Sears Point drag race results

[Supercharged Vipermad]

I was happy enough with the times. The MPH is exactly what my sim said it should be; the ETs could have been .2-.3 secs faster if I could get the car to hook up better off the line. More driver experience and warmer track temperatures (and sunlight!) will help there.

Before anyone makes the usual slicks/skinnies suggestion, I must mention that my car's not NHRA legal for sub-12sec 1/4s yet. I'm getting an NHRA roll bar late this month, but I'm also getting Tom's NOS system at the same time, and after that my worries will be that my car's not NHRA legal for sub-11sec 1/4s

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There were two turbo Supras there. One ran a 13.9 @ 105, and the other (upgraded exhaust/downpipe/boost controller) ran a 13.4 @ 111 with a 2.45s 60' time. As I said, traction was hard to find... My old 619 HP Supra would run 11.0 @ 131 with slicks / skinnies, but only high 11s with street tires.

 

[Supercharged Vipermad]

Have you ever run your R1 there? If so, how did it do?

 

[Supercharged Vipermad]

I've taken the R1 to Sears Point, but it was for roadracing rather than dragracing. Stock, the R1 in the right hands turns in a 10.2 @ 141; with its current mods, it should be about 9.9 @146.

 

[Supercharged Vipermad]

Wednesday night was the first SPORT drag event of the season at Sears Point, and it was heavily attended. There were over 200 cars, several Corvettes, a couple Supra turbos... and one yellow Viper. This was my first time on the dragstrip with the Viper, and I spent my three runs working out launch technique and shifting points. I had difficulties getting a good launch, due in part to the cold dragstrip (55F and dark) and in part to my inexperience. All three runs were on stock tires with 20 PSI.

My results, with commentary:

1st run: 12.59 @ 116.27 mph, 2.06sec 60' time
Launched at 1,800 RPM, bogged the engine slightly on the launch, and made a very easy 1-2 shift @ 5,500 RPM. Ran to 5,800 RPM in other gears.

2nd run: 12.42 @ 116.81, 2.10 60'
Launched at 2,500 RPM, got a lot of wheelspin and had to back off momentarily, shifted 1-2 more quickly at 5,800 RPM.

3rd run: 12.32 @ 116.87, 2.05 60'
Launched at 2,000 RPM, good launch, shifted 1-2 quickly at 5,800 rpm and got a fair bit of wheelspin during the shift. Shifted 2-3 and 3-4 at 6,000 RPM.

Amusingly, my 12.32 run was on the FOX news at 10PM last night -- they were covering the opening day at Sears and the yellow Viper attracted a fair bit of camera attention

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[Martin D]

Good times Ben!!!

Was that what you were expecting? Also, I seem to remember you used to be a Supra guy.... What kind of times were you getting out of the Toyota?

 

[SoCal Rebell]

If you put on a 3:54 gear you will get better starts. My first time out with no mods except the gear at altitude I turned a 1.81 60 ft. time on Pilots at 20 psi.

 

[Supercharged Vipermad]

Ben, have you gotten on a list for a 2001 GSX-R1000? I picked mine up yesterday in AZ (49-state model) and it's got ZX-12 power in an R-6 package. Haven't wailed on it yet (taking it to Willow Springs Friday to show it who's boss), but just from riding around the street I tell it's something special. I can't believe all of the trick parts on this thing and it only costs $10,300. ***** for all of us R1 owners (I've got 2) because now we have to spend another $10K to keep up with the Joneses.

 

[Supercharged Vipermad]

Actually, my R1 makes 149 RWHP and weighs 405 lbs wet, courtesy of a Graves Ti full exhaust and a pair of Dymag carbon-fiber wheels. It's enough bike for me, for now

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The new GSXR looks like one hell of a stock bike, however...

 

[Supercharged Vipermad]

That's about perfect for the street. The R1s are really easy to get extra power out of. Attack racing did a motor for mine with flat-slides, cams, etc. Made just over 175rwhp and had to add a couple pounds to get to the Formula Extreme 375 lb minumum. The problem is the frame just isn't ready to deal with that kind of power. They get wound up pretty easy when you put 150 hp and sticky tires on them. Supposedly the frames on the Suzukis are quite a bit stiffer (according to Attack), but we'll see. Still think the R1 is a better looking bike, though.