Analyzing odd time slip

[vernal]

I'm having trouble understanding a time slip that I have. Out of 8 runs (stock tires, no mods, stick car) I've always finished between 104 to 106mph, with times ranging from 13.7 to 14.1 and 60 ft times from 2.2 to 2.5. I'm new to the drag strip, but not to 1/4 mile-type racing. Still trying to figure out the launch.

However, I just got a time slip that gave me a 2.56 60ft time, final time of 14.09, but the speed was 114mph! All the other numbers matched my usual ranges. Does this make sense? I've not really seen anyone posting with a top speed like this, and I was expecting a slip in the 13's on this run, so I'm suspicious that the track's timing equipment was off. Can anyone help explain this?

My best has been with a 2.20 60 ft time, a 13.69@106mph.

Thanks for any ideas you all can provide.

[cmiller8006]

Well its hard to say. There are alot of factors that play into a run. Air temp, DA, and you driving for some of them. As your spinning off the line and the 60 foot goes up, usually the trap does goes up and the ET up. Where as if you hook your trap goes down and the ET goes down as well. Did you happen to make runs in both lanes? It is possible that the lights may be off. Post up the whole slip, 1/8th mile have more mhp as well?

[vernal]

I don't have a scanner, but the slip is:

60 ft - 2.565
330 time - 6.393
660 speed - 81.55
660 time - 9.42
finish - 14.093@114.09

These numbers are all consistent with my other runs, except for the mph at the finish. In 8 runs, my 1/8 mile speed ranged from 80.7 to 81.81. These are over two different days at the track.

[cmiller8006]

Originally Posted by vernal

I don't have a scanner, but the slip is:

60 ft - 2.565
330 time - 6.393
660 speed - 81.55
660 time - 9.42
finish - 14.093@114.09

These numbers are all consistent with my other runs, except for the mph at the finish. In 8 runs, my 1/8 mile speed ranged from 80.7 to 81.81. These are over two different days at the track.

Either you car freaked out and ripped it up in the back have on that run, or something may have blown through the lights possibly.

[danhr]

seems easy to me. On that run, you spun your butt off. You pretty much did a burnout off the tree. lol. hence the 2.56 60'

Generall speaking, spinning off the line will increase your mph (assuming you don't let out of it), because you are essentiall making the 1/4 mile longer.

If you bog out of the hole, your mph will go down.

You are off to a great start already by learning to compare your different runs. What I would suggest is the next time you go, bring a pen. At the bottom of each time slip, write down what you did and what went wrong. i.e. slipped clutch a lot, 3000 launch, spun off line, missed 3rd gear, tire pressure, etc.

Sometimes I also like to keep a seperate notecard and write on it in pencil and keep it on the dash with what I'm going to try that run. Say for instance, I just did a run, slipped the clutch, 28 psi, 3000 launch. I would have all of that written on the card. Do the run.. find out i spun off the line... I'd write that on the time slip and then make changes to the card... in this case either lower the launch rpm or less tire pressure. that way you have that card that you can keep up to date and remember what exactly you did on that last run.

[vernal]

Good idea! I bought a notebook and was thinking about making notes, but I wasn't sure what I should write in it and just left it blank. I figured that I would just fold up the slips where something went wrong to disregard later.

However, the idea of writing down what I am GOING to try is excellent, since as a newbie I've found the moment the stage lights light I forget everything I was planning to do in the adrenaline rush.

[SummitWhiteLS]

Originally Posted by vernal

... I just got a time slip that gave me a 2.56 60ft time, final time of 14.09, but the speed was 114mph!

My best has been with a 2.20 60 ft time, a 13.69@106mph.

Yeah, I think I can explain it.

Looks to me like the time slip should have read "104", not "114".

Your say your best run was 13.69@106, but on the run in question you ran a slower 14.09 ET. If that was correct, then a slower time would result in a slower trap speed. So 104 mph sounds right when compared to your best of 106 mph.

Otherwise, to go from 106 mph to 114 mph would be like adding a supercharger to your car ...