I hear the keys tapping for a feature article!!!
I hear the keys tapping for a feature article!!!
150+ mph doesn't sound all that impressive compared to all the 200mph supercars we read about everyday, so be sure to explain the limitations at Bonneville (traction? what traction?) and how hard it is to achieve that kind of speed!
Congratulations Andrew and the Nelson Fam!!
pinch -
He was at Maxton, not Bonneville. Maxton is a 1 mile, standing start race. Its basically a longer dragstrip. I think the surface is concrete. As opposed to Bonneville with its 5 mile track that gives you 2 miles to get going and then a whole mile for timing, then the final 2 miles for shutdown.
I'm sure hte landspeed guys have some sort of a guesstimation formula for how cars will translate from Maxton to Bonneville, but i'm guessing Andy's car would do quite alot better at Bonneville...
Oh, and i'm also guessing that most of those 200mph supercars out there would have a tough time getting there in under one mile...
Way to go Andy and clan. Just awesome to see a Stude setting some records. I mention to Andy at the $2008 Challenge that I sold my '53 Champion and bought a '63 Avanti. I foolishly thought Avantis were faster. Makes me want to put a SBC in my '62 Lark.
MrJoshua wrote: So Andy, could you give us a little bit of a play by play? I have this vision of you rocketing to 130mph in the 1/4 and soft throttling your way to a 152mph finish.
Well here are some of the short story details….
First, and most importantly, it is with my wife’s dedication that this was possible. She worked day and night with me getting the car done. The boys worked hard too but Paula put in the longs hours with me. We worked on the car right up until it was loaded. Two welds were still hot as we drive it into the trailer. Left late, hit traffic and had to hit a hotel in Virginia. Paula’s Mom was along and she is a great Mother-in-Law. Everybody sucked it up and did not complain while in traffic (Balt, Wash and Richmond), or getting into the hotel after midnight or leaving at 5:15am Friday morning. 200 miles later, drop everyone at Paula’s brothers and went to track with Calvin (15) and worked like dogs finishing up the car, getting thru registration and inspection, and fill with fuel and got the tank sealed. Finished the night about 11pm. Up at 4:30am and back to the track.
At 6:15am decided to change the carb and got in line about 7:30. Walked back for orientation/drivers meeting. Walked back to the car and pushed it ½ of a mile to the staging area. Runs started late due to no ambulance.
First run was the first run. Pulled out in first. There are no burnouts allowed. So you have to pull out easy and that is a challenge with no flywheel and a clutch. I have a flexplate clutch set up. As soon as I got out about 50+ feet I eased into the throttle and the back end started to slide left and right, eased out and in until it stayed spinning but was pulling, 7000 (65mph) shift to second. Spins, throttle, spins, throttle, starts to grab ease in harder and harder as its gaining speed and traction 7000 (87 mph) shift to third. Spins less but is scratching and pawing for grip, about 6000 its finally grabbing traction and I got my foot into it, the think whips up the rpms pulling hard enough to feel the skin on my cheek bones and I known its on a mission, 7000 (112 mph), bang into fourth. Again the Stude is on the move when….. at the quarter mile mark at 5000 rpms and running 119 mph it lays down. Oh poop! The fuel system is off! No the switch is on! But the light is off! What is going on?!?! Awwww!! The breaker is popped. Reset reset reset…nothing …crap….. coast through 82 mph. Breaker resets pop clutch in fourth engine starts and I head to my pit. Ras-a-fras-a- frat. Pull in fully knowing I did a dumb rookie mistake. When I wired the car 4 days earlier, I used a 10 amp breaker to make sure evertything was okay, …..and…..didn’t put the correct fuse in because I’m an idiot. Thank you very much!
So, I get in line for the second run. Push the car another ½ mile. Finally get into the prestage position fully suited. Oil down. Unbelt. Hour goes by. Dave Freiburger stops by. Wanted to know what happened. We laugh about the fuse. He asked if I could tell him about the car. Cool. He whips out a tape recorder and asked some questions. 10 minutes later he is shooting pics.... of my junk!!!… If you have never met Dave, let me tell you that this Dude is cool, he gets it, great advocate to the sport and hobby. He asks me “What do you think it will do?” I showed him the 150 sticker and said “Under 155”. The cars are inspected “up to” a speed and are allowed a 5 mph cushion.
