Vegas SS Qualifying - WOW!

Jeff Lee · 10-28-2007, 03:44 AM

Good post Bryan! Hope it sinks in to the doubters and puts some of these issues to rest. Doubtful though...

Take a look at the race car pictures on Drag Race Central. You'll see a lot of wheels up action shots that would typically defy that you are racing at 3500+/- density altitude. I looked at the Vegas weather and noticed not only was the Density altitude corrected to around 3500' but the humidity was in the teens. Never raced on the east coast but would suspect if the density corrects to the same 3500' range then the humidity would be 3x to 4x what Vegas saw this weekend.

I've raced numerous times in Vegas in Stock but have not been there in SS yet. The track has NEVER let me down. Heck, I've never heard of anybody having a traction issue in Vegas. For the reasons cited by Bryan I suspect my ET's will be more favorable in terms of comparing to the index especially as I run a 9" slick in SS.
I noticed my friend Don Kennedy in GT/DA was within a few hundreths of his best ever ET's in Vegas this weekend, good for -1.13 under. Now I know he's been making some chassis adjustments but maybe as Bryan says, that SD455 get's tamed just the right amount with that altitude in conjunction with being on a superb track. I'll bet there's not a torquier engine in all of SS than that SD455!

So bottom line, it's more than just the factor that produces these quick ET's.

Stage1, thanks for the compliment. As I noted earlier, AMX is getting some improvements. New Advanced Clutches dual disk clutch, motor plates, ladder bars (still with 9" slicks), coil-overs, floor pans, oil pan, headers, FAST O2 sensors, and a bunch of nick-nacks. The shop I'm using is not known for fast delivery...

Floyd Staggs · 10-28-2007, 09:35 AM

I race my street legal pump gas 4000 lb pickup at Fontana mostly. The best at Fontana is 10.99 @ 119 with a 1.59 60'. At the ET Finals in Vegas it went 11.02 @ 120.54 with a 1.51 60'. Vegas has to be the most awesome track in the country, regardless of the altitude. The only problem is the wind. It keeps changing directions in the afternoon.

James Perrone · 10-28-2007, 10:04 AM

According to Micheal Iacono his Mustang and Camaro are running about the same as they have all year,Altitude or NOT..Also most of the cars in stock I have seen run this year in person seem to be running about the same,,Altitude adjustment is saving alot of HP..

Big Road · 10-28-2007, 02:55 PM

I guess I made a mistake by using grossi as a comparison as he only ran a 9.28 at indy and he didnt have all of his stuff sorted out!!!!! Lets use John Shaul as an example he went10.26 at indy and a 10.24 at vegas maybe John doesnt have this combo sorted out either. MAYBE ITS THE STARTING LINE???????????????????????????????

Jeff Lee · 10-28-2007, 03:27 PM

Let's have you get analytical instead of being subjective. Go back and read the posts by Bryan and I; weather and track conditions. Then go pull the weather from Indy (temerature, humidity, barometric pressure and corrected density altitude), say the best weather during qualifying. Then compare it to the best weather in Vegas for qualifying.Then think about the obstacles of a high humidity day of racing compared to a low humidity day of racing. Track conditions, tuning differences and how they relate to track conditions, etc. I think if you really look at the numbers, it might make sense.

Then, after you've analyzed all the data and see how good Vegas is in November racing, go re-evaluate the data and compare it to July. Then see how great it is in Vegas because the altitude factor knows no season, it's a 12 month constant. Better yet, look at the Mopar Nat's in Denver in July. When it's 105 degrees on the starting line and your 3500' or so closer to the sun, you'll really love racing!

G Schenck · 10-28-2007, 04:34 PM

Exactly Jeff. Vegas at this time of year was .06 better than Bristol. Jason Line was #1 @ 6.78 I believe.That number would have been good for #16 @ Vegas. Both good tracks.

Greg

Big Road · 10-28-2007, 06:27 PM

I guess were running pro stock now

G Schenck · 10-28-2007, 10:24 AM

I was just thinking. (that gets me in trouble sometimes) but the Pro Stock slow up approx. .17 right. I help Craig Bourgeois on his A/ND comp car and we slow up approx. .16 . But both cars slip thru the wind better than most. The thin air might have more to do with it then we think. The factor NHRA uses is .9830 to convert to sea level and the slower you go the more it effects th ET but you put Marv's wagon out there and it is cutting the air with ease? Maybe ?

Greg

p.s. I know my golf ball goes farther in Vegas than New Orleans.(but my money doesn't)

Dave Ribeiro · 10-28-2007, 10:55 AM

Hey Guys,

The simple solution is every-run counts no-matter what track,then at least it levels the playing field alittle.. See right now you guys can go as fast as you want with no-HP and set records at factored tracks with no-HP ... Doesn't sound right , yah I know we have fast sea-level tracks and we can get HP....I do think counting everyrun would help..... Good Luck to you guys at the World Finals, hope you have great weather............ Dave...1033/stock

10-28-2007, 09:35 AM	#2
Floyd Staggs VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Cucamonga, CA Posts: 1,522 Likes: 157 Liked 229 Times in 99 Posts	Re: Vegas SS Qualifying - WOW! I race my street legal pump gas 4000 lb pickup at Fontana mostly. The best at Fontana is 10.99 @ 119 with a 1.59 60'. At the ET Finals in Vegas it went 11.02 @ 120.54 with a 1.51 60'. Vegas has to be the most awesome track in the country, regardless of the altitude. The only problem is the wind. It keeps changing directions in the afternoon. __________________ Floyd Staggs 787 SST

