Racing Ford GT This Weekend on 1/2-mile Airstrip Attack Event: A Couple Questions


ENZO BTR

ENZO BTR

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Sep 11, 2005
1,050
Southern California
Hi Guys,

I'm racing my Ford GT on Sunday at the Airstrip Attack event at the Coalinga Airport (about 60 miles west of Fresno and 180 miles north of Los Angeles). Here's a link: http://shift-s3ctor.com/?p=2252

This is actually part of a shoot for a TV pilot. If it gets picked up you might see me on the tube in the coming months.

Anyway, I've been drag racing since before I got my license, but this will be the first time I'm doing 1/2-mile runs. My GT has the pulley/tune mod, plus the Ford Racing (Borla) exhaust. We tested it on a dyno a couple weeks ago and it pulled 618 horsepower at the rear wheels. Here's the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7pnostzlcg

When we tested it a couple years ago for Edmunds, after those mods, it did zero-to-60 in 3.5 seconds and the 1/4-mile in 11.6 seconds at 126 mph. It was running Goodyear F1s at the time, but since then I've put the Bridgestones on and can tell it's MUCH better in terms of traction. I ran it recently at a 1/8-mile event (what a waste for that car...) and it was hitting 100 mph.

I'm wondering what I'll hit in a 1/2-mile run? I've had the car at high speeds (150 mph-plus) more than once, so that doesn't worry me. But if any of you speed veterans have additional advice I'm happy to hear it. I'll of course be wearing a helmet, but what about:

1. Tire pressure -- I'm assuming I should put it up to 40 psi, like the famous door sticker says?
2. Other fluids -- Oil and coolant levels are at standard levels, and I'm assuming they should be fine for high-speed driving?

Also, I've got a set of Hoosier slicks, but I don't see them as necessary or helpful for this kind of driving (and logistically they would be a pain to mount after I get there, because I can't drive 200 miles with them on the car unless I want them worn out before I ever arrive).

Any thoughts, questions, suggestions, complaints or declarations of insanity are welcome.

Thanks guys!
 
Sounds like great fun! Not a speed veteran, but I would leave normal tire pressure for traction. The 40 psi is really for sustained speeds over 150. We were doing fake drag races at Rally 7. Had a 3,000' acceleration zone. I hit redline in 4th (172) with pulley/tune and Borla at 32 psi on the Goodyears. You should be in the high 160s at the 1/2 I'd say. Maybe better if you launch well. I was easy on the clutch and drivetrain.
 
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Hello Enzo, there are going to be a several GTs at the event including mine.
Last time I ran GT at this event, I left tire pressure at 28 cold (approx. 33 hot) and had no problem.
My car then had about 620whp with a set of fresh bridgestones. Absolutely no traction or high speed stability issue.
I remember hitting high 160s at the end of 1/2 mi mark.
Most of guys there prefer lower starting speed but our GT's sweet spot is starting at 60mph in 2nd gear. (If you start in 1st gear, you WILL have traction issue)
Remember to roll on at 60 mph in 2nd gear and you'll have a ton of fun. I will look for you on Sunday.
 
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Great feedback guys. Good point on the "sustained" versus drag race speeds for the tire PSI. I'll look for you Greg. Thanks!
 
I was looking at some of the horsepower claims. A 750 hp Chrysler 300! lol. Who has the 999 hp GT?
 
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What do you expect from him in the 1/2?
 
Xcentric said:
I was looking at some of the horsepower claims. A 750 hp Chrysler 300! lol. Who has the 999 hp GT?
Click to expand...

Most people sandbag with claimed HP.
I know both owners of 750HP 300C and 999HP GT very well.
GT has TT/NOS set up and last time I checked he was at 1200whp on race gas.
300C has built bottom end and KB set up. Heard it just dynoed at 714whp with very mild tune.
 
Xcentric said:
What do you expect from him in the 1/2?
Click to expand...

TT FGT was hitting 190-195mph while spinning tires.
 
^^^ hahaha! man...I would love to be there.
 
Sorry, can't help you with any tips as I've never run my car yet. But I'll be there as well. I'll come by and say hi if I see you. Looking forward to this!
 
