8-second 30th SS - no more question marks

[Injuneer]

Went to Maple Grove yesterday for the initial shakedown runs on the latest version of George Baxter's 30th SS convertible. It was crowded and he only got in 3 passes, trying to set up the suspension. Hooked pretty well, considering it has so many new parts in the suspension. Also found out the 'chute works .

The only complete pass:

[fastTa]

Looks like given his trap speed, he should be good for another tenth maybe 15/100th's.

Did he have to lift at all on this run?

Looks like George nailed that reaction time! Does Maple Grove always use a pro tree?

[Injuneer]

Originally posted by fastTA
Looks like given his trap speed, he should be good for another tenth maybe 15/100th's.

Did he have to lift at all on this run?

No, he kept his foot in it all the way. I think he might need a little more convertor (its adjustable). Was launching sort of soft, as indicated by the 60-ft time. It should be 60-footing in the low 1.2X's. And the aftercooler outlet temps were a bit higher than he was looking for.... might need a little larger unit. What works on a dyno pull isn't necessarily what works at the track. The ice was melting too fast. Race weight was 3,530# on the track scale.

Looks like George nailed that reaction time! Does Maple Grove always use a pro tree?

uhmmm, errrr.... no, they were running a full tree, and they use ".000" for the perfect reaction time. He wasn't really attempting to do anything other than launch it and get it down the track, so reaction time was the least of his concerns. It was Maple Grove's "normal" points day and it seemed that in the elimination rounds, if you couldn't pull an .00X light, you weren't even competetive..... I think in one round, both racers cut an .001

[fastTa]

Originally posted by Injuneer
uhmmm, errrr.... no, they were running a full tree, and they use ".000" for the perfect reaction time. He wasn't really attempting to do anything other than launch it and get it down the track, so reaction time was the least of his concerns. It was Maple Grove's "normal" points day and it seemed that in the elimination rounds, if you couldn't pull an .00X light, you weren't even competetive..... I think in one round, both racers cut an .001

That is very unusual Every track using a full tree that I have ever been to in my life used a .500 for a perfect R/T.

The R/T is the time from the last amber to when you leave not from the green to when you leave so why would they use a .000 as a perfect reaction time???

This is why I asked about his .409 because at some events and in some classes they use a pro tree which has a .400 second interval between the triple amber and green.

[Injuneer]

NHRA changed the "reaction time" standard last year, and it is mandatory for all National events..... you need to watch them. Some tracks have adopted the new standard, along with the LED bulbs for all racing. They use ".000" as the perfect reaction time for all "trees".... full, .400 pro and .500 sportsman.

From NHRA:

New reaction times, LED Christmas Tree lights in Pomona
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1/30/2003

Beginning at the K&N Filters Winternationals, the opening round of the 2003 POWERade Drag Racing Series, NHRA will implement two significant changes on the starting line for the NHRA national events.

First, the numerical value of a driver's reaction time will be modified at each of the 23 national events. The modification simplifies the process of understanding a driver's reaction time to activation of the green lights on the Christmas Tree. Previously, a perfect reaction time for professional, and some sportsman drivers, was a .400. For the remaining sportsman competitors a .500-light was considered a perfect reaction time. Under the new changes, the timing system will be modified to display a perfect reaction time as .000 for all categories. This change only applies to the 23 national events that make up the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.

On a pro Christmas Tree, a .399 light, or anything lower, would be considered an early start, activating the red light, which would result in a disqualification. Under the new system, a .399 will now be displayed as a -.001, a.398 will be a -.002, and so on. Anything from a perfect reaction time of .000 and above will be a legal start. The new timing system in no way affects any driver, vehicle set-up, or any other significant aspect of the competition on the drag strip.

Also, as previously reported, NHRA will implement the use of LED amber lights on the Christmas Tree starting system, replacing the traditional yet damage-prone incandescent lights.

[TimeLord]

It's the same reaction time,just different starting point!!!

I like the .000 reaction time standard,when I race Dragsters and cut .004 light and run .000 on my time[perfect dial] it looks so good,and pisses them off so bad!!!!!

George is AMAZING,,,,really an accomplishment with a vert!!!!!

BRAVO !!!!!!!

[fastTa]

I wish the IHRA track near me would follow suit with the NHRA new reaction time guidelines!

It seems more logical to measure the *actual* reaction time rather than from the last amber.

They have my vote for a .000 being a perfect R/T.

What size tire is GB running? Where did he mount his chute release handle?

[Injuneer]

ET Drag 29.5X10.5-15 or 29.5X10.5-15W.

On the roll bar hoop over his right shoulder.

[fastTa]

Originally posted by Injuneer
ET Drag 29.5X10.5-15 or 29.5X10.5-15W.

On the roll bar hoop over his right shoulder.

I'm looking at putting mine in place of the e-brake handle. I have a fabricated aluminum handle that I am going to screw the stock e-brake handle onto to make the car look even further factory inside.

My ARC control box is going on the hoop to the right of my head.

BTW didn't you say that GB had to basically put his seat on the floor for proper helmet clearance?

When I sit in my Sparco seat, the top of my helmet is above the main hoop and dangerously close to the t-tops. Obviously I am going to have to go lower with my seat.

How did he accomplish this if you/he don't mind me asking?

[Injuneer]

He has a Kirkey aluminum seat. It just bolts to the floor, and has a metal tube welded to the cage cross-bar, and bolted to the seat. The convertibles probably have more headroom. When you look at the hoop behind the driver, it is several inches above the side halo bars.



I don't know how you get it this high in a coupe, or with t-tops?????