EA6BPilot
Enthusiast
I went out today for a couple test and tune runs at a local drag strip, I almost lost my car (or worse, my life). An outlaw class drag car was lined up next to me and launched hard, running a little over 5 seconds in the 1/8th. I ran my typical wheel spinning launch and was headed to do a 1/4 run. The idiot who was lined up next to me (on my right side), thought that I was only running an 1/8th as well. He sees me in the rear view and thinks he has the space. He cuts in front of me the instant I cross the 1/4 finish at top speed (119 trap). I panic, lock the brakes up, and narrowly miss him. His only response was "I thought they only ran 1/8th here". I told him that he was lucky to be alive. Had I had a better launch/run, I don't think I could have avoided him. As it was, I bullseyed both front tires so badly that I had to limp home no faster than 55. A 3400lb car going over 100mph probably would have killed the driver of the other car and possibly myself.
The lesson I learned is, just because you know what you are doing, that doesn't mean the other driver does. Bad on the track for not letting everyone know it's a legitimate 1/4 track and bad on him for cutting in front of me. I guarantee I will never run in the left lane next to anyone again.
Ok.....I finished my whining....just had to get that off my chest.
The lesson I learned is, just because you know what you are doing, that doesn't mean the other driver does. Bad on the track for not letting everyone know it's a legitimate 1/4 track and bad on him for cutting in front of me. I guarantee I will never run in the left lane next to anyone again.
Ok.....I finished my whining....just had to get that off my chest.