Well...as most of you already know, the "Allegheny Club" had it's first taste of "Flashlight" Drag racing Saturday afternoon. Even though it was a little chilly at the strip, it turned out to be a decent day. For those of you who were unable to make it, I'll give you a brief recap.

When we first arrived, I immediately noticed most of the cars were "domestic" hotrods. We even encountered a few old school "gear heads" who commented..."Hey who invited the Miata club???" and " When did they start making S2000 Miatas???"

Representing the (Miata Club )club were Aldo, Bobby, Bill, Dan(who didn't race ) & I. Between the four of us, Bill & Bobby seemed to have the most consistent races. Since the track was only an 1/8th mile long, the launch was very important. Both Bill & Bobby seemed to nail the launch. I raced Bill twice and blew the launch both times. Once that happens, you have very little time to catch up . The 1/8th mile marker sneeks up fast. Bobby's AP1 seems to be set up perfectly for the 1/8th mile. The only race he lost was against Bill and it was close! Aldo had a great run against a 400hp turbo Saturn of all things and won! Unfortunately, both Aldo & I seemed to suffer from excessive wheel spin. With all the power I have, my wheels just spin when launched and seem to take forever to hook up. Once they do, I'm close to bouncing of the rev limiter. I guess it's time for some new rubber.

I'm sure the others will be chiming in soon...but I'm confident I speak for them when I say we had a fun day at the strip. We learned the S2000 is not an easy car to drag race with. But, the myth that it isn't a drag car is simply not true. The S2K can be a very fun car to drag race and with the right driver...kick DOMESTIC ass!

I can't wait for next season!

 

It was a very good time. We all came to find out how important the launch really is. I know with me i used to launch at 6k with my stock
gears, i try that now its rev limiter all the way. I found the best way to launch is at about 4500 rpm, it went great. my best trap was at 91 mph!
It seemed like me Aldo and Bill were all at about 87 to 90 avg. by the end. Not sure for Dennis because traction was a bigger issue for him then the rest of us. It just seems like the stock tires on Aldo and Dennis's car are just to hard for dragging. Dennis i know with some new rubber and a clutch watch out!! Your car will fly!! Aldo throws some sticky rubber on his we would be side by side for sure. To sum it up the s2000 can really be a good drag car if set up properly.

 

Well, when we got home we hooked up the camera to the 50 inch screen and found that it looks like the Saturn won. It was by inches, though. Had it been a 1/4 mile and I had more time, the outcome would have been different. I was pulling pretty steady with every shift. Again, the launch is what hurt me. The Saturn has dot drag radials and came out of the hole really well. It was a fun night overall. Looking forward to next year.

 

Sounds like you guys had a great time and did the S proud!

 

I lined up behind you for the first two races. You may not have felt it since it happened so fast...but your tires spun like crazy at the launch. Your rear kicked slightly to the right, then left and finally hooked up. By that time, you already lost a tenth or two. I'm sure mine was doing the exact same thing.

What really impressed me is that the Saturn you raced was fully hooked up for drag racing. 400hp, drag slicks, and a modified cage system. For you to be as close as you were at the end, was just plain great driving on "STOCK" rubber and a almost stock AP2! I should also mention that after that race you went back out to take on someone else. While you were away from the staging area...you buddies kept debating who won the race. I guess he wasn't too happy that the outcome was so close!

 

I can't really say...each time I looked down I was doing 100+. But, I was probably already through the trap. Since I was playing catch up, the charger was making it full power close to the trap. The car had plenty more omph and still wanted to go!

The only problem with sticky tires...is the possibility of breaking stuff. Some wheel spin is good and takes the stress off the diff. I'm starting to wonder if I use better rubber and don't nail the launch...how long before I blow the diff??? I think I may invest in a reinforced diff along with the new clutch at "Tech-Day". I think it's good insurance for an F.I. car!

 

We missed you!

So much so...when Aldo raced the Saturn I heard him yell..."This one's for Maury!!!"


Speaking of doing the "S" proud. I was surprised at the number of people coming up to us asking about the cars. The S2000 was well represented. Plus, I think Bobby and Bill are starting to make reputations for themselves in the "drag scene"! I heard more then one driver talk about how fast those guys are!

 

Even though I don't understand a word of what you said above - I Agree

 

Great seeing everyone make it out there!!! I was happy to end the season with the best turnout of the year for us.....I am sure all our cars will be different by next summer and even faster.....there are about 3 or 4 of these style races a year so we can have another event there next year....mabey even more S2ks...i personaly want to try to get everyone on Beaver Run sometime next year so everyone can see what our cars were really made for!!! That would be even better for a club get together......Lets plan it this winter so after tech day is done we can all hit the track!!! Later, BILL

 

[QUOTE=suprfunguy,Oct 16 2006, 10:24 AM] I lined up behind you for the first two races.