Track clears. Strap in. The guy in front takes off. I pull to the line. There is an incredible peaceful moment sitting at the line watching a car disappear over the horizon. The exhaust is thumping, but you become aware of your own breath and heartbeat. It’s an intense moment that can only be experienced not described. Track is called clear. Starter looks at everything quickly. Stand in front and shows the hand gesture to drop your visor. He steps to the side and looks for your waive. He gives you the sign and you go. Ease into but only til the traction is just slipping enough to feel it in the throttle, but not lose the forward thrust, 7000 – row the ore to second, ease in harder still slipping the tires but its right on the threshold of a spin, 7000 bang into third it has a bite and the throttle is buried. Pulls hard, 7000 pull it back into fourth. Half mile blows by. At the ¾ mile mark I hit the self imposed 6600 rpm/speed limit to keep it under 155. But there is room so I leave my foot in it…but it didn’t pull… it goes flat….sounds like a lean pop…ease off and on .. still popping and flat ..ease off and on…flat. Through the trap. Hit the brakes…did I hear what I thought I heard?....did I feel what I thought I felt? Dang what was that? I’m standing on the brakes thinking crap 220 ft per second, 1320 feet that’s 6 seconds, no just a little under… I think I throttled, I know I throttled, did I feel a lean petal? No it shouldn’t have, Hey I was at 6600 I should have…. Around the turn I go…OK… look for the chalk board…..the guys are saying they missed the speed…..oh no did they not trap me?....I know I ran the number…did it get recorded? No don’t tell me they didn’t trap my speed. …No, I’m sure they got?!?!?! So, I drive straight into impound. I know I was at 6600, so I know I didn’t speed or go too slow. Jump out and high tail it over to the ticket booth in hopes that if I didn’t get it I can leave before the embarrassing “What are you doing here?” moment. 151.7968 SWEEEEEEEEEEET! At that point my face started hurting as the corners of my mouth found the lobes of my ears.
The next day we hit 152.4807 at the ¾ mile mark and it was lean popping and not pulling the top ¼ mile. But the details are more vivid and I look forward to sharing those moments in person.
Hope I didn't bore you with a long post.
Not Boring in the slightest. Thanks for the details!
J
wheels777 wrote: Hope I didn't bore you with a long post.
I could have read 10X that much. OMG that sounds awesome.
So, what speed are you going for once you get the tuning right?
Also - where do we learn more? I see the ECTA site with a schedule and such, but where do I read about rules, classing, etc?
Great story. I have a feeling I'd have to change my underwear after that!!!
Is this you?
Andrew... we need more detail ;)
Josh, thanks.
Dave, 165 plus, classes are described in the rule book. And no, that car is way nicer than ours.
Poop, sorry about the shorts.
John, ...and we need you at the Challange. (where are the rolling eyes?!?!?! )
Are you heading back for May or June? Get that 950 on there!
By the way, nice job! I'll know to stay out of the C/CGALT class (for now).
I'm aiming for either Sept or Oct with the Duster. Providing it cooperates.
-Rob
Andy you are the man!! Congrats I need to find a class to fall into so I have something to aim for when we come down.
Is the no burnout rule specific to Maxton?
With that rule i'm finding it harder and harder to believe that Supra 241mph standing mile record in Texas. I can only imagine.
While the best parts of an Andy Nelson experience are always the long version of the tale told from his own mouth (or keyboard), I'd still LOVE to see a couple of pics!
You gonna share, Andy??
ss wrote: Andy you are the man!! Congrats
Hey Matt, I can't remember the size of your engine. But if it is up to or under 2.0 liters 122 ci, chase the G/PS Production Supercharged class that is currently 139 and change.
Celica, I understand. The Ford GT at Maxton spun as it pulled out on it's 199 runs. The Mustang (RWD) and Mitsu (AWD) both ran 220+, and drove away like grocery getters and blow everyone away. Most NA cars had tire spin early. All the boost cars lit the tires about 50-100 feet out. The GT looked funny as it was heavily modded and didn't drive as well as the really fast cars. As for the 241 Supra, all I know is that track is smooth and Maxton is a bit rough. I don't know what the "burn out" rules are at the Texas Mile, but I would expect it to be the same as Maxton.
