I went to Silver $ Raceway, Reynolds, GA for opening day on 1/31. This was my first trip to the Silver $. I heard a great deal about the track, but I have always gone to Commerce in the 10 years I have been in Atlanta. Silver $ is basically somewhat a rural NHRA track, but very large grounds and a nice straight and level track with good runout. It is mainly open flat fields with not a great deal of paving which generates a lot of dust. The track is a little narrow compared to Atlanta Raceway, but I found out that it hooks very well.
I arrived very late in the day - my mechanic was tuff to get started. My best pass was my first with a 11.91 sec (see timeslip) and a 1.59 - 60' time (yes, I know - no unsponsed home built MM weighing 4,500# can possibly cut into the 5s. It was another computer error). After a toasty burn-out, I launched the MM higher then I normally do at about 1,400. The MT 16" DRs (18 psi) held up great and gripped good - no spin like I constantly had from the 305x45x18 Nittos. But, the MM left so strong off the line - I hesitated before completely flooring the gas petal. I lost at least an 0.1 second. Also, I forgot to close my driver's window all the way - that didn't help either. Very disappointing, I had my best opportuinity for a solid 11.8 run and I blew it.
In all honestly, I truely believe the car can run in the 11.7s. I can easily raise the launch rpm to perhaps 1,600 before breaking the MTs loose and I do not even have the MSD Lanuch Master installed yet. Also, lowering the DRs to 16# has to also help. Here's the video by my chief mechanic and camera man.
http://upload.streetfire.net/video/Silver-Raceway-GA-Mercury_559005.htm
And all this with those terrible FRPP Cobra shorty headers and stock mufflers and so restrictive tail pipes and stock tips. My exhaust system increases my torque off the line. It may restrict my top end a little, but I rather be cutting 1.5s - 60' times at the launch. It is all in the first 60' anyway.
Glenn Ford
Times slip: http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/showimage.php?i=15251&c=3
I arrived very late in the day - my mechanic was tuff to get started. My best pass was my first with a 11.91 sec (see timeslip) and a 1.59 - 60' time (yes, I know - no unsponsed home built MM weighing 4,500# can possibly cut into the 5s. It was another computer error). After a toasty burn-out, I launched the MM higher then I normally do at about 1,400. The MT 16" DRs (18 psi) held up great and gripped good - no spin like I constantly had from the 305x45x18 Nittos. But, the MM left so strong off the line - I hesitated before completely flooring the gas petal. I lost at least an 0.1 second. Also, I forgot to close my driver's window all the way - that didn't help either. Very disappointing, I had my best opportuinity for a solid 11.8 run and I blew it.
In all honestly, I truely believe the car can run in the 11.7s. I can easily raise the launch rpm to perhaps 1,600 before breaking the MTs loose and I do not even have the MSD Lanuch Master installed yet. Also, lowering the DRs to 16# has to also help. Here's the video by my chief mechanic and camera man.
http://upload.streetfire.net/video/Silver-Raceway-GA-Mercury_559005.htm
And all this with those terrible FRPP Cobra shorty headers and stock mufflers and so restrictive tail pipes and stock tips. My exhaust system increases my torque off the line. It may restrict my top end a little, but I rather be cutting 1.5s - 60' times at the launch. It is all in the first 60' anyway.
Glenn Ford
Times slip: http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/showimage.php?i=15251&c=3
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