SD Drag Racing, Fridays

[supernes550]

Not sure how many, if any, of you like to drag the SV, but there's 1/8th drags at the Q every Friday. Just a little info for those who don't know about it.
heres a link
racelegal.com (http://racelegal.com/)

[airman9]

I used to race my car there and I almost never miss a night of racing.. My friend races his GSXR 1000 there sometimes.

That is a good idea for a get together on Fri night..

Only $5 to watch and we can meet up and cruise in as a group..

Just a thought.

Matthew

[madmakr]

Yes, I have been there also. $15 to race and they have 2 dragstrips so there is a shorter wait time. It moves along pretty quick. That and its an 1/8 mile.

[madmakr]

Starts at 6:00 $5 to watch $15 to race.

Located in the SD Qualcom stadium parking lot.

Come on out and run your bike WIDE OPEN threw all the gears and see what that baby can do!

It goes pretty quick because there are 2, 1/8 mile drag strips. I have seen 15 bikes show up to race. There's food too. I know this group is more of a twisties crowd but what the hell its something to do on a friday nite. Also I have heard that the SV has more tourqe to launch off the light compared to the inline 4. Hmmph!
I'd really like to see that. Any challangers?

Also being from Englishtown NJ I will gladly tell all my drag racing secrets to help you really LAUNCH that BEEATCH!


http://racelegal.com/event_info.shtml

[Golden_Eternity]

Originally posted by madmakr
Also I have heard that the SV has more tourqe to launch off the light compared to the inline 4. Hmmph!
I'd really like to see that. Any challangers?


I'm currently just happy not to stall when I launch, so I won't be racing, but I have friends who've taken on some of the big boys up in LA. They tell me that on the SV they can dust most bikes until around 80, at which point they see a streak of taillight fading out into the distance...

(I'm told) There are a couple reasons for this... 1) Most of us SV riders aren't afraid of flipping our bikes if we launch fast. 2) The SV has some nice low-end torque, we don't need to be at 150,000rpm in order to make power. 3) My friend xinc really likes that burst of power when you change into second... zoom.

[orangetrak]

...Los Angeles County Raceway in Palmdale. They have "Grudge" night. Similar prices. 1/4 mile, not an 1/8. I've yet to run a bike through the traps, but almost every car I've owned did. Drag Racing to GREAT fun. No tickets, no arguments about who won ( Timeslips don't lie **), is pretty safe ( Basically a 1/4 long on-ramp that you run through the gears ), and watching a few kids neutral-drop :geek: their dad's brand new Caddy or Mercedes 56 times is hilarious....

Cheers, Doug

** You can actually have a slower time and still beat the other guy.....It's all at the Christmas tree....

[Britt]

races are cancelled due to rain 9/6/02

[madmakr]

Drag Racing Friday night. See original post with link for more info. I will be there. Only $5 to watch. $15 to race.

As they say in Ultimate fighting championships,

Lets get it on!

[madmakr]

More action!

[madmakr]

Can you say WIDE OPEN!

[James]

From the admission section of the page...

Racer Entry Fee (under 30 years of age) $15.00
Exhibition Racer Entry Fee ( 31 years and up) $20.00

I can understand cutting a break for kids who want to run their PW50s but come on...

-James

[Britt]

Alright SVriders!!! Let's all meet up there tomorrow night. I'm game!

[Rocko]

1/8th of a mile!!!?!?!

How long will that take, 2 seconds?
Don't think I'll race because I just started riding:angel:
but it sure sounds tempting!!:evil:

represent!

[Britt]

Who says we have to race, let's just go to gather!

[RACERX]

madmkr,
I am too far from you guys but I am very interested in launching. Please tell me some secrets to launch my bitch.
Thanks
COry
PS
are you the kawi we saw pulled over last saturday? if so how fast they get you for?

[PasCaTT]

Englishtown...there's a place I haven't heard of in a while. I grew up in Nutley and some of my friends used to take their IROCs and Trans Ams down there and run quarters.

[madmakr]

Rocko, 1/8 of a mile can be a good thing. A fast bike can do the 1/8th in 7-8 seconds. You will probable get an even longer run time maybe 10 seconds. Also there are 2 tracks next to each other. 1/8 mile + 2 tracks means faster turn around and less time waiting in between runs. I didn’t race the first time I went to Qualcom either. Better to check it out and get the feel of how things work and get comfortable. Just come anyway spend $5 and kick back.

