[68rs406]

We went to the track today to test the new race car some more (the 69 El), to see if we had things sorted out enough to make the haul to Vegas for the supernationals, it's only our 3rd time out this year. The track was really cold, but not terrible, so we were being conservative, running a pretty fat nitrous tuneup.
First pass the car looked great, nice and smooth, but seemed slower than normal almost, and it was, went 8.30 @ 159, I knew right off it was running motor only, got back to the pits and found the linkage had backed off and it was not only not tripping the nitrous switch, it was only about 3/4 throttle, we were pretty happy to see that.
2nd pass, the thing left like a freakin' banshee, it was on a mission, but about 40'-50' out the thing drifted out of the groove (what there was of it) and he had to lift, I could see the car was good to go however. 3rd pass, we took about 400 rpm out of the launch limit and took out a couple degrees of timing, it hooked hard, wheels up and was gone (went 1.11 in the 60'), a little sketchy at the 1/8 on the cold track, but a good clean pass. Thats when things got scary. At about 1000' the car started to unsettle in front, when out of the blue, the thing just yanks the tires in the air, wayyy in the air, and against the bars hard, fortunately my buddy was clear headed and pulled the chute, which settled the car down, with a few sparks, and got it stopped.
It was the freakin most incredible thing I've EVER seen at the track. Apparently, it caught a slight headwind, and already being light in front, it was on its way to a full on blowover. Fortunately, it hit the wheelie bars and stopped the upward climb, and he dumped the laundry in the nick of time.
We saw it lift, but didn't know exactly how high it went from the starting line, on the trip to pick him up, people in the stands were just freaking out, and when we got to the end of the track, the track guys at the big end stopped us and asked if we saw what happened, they told us the tires were EASILY 3+ feet high across the line, keep in mind, this was at about 180mph.
By the time we got back to the pits with the car, there were probably 40 people waiting for us at the trailer, most said it was the most incredible thing they had ever seen, we had people coming over the rest of the night checking out the car and asking questions.
In the end, the car went 7.36 @ 179mph tripping the lights with the back tires.
The whole thing was caught on tape too, so in the next few days I'll post it up, you guys really have to see it to believe it

[pdq67]

Now this is just B/S, b/c NOW I figure they will make you get a "Pilots License"!!! He, He!!

I am really supprised your Buddy didn't have to wash his drawers!!

Great driving!!

Just think, if it woulda stayed on the ground....

Will be expecting pic's later!!

pdq67

[68rs406]

Seriously, I'm surprised he didn't need a change of shorts either, he was shaking when we got to him, and he is not easily scared. Everybody that talked to him asked if he had a brown stripe on his driving suit .
It was great driving, and apparently we have the chassis pretty dialed in, it went amazingly straight on the back tires and wheelie bars.
Had it stayed on the ground it probably would have gone a best of 7.20 something, considering wheels up slowed it down, not to mention tripping the beams with the rear tires.
As soon as our buddy gets it on the net, I'll post the video, it really is freaky. And the video is from the start line, if it was at the end, it would even look worse I'm sure. You should have seen the look on the safety teams face thats was standing at the finish line......

[Everett#2390]

I would wager high air pressure under the hood and/or chassis, lifting the front end. Blank off the grille/front-end.

Quick thinking of the driver to "dump the laundry."

[SixtyAte]

Yikes... must have been a nice save to see! Hope to see the video soon

Kev

[68rs406]

Yeah, It was freaky. Not so much at first, because I was standing at the starting line, we knew someting was up though, though it was a decent looking pass. But you should have seen the look on the safety crews' faces, I knew it was crazy then. When I saw the video, I almost pooped my pants. Definately got the crowds attention
Everett, thats exactly what we figured too, we were going to cover it up with plexiglass anyway for aero, but hadn't yet (it's only our third time at the track with it). We taped it up so if he made another pass, but never got to run again. I'm 99% sure thats what happened, lots of air at 180+mph I suppose .
I have never seen anything like it, only dragsters on video, I don't think a pro street car has ever blown over before, but we were real close.
I'm waiting on the video now, hopefully it will be up in a day or so.

[DOUG G]

WOW

Great save.

Now to the tape....

[68rs406]

Video coming soon I hope, there are a few people waiting for it on our local message board too, I have a feeling it may circulate once it's posted, it's really nuts....
One of those deals where you want exposure of the car, but not like that. Fortunately it didn't crash and caused little damage (a little denting of the header mufflers), so no harm no foul, but I hope it never happens again, saving it twice like that, the odds get worse and worse.

[camaroman7d]

Man that is NUTS!! Hopefully you guys can get that figured out. That's not something you want to make a habit of. Good thing he didn't panic. I will be looking forward to the video footage.

[clwilcox33]

Video or it didn't happen!

J/K man. I'm glad he kept his head and came out of that situation safely. I hope you get it figured out quick. As Royce said, it sounds like it would be a bad habit to have form.

[68rs406]

Originally Posted by clwilcox33

Video or it didn't happen!

. Exactly, I posted that on our local board, said we needed the video or otherwise no one would believe our story. Aparently our buddy is working on getting it online currently.
We think we know what happened, we had always planned to cover the grill openings with plexiglass, but had not yet done it, it was only our third trip to the track. We're pretty sure the huge volume of air entering the front end at 180, with no place to go, contributed. Thats why they close up the frontends of race cars I guess...... Plus, we had put wing into it the first day out because of a nasty handling issue at the top end, that we got cleared up with 4 link adjustments, but left the wing, I doubt it played a huge role though. Odd thing is, it went more mph (or about the same), and didn't do it, but we had a touch of headwind this time. Now that odd top end issue seems to maybe have been a sign of things to come.
We had it all taped up for the next pass, but didn't get another. We are going to cover the openings, plus we may consider a little chin spoiler.
We definatley don't want to chance that again, so we will try out a cover on the grill first, and go from there. What sucks is we have to get the front downforce there, without loosening it up out back, these cars are a like walking a tightrope sometimes with tuning, lots of forces come into play at 180+ , but its so much fun

[clwilcox33]

Hell I can't even imagine going 180.....

[68rs406]

Originally Posted by clwilcox33

Hell I can't even imagine going 180.....

Its pretty intense working on a car that travels like that, you definately learn the benefit of little changes 1 at a time, you don't want to see it blow over at the top end of the track, thats for sure
He wanted me to take over driving the car occasionally, but my wife couldn't imagine being married to a guy going 180......if you know what I mean

[Everett#2390]

I seem to remember something about brass, some place around here, I know its here some where...........a wheelbarrow comes to mind also...........

[68rs406]

Originally Posted by Everett#2390

I seem to remember something about brass, some place around here, I know its here some where...........a wheelbarrow comes to mind also...........

Indeed .
Still waiting on video....
Heres a track photo shot from the race, to hold you over.....