[alfa] Re: National Convention drag race

[Andrew Kress <aokress@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

since i am the drag race committee chair, i thought convention attendees 
might be interested in an update on this event.
Last night, Wednesday Open Night (just like we are running), I went up to 
Epping in the company of Bill LeClair and  Kevin Oliver to introduce 
ourselves to track management and get a handle on the proceedings.
They seem a very professional group, taking their tasks very seriously, 
with real commitment to safety and moving things along.  They are very 
pleasant and accommodating.  They are willing to give us our own segregated 
"grassy knoll"  very near to tech inspection (which is very close to the 
entrance) to set up an Alfa only paddock.
A few highlights - last night's attendance was fairly light with about 175 
cars.   For those who were interested in getting runs in, seemed they went 
by every 10 minutes or so!  these guys know how to move cars through!
When a club or group plans on running bracket races on one of these nights, 
they usually start eliminations at 8 pm  w/ about 10-15 min between each 
elimination run.  The group will run together (one pair right after 
another) for each
elimination round - everyone else on the grounds will wait for that group 
to run through.  Up until 8pm, individuals run and get used to the track, 
practice, and dial in an ET that they will race against.  Based on their 
results in the "time trials", drivers select their own "dial in" time, and 
then race against that time.  We will have our own lane for that, and be 
able to run in pairs if we want.  The dial in can be changed between races 
if you feel that you and the car are getting faster or slower (presuming 
you won your last round!).  They then work their way in pairs through 
eliminations until a winner emerges.
Our plan will be to have the "alfa centro" open as early as possible, i.e 
be there when the gates open at 5pm.  drivers can arrive any time (but i 
would advise early as well - just to beat the crowds) go through tech, & 
make runs etc.  Driver's meeting at 7:35 to review procedures, and get 
pairs assignments. staging in lane 7 by 7:55.
From the timing tower, they track all times and eliminations for us on 
their timing computers.  On the ground, when you get your time slip after 
completing the run, the winner's ticket says "WIN", so the drivers know who 
goes on to the next round.  All pretty straight forward.
Last night there was a fairly interesting array of hardware.  Probably 95% 
of the cars there were street registered.  there was a new Saab turbo 
wagon, a massive Peterbilt; copious Dodge Magnums, Ford Lightnings, and 
other assorted pickups.  A cute, early 60s Volkswagen beetle that ran a 
12.65 quarter; Audi A4 (brand new & dead stock); Nissan 350 (ditto); E 
class Benz; couple of Maximas; quite a few hondas, subarus, mitsubishi, and 
of course a full compliment of US V8 from dead stock (Crown Victorias, 
Corvettes, Viper GT, Mustangs, Camaros etc,  to full race (2 mustangs 
running in the 10s).  Probably about a dozen bikes including a Suzuki that 
ran 9 second quarters!
Just to clarify, to win does not demand smokey burnouts, hole shots, and 
mechanical abuse leading to broken axles or fried clutches.   Since the 
starts are handicapped, concentration and clean, consistent driving are 
what wins the day.  Does not have to be any harder on the car than your 
typical (Alfa) stop light departure.  Since these are the drags, there will 
also be Low ET (FTD?) trophies for those who want to see just how fast 
their cars can go.
To be honest, for the $30 and low risk to both the hardware or the 
software, i don't see how anyone could pass this up, just too much fun to 
be in and to watch.   also, spectators welcome, and can go for rides (not 
in races) - spectators are $10.
if anyone is interested or has questions, feel free to contact me.
Andy
p.s.  Also, if your giulietta is running a little low, they sell race fuel 
and nitrous on the grounds!
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