Merc Finally ran at the track.

[Mercury]

Yep, its true. I finally ran at the track today (Thursday night). My freinds had it planned from the start. I'm feeling kinda crappy, I got the Flu or something equally as bad and I was just going to watch my freinds run since I felt like Pure Crap.

Well, Clint (2001 Bullit) and Tim C had already signed me up and had a number for me when I got there.

I ran 5 times. First time, I sucked as expected. I was nervous and screwed up big time.

1st Run. 14.6 at 100.69 MPH. I spun at the launch bad, hit the rev limiter in every gear.

2nd run. Better. 14.00 at 102 MPH. That was spinning in first at the launch, and hitting the rev limiter at the end of first, and second.

3rd run.Against TIM C. I stalled at the launch (The trak hooks funky compared to the street...duh) The announcer Said. "Oh OH....Some one made a Boo Boo." SO in Merc style, I rolled down the Window Yelled Yee Haw and gave myself a thumbs up. When I got restaged, I ran 14 flat at 102 again. Hitting the Rev Limiter at the end of 2nd.

4th run Against Clint (2001 Bullit) I spun horrible through first, and most through second. Spun when I hit third, after I missed it. and ran a craptacular 14.9 at 97 MPH. Wow..

I have a 5th time sheet, I remember running, but I dont remember turning in a 13.8 at 101.

Either way, thats not to bad I guess for my first time at the track. The track is WAY DIFFRENT than the street. With bieng sick and having 32 lbs PSI in the tires.

To give a comparison, Majority of LS-1's were turning in 13.5's. Those being Stock 6spd Birds.

It was fun, and I'll definetly be there next Thursday for a Rematch with Tim C and Clint.

I was surprised to turn in 102 MPH trap speeds. two miles per hour more than I thought it would be. Gotta practice on launching at the track. Oh...We have Video of it also. Digital Video.

[Smokedawg]

Not bad for the first time at the track. I take it this was your 2000?

[89 Cobra LX]

Could you post your 60 foot times? 102 MPH should be good for mid-13s or so.

[Mercury]

Okay..Lets see. Um, my first run, the 14.6 I had a 60 ft time of 2.68 (Spun in first) My 8th mile mark was 9.69 at 78. 03

My second run 14.00 at 102 MPH. I had a 2.27 60ft (Still spun at the launch), and 9.19 8th (kissed the rev limiter in first, and second.) at 79.70 mph

My Third..WHen I stalled. 14 flat at 102. 60ft 2.25. 8th mile 9.18 at 79.46. (Spun on launch..The second try after I stalled..Hit the rev limiter going into second.)

My fourth Time I wont even mention because I spun and got squirly ....It just sucked all around.

The time I dont remember running, but I ran a 5th time. I still dont think I turned in a 13.7.

60 ft 2.06. 8Th mile 8.87 at 80.65, and 13.73 at 101.55. I think they might of mixed me and Tim C's slips up. The guys dont remember me running in a 13.

If I get the launch down, and stop bouncing off the damn rev limiter, I should be able to turn in a high 13.7 or a 13.8, given the same weather condition (85 degrees, with about 80+ percent humitidty).

Oh, and yep, they were in my 2000 GT.. So with 102 Trap speeds, I should be in mid 13's????

[Dark_5.0]

Congrats, those are nice times especially for your first time at the track....

A little more practice and you should give the LS1's hell.

Nie trap speed
Later,

[89 Cobra LX]

Originally posted by Mercury
So with 102 Trap speeds, I should be in mid 13's????

That's what I've been told by quite a few people on the board.

You're first trip to the track was very similar to mine. I was upset the best I could manage was a 14.2 @ 102 with a 2.4 60 foot. I just couldn't get out of the hole. I was pleased with my trap speed though.

I'm going back to the track tomorrow. It will be my second time. The only difference between my first and second trip will be the new tires in the rear and I can feel a huge difference on the street from them. I'm hoping to see some significant improvements in my times.... we'll see.

[Lizard King]

2.07 on your fifth run is exceptionally good for street tires. You would remember hooking like an SOB.

With your mods though 13.5-13.7 should be the average run once you get the hang of it IMO.

[Tim C]

Merc,
I think you got one of my timeslips, because our cars look almost identical, and we ran back to back. Before I left (sisters graduation, but im hooked on the track so I had to get my weekly "fix" ) I ran several 13.7x's at around 102, and my 1/8 mile times were around 8.7-8.9 at 80 mph, so you probably got mine. For some reason, my car starts running faster as the track cools after dark unlike most everyone else, but I had to go before dark. Also that 2.0x 60' looks alot like mine with the suspension I've got . I can hardly wait to try a set of slicks . Like Lizard King said, I CAN remember hooking like an SOB. Im ready for you next Thursday, and so is Clint . If you want we can try pulling your sway bar Thursday afternoon, and you might want to lower your tire pressure this time too.

You really had me freaked out after you stalled, I kept looking in the side mirror, and couldn't see you. I thought you were right there in my blind spot. Around the 1/8, I looked in the windshield mirror and saw you at the tree. Then I thought I left too soon .