I'm certainly no expert in drag racing. I've done 3 Mojave Mile Shootout & our GT Day. At these 3 events, I was advised to put at least 5psi more in the wheel to give a bit more resistence to sidewall being deformed when the torque is on because unlike a trackday, in a mile event, your tires would never have sufficient run time to build up the heat and pressure in the tires to keep the sidewall better in shape. Also, for braking after the flag, brake hard, say 80+%, but remember to squeeze not slam on the brakes. Lastly, if you have the 1st gen GT key from Exotic-Care, don't use it during the event..... because in one of my runs at the above events, with the thicker fire-retarded gloves on, I accidentally unlatched the bonnet when I turned the engine on and the bonnent started to rise more than a foot when I was going north of 180mph..... Not a good feeling...

Have a great time and can't wait to hear your results!

GTED
 
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I did the half mile run in Shafter about 1 month ago (not to far from your event). I drove a 2009 Viper with headers and race exhaust. It should be right at 590 rwhp.
I was hitting 160 to 162 mph at the half mile mark. Here are a couple of things to think about.

I did not run my Hoosiers, but the stock Michelin PS2s and lowered the pressure on the rears to 27 psi cold. It was in the 70's during the event. It may not be very warm tomorrow, so be prepared to lower your rear pressures for traction. This really is more of a drag race than a mile type run...think of it that way when it comes to how your car hooks up.

We started most runs at 40 mph to 50 mph and I was having traction problems at the start, especially on the painted stripes (10 to 15 feet wide) near the start. Be careful first couple of times out until you make sure you've got a handle on the start.

Airports can be real dusty. We had a street sweeper make multiple runs to clear off the runway, but there was still a lot of dust on the surface. Towards the end of the runs, cars with functional aero could barely be seen because of the dust cloud they sucked up. My understanding is your location is super dusty and a little more bumpy than Shafter. Take it easy the first few runs and get a feel for it. Be prepared for a long day of cleaning when you get the car back home.

Be prepared to step on the brakes harder than you might have expected...especially if you don't have a lot of run off room. Some of the cars hitting in the 180's really had to hit the brakes hard to make the final turn at the end of the runway. Again, take it easy the first few runs to get the feel for it.

With the horsepower you have, 2nd gear will probably give you traction fits, even if you're doing a rolling start. Don't be surprised at the all wheel drive cars pulling you at the start. The awd P-Cars and GTR's did real well.

Have fun out there!

Cheers,
George
 
TrackAire said:
We started most runs at 40 mph to 50 mph...
Click to expand...

I guess I don't understand this event. I thought it was a standing start. :confused
 
Xcentric said:
I guess I don't understand this event. I thought it was a standing start. :confused
Click to expand...

Think of it as racing somebody on the Interstate....you're already rolling at say 50 mph and you nail it. This is a legal way to do this and fairly safe since you're only going at it for 1/2 mile.

A lot of guys like the idea of not having to take off hard like you do at a drag strip....they believe it is easier on the trans, CV's, diff, half shafts, etc. Also, with the horsepower of something like a modded FGT, it is very hard to hook up from a dead stop if the surface is not prepped correctly, etc.

Cheers,
George
 
Greg-TT putting down the power vs. ESS supercharged M3. Twice!
[video=youtube;6JBxh-v0KyU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JBxh-v0KyU[/video]

[video=youtube;uQ_CBs4zSfo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQ_CBs4zSfo[/video]
 
Great videos Greg. Here's a shot of my Ford GT racing the MacLaren. Our trap speeds were 157 mph.

IMG_1421.jpg
 
I like that shot Enzo BTR!

Vince H
 
It was nice meeting you and your blue GT looked awesome.
Too bad we didn't get to do Whipple vs Pullied run. May be next time...
By the way, my poor 12C didn't have chance against your GT :)
 
Greg-TT said:
By the way, my poor 12C didn't have chance against your GT :)
Click to expand...

Not my intention at all Greg when I commented. Sorry for not clarifying. Those just happen to be two of my favorite Super's in one shot going all out. Great shot.

Vince H
 
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