Britt, I like your attitude! Were you at the gathering?

RacerX, Sorry but I can only share my “bitch launching secrets” with those who show up in person. Don’t want all my secrets all over the net. Also can’t tell you the speed on my ticket. I was stupid and don’t want to set a bad example for the newbies. (Kids don’t ride over the speed limit. Speed kills.) I will tell you the cop told me his ass was off the seat of his BMW motorcycle giving it everything it had and it took him 6 miles to catch up to me. Also I lost my Cal license, and I haven’t even gotten it yet! DAMN!
OK lesson learned!

PasCatt, You from joisey? I’m from joisey. What exit? I know Nutley. I was trying to buy a house in Bloomfield area. Nutley is nicer though right? I don’t think I can afford it.

[airman9]

Sucks that I have to work and can't make it :( Oh well, hopefully next time. My friend will be racing his GSX-R 1000 there.. Hope he does good.

[Britt]

Originally posted by madmakr
Britt, I like your attitude! Were you at the gathering?
Madmakr, unfortunately I was the only svrider at work that day staring out the window at my bike :tired: and watching the board as I was the only one signed on it that day :sad:

[peaty]

well i might make it. Matt you cant get off work??? WTF?? dont know if im riding or driving the cage yet. where's everyone meeting at? let me know.



peaty

[PasCaTT]

151 baby! Watchung Ave. Lived there from birth to age 24.

Yeah...Nutley is a little nicer than most of Bloomfield but if I had to go back there I'd want to live in Montclair.

To get off the Jersey nostalgia thing...what's the deal with drag racing? I mean....I just don't get it. You go as fast as you can in a straight line for 6-15 seconds depending on length of the race. I like racing of all kinds...I can even find some merit in NASCAR...but I never understood why folks like drag racing...especialy as a spectator. Am I missing something there?

[RACERX]

Damn! That sux madmkr. Yep I think I will be losing my license very soon. Tonight wasnt good for me. My buddy let me drive his car (3000gt twin turbo) That thing hawls ass but maybe too fast. I jumped on the 5 in tracy. I got off the freeway and was waiting at the light. When all of a sudden a CHP pulls me over. I said whats the problem. He said he clocked me at 153mph. I choked and said what. Although he was nice and actually let me go with the ticket. I am so lucky right now but later I will be unlucky.
Oh well shit happens.
By the way top speed in that car is 167-170 and it has been tested.
later
cory

[Golden_Eternity]

Originally posted by RACERX
By the way top speed in that car is 167-170 and it has been tested.

I only hit 135, but I don't have the turbos... Cruising at 120 is no problem.

[Britt]

Originally posted by peaty
well i might make it. Matt you cant get off work??? WTF?? dont know if im riding or driving the cage yet. where's everyone meeting at? let me know.



peaty
Not sure where to meet, sounds like no one is going. I'm going for sure though!!! I'm curious. Might just check it out for a few. Call my cell if anyone wants to meet up 619-895-5457

[madmakr]

There's no need to meet anywhere before the races. This is a small event. Maybe 100 people. Its like illegal drag racing but with drag lights and an ambulance neer by. All the bikes that are racing are right behind the starting line. The cars racing are in a line behind them and all the other cars are in the parking lot. The bikes that aren't racing are about 60 feet away from the bikes that are, under the bridge. If you are coming by bike ride in, head towards the starting line. Before you hit the starting line you will see the bikes. Just park under the bridge with the other bikes and hang out. If I see any SV people I wil wave you over. I'll keep my eye open. ;) Britt can you work a digital camera?

[madmakr]

Originally posted by RACERX
Although he was nice and actually let me go with the ticket. I am so lucky right now but later I will be unlucky.
Oh well shit happens.
cory

Unlucky? What have you heard? How long do you think you will lose your license for? What will it cost$$$?

[Rocko]

I'll make it to the races, but maybe not right at 6pm, though.
Anyone know how late they go?

