Pacemakers Dragway Park

[1fastneonrt]

O.K. I would like to know why the track gets a full prep more than 3 times randomly on a Saturday?
It seems like every time I turn around the tractor is dragging the whole length of the track etc. It is hard to keep a car consistent when the track is not. Now I think Pacemakers is a great track and the personnel are more than nice, not to mention all the friendly racers, but when your elimination times vary a tenth or so from your time trials, it's enough to just say "screw it". I have been to other tracks where they only prep the full track a total of maybe 2 times through out the day with no traction issues. If it is necessary to prep the track or drag it more than 3 times a day then can it maybe be done on a more consistent basis, or maybe just care for the starting line I just seem to find it irritating when my car is usually within a 100th or two during time trials and slows up a tenth or so during eliminations because of different track conditions. Now I know my car is a computer controlled demon (for those of you that know my car) but this is not the first time it has varied a tenth at this track, and I know it's not the car. Maybe I'm over exaggerating but I have talked to other racers that have agreed with me on the same subject.
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hehehe wait who?

[bill hamilton]

four passes in my dragster today.
1. 4.96 Left lane
2. 4.94 right lane
3. 4.94 right lane
4. 4.94 left lane

[BrettSpring]

i was between 7.50 to 7.47 all day and night. 7.48 7.49 7.50 7.49 7.49 7.47 7.47
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Brett Spring
-B365-

[R Zolman]

I think the track staff does a good job of trying to keep the surface consistant, and the wagon would repeat like some of the other guys above. From time to time issues creap up but they are normally addressed. I would much rather race at a facility that takes the time to check and prep than one that doesn't. With that said I think VP's track spray is better than the VHT that I believe the track uses. I think the VP is more costly base but I don't think they would use as much and not have to "touch up" as much. Plus VP's product is formulated for concrete.

With all that said remember we run in the hot mid day sun and then after the sun goes down, that can make for trouble. but if I know your car you are talking about a computer controlled stick shift four cylinder. (not typically the most consistant package) So I would look at your vehicle more than the track.

Maybe you should put a Glide in that Neon!

[Vernon Cline Racing]

vary a tenth or so from your time trials. you need to look at your car...If my my car ran that inconsisten..I would take it apart bolt by bolt till I found out why..No way that is the track...we ran 7.15-715-7.14-7.13.8-7.15
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Racing not just a hobby,But a way of Life
Crew Chief
2005 pro champ
2006 pro champ
2001 major Jr champ
2000 major Jr champ
(Jenni Vernon)

[neal marshall]

WAIT TILL YOU GET TO THE DIVISION FINALS AND THEY PREP THE TRACK ONE TIME IN THE MORNING AND YOU RUN ALL DAY AND NIGHT ON THE FIRST PREP AND YOU WILL BE REAL HAPPY THAT OUR CREW TAKES SO MUCH CARE TO KEEP THE FOOK AT THE LINE CONSISTENT.

[Backwoods Boy]

Got to love a challenge... sunday morn. no time run go racing..... If you make it past that FIRST round...
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Wear your hard hat ur in a danger zone

[1fearedneon]

dude, the team finals at indy last year were the best passes i made all year. 60' times were a tenth faster and it stayed the same all down track. not a single complaint from me about that race. as for here, i dont care if i spin or stick. as long as its the same way all day.

[1fastneonrt]

Yes I know what the consequences are when it comes to racing a stick shift computer car but I have been racing my car for over 7 years and it is "usually" within' 2-4 hundreds on average. Now the reason I say usually is because I have to factor in tire spin, bogged launches, and missed shifts . Also I realized that a 2-4 hundreds difference seems like a lot but its more than exceptional in a sportsman class. I have looked back into my logbook and have seen a couple of occasions where the car has slowed up or picked up between time trials and eliminations. Now I also know that weather does come into effect between the two but it shouldn't effect it in first round.
O.K. for example my car last Saturday ran:
Time Trials
1) 9.421 72.11
2) 9.434 72.12
3) 9.434 72.11 - D4C (Thanks Murray for beating me by a thou. )
First round - 9.513 71.64 hmmmm that don't look right
Buy-Back - 9.499 69.73 taking about 2mph out of it (would have been a 9.44 pass)

2 weeks ago:
Time Trials
1) 9.351
2) 9.34
Elim.:
3) 9.344
4) 9.41 coasting to the finish
5) 9.358
6) 9.275 on the brakes and losing

I don't think it's the car. I am not trying to sound like a d*** but I know something is not right.
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hehehe wait who?

[Jack Danhauer]

Sounds like you have experienced the Pacemakers challenge. Normally around the 3rd or 4th round when the shadow of the woods is on the track and the sun is off the starting line. Doesnt affect the alcohol cars as bad as the gas ones. Hits us about a hun... but i've seen gas cars off 3 to 4. Those who have raced there a long time have pretty much figured it out, racers not used to the track dont see it and usually look at the car or the track. Keep good records, use them and especially look at the time of day in relation to the track shade. These conditions, the 60' will be the same or a little quicker, but down track will vary in comparison. I think this is what you are experiencing. Lighter cars such as diggers dont experience as much, it seems to affect the heavier cars that are using the most of their horsepower to move downtrack. Not the track or the track prep fault. Ask any racer, this is a hard track to dial. Dew drop is another issue........!!!!!