you can even master some of these techniques you would an awesome street driver. It's one thing to run a straight line fast, it's another when you can handle and keep your car in control while maneuvering twists and turns constantly. The SCCA has a novice class where they will help you learn the ropes of solo racing.

I'll be working with Scott from Supercar Performance over the Winter to get my car ready. His partner is a former Auto-X champ and they will be helping me tune my suspension. I already have the Pfadt racing sways, and will be putting on their coilovers and other stuff for the rear. They are also working on a custom strut tower bar which is sounding pretty cool.

I suggest finding a book on autocross and/or solo racing and read up on it and see if this is something you'd like. The one I bough is "Secrets of Solo Racing" by Henry Watts. Cost $14 at B & N. Google autocross or solo and you'll find lots of books on the subjects.

[HumanWiki]

Thanks both of you -- it is a very tough choice...

I still have Mike's PFADT sways at home waiting to go on -- I'll most likely pick up the end links and support plates for the rear before I put them on.

I'm torn on the coil overs... They're not getting purchased until I figure out what to do. I don't really need them on the 1/4 mi yet -- plenty of cars in the 10s w/o them.

I've been wanting different wheels/tires for a while now, just no more mod money for the year. Don't know if I'll step down to 18s for the weight and just deal with the oddball look, or stick with 20s and go with something like the TSW Nurburgrings and an appropriate tire.

I'm not spinning the TVS too much, so I'm not too worried about running it for longer periods of time - and, I won't be under full boost long anyways if there are lots of turns..

At least I have over the winter to figure out what I want.. But, it sure would be nice to get that 10s 1/4 mi slip -- I just don't know if I want to chance the pumpkin over a piece of paper and some internet bragging rights..

[Bubbles]

i vote go fast and have fun regardless. either way is going to be expensive. find someone to talk to who has done it all and is willing to take you out and show you and talk to you without bias but with knowledge. try it all and then make your choice.

[greennv]

Go visit The Roadster Shop . Jeremy and Phil Gerber ( yes the same Gerber that i work for) have been building autocross cars for awhile . Talk to them or talk to my buddy Chris Jacobs . they can give you plenty of insight . I let Phil take my Camaro around the course at goodguys. He thought it handled very well in juststock form. he was trying to get me to sink some money into it . Of course just like everyone on here, you guys can spend my money better than i can ! LOL

[huggerorange73]

Road course....all the way.

I've already explained to you in great depth why.

[Jcobra]

I want to try road racing really bad.

[huggerorange73]

I want to try road racing really bad.

Do or do not, there is no try.

[Jcobra]

Do or do not, there is no try.

Hater!

[EvoWake]

[HumanWiki]

You just want to be first to 10s..

[EvoWake]

You just want to be first to 10s..

Give up that easy eh?

[HumanWiki]

Give up that easy eh?

I might try leading Vader and Palpatine around a road course...

[huggerorange73]

I might try leading Vader and Palpatine around a road course...

I find your lack of faith disturbing.