R

[Rocko]

Oh, and about losing your license. . .let's say they catch you doing 150 in your car and lose your car license. Do you get to keep your bike license, or are you riding the bus?

Not that I'm trying to get into that kind of trouble. . .

[Burst]

you are on the bus..... unless you are lucky enough to end up in front of a judge who will allow you to keep a restricted license for driving back and forth to work/school/emergencies.....

not likely tho when busted for doing 150. hehe

[Britt]

Originally posted by madmakr
Britt can you work a digital camera?
Yes, I can...do you need me to bring one? I have a digi video camera also.

[Britt]

Originally posted by Rocko
I'll make it to the races, but maybe not right at 6pm, though.
Anyone know how late they go?

R
Rocko... refer to the link at the very beginning of this thread for info :)

[madmakr]

I will get to the races around 7:00. I gatta EAT!

Will spilt when I'm done or the bike is done. hahah

It's over at 11:00. Last time I left at 10:00. I wasn't racing.

Britt, I have a small digital camera. Takes good stills and video. But night video not so good. If yours takes good night Vid please bring. I will be posting all pics and video after the horror.

[Britt]

Sounds good MAK, see ya there around 7:00

[WildBillF1]

Originally posted by RACERX
He said he clocked me at 153mph.

Dude, you should have went for the state record (sarcastic). About 6-7 years ago a dentist driving on I-15 in Fallbrook set the state record, receiving a citation at 161mph. He was slowly pulling away from the CHP's cessna that topped out at around 155mph if I remember correctly. He was also driving a Mitsubishi 3000GT twin turbo.

I remember this because it was on the news and there were write ups in the local papers. I was surprised that they just didn't haul him away. I never heard how much his fine was. Who knows, maybe somebody has broken that speed record by now.

Let us know how much your fine is.

[RACERX]

Basically I am fucked. I cant claim insanity. If my DL gets pulled then my moto L will too.(considering I just got it). Oh well shit happens. Ticket will probally be at least $700. Cuz I got a speeding ticket on my bike with no L or Insurance. And it was $1350. And no I dont see a pattern.
3 points and fucked. It will probally be suspended for at least a year.
Later
Cory

PS
The state record never heard that they keep such a thing. I dont think that was the fastest. Or maybe it is but the dumbass just stopped. I guess they cant count the ones that got away.

[WildBillF1]

Yes Cory, I am sure that others have been caught going faster than 161mph; they were just taken away to jail. What I am saying is that the dentist was written a citation with the highest speed on it, and not taken directly to jail.

Even though he was pulling away from the plane, there is no way that he could outrun the CHP.

[Kurt'sSV]

there is no way that he could outrun the CHP.

Yup, you can't outrun the radio.

[RACERX]

radio- aint dat a bitch

[Golden_Eternity]

My dad told me a story about chasing a porche in his polera police car... Finally got the guy to pull over when he realized he wasn't loosing the polera.

My dad gets things sorted out and goes to the driver and asks him how fast they were going, 'cause his speedo was topped out (pre-radar)... Porche driver didn't know, 'cause his was too.

[Britt]

Hey guys and gals,
Went to the drag races last night and had fun! You should have joined the fun. Met up with MADMAKR and ROCKO and about 15 other bikers. There were even two GIRLS racing! You fellows would have been impressed. Oh well, maybe next friday?

[RACERX]

Times???? what were your stats??
Later
Cory

[Rocko]

Definitely going to the races again this Friday. Asked the kid if he wanted to see some burnouts and he was like, "YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!"
I'm so proud of him!!:D

Yo Mak, how'd you end up doing?

R

[Rocko]

Anyone else going tomorrow? I am, but I won't be on my bike.:(

[Kurt'sSV]

If anyone runs their bikes at "The Murph" tomorrow night, tell us how it goes. No one said anything about how last Friday went.

Were you all embarrased or something?

[airman9]

I will be there for sure... I will probably run my bike and I will post times... My friend on a GSX-R 1000 ran 7.2 @ 106mph so I expect a 8.3 or so.... I can't remember now if it was a 6.2 or 7.2.... oh well... he was fast.. I will probably be in the 8's but I will have fun and that is all that matters.. See you there.

[Rocko]

Last week I met Britt and MadMakr and a guy and his wife who's names I forget (they came on a silver SVS) over there. Was that you, Airman?

