We raced my front engine dragster last night at I-57 Dragway near Benton IL. I finished building it early last summer. We raced it pretty steadily last year but for various reasons only sporadically this year. Last night it all paid off scoring our first win in the Footbrake class. The winner's share of the purse wasn't exactly life-changing but the feeling was irreplaceable. Thanks to my friend and driver Andy Johnson for doing a great job and making me proud! It was also special that Andy's father Jim, my wife Carol, and my son Zane were there to share the excitement. It was the first time Zane had seen the car race. Lynn
Nice looking Sling , ET 5:40s ? I would Like to see track promoters bring back some classic looking trophies Pre 80s style ,
5.40's?.....hardly. Best so far is a 6.56 @ 103.85. It's a mostly-stock, 9:1, 305 Chevy with a mild cam and 600 Holley. Not a bullet by any means but a LOT of fun. We get some great compliments in the pits so I think it brings back good memories for some of the older racers and fans. Thanks for the kind comments. Lynn
Nice car. Basically, bullet proof. Race every weekend and you should be a top 10 points car because it should be consistent and not break.
Congrats, I drive by that racetrack when I go back home to Missouri, seems pretty busy but I never could figure out what exit off I-57 would get you there, they seem pretty far from that track.
We come in from the south on I-57 and get off at the West Frankfort exit. In town we head north on a highway number that escapes me at the moment but it's only about 5 miles to the north on that Highway to a turn off that almost immediately crosses over to the west side of the interstate in the track is right there. Great track and friendly people! Where was home for you in Missouri? Lynn
Congratulations! Expensive kind of joy, but worth every penny and minute it took to earn it. When my buddy and I raced his street stock, the purse for a win paid for pit passes, food, and gas for the race car and the truck. A break even night.
Congratulations Lynn, That thing is awesome cool & I'll bet is a blast to drive! God Bless Bill https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...ar-transport-hauling-open-or-enclosed.614419/
Thanks. As far as driving I have only made one pass in the car and let off at about 550' or 600'. I forgot to put my helmet visor down and my glasses were shaking so bad it was blurring my vision. I'll probably make a couple more passes sometime, but I've assured Andy that his driving job is secure! Lynn
Just a Ideal where you are @ & with a just little More Hp , I estimated @ 1,400 pds, cheapest way with a spray ,,
I agree, it wouldn't take very much more HP to go a lot faster, but since we're bracket racing for the enjoyment of racing we're more focused on consistency, both of the car and reaction time. Technically, per IHRA, if we break 6.50 ET in the 1/8 Mi. I'll need to get the chassis certified. It was built per spelled out construction requirements with plans from S&W Race Cars so I'm confident it would pass inspection. FWIW....the weight estimate is pretty close. Empty, the car weighs 1267 and with driver in his fire suit and helmet we're probably around 1450 to 1460. The car was built during limited-supply COVID times so it's built with .120" DOM tube and is about 100# heavier than it would have been if .058" 4130 would have been available in the quantity and sizes needed. Being a bit heavy certainly affects performance but Saturday night bracket racing comes down to consistency. At a nostalgia race at our home track back in July we were ecstatic when the car ran within a range of .04 seconds over five consecutive runs. Too bad we weren't bracket racing that day! I'm fine with the times we're running. Kinda fun to run all night long on $8.00 worth of 91 octane pump gas. Lynn
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