Why do so many chase RWHP instead of track times?

[pyr0b0y]

Originally Posted by 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?

Most people who go to the drag strip that have a modded car have dynoed their car so they know how much they are putting to the ground. I know my car has a lot in it powerwise, but I do not see the point in going to a drag strip and building a car specifically for it. The best time i ran with a supercharger (620/622) was a 12.55 on DRs. Yes, I realize that sucks, but I didn't build my car for it. My question to the people posting all their low 1/4 and 1/8 times, what happens when your car hits a turn on the track? Oh, thats right, a lot of people arent sure what happens after 11 or 12 seconds because they only go in a straight line.

I'm horrible at launching my car, which is a skill with a M6, but I can handle my car really well when it goes out on a road course or track.

RWHP is great, and a 1/8 or 1/4 time is great, anyone can drive in a straight line. You start to see who's car really performs and who's a good driver when you take it out on an actual course.

[S-eatin-grin]

Iv'e got to be honest here...I'd love to drag mine down the strip but I don't have the money to take the risk...out on the street you pick when and where and how much you are gonna get on it. I love the power and I'll take all I can get. Maybe if I had an beater hot-rod to practice with I might try the Camaro eventually. Right now though, I'm too inexperienced and the car has too much money in it for the risk. Say what you want about those like me with mods that don't track...I couldn't care less

[djxrated81]

Me personnally, i went for sound, and i achieved my goal within the first fours months of having my car

[ravensjeff]

Getting great times at the track takes time and skill. I don't have the time and have limited skills with physical limitations. I also could care less about people who feel you need to prove something with a time slip; its just not that important to me.

[chernmax]

Your ride has to be fun to drive EVERY Day, not just track day!

[mikeSS]

heres the problem with using track times. people cant drive. sometimes it doesn't show how fast a car really is. i would rather know someones power levels and assume they can drive.

plus more people relate better to power levels rather then time slip.

[calbert1999]

Originally Posted by mikeSS

heres the problem with using track times. people cant drive. sometimes it doesn't show how fast a car really is. i would rather know someones power levels and assume they can drive.

plus more people relate better to power levels rather then time slip.

Good point; I thought a 9sec. Camaro was impressive, until I saw a 6+sec. Mustang.

[EvoWake]

This is a trick question!

Correct answer - this is a subjective topic on which no one will agree, or no majority will agree. We all love our cars and have different goals/logic with regard to power and drag times.

[JamesNoBrakes]

Yeah, it's strange.

A lot of people put a lot of money into making their car fast in a straight line, one that can't really be replicated in normal daily life. A lot of turbo and AWD cars can easily beat them off the line and to speeds that are plenty ridiculous for most areas that are regularly driven. Sure, my car can "pull to 175" or whatever, or maybe hit the quarter at some insane high speed, but you can't do that in "real life", only at the straight-line race track. Many of those other cars are more practical and even "fun" to be driving around in due to how they'll accelerate at lower speeds, such as an STI that passed me last night. I wasn't about to "race" him, despite him passing me at a high rate of speed.

That "straight line" speed thing just isn't impressive to me. I don't understand why you don't strap on some high power rocket engines on the back? Maybe it's because I've already had my fun with turbo AWD cars that have acceleration rates that can't be matched? A bugatti veyron gt is an amazing car, but not the fastest around a track because it's heavy. There are other super/hyper cars I'd consider first due to this. There are people who are in awe of 1000hp though...

I did put some money into suspension and drove my car on some real fun mountain roads around the CA/NV border last month. That was tons of fun, the car handled exactly as I wanted. The thing is that the handling "doesn't suck" and with a few mods it's a real nice car to take on those types of roads. No one around, not necessarily even breaking the speed limit all the time (but agressive driving can always land you a ticket or jail).

I think sports cars, sedans, whatever, should be a good "balance" of power, handling, and so on. When they get skewed too far in one direction, it makes the other areas suffer. Efficiency shouldn't even be so bad that I don't want to go out and drive it. In other words, it should make me want to drive it. If it doesn't fit that criteria, it's probably a "race car" and very specialized for one thing....

[jrpxxii]

Originally Posted by EvoWake

This is a trick question!

Correct answer - this is a subjective topic on which no one will agree, or no majority will agree. We all love our cars and have different goals/logic with regard to power and drag times.

+1

[oyealiz]

Bragging rights. Pure and simple.

I'm much more impressed with folks who drive their cars vs those who just spend money on them.

[J.C.]

Originally Posted by EvoWake

This is a trick question!

Correct answer - this is a subjective topic on which no one will agree, or no majority will agree. We all love our cars and have different goals/logic with regard to power and drag times.

This is absolutely right. I was debating on posting here or not because this is a topic that will never have a clear answer. But there's very few racers posting here, so I thought I should throw my hat in.

I come from a drag racing family - been spending summers at the drag strip for the last 15 years. To me, this is how hot rodding started back in the 50's and 60's and this is one of two reasons I bought my Camaro. Race it, and go to cruise nights and car shows.

Its been said a few times already that it takes a skilled driver to run well at the track. For the person who posted a series of et's that were close to each other....well you're in a position to win at a bracket event, so I would be happy about that! That's what I enjoy about bracket racing, building and racing a car that you know inside and out and can consistantly run the same number time after time. For those who say driving in a straight line is easy and boring, you wouldnt do well at a bracket race. Track temps, track prep (this can be a huge deal at some tracks), reaction time (HUGE deal), coolant temperature, tire pressures, and so on all play a roll in every run and you need to be aware of how they will affect your run both before and during the run and whether you're going to blow through the back door or let off and hit the brakes to make your time.

Aside from all this, you know what the best part of going to the track is? The friends you meet that become your second family. I've got racing friends that we meet every two weeks for a beer, have been to my wedding, attended my wifes baby shower, and will no doubt be there to see our first child when she's born. The memories from all those years and the friends I've gained are what makes going to the track worth it for me.

Now, compare all this to taking your car to a dyno and making some runs.....doesn't really compare in my books. But again, to each his own.

And to those who decide to street race...if you're in the city, your stupid and I'm more concerned for those who you will injure than yourself. For those who say that they race on back roads and out of the way places....whos going to rescue you and save your life when you crash? Every track has an ambulance or emergency response team...and if they dont, I wouldn't step foot on the property. I've seen my share of accidents (including someone who lost their arm) and if they were out on a back road, I dont think they would be here today.

Again, to each his own, but please dont continue to say racing on the track is boring or something that doesnt take skill to "go in a straight line"....different game, same cars, same great time!

[oyealiz]

Originally Posted by J.C.

Again, to each his own, but please dont continue to say racing on the track is boring or something that doesnt take skill to "go in a straight line"....

I have to agree with you! On this and all the other you said.

[Blueclyde]

Everybody has their own reasons, which is all that counts. My reasons may be different than yours. It only matters that I spend my money for my reasons and others do the same. That's what makes this an enthusiast activity. I will have to agree with mikeSS, dyno numbers are an objective measure that removes the driver from the equation. I like going to the track but personally would rather not beat the crap out of my car. The dragstrip is pretty hard on the equipment.