Just thought some of you might like to know that I just returned from the FFR Western Roundup in Las Vegas where my #13 Backdraft out ran the Factory sponsored Shelby Cobra driven by the notable race driver Gary Patterson (also a Shelby employee there in Vegas on his home track.)
So for those of you who want to know HOW well a Backdraft runs and handles, well I can tell you from experience that my car
out ran and out handled EVERY other Cobra on the track Saturday. Including a few other Vette's and etc.
The handling of my Backdraft FAR exceeded my wildest expectations, especially with the new 17" Hoosiers and 3:93 gears I was running.
Everyone else complained of how hard and technical the Vegas track was except me. My car kept running up everyone's rear end in all the turns. I'd have passed a lot more of them, sooner, if passing hadn't been restricted on most of the track. It even handled the inverse radius turns like they didn't even exist.
I hit 130 mph on the front straights and 120 mph on the shorter back straights. 3rd and 4th gear now really pulls much harder. I kept hitting the Rev limiter (which I had set at 6,000 on my new motor). Now that it's getting broken in a little more I may raise it another 500 rpm so I don't the limiter so quick.
Here's a photo of my car #001 in the pits after the 1st run.
http://jmichael.info/lasvegas1.htm
I missed the 2nd run due to a broken bolt in water pump that holds the alternator adjustment rod in place. After Gordon Levy's crew was kind enough to remove the water pump and replace the bolt and refill it with water - I was back on the track for the 3rd run. THANKS to Levy Racing (Phoenix).
I also want to Thank my long time friend, fellow racer "Dick Smith" for signing my Cobra. See the details here if you like: SCCA's A/P National Champion Dick Smith, World record holder @ 198 mph in his 65 Cobra.
http://jmichael.info/dicksmith.htm
For those who want to go racing, I can't speak high enough about my new Hoosiers. They really worked well in the 17". I ran 35 lbs in the fronts and 34 lbs in the rears and it loved it. Held the corners extremely well. Good enough I was lifting the opposite front tire off the ground in the harder turns. They hold the corners well!
Needless to say, I am extremely pleased with my Backdraft. It did everything I was hoping it would do and more. As for the 392 stroker I am running. It's the best! THANKS Reg (at Classic Cars- Backdraft in Florida for installing me a WINNER!)
My thanks also goes to Spencer Sharp for driving my car and letting me see just how well it can handle. Thanks Spencer. You're one hell of a driver.
I also must apologize to anyone who was on the track with me and Spencer - sorry if we made you a little nervous when we blew by you. We were just feeling out the car.
"Doc" the moneymanager