Which way is Street Eliminator going?

[ArnieVXR]

As someone who's just starting out drag racing, I'm trying to figure out what sort of class to run when (if) I become competitive. Running John Sleath's old Audi Coupe has made me look at Street Eliminator and, while I'm a million miles off being good enough to run in that class, it makes for a good pipe dream.

One thing I've noticed is that the two fastest cars (Richard and Brian) both run E85 and (to my eyes) run front ends that are longer than stock. I'm guessing that others are now considering similar set-ups to remain competitive. Is this the way Street Eliminator will end up going? If so, I think it's a shame. My reason for wanting to run in this class is that it most closely resembles the traffic light racing of my youth. E85 isn't a pump gas anymore and stretching a car's silhouette kind of defeats the object of the exercise.

My Audi still runs with an all steel set of panels, all glass windows, door cards and electric windows. Back in the day it ran in the 7.6's, so a class for true streetcars can be as fast as you're skill will take you. What should I do: dream about a different class or convert to E85?

PS Richard / Brian - your cars are utterly epic. If I come across as a moaning c*ck or I'm factually incorrect, I apologise.

[37chevy]

ArnieVXR said:

As someone who's just starting out drag racing, I'm trying to figure out what sort of class to run when (if) I become competitive. Running John Sleath's old Audi Coupe has made me look at Street Eliminator and, while I'm a million miles off being good enough to run in that class, it makes for a good pipe dream.

One thing I've noticed is that the two fastest cars (Richard and Brian) both run E85 and (to my eyes) run front ends that are longer than stock. I'm guessing that others are now considering similar set-ups to remain competitive. Is this the way Street Eliminator will end up going? If so, I think it's a shame. My reason for wanting to run in this class is that it most closely resembles the traffic light racing of my youth. E85 isn't a pump gas anymore and stretching a car's silhouette kind of defeats the object of the exercise.

My Audi still runs with an all steel set of panels, all glass windows, door cards and electric windows. Back in the day it ran in the 7.6's, so a class for true streetcars can be as fast as you're skill will take you. What should I do: dream about a different class or convert to E85?

PS Richard / Brian - your cars are utterly epic. If I come across as a moaning c*ck or I'm factually incorrect, I apologise.

What ever class you run in, I just hope you get out there! I loved the old Audi, truly epic car!

I suppose it all depends on whether you want to win the class or just take part in one of the best classes in the uk....all down to money I suppose!

[Tet]

ArnieVXR said:

E85 isn't a pump gas anymore and stretching a car's silhouette kind of defeats the object of the exercise.

I've never understood claims like that or the whole block treaded tyres nonsense. To me, Street Eliminator has only ever been about who can run the quickest with a street legal car in street legal trim and be able to prove its legality by going on the cruise. Is E85 legal to run on UK roads? My understanding is yes, so it should be fine regardless of whether it's widely available from a pump. Is the ET Street legal for UK roads? Yep, so it's fine. Does the car's shape look anything like it did when it left the factory? Completely irrelevant. I appreciate that others have different opinions, but for me, that's what the class has always been about and what made it so appealing to me as a spectator (and maybe some day as a competitor, but it's beyond my budget for now).

[ArnieVXR]

Tet said:

I've never understood claims like that or the whole block treaded tyres nonsense. To me, Street Eliminator has only ever been about who can run the quickest with a street legal car in street legal trim and be able to prove its legality by going on the cruise. Is E85 legal to run on UK roads? My understanding is yes, so it should be fine regardless of whether it's widely available from a pump. Is the ET Street legal for UK roads? Yep, so it's fine. Does the car's shape look anything like it did when it left the factory? Completely irrelevant. I appreciate that others have different opinions, but for me, that's what the class has always been about and what made it so appealing to me as a spectator (and maybe some day as a competitor, but it's beyond my budget for now).

Interesting perspective, which makes perfect sense. Gets me wondering if race fuel, meth or nitro could be street legal if I simply pay the duty on it

Don't you have to fill up on the cruise at a local petrol station and then return to the strip and race in what's inthe tank? How do E85 cars do that?

[ArnieVXR]

37chevy said:

What ever class you run in, I just hope you get out there! I loved the old Audi, truly epic car!

I suppose it all depends on whether you want to win the class or just take part in one of the best classes in the uk....all down to money I suppose!

I'm hoping to take part in whatever class will have me at York in August. Win or lose (quite likely with my RT) it'll be fun.

One day, though, I'll be making you all eat my dust. Honest

[ArnieVXR]

Actually, Tet's comments got me thinking. Is Street Eliminator open to any car that's street legal, regardless of what it is, what it looks like, etc? And can it run on any duty paid fuel?

