Why do so many chase RWHP instead of track times?

[SUX2BU]

So after cruising thread after thread I keep seeing a trend of people going after big RWHP numbers instead of chasing a better ET & MPH. I mean anyone can throw enough money at a car and get a high dyno number but I'm more impressed with an awesome track time (especially if done on a small budget). Maybe I'm just old school.

With my build I am going for the best ET & MPH with the absolute lowest $$$. Kind of like my 98 SS, it was a daily driver that dynoed 323 rwhp and ran 11.0 @ 122.

So what do you guys preffer a high RWHP car with crappy/no track times or a low rwhp car with awesome track times? And why?

[camslambam]

Because most of us run on the street.

[xXSilencerXx]

Street is no excuse. Track times still mean more than dyno numbers. I think it's the lack of experience on this website, most are new to the game and buy into the dyno numbers first. I know I did when I first started modding the TA back in high school. I don't think people think of a dyno as a tuning tool, rather than benchmark tool.

[SGT Stretch]

What he said...not all but a majority of enthusiasts don't live near a track, yet have plenty of paved farm/back roads that they can play on. Is it legal no....of course not and street racing is dangerous but alot opt to do that as apposed to driving hours for a few passes on the track then hours back home. Now if every town had a track nearby then you would see alot more going for et and MPH. I for one am one of the former but we are also doing our playing on a long straight country road that you can see down for 3 miles in either direction.

[n2oSS]

cause our track is cluster **** and ide rather do other things then two runs in three hours.

[Smirnoff]

Street cars are optimized different than strip cars.....

[calbert1999]

Originally Posted by camslambam

Because most of us run on the street.

I'm with you bro'. I don't give a rats ass about how fast my car is in a straight line for a few seconds so I can post stickies online.
My goals are all about overall performance on a road course (for fun), and when I'm on the highway and some guy showing off to his rent-a-girl in a "mortgaged" euro-ride doesn't want to let me pass to get in the lane to exit, I get to put his ass in place and go on about my business while he makes phone calls to his dealer complaining that he just got his ass served by a vehicle that cost 1/10th. of what he paid.

[meissen]

It's a penis measuring game either way, but the big HP vs track times is kinda like a penis pump, anyone with money can inflate (get big HP) but only those with skill know how to use it (track times). Doesn't matter how much HP you got if you're just sitting there spinning all day long off the line.

[dshep214]

Originally Posted by camslambam

Because most of us run on the street.

I agree. Not like I have a track in the back yard. Plus I don't think we have a 1/4 mile out here anymore. Just a 1/8. I have more people come up to me on the hwy then the track. Gotta use up a whole day for me to travel to the track and back.

[CWI]

RWHP and RWTQ + stickies + good driver = Good track time.

[meissen]

Not if you can't hook.

[CWI]

Originally Posted by mifbody

Not if you can't hook.

Ok, I edited and added stickies to the recipe.

[Rockin the BlueSS]

because HP#s dont require practice...

i dont run on the street (and i used to be on the strip but not in this car) but it takes practice to get lower 60' times as well as shifting correctly etc etc. HP numbers are independent of driver and is automatic...

[v6sonoma]

Anyone get get faster track times by gutting a car and tossing on some fat sticky tires. I'm more impressed with cars that go fast and are still enjoyable going out to dinner and a movie. Big HP will always mean faster than stock.