Quarter mile times for Cobra?

[twobjshelbys]

Every since I was in High School (in 1967-1971) everyone who had xxxHP and xxxTQ got into trouble.

Mine is a 427IR with 550HP and 535TQ. It gets goosey turning and downshifting.

Nowhere in the history of Cobras were they draggers (footnote to follow) but they are awesome road track cars. Not off the launch but one helluva car on the straightaway.

Footnote 1: I'm a carnut and was watching this really goofy movie that I recorded from TCM on Saturday: Two-lane Blacktop. It starred James Tayor (yes, the singer), Dennis Wilson (from the Beach Boys), Warren Oates (a trained professional actor) and Laurie Bird as "The Driver", "The Mechanic", "GTO" and "The Girl". This is the movie that inspired the Cannonball Run. It was a "pink slip" race (that never finished) but at one of the scenes as they got diverted there were "a couple of Cobras". I smiled

[RICK LAKE]

twobjshelbys. You missed some history for a carnut. Dragonsnakes where 1/4 mile cars, Bruce Larson, Tony Storer, Randy Shaw, Jere Kirkpatrick, Don McCain drove in AHRA and NHRA races in the 60's. There where both small block and big block Dragonsnakes. Harr Ford raced a BB car. They held the records in A/SP Class. There where 4 stages of the drag cars. Not 100% sure of the correct number made for 1/4 mile racing. "Hollywood Knights" has a cobra racing a 57 Belair with a blower. Bad Boys has the race at the airstrip with a cobra hitting a wall at the end of the movie. Cobras are starting to show up everywhere. Ironman crushed one. OPPS. Now you have something to add to your library on racing. Tony Storer is still alive as far as I know. He is up in age and it would be really nice if someone he know would try talking to him and have him tell some of the stories about the 1/4 racing days. Bruce Larson passed away 2-3 years ago. Not 100% sure about the others. Tony's nickname was the "Aimer" because of the front was jacked up and he looked through the steering wheel. His ability made a 4-spd car sound like an automatic in the 1/4 runs. That's quick shifting. Rick L.

[CobraDan]

There were a few cars dubbed "Dragonsnakes,"
Two were the factory competition cars...
CSX2019
CSX2357

Four more were built as Dragonsnakes and sold to customers for individual campaigns
CSX2248
CSX2427
CSX2472
CSX3198 only BB

[smeredith]

Surpisingly they didn't say anything to me about being under 13. It was one of the Wed night test and tunes. The only comment came from a Arvada Police officer that said it must be nice to drive to the track, run under 13 sec 1/4 and drive home. He said he had "heard" me coming down the highway offramp.

[mpanten]

[quote=
Footnote 1: I'm a carnut and was watching this really goofy movie that I recorded from TCM on Saturday: Two-lane Blacktop. It starred James Tayor (yes, the singer), Dennis Wilson (from the Beach Boys), Warren Oates (a trained professional actor) and Laurie Bird as "The Driver", "The Mechanic", "GTO" and "The Girl". This is the movie that inspired the Cannonball Run. It was a "pink slip" race (that never finished) but at one of the scenes as they got diverted there were "a couple of Cobras". I smiled [/QUOTE]

I never understood that movie, and why they said James Taylor starred I will never know, all he did was drive and look angry. It still bugs the crap out of me that it eded the way it did,

[trularin]

Yup, hijacked the thread.

[CobraDan]

[RICK LAKE]

CobraDan Nice one Dan. Wonder how that happened. Lets see, street tires through the water box, water on the front tires ends up on the back tires, posi broken in the rearend,( 1 tire burnout ). Car takes off and r/r tire hooks up and bang into the wall. Crowd got there moneys worth. I wonder if it was worth it to see how fast the car was in the 1/4 mile. Brain fart, guy was driving n the wrong side of the car. What a waste. Rick L.

[pcoghlan]

Now how did I know Rick would surface to comment n the video??

My Cobra would probably do the same then Rick as I drive on that side too!

Paul

[twin turbo]

Take your car to the track, you'll have fun. Like others have said, try to get your launch down before you make a full pass. Expect to get booted, I did. Here is my pass with my twin turbo 331 and drag radials, which is how I drive it on the street. I should have taken a few runs to get my launch down, my 60 ft could have been much better. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjhVbsb_f-U

[RICK LAKE]

pcoghlan Well you have a partial list to help you at the track. If running street tires, Don't drive through the water box, Pull around and just back the rear tires in and do your burnt out. Make should both rear tires have the same air pressure. We air them down to about 22 psi. Have someone watch your burn out and make sure BOTH tires are spinning. Make sure the car and steering wheel are straight going down the track. Others have said to take a couple of easy passes to get your feel for the car and bearings on driving. Max rpm for each shift should be 500rpms over the max HP if you had the car on a dyno. If not 55-5800 max with your motor. It's a safe number and should have you running low 13's to mid 12's. If the car starts to shake off the line, get out of it. Roll on the throttle don't floor it. About 1,200- 1,500 rpm is all you will need for launch with street tires. Paul I have better than 30+ years of being at the tracks on the East coast. Have had friends end up in the hospitals and cars totaled. This is NOT a GAME. The guy in the video only hit the wall, could have went across and hit the other car. We have had some accidents at Run&Gun with cars hitting walls and other cars. LUCKY no body was hurt except for their pride and some fiberglass. There are times for jokes and being the butt of a joke, I have no problem with being either.When someone who has little to no understanding of this driving, IMO your sarcastism could get you hurt. Just remember you have a guy over in the other lane. He's dealing withthe same 300+HP car that wants to go in 2 different directions at the same time too. If you think he is faster, let him go. You will still get a 1/4 mile time. Your reaction time to the tree will be way off but the others like 60' will be correct. Good luck at the track. Rick

[CobraDan]

When I saw the RH drive I knew Paul and others would enjoy this particular movie. They have an 1/8 mile IHRA track in Immokalee where it might be better to start drag racing.

[trularin]

Paul, just run down there and do it.

Come back and let us know what you did.



Good timing Dan.

[bret a ewing]

"Pinks all Out"............er, a little slower than you.

[Ron Benson]

Just happen upon this page while browsing! In answer to Ricky Lake, I visited with Tony last evening 4-14-09. Tony is now retired, but still working hard on many projects. He restored his original 62 bubble top, and is still driving his 32 full fendered Ford roadster, and at times talks about restoring his 34 ford drag car he raced during the 60’s.

He resides in Ca., is 67, still in good shape, manages to slay deer now and then. Hope this brings you up to date.


Ron Benson

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by CobraDan

Oh man that sucks, but he probably had street tires on a track that had been active for a while. These have alot of torque and it comes so fast by the time the tires break it's too late. I nearly lost it twice on my lowly little Shelby GT with a 500HP Kenne Bell. My first run was the third of the day in the lane (13.8 with a .8 R/T for my very first time ever). Every one got worse. The 0-60' just kept getting longer as the tires wouldn't hook. 60' to the end was the same every time. Need drag radials for this for real. Else don't try to go set a land speed record and just win a bracket consistently for the fun of it.