Fun at the Pod
Discussion
Had a run out to Santa Pod today in the GTR (well if you don’t follow footie ...).
Cold day with a dampish track (closed to weather twice whilst I was there a.m.) but a great track and the whole quarter mile thing is still an amazing rush. Some very quick machinery there, plenty running 8s or below ! The GTR ran faultlessly there and back (220 miles, averaging 14 mpg at 70mph-and-a-good-bit) and it ran perfectly on the track. The M6 was a good test for the RainEx on the windscreen and whilst I lost the home made sun-strip during a mini downpour, visibility was not an issue with the wiper off.
Having already had a go at Stratford earlier in the year, I now know that there is DEFINITELY a lot of technique to getting the GTR off the line (or any big bhp, road legal tyred, RWD car). It is all won or lost in the first 60 feet. I made mistakes in each and every run - see the in-car and out-car footage on youtube, to be posted very shortly. There is definitely more to come. I also had a tank-slapper of a moment on run 6 before the track was closed for rain, what a heart-stopper (will post footage). But let’s cut to the chase and give you the slip timings.
60 feet 2.0700s
330 feet 5.2742s
1/8 ET 7.6946s
1/8 MPH 103.06
1000 feet 9.6809s
Quarter ET 11.4228
Quarter MPH 134.05
One of the Marshalls said that one tenth quicker at the 60 foot time equates to three tenths saved at the line, and my times back this up. The 11.4 was an almost-stalled-it run, but was my quickest of the day. Aggressive starts do not give good times. The 60 foot time equates to 3.1s to 60mph, but I know the car will do it in less having timed it accurately on Shropshire’s roads (legally of course). A 2.8s 0 to 60 might give 10.7 or so for the quarter mile. I ran a 1.85s 60 foot time at Stratford, so it does seem very possible.
It will be interesting to go to the next event armed with today’s experience and correct tyre pressures / stickier tyres / drier track. There are always excuses for not running better times but I am confident that the car can do a sub 11. I just have to get the start right ! Once in third and fourth it’s a case of floor it and wait for the finish. Off the line and first to second is where all the technique is.
Big thumbs up to all the racers there today, especially the guys in the red Pontiac / black RX8 / silver Supra. And all the guys on bikes who clearly have no fear of anything. And lastly, the Marshalls and staff for being helpful and supportive – best track yet with an A* rating from me.
Tony
PS Still looking for a good .vob to .avi converter to convert the camcorder footage. Anyone out there have any hints ? LuckyP, how do you get your camcorder footage to youtube ?
Cold day with a dampish track (closed to weather twice whilst I was there a.m.) but a great track and the whole quarter mile thing is still an amazing rush. Some very quick machinery there, plenty running 8s or below ! The GTR ran faultlessly there and back (220 miles, averaging 14 mpg at 70mph-and-a-good-bit) and it ran perfectly on the track. The M6 was a good test for the RainEx on the windscreen and whilst I lost the home made sun-strip during a mini downpour, visibility was not an issue with the wiper off.
Having already had a go at Stratford earlier in the year, I now know that there is DEFINITELY a lot of technique to getting the GTR off the line (or any big bhp, road legal tyred, RWD car). It is all won or lost in the first 60 feet. I made mistakes in each and every run - see the in-car and out-car footage on youtube, to be posted very shortly. There is definitely more to come. I also had a tank-slapper of a moment on run 6 before the track was closed for rain, what a heart-stopper (will post footage). But let’s cut to the chase and give you the slip timings.
60 feet 2.0700s
330 feet 5.2742s
1/8 ET 7.6946s
1/8 MPH 103.06
1000 feet 9.6809s
Quarter ET 11.4228
Quarter MPH 134.05
One of the Marshalls said that one tenth quicker at the 60 foot time equates to three tenths saved at the line, and my times back this up. The 11.4 was an almost-stalled-it run, but was my quickest of the day. Aggressive starts do not give good times. The 60 foot time equates to 3.1s to 60mph, but I know the car will do it in less having timed it accurately on Shropshire’s roads (legally of course). A 2.8s 0 to 60 might give 10.7 or so for the quarter mile. I ran a 1.85s 60 foot time at Stratford, so it does seem very possible.
It will be interesting to go to the next event armed with today’s experience and correct tyre pressures / stickier tyres / drier track. There are always excuses for not running better times but I am confident that the car can do a sub 11. I just have to get the start right ! Once in third and fourth it’s a case of floor it and wait for the finish. Off the line and first to second is where all the technique is.
Big thumbs up to all the racers there today, especially the guys in the red Pontiac / black RX8 / silver Supra. And all the guys on bikes who clearly have no fear of anything. And lastly, the Marshalls and staff for being helpful and supportive – best track yet with an A* rating from me.
Tony
PS Still looking for a good .vob to .avi converter to convert the camcorder footage. Anyone out there have any hints ? LuckyP, how do you get your camcorder footage to youtube ?
Hi Kyle,
I'm fine, would be great to meet up for a beer sometime and talk Ultimas
Am still living in the garage above the car - these D's take some sorting out. The car keeps me sane but it may have to go with mounting bills etc, am trying my best to hang on to it though ! Easy to get down when the world is stamping on your head but a ride in the GTR is always a pick me up. The only way is forward and upwards.
Tony.
PS - Been to Loton hill climb this morning, a great venue and lots of great guys and gals there.
I'm fine, would be great to meet up for a beer sometime and talk Ultimas
Am still living in the garage above the car - these D's take some sorting out. The car keeps me sane but it may have to go with mounting bills etc, am trying my best to hang on to it though ! Easy to get down when the world is stamping on your head but a ride in the GTR is always a pick me up. The only way is forward and upwards.Tony.
PS - Been to Loton hill climb this morning, a great venue and lots of great guys and gals there.
actuary said:
LuckyP, how do you get your camcorder footage to youtube ?
Nice shooting there 
Would have mashed me by 2 tenths!!You have to get yourself an account on Youtube, dowmload the tape to your PC via firewire or some such, and then follow the instuctions that YT gives you to upload.
Cheers
Pete
actuary said:
Hi Kyle,
I'm fine, would be great to meet up for a beer sometime and talk Ultimas Am still living in the garage above the car - these D's take some sorting out. The car keeps me sane but it may have to go with mounting bills etc, am trying my best to hang on to it though ! Easy to get down when the world is stamping on your head but a ride in the GTR is always a pick me up. The only way is forward and upwards.
Tony.
PS - Been to Loton hill climb this morning, a great venue and lots of great guys and gals there.
Yep i remember the legal bills mate!!!!!!!!!!!! I think the sols make the situation worse for their own ends. I hope you dont have to sell it, she would love that!! You have my number any time you want to meet, my GTR is in bits again. I'm fine, would be great to meet up for a beer sometime and talk Ultimas
Am still living in the garage above the car - these D's take some sorting out. The car keeps me sane but it may have to go with mounting bills etc, am trying my best to hang on to it though ! Easy to get down when the world is stamping on your head but a ride in the GTR is always a pick me up. The only way is forward and upwards.Tony.
PS - Been to Loton hill climb this morning, a great venue and lots of great guys and gals there.
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