for me maybe.....i'm at 3200 lbs now, for ernie his is what? 2700....that would be one hell of a ballast. its the weight transfer. the front shocks and springs need travel, the rear needs to be soft, spring\shock combo along with some sticky tires will help ernie. whether either of us will ever fully hook up is doubtful but i think more traction can be gotten...maybe superglue emitters at each rear tire..
several large chested hotties hanging onto my bumper could make a difference, not in the cars performance, but in mine.