Anyways, Mak ran his bike, but Britt and I left before the eliminations, so I don't know how he did.

Yeah, so what happened mak, did you get smoked?:eek:

I'd say there were about twenty bikes in all, pretty cool to watch, but bummed I didn't get to see an SV. But seeing the big bikes and the muscle cars was definitely worth the trip.

Good luck airman, see you there.

R

P.S. Check out the new issue of "Bike." It comes with a CD with sounds of a bunch of different bikes. The BMW 1150GS sounds sweet with the Remus pipes!

[airman9]

nope that wasn't me... It was peaty and his wife melissa on the silver svs.. They are my friends if that makes it better.. I also just found out that the friend on his gixxer can't go this week so I will go to the races but I won't race.. Oh well.. See you all at the races.

[Britt]

So are we the only ones going???? What's up with that? Are all the other San Diego Svers anti-social now? :(

[pcperks]

If I went down there, I'd have to drive. But I'm thinking my son would love it!! Too bad h'e not old enough to get on the back of the bike. So I may show up just to hang out and see the races. I'll have to see what's happening tomorrow.

[Monte]

If it were some night other than Friday night, I'd go. Friday nights I usually go out and get shot down by as many women as possible. Sure, it's depressing and horribly painful, but that's a good thing when you're a masochist. ;)

[Britt]

Well, there's a lot of hot chicks at the track! Even ones that race, and what better thing than to meet a chick at the track that races!!!???!!!

[madmakr]

OK, I was away in Texas for the past week, but I am back for the drags. Had a great time, met Brit, Rocko, and many other drag people. Everyone was very friendly. I will be getting there at 6:00-6:30 this time. Registration to race ends at 7:00. I had just made it last time and had to fill out the race registration in the dark.

I haven’t drag raced in about 8 years. The 1/8 mile is a little short for me and will take getting used to. I get into 3rd gear and its shut down time. SV’s might get into fourth I’m not sure. Anyway I got 6 runs in from 7:00 to 11:00. I placed 3rd in bracket. Times are as follows:

Reaction time: runtime
0.545 8.003
0.546 8.097
Redlight 8.141
0.561 8.512
0.686 7.977
0.675 7.701

As you can see my reaction times were great. But the tire was breaking loose something fierce in first gear. After a while I adapted and got my times down. Some more practice and I think the bike has a low 7 in her. I did find out that the girl who got second place in the heads up race was pulling 7.2's.


I posted the pictures in the Gallery.

[Monte]

Originally posted by Britt
Well, there's a lot of hot chicks at the track! Even ones that race, and what better thing than to meet a chick at the track that races!!!???!!!
Sure, but can you guarantee that they'll all shoot me down in some heinously painful and humiliating way? It's just no fun if they don't.

[Britt]

Just walk up to the ones with boyfriends, and I'm sure you'll have no problem

[Monte]

Cool. Fights always make the night that much more enjoyable.

[Monte]

Hmmm...this photo almost has me convinced:
http://www.socalsvriders.com/modules.php?set_albumName=album34&id=DSC01814&op=modload&name=Photo_Gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php

[airman9]

Well, tonight is the night!!! I want to race soooo bad but I have never practiced on a bike (used to race my car there). I don't want to embarrass myself.. May due it anyway because it is fun... See you all there..

[speedster1219]

Just new to this site but have been riding with Paul (linp) from school for a little while. Just wanted to say its a small world, I lived most of my life in Bloomfield NJ. Went to Watsessing and Carteret elementry and Bloomfield Middle. Nice area, miss it but SD has better weather.

[Golden_Eternity]

Mmm, I want me one o' them gixxer girls...

So, what's the difference between the types of races (heads up versus bracket)? Or should I just go hit the site again and find out for myself...

[Edit:

Here's the answer to my question

Motorcycle Heads Up - For Motorcycles, No Handicap, No Dial-ins
Motorcycle Bracket - For Motorcycles, Handicap Tree, Dial-ins required

Anyone gonna be there tonight?