[Jon C]

[purist head]

Competition Eliminator

[/purist head]

[slinky]

ArnieVXR said:

Actually, Tet's comments got me thinking. Is Street Eliminator open to any car that's street legal, regardless of what it is, what it looks like, etc? And can it run on any duty paid fuel?

As long as it's capable of passes representative of the class, and complies with class rules, then

[ArnieVXR]

slinky said:

As long as it's capable of passes representative of the class, and complies with class rules, then

Bugger - does that mean RV3 could run in Street Eliminator

[slinky]

ArnieVXR said:

Bugger - does that mean RV3 could run in Street Eliminator

Could and would are two very different things.

[37chevy]

Tet said:

I've never understood claims like that or the whole block treaded tyres nonsense. To me, Street Eliminator has only ever been about who can run the quickest with a street legal car in street legal trim and be able to prove its legality by going on the cruise. Is E85 legal to run on UK roads? My understanding is yes, so it should be fine regardless of whether it's widely available from a pump. Is the ET Street legal for UK roads? Yep, so it's fine. Does the car's shape look anything like it did when it left the factory? Completely irrelevant. I appreciate that others have different opinions, but for me, that's what the class has always been about and what made it so appealing to me as a spectator (and maybe some day as a competitor, but it's beyond my budget for now).

I suppose if you look at any car in street eliminator or most of drag racing for that matter, virtually every car is nothing like its silhouette, most pops are chopped and widened, same for shoe boxes etc etc, that's hot rodding and drag racing for you, just make the meanest looking creation possible or to your own taste

[Tet]

ArnieVXR said:

Don't you have to fill up on the cruise at a local petrol station and then return to the strip and race in what's inthe tank? How do E85 cars do that?

As I understand it, they run on E85 on the strip, but can run on pump fuel and do so to satisfy the cruise requirement. I don't believe they have to race on the same tank of fuel, so I assume they drain the tank after the cruise.

[central]

While we're on the subject, well done to Alan Williamson for winning SE at Bugjam 27



202 by Fast an' Bulbous, on Flickr


208 by Fast an' Bulbous, on Flickr

[37chevy]

I love that truck so much!!

[redvictor]

ArnieVXR said:

Bugger - does that mean RV3 could run in Street Eliminator

Of course, if i could be arsed to, which i'm not, because i already did it for 15 years. Pro mod is the ultimate doorslammer class, and almost every door guy/gal aspires to run in it. I did,and now do!
Anyhoo, every SE car is a tube framed race car for the road, including yours.
Class rules dictate that cars that run under 8.50 have to be an SFI spec chassis.
It's the way the class evolved,like any heads up class. Inevitably boundaries get stretched...

[howlin hauler]

Thanks for the congrats, just to say i run in SE because it is a privilege to have the chance to line up against some fantastic cars and its heads up, and the biggest part is i enjoy it, i honestly don,t expect to win but when i do get a bit of luck like the weekend boy am i going to take it, also i have a feeling the rules changed has i am sure Brian shortened his front end before the season, lastly i would love to see the Audi back where it belongs in Street Eliminator come and have some fun with some great teams.

Regards Alan
SE BUGJAM CHAMP 2013 YEEEEEEAAAHHHH

central said:

While we're on the subject, well done to Alan Williamson for winning SE at Bugjam 27



202 by Fast an' Bulbous, on Flickr


208 by Fast an' Bulbous, on Flickr

[ArnieVXR]

howlin hauler said:

Well done that man

[AutoManics]

I would love to know how these 'street legal' tube chassis cars are able to be MOT'd on their original number plates, I had my race car inspected by the DVLA and whilst they said they had no problem with me putting it on the road ( with a few minor mods) they said in no uncertain terms that it was impossible to legally run a highly modified/tube chassis car without it getting a Q plate!

[Jon C]

Its down to if you can prove evolution fron the original vehicle. It is fairly easy with a car whose build has been documented (such as RV3) to show that the race car occupies the same space as the original vehicle, even if very little of the original car remains. RV3 is on an age-related vanity plate anyway.

[AutoManics]

Jon C said:

Its down to if you can prove evolution fron the original vehicle. It is fairly easy with a car whose build has been documented (such as RV3) to show that the race car occupies the same space as the original vehicle, even if very little of the original car remains. RV3 is on an age-related vanity plate anyway.

That's not how the DVLA inspector saw it, they work on what original parts ( chassis, suspension etc) the car retains, which is none on a tube chassis car, I have done tons of research on this, once a Q plate is given it can not be replaced by an age related/ cherished plate.