10-28-2007, 10:04 AM	#3
James Perrone VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: LONG ISLAND N.Y. Posts: 1,688 Likes: 3,400 Liked 1,841 Times in 428 Posts	Re: Vegas SS Qualifying - WOW! According to Micheal Iacono his Mustang and Camaro are running about the same as they have all year,Altitude or NOT..Also most of the cars in stock I have seen run this year in person seem to be running about the same,,Altitude adjustment is saving alot of HP.. __________________ james perrone 1290 STK

10-28-2007, 02:55 PM	#4
Big Road Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 55 Likes: 0 Liked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Vegas SS Qualifying - WOW! I guess I made a mistake by using grossi as a comparison as he only ran a 9.28 at indy and he didnt have all of his stuff sorted out!!!!! Lets use John Shaul as an example he went10.26 at indy and a 10.24 at vegas maybe John doesnt have this combo sorted out either. MAYBE ITS THE STARTING LINE???????????????????????????????

10-28-2007, 03:27 PM	#5
Jeff Lee VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anthem, Arizona Posts: 2,766 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Vegas SS Qualifying - WOW! Let's have you get analytical instead of being subjective. Go back and read the posts by Bryan and I; weather and track conditions. Then go pull the weather from Indy (temerature, humidity, barometric pressure and corrected density altitude), say the best weather during qualifying. Then compare it to the best weather in Vegas for qualifying.Then think about the obstacles of a high humidity day of racing compared to a low humidity day of racing. Track conditions, tuning differences and how they relate to track conditions, etc. I think if you really look at the numbers, it might make sense. Then, after you've analyzed all the data and see how good Vegas is in November racing, go re-evaluate the data and compare it to July. Then see how great it is in Vegas because the altitude factor knows no season, it's a 12 month constant. Better yet, look at the Mopar Nat's in Denver in July. When it's 105 degrees on the starting line and your 3500' or so closer to the sun, you'll really love racing! __________________ Jeff Lee 7494 D/S '70 AMX

10-28-2007, 04:34 PM	#6
G Schenck Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Harahan, La. Posts: 521 Likes: 41 Liked 81 Times in 35 Posts	Re: Vegas SS Qualifying - WOW! Exactly Jeff. Vegas at this time of year was .06 better than Bristol. Jason Line was #1 @ 6.78 I believe.That number would have been good for #16 @ Vegas. Both good tracks. Greg

10-28-2007, 03:44 AM	#1
Jeff Lee VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anthem, Arizona Posts: 2,766 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Vegas SS Qualifying - WOW! Good post Bryan! Hope it sinks in to the doubters and puts some of these issues to rest. Doubtful though... Take a look at the race car pictures on Drag Race Central. You'll see a lot of wheels up action shots that would typically defy that you are racing at 3500+/- density altitude. I looked at the Vegas weather and noticed not only was the Density altitude corrected to around 3500' but the humidity was in the teens. Never raced on the east coast but would suspect if the density corrects to the same 3500' range then the humidity would be 3x to 4x what Vegas saw this weekend. I've raced numerous times in Vegas in Stock but have not been there in SS yet. The track has NEVER let me down. Heck, I've never heard of anybody having a traction issue in Vegas. For the reasons cited by Bryan I suspect my ET's will be more favorable in terms of comparing to the index especially as I run a 9" slick in SS. I noticed my friend Don Kennedy in GT/DA was within a few hundreths of his best ever ET's in Vegas this weekend, good for -1.13 under. Now I know he's been making some chassis adjustments but maybe as Bryan says, that SD455 get's tamed just the right amount with that altitude in conjunction with being on a superb track. I'll bet there's not a torquier engine in all of SS than that SD455! So bottom line, it's more than just the factor that produces these quick ET's. Stage1, thanks for the compliment. As I noted earlier, AMX is getting some improvements. New Advanced Clutches dual disk clutch, motor plates, ladder bars (still with 9" slicks), coil-overs, floor pans, oil pan, headers, FAST O2 sensors, and a bunch of nick-nacks. The shop I'm using is not known for fast delivery... __________________ Jeff Lee 7494 D/S '70 AMX

10-28-2007, 06:27 PM	#7
Big Road Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 55 Likes: 0 Liked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Vegas SS Qualifying - WOW! I guess were running pro stock now

10-28-2007, 10:24 AM	#8
G Schenck Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Harahan, La. Posts: 521 Likes: 41 Liked 81 Times in 35 Posts	Re: Vegas SS Qualifying - WOW! I was just thinking. (that gets me in trouble sometimes) but the Pro Stock slow up approx. .17 right. I help Craig Bourgeois on his A/ND comp car and we slow up approx. .16 . But both cars slip thru the wind better than most. The thin air might have more to do with it then we think. The factor NHRA uses is .9830 to convert to sea level and the slower you go the more it effects th ET but you put Marv's wagon out there and it is cutting the air with ease? Maybe ? Greg p.s. I know my golf ball goes farther in Vegas than New Orleans.(but my money doesn't)

10-28-2007, 10:55 AM	#9
Dave Ribeiro VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Williamsburg, Va.---USA Posts: 1,827 Likes: 1,612 Liked 56 Times in 27 Posts	Re: Vegas SS Qualifying - WOW! Hey Guys, The simple solution is every-run counts no-matter what track,then at least it levels the playing field alittle.. See right now you guys can go as fast as you want with no-HP and set records at factored tracks with no-HP ... Doesn't sound right , yah I know we have fast sea-level tracks and we can get HP....I do think counting everyrun would help..... Good Luck to you guys at the World Finals, hope you have great weather............ Dave...1033/stock __________________ Dave Ribeiro 1033 STK

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