ETs and terminals at Santa Pod
Discussion
I was at the main event on Sunday (yes, my skin has all come off) and noticed that the Top Fuel in the UK seems to struggle to break 300mph consistently.
Having recently seen Leah Pritchett set a new record in the NHRA of 3.654 at 331.85 and obviously Matt Hagan going 338.85 in a Funny Car.
All day Sunday people were saying the track was perfect, the conditions were spot on but still the cars were 0.4 sec and 30-40mph slower over 1000ft.
Is there a reason behind it? Are the regs in the UK slightly different or something?
Not slating Santa Pod, not trying to cause an argument and I'm not saying it's boring because it definitely isn't, just wondering about the science behind it all.
Having recently seen Leah Pritchett set a new record in the NHRA of 3.654 at 331.85 and obviously Matt Hagan going 338.85 in a Funny Car.
All day Sunday people were saying the track was perfect, the conditions were spot on but still the cars were 0.4 sec and 30-40mph slower over 1000ft.
Is there a reason behind it? Are the regs in the UK slightly different or something?
Not slating Santa Pod, not trying to cause an argument and I'm not saying it's boring because it definitely isn't, just wondering about the science behind it all.
It's all down to experience and budget. For the US teams it's their job, they're out there week in and week out; pounding out runs and gathering data, often with multiple cars. A team like DSR or JFR will gather more data in one event than a European team will all season long. The track and weather conditions are almost always consistent too. Couple that with the ability of being able to throw brand new parts at their cars on every run if need be, the advantage becomes clear.
Another thing to remember is that the track at Santa Pod is asphalt, not concrete. As asphalt tracks go, it's up there with the best in the world, but the vast majority of US surfaces are concrete and therefore smoother and more predictable to tune to. If Matt Hagan came to Santa Pod I promise you that you wouldn't see 338 mph! It'd take them a lot of runs to get a handle on it.
The European teams do a great job considering the amount of decent track time they get, available budgets, and part-time nature of the sport on our shores.
Another thing to remember is that the track at Santa Pod is asphalt, not concrete. As asphalt tracks go, it's up there with the best in the world, but the vast majority of US surfaces are concrete and therefore smoother and more predictable to tune to. If Matt Hagan came to Santa Pod I promise you that you wouldn't see 338 mph! It'd take them a lot of runs to get a handle on it.
The European teams do a great job considering the amount of decent track time they get, available budgets, and part-time nature of the sport on our shores.
No probs! As a yard stick, just look at what Jonnie Lindberg achieved when he went over to the states...he dominated the TAFC class and set world records. Never underestimate how important track time and good weather are! There are many teams on the European circuit who would do similarly well if they could afford to race full time in the US.
Benni said:
Oh yes, I would like to see the Habermann Bros. racing in the US,
there was a plan to do it but lack of sponsors made it impossible for 2017,
but maybe in the future....
They are running impressive times and speeds on euro tracks, with limited funds.
Even (as happened on Saturday) running EXACTLY the same ET to the thousandth of a second against each other in the SAME RACE! - something I've never seen before in some 25 years of going to the Pod! I should have taken a photograph of the boardsthere was a plan to do it but lack of sponsors made it impossible for 2017,
but maybe in the future....
They are running impressive times and speeds on euro tracks, with limited funds.
corozin said:
I should have taken a photograph of the boards
Here you go
This is not the best picture I've ever grabbed, but I'm sure you'll appreciate that it was taken in a bit of a rush with a mobile phone, before the numbers disappeared
This is my image and my copywrite, but I'm happy for anyone to borrow this as a record of a truly unique event that happened at the 2017 Main Event
Hello Bowler,
if you want this pic sent to the Habermann family here you go :
info@werner-habermann-racing.com , put a little watermark in (freeware available) or ask for your name to be mentioned.
They update their FB page quite quick but it seems they only have a crappy off-the-screen pic from that result.
I saw the bros. growing up in the pits while Werner was racing his blown Chevy small block dragster in EuroSerie,
racing Lego dragsters but not without a BRAAP BRAAP burnout first, then racing JD, the rest is history.
if you want this pic sent to the Habermann family here you go :
info@werner-habermann-racing.com , put a little watermark in (freeware available) or ask for your name to be mentioned.
They update their FB page quite quick but it seems they only have a crappy off-the-screen pic from that result.
I saw the bros. growing up in the pits while Werner was racing his blown Chevy small block dragster in EuroSerie,
racing Lego dragsters but not without a BRAAP BRAAP burnout first, then racing JD, the rest is history.
Benni said:
Good to read the annoncement by TrakBak on Euro trophy night is becoming reality,
however the words were "new 1000ft", I hope that they get the transition right up to the quarter.
Whooo-pee, Hockenheim could be the fastest asphalt track then ?
1400' of Concrete is being laid according to the contractors. however the words were "new 1000ft", I hope that they get the transition right up to the quarter.
Whooo-pee, Hockenheim could be the fastest asphalt track then ?
Camaro said:
Benni said:
Good to read the annoncement by TrakBak on Euro trophy night is becoming reality,
however the words were "new 1000ft", I hope that they get the transition right up to the quarter.
Whooo-pee, Hockenheim could be the fastest asphalt track then ?
1400' of Concrete is being laid according to the contractors. however the words were "new 1000ft", I hope that they get the transition right up to the quarter.
Whooo-pee, Hockenheim could be the fastest asphalt track then ?
Seems very fast this year already, most classes are getting PBs at the Main Event!
Does anyone know what the Top Fuel Dragster ET record at Santa Pod is? Can’t find it anywhere, only a European time at Tierp (3.878) and everywhere online cites Sammy Miller’s 3.58 as a track record, which is great but not really what I’m after as it was full 1/4 mile and a rocket car...
Does anyone know what the Top Fuel Dragster ET record at Santa Pod is? Can’t find it anywhere, only a European time at Tierp (3.878) and everywhere online cites Sammy Miller’s 3.58 as a track record, which is great but not really what I’m after as it was full 1/4 mile and a rocket car...
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