1960 Chevy Belair Outlaw

[WildcatOne]

Looks like I'd better fix me up some templates...

[Mike-Casella]

We made it home with everything except all that miserable tire smoke that was stuck in the tires.

Our secret weapon was unwrapped this weekend, as we turned on the second stage of nitrous for the first time in the Belair. The new MSD nitrous delay switch worked perfectly. My son set it to activate the first stage right at the line, and brought the second stage in at 5 seconds into the run. When that second stage hit, it sure made itself known! With a little quick math, we figured out that the first stage is roughly a 325+ shot, and the second is a 400 shot. Now add those numbers to the 1360 that the engine has, and you come up with a tad over 2000hp. That's fine, but do it on a pair of 11" wide tires and things can go wrong very quickly.

Our troubles started on the line. We were all set to attack the track with as much as it would handle. I did the usual burnout just past the line, got backed up, purged both bottles down to the required 1050 psi, and got ready to blast off. The instant I saw the first and only yellow I released the brake and the tires grabbed the line, but only for a few feet, just enough to lift the front tires, and then the rear tires just couldn't hold on anymore and went up in smoke. I peddled once and let the tires get a grip on the track, and stuffed it again only to have the front tires lift again, but it was enough to transfer the weight to the rear tires and keep them from breaking loose again. Knowing that I have 5 seconds till the second stage hits, I had to get going and get into second gear. First to second shift was "on time" and then something new happened. It was one of two things, either my opponent had just rammed into the rear of my car, or the second stage just came on. A quick check in the rear view mirror told me that it was in fact stage two. HOLY CRAP!! I passed the finish line and hit the chutes. They slowed me down more than I was used to, so I knew this run had to be a new best MPH.

After getting the time slip it read, 9.479 @ 169.06 WOOHOO!! Doing a bit more math, that speed should have netted me a 7.999. All that slipping and sliding at the line cost me almost two full seconds! Oh well, such is life on the drag strip.

After talking to a number of other racers, we found out that the traction was not there for anyone, not just us. The turbo cars were having the same problem.

We went back to the pits for a plug change and seeing as how the problem we had didn't have anything to do with the second stage coming on, my son decided to let the second stage come on a little earlier at 3 seconds. By this time in the show, the general public was now able to come into the track, and the stands were full! There were a number of oil-downs and things got delayed so we were not able to get our required 2 qualifying passes. Our next pass was the first round of eliminations and I was paired with a car that has held the top position for the past 3 years. Was I worried? Not in the least! I wouldn't have cared if they paired me up with J.F. himself, I was going to run MY race, and if the other guy wanted to play, then be my guest.

We were down on crew members so we had to have a volunteer for the back-up duties. Our stand-in turned out to be the wrong choice, very wrong. The guy that helped normally drives a ProMod car, and backed me up into a place where he usually launches from. Good for a 16" slick, but the absolute worst place for a 11" tire. By the time it was seen by everyone, it was too late to correct. My son had to trust the guy that was giving him the directions, and with the tire smoke still lingering, he had no way of seeing where this guy was bringing me. The only thing I noticed was I was a little close to the starter, as I was in the left lane, but like I mentioned, it was too late to correct. I purged both guns once again, and was brought into the beams. I was able to do the neck stretch thing and see the lights good enough to be able to launch. This pass was a repeat of the first one with the tires going up in smoke right at the launch. I got back in it and the second stage hit on time, but I felt the car start to lay down and was told this could mean that the engine is getting into a lean condition, so I got out of it and just rode it out easy stopping the clocks at 10.759 @ 87.87. My opponent did an 8.138 @ 168.16 to take the win, and put us on the trailer for the day.

Back to the pits, checked the plugs and aside from them showing signs of being very rich, the engine appears to be fine. All's well that ends well, just another day at the drag strip.

Mike

[draglist]

Congrats on the booming new top end, Mike! Once you guys get that puppy figured out, you are heading for the sevens! bp

[Mike-Casella]

Thanks Bill. The videos are being worked on and should be up in about an hour. Fun!! Fun!! Fun!!

[jim sanders]

i'm tuned in waiting for the video of that MPH !!!!

[Mike-Casella]

VIDEO TIME!!!

The announcer is a good friend of ours and loves it when we come to the line so he has something to talk about.

First pass HERE

Second pass HERE

[BlownGoat]

Hey Mike, that's the first passes I've seen of the 60 since you redid it. Looks like there's no shortage of HP in her now Great vids

[Mike-Casella]

Hey, you snuck in here when I wasn't looking? Welcome BG, and thanks.

[draglist]

Great video, Mike! That's a super announcer, too. Knows what he's talking about and had good 'bits' about the cars to keep the spectators pumped up. bp

[BlownGoat]

Hey, you snuck in here when I wasn't looking? Welcome BG, and thanks.

Yup see what happens when someone leaves a door cracked open, all kinds of wrif wraf sneaks in

Thanks for the welcome. Bel air is lookin' great!