Paul, no pics yet. Maybe Saturday or Sunday.
wheels777 wrote:ss wrote: Andy you are the man!! CongratsHey Matt, I can't remember the size of your engine. But if it is up to or under 2.0 liters 122 ci, chase the G/PS Production Supercharged class that is currently 139 and change. Celica, I understand. The Ford GT at Maxton spun as it pulled out on it's 199 runs. The Mustang (RWD) and Mitsu (AWD) both ran 220+, and drove away like grocery getters and blow everyone away. Most NA cars had tire spin early. All the boost cars lit the tires about 50-100 feet out. The GT looked funny as it was heavily modded and didn't drive as well as the really fast cars. As for the 241 Supra, all I know is that track is smooth and Maxton is a bit rough. I don't know what the "burn out" rules are at the Texas Mile, but I would expect it to be the same as Maxton. Paul, no pics yet. Maybe Saturday or Sunday.
Gotcha. Thanks for the story and the info! I'm trying to make it a point to give this a shot in the next year or two, just to say that i did. I doubt i'll be breaking any records in a FWD 2.0 litre forced motor, i would just love to try. Similar cars are trapping 106-110 in the quarter on street tires, so i have no idea what that translates to. The transmission paired with the motor is geared to go about 185-190 after tire correction, but i doubt it'll ever see that for a plethora of reasons. 
93celicaGT2 wrote: Gotcha. Thanks for the story and the info! I'm trying to make it a point to give this a shot in the next year or two, just to say that i did. I doubt i'll be breaking any records in a FWD 2.0 litre forced motor, i would just love to try. Similar cars are trapping 106-110 in the quarter on street tires, so i have no idea what that translates to.
You would probably be in G/PS also. Keep your eyes on the board. Matt and I have been discussing a June gathering and there are 4-5 GRM/Challengers expressing interest in joining. High temp may be an issue. Otherwise the October event is highly likely.
wheels777 wrote:93celicaGT2 wrote: Gotcha. Thanks for the story and the info! I'm trying to make it a point to give this a shot in the next year or two, just to say that i did. I doubt i'll be breaking any records in a FWD 2.0 litre forced motor, i would just love to try. Similar cars are trapping 106-110 in the quarter on street tires, so i have no idea what that translates to.You would probably be in G/PS also. Keep your eyes on the board. Matt and I have been discussing a June gathering and there are 4-5 GRM/Challengers expressing interest in joining. High temp may be an issue. Otherwise the October event is highly likely.
I will definitely keep my eye out! I doubt the car will be completely buttoned down in time for this season, but i'd still love to come out and watch and maybe run for fun for a day, just to show a nasty 110mph trap if i'm lucky. 
wheels777 wrote:ss wrote: Andy you are the man!! CongratsHey Matt, I can't remember the size of your engine. But if it is up to or under 2.0 liters 122 ci, chase the G/PS Production Supercharged class that is currently 139 and change.
Do turbos run in the supercharge class as well? I have to think my Turbo Civic (1.6L) is good for that.
Shoot-Is 4wd allowed in G/PS class? Seems like a WRX could hit 139 in a mile. I should try it, I can drive pretty straight.
Slosh,
You need to pick up that SC400 parts car in Tampa and put an Andy SBC and T5 in there.
You are the SC pimp, right?
MrJoshua wrote: Shoot-Is 4wd allowed in G/PS class? Seems like a WRX could hit 139 in a mile. I should try it, I can drive pretty straight.
Good luck.
I've had my SVX to 156, but it took a heck of a lot longer than a mile, and the SVX has similar power output to the WRX with a drag coefficient of .28 compared to the Rex's .33 and 300 lbs fewer pork.
Those last few mph's take a HUGE effort.
John Brown wrote: Slosh, You need to pick up that SC400 parts car in Tampa and put an Andy SBC and T5 in there. You are the SC pimp, right?
That SC400 deal is my old daily and parts car combo. Sold them to a Buddy a little over a year ago. You don't know how bad I want to do a 5.3 LSx turbo setup in one of those. Problem is I count AT LEAST 5 projects in line first.
SVreX wrote:MrJoshua wrote: Shoot-Is 4wd allowed in G/PS class? Seems like a WRX could hit 139 in a mile. I should try it, I can drive pretty straight.Good luck. I've had my SVX to 156, but it took a heck of a lot longer than a mile, and the SVX has similar power output to the WRX with a drag coefficient of .28 compared to the Rex's .33 and 300 lbs fewer pork. Those last few mph's take a HUGE effort.
Yeah but WRX's are fast and SVX's are slooooow.
I mean have you seen the size of my exhaust!
In all honesty I truly respect the effort it takes to go fast. If you could just throw some easy go fast parts at a WRX and beat the record I'm sure some fool besides me would have figured it out.
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