Back Draft At Run And Gun

jayscobras · #1 (**permalink**) 10-20-2003, 05:05 PM

TONS OF YOU GUYS KNOW ME. I HAD THE PLEASURE OF HAVING A GARAGE NEXT TO THE BACKDRAFT CAR AT RUN AND GUN.

I WENT THERE WITH MANY QUESTIONS AND DOUBTS ABOUT THE CAR AND HOW IT WOULD SURVIVE.

I HAVE KNOWN ROBERT FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND HAVE SEEN HIS CARS IN THE TEXAS AREA. EVEN SAT IN ONE TO SEE HOW IT FIT MY BIG ASS AND IF I COULD DRIVE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD AND NOT THE SUN VISOR LIKE I DO MOST CARS.

I MET TONY MARTIN AND REG DODD AND FOUND THEM TO BE GREAT GUYS...KNOW THEIR STUFF. THE MORE I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE CAR BEING PREPPED IN ONLY TWO WEEKS AND WHAT THEY HAD TO DO BEFORE THE COMETION BEGAN, I HAD SOME REALLY BIG QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CAR.

THERE HAD BEEN SO MANY THREADS ABOUT THEIR CARS AND IF THEY COULD HADLE THE POWER,,,I, TOO DOUBTED THE OUTCOME.

THERE ARE SOOOOO MANY ANSWERS TO THE CAR THAT CAME OUT OF THIS EVENT, IT BOGGLES MY MIND.

HERE IS HOW IT WORKED OUT

AUTO X
FIRST PLACE BIG BLOCK PRO
SECOND PLACE TOP DOG

ROAD COURSE
FIRST PLACE BIG BLOCK PRO
SECOND PLACE TOP DOG
OH BY THE WAY, THE CAR TURNED THE FASTEST LAP OF ANY CAR! I HAVE BEEN THERE FOR FIVE YEARS AND NO OTHER COBRA HAS TURNED A FASTER LAP IN THAT TIME. THAT IS ONLY LESS THAN TWO SECONDS OFF THE GRAND SPORT RECORD HOLDER'S TIME.

BASIC LAST BUT MOST IMPORTANT
OVERALL SECOND PLACE TOP DOG.

THE GREATEST PART OF MY RUN AND GUN WAS BEING ASKED TO HELP BECAUSE TONY MARTIN THE DRIVER/OWNER OF BACKDRAFT ASKED ME TO GUIDE HIM THROUGH THE DRAGS BECAUSE HE HAD NEVER BEEN ON A DRAG COURSE.

THE CAR NEEDED TO HOOK AND I GAVE THEM A SET OF HOOSIER SLICKS THAT I HAD BROUGHT ON 15" WHEELS. AFTER A WHEEL CHANGE AND REMOVING THE CALIPERS AND PLUGGING THE REAR BAKE LINES, WE NOW HAD LINE LOCK.

ON THE FORST RUN I INSTRUCTED TONY TO HOW THE TREE WORKED AND TO COME OFF THE LINE AT 2K RPM TO SEE IF THE REAR WORKED. WE BARELY HEATED THE SLICKS AND RAN 11:865.

FOR THOSE DOUBTERS OF THE ABILITY OF THE BMW REAR TO HOLD THE POWER,,,THAT STATEMENT IS NOW MOOT.

ON THE NEXT PASS, I HAD HIM HEAT THE SLICKS FOR THREE SECONDS AND MAKE THE PASS. I THINK HE RAN AN 11:8 SOMETHING.

WE THEN LOWERED THE AIR TO 12 LBS AND I FOUND OUT THAT HE DIDN'T REALLY KNOW AT WHAT RPM HE DUMPED THE CLUTCH. I WAS BEHIND THE CAR AND THOUGHT IT SOUNDED ABOUT 3,500 RPM. THAT SORRY OLD BMW DIDN'T EVEN COMPLAIN.

ON THE LAST RUN BEFORE I GOT CALLED AWAY TO HELP ANOTHER DRIVER, WE WERE AT 12 LBS AND GOING FOR A HIGHER LAUNCH RPM.

ALL IN ALL, I THINK THAT THIS CAR HAS ANSWERED ALL OF THE QUESTIONS POSED ON THIS FORUM. I THINK THAT FROM WHAT I HAVE LEARNED, THOSE OF YOU WHO KNOW WILL KNOW THAT THIS CAR....AINT'S NO BULL ****.

I WAS IMPRESSED! TONY IS A GREAT DRIVER BUT THE CAR DI THE WORK.

THIS IS A NON PAID ADVERTIESEMENT. JUST A STATEMENT OF FACT. GREAT JOB BY THE BACKDRAFT TEAM ON AN UNPROVEN CAR.

SORRY FOR THE LONG POST GUYS. IT'S A SOAP BOX THAT I BELIEVE IN.

JAY

George Snyder · #2 (**permalink**) 10-22-2003, 06:52 PM

Jay,
Thank you for your post.
I myself have never had any doubts about the Bimmer Rear holding up to abuse. It was however nice to see perform well in an event the caliber of Run & Gun.

I am not sure if you or others realize the racing background of Tony and Regg. It was one of the positive things that helped with my decision to go with Backdraft.

TONY MARTIN
Supervision of total production

A high profile racer - from winning the DAYTONA 24-hours, Formula Ford and Formula Atlantic titles - Tony has always been in the forefront of motor racing. Tony now passes on his experience and understanding of cars to our Roadster.

REG DODD
Sales / Marketing & Testing

With many years experience in the racing industry, Reg was blooded on the South African and US racing circuits. Reg was the South African champion two years in a row. With a passion for speed and machines, and the utmost dedication to delivering the best, Reg is a perfect complement to the company and shares in our vision to bring the ultimate Roadster to our customers.

Bud

gen111 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-23-2003, 10:14 AM

just curious what is that reg dodd raced what year and what championships did he win ?

Gatorac · #4 (**permalink**) 10-23-2003, 02:31 PM

Has there been any word as to the frame failure at Gainseville? Debbie Littlefield lost contol due to this approaching the hairpin. I'm sure glad it was at Gainesville and not one of the bigger tracks.

Hopefully it's a fluke. It's a good idea to inspect the frame and suspension components on any car you intend to take to the track. Just in case.