Tim C

[MidNiteBlu 5.0]

Hey Lizard King that picture is sweet

I would say those are pretty good times for your first time ever. I have to run soon!! I am always working when our darn 1/8 mile track is open!

Before I sold my 97 Cobra vert, I took it to the track a couple times and the best I got out of it was a 14 flat.. Can't remember the mph and can't find a slip right now(I'm looking) but I know I didn't get to 102. The tires did suck but... that's no excuse.. the 99+ GTs are strong runners. I actually ran a LT1 and LS1, with the cobra, the last time I went. I beat both of them. The LS1 ran a mid-14 which shocked the heck out of me, I expected to lose to him. In the stagging lanes, there was time to talk, he told me he ran a 13.5 earlier in the night. (There was a Lightning running before me and he ran a 13.9).

With my 89, the best I got with it was 13.8s@102.?? at Rockingham. That was on bald BFGs. There were guys there(lighter cars and set up better) getting in the low 13s@102mph.

Anyhow, sounds like you had fun

[Mercury]

Thanks for the positive remarks guys. I know its nowhere near as good as Lizard Kings times, but I was impressed by the trap speed.

Its way WAY diffrent than the street. I can feather the clutch and launch pretty hard/good on the street and take out most people there. On the track though, it was real.....Touchy. Either spin or bog (In my case..Stall)

When I stalled that one run, I felt the car HOOK REAL DAMN GOOD, I thought I was about to do a massive burnout so I let off the gas and when I went to get back on it it stalled. The Car just kind of erupted (Well figuratively speaking of course) out of the hole, but my dumb azz let off instead of stayed in. Stall...

I hope to crack into the 13.8's or better next Thursday. Just gotta get used to launching on the track.

I also gotta break the habit of waiting for the light to turn green on the tree before going. I'm going to work on half way through the last amber.

All I need is some mini-vans pulling out infront of me, and some blue lights chasing me and I'd feel at home.

There was one guy there turning in 17's and 18's in a 2001 GT. Clint was turning in 14.6's pretty consecutively, he doesnt ring his car out though or drive it hard. I was going to ask him if I could take it for a spin down the track.

I had alot of fun. I'm hooked. I'm going to be calling in sick every Thursday night now.

[EZRIDN]

Glad to see your keeping it safe an running at the track. Nice MPH from your car.

Do you like the track better? I did once i went and was hooked from the first run.

BTW. i ran the LS1 last night and ran 13.4's all night at 105!!!!!. my 60' varied from 2.05 to 2.01.

Anyways....glad you went.

[EZRIDN]

Originally posted by Mercury
I had alot of fun. I'm hooked. I'm going to be calling in sick every Thursday night now.

I told ya man! I really don't even bother with street rusn anymore b/c of the risk and its not as fun as the track.

[Lizard King]

Yup Merc. Street and track are 2 different beasts! If the track is any decent though they'll put some VHT compound and if the sun is out... wabbang 1.9 60ft on street tires. Otherwise ... it's always a fight for traction or bogging!

[Mercury]

THis Thursday I also have off work, and I'm definetly going back. I'm going to remove the front sway bar, and lower my rear tire pressure to about 25 PSI, maybe a tad less.

I want to break into the 13's. I MUST BREAK INTO THE 13's.

We watched the video's one of our friends took of us racing, and needless to say the one run where I stalled was...embarrasing. The camera follows Tim C, and some one asks" Wheres Damien?" then the camera pans back and I'm there at the line, backing up and restaging...

[EZRIDN]

Originally posted by Mercury
We watched the video's one of our friends took of us racing, and needless to say the one run where I stalled was...embarrasing. The camera follows Tim C, and some one asks" Wheres Damien?" then the camera pans back and I'm there at the line, backing up and restaging...

Thats funny.

I remember when i first started to go to the track years ago...i Did a burnout and the throttle got stuck to the floor and was sitting there bouncing off the rev limiter. I was like WTF??? I shut it off and started it a number of times and it always shot to the 6200 shut off until i finally relaized that the pedal was stuck to the floor. I thought i destroyed the car...lol. Anyways always some good stories from the track

[Skyman]

looks like ur car is running good merc, 102mph is nice... Get some traction on that thing and beat on it! Should be able to see some low 13's with a good 60'.

Skyler

[Coupe5oh]

Nice merc, I went to the track last wed, with 20 lbs in my sportsman pros, i ran alot of 14.0's at 97 mph, my best was when i cut a 1.99 60', (track was slick) somehow found traction, and bye staying out of the waterbox, I ran 13.99, this was without icing intake, and timing at 12* the humidity had my mph down, couldnt do any better than 98 mph, or these taller tires are affecting mph. you would love some e.t. streets, i did, but my clutch is paying for it now.

[sedanman]

Merc, I am glad you finally got a chance to take your car to the track and let it all hang out. I am sure like many of us you are now fully hooked on the track.

I am also glad we can lay to rest the freak/pro driver bit and concentrate on making it so it can smoke those LS1's.

Now if we can just do something about pesky ezridn #'s!