/Edit]

[airman9]

Me and Peaty will be there tonight... I'm gonna race, Peaty is gonna watch.. This is my first time racing the bike so I'm sure I'll be slow but it will be fun... oh ya, I passed my MSF course today... What a help that was in my riding and I finally found out what I have been doing wrong all this time.. Great class.

[madmakr]

Good luck Airman9 and Peaty. Wish I could go, but its only time trials untill November 20th something. I'll be out there then......to collect my trophy. Have fun! :D

[airman9]

I did pretty good for my first time racing the bike... My best time was a 8.3 but I know I can do better though... I did however get a perfect 0.500 reaction time and so I won a trophy and a hour of dyno time... I am guessing that would be a good time to have a jet kit installed with a k&n filter.. Have them dyno tune it.. A hour is a pretty long time on the ol dyno.. I am happy though.

[SVelocity]

Are there races this Friday 11/15?

[Golden_Eternity]

Yes there are... I'm not gonna be there this week 'cause I'm heading to vegas for a birthday party... Maybe next week.

[Britt]

here's the website in case anyone wants it...

http://racelegal.com/event_info.shtml

[Golden_Eternity]

OK, they're racing on the 22nd, and I should be there this week (watching). I'll be the guy on the *silver* svs... See you all there.

[linp]

There's a 1/4 mile drag race (motorcycles too) at Carlsbad Raceway this afternoon:
http://carlsbadrags.tripod.com/

[kc1717]

when is the next time you guys are going, i want to see what my new baby can do

[Guzzigirl2000]

now that's drag racing
I've been to the Carlsbad races before, now that's cool.
Done in the daytime, old cars, new and old bikes

[jwalstad]

I saw that the next races at Qualcomm are on April 18th.

Anyone here ever been to them? They sound kinda fun to go to. We should get a group together and go watch.

Anyone interested?

[Knightshade]

I think I could make it. I'd probably be in my car. I'm not a real big fan of driving at night, much less riding.

[Darklighter]

Well this weekend i finaly get to take my bike to the drag stip. Ass-uming its out of the shop by then...so prob not. But anyway I'll let you know about it all when it happens...maybe some video if your lucky...I will try and get any SVs on tape if they are present. JUST FOR YOU PEOPLES!!!! ;)

[cbrsmurf]

does drag night (http://racelegal.com/site/event_info.htm) still go on Friday 5/23?

[supernes550]

If its posted on their site, I would think it's a go.

[Monte]

Dammit...I wanted to go to one of these, but I've already got plans for tonight. :mad:

[No_Brakes23]

Races are going again. Anybody down for Sunday?

[poopoohead]

what kind of drag racing is going on? can we race our bikes there?

[supernes550]

check out their site... www.racelegal.com

[poopoohead]

im going on sunday bringin a few riders with me also, and they tell two friends and they tell two friends and so on and so on.........well probably just be there to watch unless one of us gets an itch and goes on track. if its the same group that likes to mob deep then i would say about 30-40 riders all together.. it should be fun

[Runway]

Originally posted by madmakr
OK, I was away in Texas for the past week, but I am back for the drags. Had a great time, met Brit, Rocko, and many other drag people. Everyone was very friendly. I will be getting there at 6:00-6:30 this time. Registration to race ends at 7:00. I had just made it last time and had to fill out the race registration in the dark.

I haven’t drag raced in about 8 years. The 1/8 mile is a little short for me and will take getting used to. I get into 3rd gear and its shut down time. SV’s might get into fourth I’m not sure. Anyway I got 6 runs in from 7:00 to 11:00. I placed 3rd in bracket. Times are as follows:

Reaction time: runtime
0.545 8.003
0.546 8.097
Redlight 8.141
0.561 8.512
0.686 7.977
0.675 7.701

As you can see my reaction times were great. But the tire was breaking loose something fierce in first gear. After a while I adapted and got my times down. Some more practice and I think the bike has a low 7 in her. I did find out that the girl who got second place in the heads up race was pulling 7.2's.


I posted the pictures in the Gallery.

Dragged my SV for the first time and my frist time ever dragging at a track (Gainesville raceway - home of the gator nationals). Yes, you hit 4th gear at a 1/4 mile track. I only got 4 runs in before a mustang crashed, but here is my best run:

R/T: .499 (my best was .370)
60': 2.062
330: 5.200
1/8: 7.781 @ 94.90 MPH
1/4 11.967 @ 116.53 MPH

My first run was 12.8, then 12.1, then 12.0,and finally that 11.967. No red lights either.

