ET with and without wheelie.

[JGrossijr]

No 2 cars are exactly the same so it's unlikely there is a "right" answer that fits every application. In my experience as long as you're not unloading the rear tires, it's not the wheelie that slows a car down, it's the landing. I have found that if I can smooth out the G-meter dip at touch down, without giving up any 60', the car goes faster. There are lots of different ways to approach that, including wheel stand height.

[SS3860]

Originally Posted by JGrossijr

No 2 cars are exactly the same so it's unlikely there is a "right" answer that fits every application. In my experience as long as you're not unloading the rear tires, it's not the wheelie that slows a car down, it's the landing. I have found that if I can smooth out the G-meter dip at touch down, without giving up any 60', the car goes faster. There are lots of different ways to approach that, including wheel stand height.

That's what I found also with my old bracket car, trying to control wheelstands with travel limiters, timing and weight. When I finally got a good set of front shocks from Randy Manns et's improved and consistency came around. When I bought my stocker, I didn't give the QA1 shocks a chance. Phone call to Fast Shocks before it ever hit the track.


Tom Flowers
E/SA 3860

[340Cuda]

Originally Posted by JGrossijr

No 2 cars are exactly the same so it's unlikely there is a "right" answer that fits every application. In my experience as long as you're not unloading the rear tires, it's not the wheelie that slows a car down, it's the landing. I have found that if I can smooth out the G-meter dip at touch down, without giving up any 60', the car goes faster. There are lots of different ways to approach that, including wheel stand height.

I agree 100%, I remember the late Ed Wright said his Firebird needed to do a wheelie to run well. Despite his representations Ed was one of the sharper knives in the drawer and I am sure that was correct for his car.

However it is apparently not true for every car.

I continue to miss Ed.