I'll get better. This was my first attempt ever at the strip. My R/T were: .643, .602, .370, and .499. Not too bad for someone who never did it before.

[cyclone333]

i'm up for this, so when and where are we meeting up?

[patriot_missile]

When is the next race day?

[madmakr]

Andy,

East Coast riders have a natural ability to drag race. Florida is a biggie. I'm not surprised. Nice run times on your SV1000.

I'm pretty sure a .370 reaction is a red light? .500-.499 may be perfect.

Good job.

[GMAN]

Originally posted by Runway
R/T: .499 (my best was .370)
60': 2.062
330: 5.200
1/8: 7.781 @ 94.90 MPH
1/4 11.967 @ 116.53 MPH


Nice. Did you run the stock tires, and if so, what did you set your air pressure to?

[Rocko]

i'd like to drag race, but can't do it till next weekend. when i saw the times i was blown away...then i realized it was on a 1K!!!!

:geek:

[Runway]

Originally posted by madmakr
Andy,

East Coast riders have a natural ability to drag race. Florida is a biggie. I'm not surprised. Nice run times on your SV1000.

I'm pretty sure a .370 reaction is a red light? .500-.499 may be perfect.

Good job.

No red lights for me (and it would have shown no R/T on the ticket if I had). I think the pro-tree is slightly different. This test and tune had the pre-stage and stage lights then the 4 yellows below that normally go all at once for the pros, but went in sequence for us amatuers.

It was a lot of fun and I can't wait to try it again!

FYI - I am about 240 lbs too, so that is a factor for sure. For GMAN - I was running my new (500 miles on them) diablos and I let the rear pressure down to 30 psi. No burnouts either. They had just resurfaced the track after gator nationals and it is super sticky.

I'll scan in the tickets at some point tonight and post them.

[Runway]

Scanned in tickets... I was #36

[Runway]

two more... Again I am #36

[Runway]

FYI - the #37 bike was my friend Steve on his '02 SV650S, but he's like 280lbs. haha

[madmakr]

I see it but I can't believe it! 240lbs and 280lbs? Come on! Is this track downhill? lol

[Runway]

Originally posted by madmakr
I see it but I can't believe it! 240lbs and 280lbs? Come on! Is this track downhill? lol

It's true! Hills? What are hills? This is Florida. LOL

[Runway]

This is the strip I was at:

www.gainesvilleraceway.com (http://www.gainesvilleraceway.com/)

[madmakr]

OK Andy,

I went to your website to look for your fat ass. Now I remember.

That accident you had was harsh! You don't look 240 in those pictures. I give you allot of credit for getting back on a bike after that get-off. Your bike was sweet. I didn't see your 280lb fat ass friend on the site. lol


Gainesville raceway is in the top three drag facilities in the country.

[Runway]

Originally posted by madmakr
OK Andy,

I went to your website to look for your fat ass. Now I remember.

HAHAHAHA!

That accident you had was harsh! You don't look 240 in those pictures. I give you allot of credit for getting back on a bike after that get-off. Your bike was sweet. I didn't see your 280lb fat ass friend on the site. lol

Yeah, that accident sucked. I knew right away I would get another bike though. OK, I had to dig up some pictures of big Steve. He's pretty tall too, but we are both fat:ass:

Gainesville raceway is in the top three drag facilities in the country.
It's about 3 miles from my house. I plan on going there more frequently, but I gotta get some leather pants or a one piece. I've been meaning to ride at relatively nearby JenningsGP also. It's motorcycle only.

Now, let me see if I can attach more than one photo. I forget which site lets you do what. Anyway, in the first photo, I am under the green light and Steve is far left.

[Runway]

I don't want to get off topic, so this will be quick. I am in the back in the yellow shirt and silver jacket. Steve is far right, partially out of frame (not my photo). His bike is the blue SV in the background

[Runway]

...and I can't resist posting this one of Steve the cook.

[madmakr]

Is the cop in that picture congratulating you on having such nice bikes? Or bustin yer asses for somthin stupid. haha

Looks like Steve is a big boy. I like the cooking with a helmet on! Safety first.

Good pics thanks.

[Runway]

Originally posted by madmakr
Is the cop in that picture congratulating you on having such nice bikes? Or bustin yer asses for somthin stupid. haha

Looks like Steve is a big boy. I like the cooking with a helmet on! Safety first.

Good pics thanks.

Haha - the cop was just checking out our bikes. He is a rider too. He told us about some good roads.

Steve likes his burgers. LOL

[Rocko]

i weigh about 1/2 of what your buddy weighs...wonder how fast the 650 would do the 1/4 mile with me on it..:confused:

[Chevy]

The New York Times - September 17, 2004

Full Throttle and Fully Legal By GEORGE P. BLUMBERG

SAN DIEGO

MOST days, Qualcomm Stadium, which the San Diego Padres departed earlier this year, sits empty, the only sounds the steadily blowing wind and the occasional clatter of the overhead shuttle from downtown, ghostlike, carrying no passengers.

But on a recent Friday afternoon, the silence was broken by the rumble of engines as cars and motorcycles of every description began to pull into the parking lot, past a sign that read: "RaceLegal Welcomes You — racing 6PM-midnite. Racers $20, spectators $5." Two by two they arrived. Turbo Mitsubishis and Subarus, stripped-down Honda Civics, Volvos, Dodge Vipers, Chevy pickups, slammed — low to the ground — Acuras as well as muscle cars like Mustang Mach I's with shaker hoods and Chevelle SS396 coupes. A 1971 V-8 Camaro was alongside a Nissan Sentra riding on dubs — those flashy oversize wheels.

They had come to face off on a four-lane, one-eighth-mile drag strip, hitting speeds of as high as 112 miles an hour, while crowds cheered. And all of it was completely legal, sanctioned by the city and paid for by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety. There were even emergency medical technicians standing by.

RaceLegal, begun in San Diego in 1998, is one of a growing number of programs around the country aimed at removing illegal drag racers from the streets. At Indianapolis Raceway Park, as many as 400 cars a night have been turning out to go head to head at Midnight Madness events, while Midnight Mayhem races at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway also draw hundreds of competitors a night. Many race nights are part of the National Hot Rod Association Street Legal program, founded in 1994.

While there is no national clearinghouse for statistics on illegal street racing, law enforcement officials nationwide say it has become a serious problem, spurred by the popular "Fast and Furious" movies, as well as the dub culture of tuners who trick out cars with lowered suspensions, nitrous fuel systems and straight exhausts. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, for instance, there were 82 reported illegal street racing accidents in 2003, up from 28 in 1999. Motor vehicle crashes are by far the leading cause of deaths among 13- to 19-year-olds in the United States, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which reported that 5,933 teenagers died in motor vehicle crashes in the nation in 2002.

In San Diego, street racing "was an epidemic, and I'm an epidemiologist," said Stephen Bender, a retired professor of public health at San Diego State University who founded RaceLegal. "We had to do something." Dr. Bender said that on a Friday or Saturday night there would be 1,000 or more cars racing and 4,000 or so spectators at a half dozen sites in the city alone. Across San Diego County in 2002, 14 teenagers were killed and 31 injured in street racing crashes, according to Linda Peter, deputy city attorney in San Diego. "Our rate was 49 kids killed or injured for every 1,000 kids street racing," Dr. Bender said.

At first, racers were reluctant to go to Qualcomm and pay to race, Dr. Bender said, especially when they could race on the streets for free. Then, he said, a light went off — something was needed to make street racing costly. So San Diego tightened its laws and in September 2000 formed the police Drag-Net Unit. The undercover operation began videotaping street races, then showing up at racers' houses accompanied by tow trucks and the media.

"We handcuff them, put them in jail, impound the car for 30 days for $1,000, suspend their licenses for one year, fine them $1,500 and put two points on their license," said Sgt. Greg Sloan, head of the unit. "If the car's been modified, a smog ticket could be issued for $400 for each modification. If you get caught street racing for a second time, your car is forfeited forever — even if it's your parents' or a rental — and you get jail time. Spectators get a fine of $1,000 or six months' jail time."

Ms. Peter said that 290 cases were prosecuted under the law in 2001. The number, she said, fell to 155 in 2002 and 60 in 2003. The penalties for spectators, she said, made a big difference. Eleven spectators were prosecuted in 2003, all at one event. One challenged the law, but it was upheld.

"Now that we have a closed-loop system, including enforcement and a legal outlet, we've had a real turnaround," said Lydia DeNecochea, program director of RaceLegal. In 2003, street racing deaths dropped countywide to 4 and injuries to 6. So far in 2004, there have been no deaths in the city, with 3 across the county and 15 injuries.

By 6 p.m. at Qualcomm a double line of cars formed at the RaceLegal technical inspection area, where cars were examined for safety and licenses and helmets (required) were presented. Many drivers were former street racers with stories of crashes and friends who were lost. Awaiting inspections, they milled around their cars in sandals, sneakers and baggy pants, high-fived one another and made challenges for the night's racing.

RACERS and passengers signed liability waivers, and car numbers were assigned. Cars, about 300 in all on this night, waited their turn at the twin two-lane drag strips along the stadium's west access road. A symphony of exhausts overtook the sound of the wind, along with rap and hip-hop coming from huge speakers.

As the first cars lined up and burned in their tires — spinning them to warm them for better traction — acrid smoke billowed upward. Drivers edged up to the starting line and watched the "Christmas tree," with its series of lights progressing from red through yellows and then to green. Departing the line before the green meant being "red lighted" for a loss. Engines revved as the Christmas tree counted down, and cars took off on the strip side by side in billowing clouds of tire smoke.

At the end of the strip, cars braked hard and then made two right turns to enter a return lane, parallel to the right lane. Officials handed drivers their timing slips, telling them just how fast they'd raced the eighth of a mile. About 1,500 spectators bordered the lanes at Qualcomm. Children sat in strollers or on parents' shoulders. Gawkers gathered around open hoods.

Racers challenged each other, then went back for another try. Some race as many as 40 times in a night. Monica Mendiola stood out not just because she was one of the few women drivers. In a sea of slammed hatchbacks, her huge black 2003 Mercedes AMG V-8, a factory hot rod with 493 horsepower, 19-inch black dubs and racing seats was a standout. Her husband, C. J., also races at Qualcomm, and they run a body shop in San Diego. "I'm a racer at heart" she said, before her first race of the night. "Been street racing since back in the 80's with my Isuzu and ran from the cops a lot. But it's dangerous, and I'm here for fun."

By 8 o'clock, Ms. Mendiola had already beaten Jesus Galvan's 2003 Mustang Cobra by 1.5 seconds. "I missed the shift to third," said Mr. Galvan, a 29-year-old electronics technician. "I'm asking her for a rematch." They went at it again.

At about 9 o'clock, Anthony Mannero put his 1976 "Starsky & Hutch" Ford Gran Torino up against the San Diego Police Department's Code 4 vehicle, an Oldsmobile racer painted like a patrol car, complete with lights on top. (In police lingo, Code 4 means "situation stable, slow everyone down.") Whoever can beat the Code 4, which has a nitrous oxide injection system for extra power, wins a T-shirt bearing the words "Race With the Cops." The driver, Shane Pulido, is a rock drummer and former street racer. In February 2002, Mr. Pulido, 29, was arrested for racing his 1966 Dodge, which the police impounded, and he was sentenced to work with the Code 4 car. "I street raced since I was 16, every week," Mr. Pulido said. "I wouldn't be alive if it weren't for RaceLegal."

As the cars rumbled to the line and burned their tires in, the drivers glared at each other in combat mode. At the starting line, Mr. Pulido skillfully anticipated the green, hitting the accelerator at the end of the yellow, and getting a jump on Mr. Mannero. Blasting down the strip, the two cars went wheel to wheel. Then suddenly both drivers hit the brakes. Less than 10 seconds after it began, the race was over and the drivers picked up their timing slips. There would be no T-shirt for Mr. Mannero this Friday night.

[Rocko]

I was thinking of going to this in the next couple of weeks, but it seems like it may have been put on hold:

www.racelegal.com

they had a tentative date for racing on FEB 4th.

Anyone go to that? are they racing or what?