Milan Dragway HEADS-UP

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ValiantS

ValiantS

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 16, 2021
Messages
416
Reaction score
663
Location
Shelby, Michigan
I FINALLY made it out to my first official race. Once a month on the first Saturday of the month Milan Dragway holds a heads-up series and I decided to enter the "ALL-MOTOR" class ...about 2 years ago. I had so, many helpers but, the TOP3 were my wife Michelle, Randy Johnson, and Jerry Tormala!!! All thru the 2 days we were having fun and laughing thru our adventure. Friday the 5th was the first (but not necessary) day of the race allowing for testing and 1 qualify attempt for a 16 car field. There are over a dozen 7 second car that could show up any given day. Lately (after 'Cov') things are different and we've had a low car counts. This was a decent showing with 8-9 cars. (4 'broke' before elims!!!) Friday we struggled to get the car out and as ready as could be. With some minor weather and tech delays I was able to get 2 hits in and qualified #5 with an 8.9x @ 130 lifting because I had no chute ands the car had a bad vibe out about 100+ mph since I had changed to 10.5x29.5 tires/tubes and the 4.10 gear. All was valuable to get situated in the program. Got home about mid-night and back up at 5 am with mind racing (about racing) and what to fix, including balancing tools etc. After the long drive back and breakfast on the road !!!Harvest Moon Cafe!!! we hit the ground running and got all over the car like a couple of spider monkeys. The weather was great and helped us loose a few pounds of unnecessary weight! The rest of the day was just one event of luck after another and I'd think we were entertaining. The car has a big bog now at the hit footbraking so, if i don't get the changes done by next month, I'll tbrake it. But went 8.71 bog 1.28, 8.70 @ 155+ with a 1.32 near back-fired bog on 3rd qualifier. ON-TO elims ...Incidently, 2600 DA and I have 33* timing and I'm at 2850# (which is 35# over my limit) First round the stage guy comes over and tells me I have a bye into round 2!!! Sometime during the day I had the epiphany that I was being helped by many forces (seen and unseen) and I'd have a great string of luck into elims. I drove it a touch harder rpm-wise hitting 7800 at the shift and 78 in the traps and was rewarded with a 8.59@157+mph 1.26 60 and still minor bog. The second round I ran my 2 buddies with a solid 7 sec '69Z28 ...and I lost bad reaction bad driving but I was still on cloud nine. Got the chute working well too! The car is more than exceeding my expectations while needing tuning and the comradery was perfect. Come out and see us in August!!!
 
ValiantS said:
I FINALLY made it out to my first official race. Once a month on the first Saturday of the month Milan Dragway holds a heads-up series and I decided to enter the "ALL-MOTOR" class ...about 2 years ago. I had so, many helpers but, the TOP3 were my wife Michelle, Randy Johnson, and Jerry Tormala!!! All thru the 2 days we were having fun and laughing thru our adventure. Friday the 5th was the first (but not necessary) day of the race allowing for testing and 1 qualify attempt for a 16 car field. There are over a dozen 7 second car that could show up any given day. Lately (after 'Cov') things are different and we've had a low car counts. This was a decent showing with 8-9 cars. (4 'broke' before elims!!!) Friday we struggled to get the car out and as ready as could be. With some minor weather and tech delays I was able to get 2 hits in and qualified #5 with an 8.9x @ 130 lifting because I had no chute ands the car had a bad vibe out about 100+ mph since I had changed to 10.5x29.5 tires/tubes and the 4.10 gear. All was valuable to get situated in the program. Got home about mid-night and back up at 5 am with mind racing (about racing) and what to fix, including balancing tools etc. After the long drive back and breakfast on the road !!!Harvest Moon Cafe!!! we hit the ground running and got all over the car like a couple of spider monkeys. The weather was great and helped us loose a few pounds of unnecessary weight! The rest of the day was just one event of luck after another and I'd think we were entertaining. The car has a big bog now at the hit footbraking so, if i don't get the changes done by next month, I'll tbrake it. But went 8.71 bog 1.28, 8.70 @ 155+ with a 1.32 near back-fired bog on 3rd qualifier. ON-TO elims ...Incidently, 2600 DA and I have 33* timing and I'm at 2850# (which is 35# over my limit) First round the stage guy comes over and tells me I have a bye into round 2!!! Sometime during the day I had the epiphany that I was being helped by many forces (seen and unseen) and I'd have a great string of luck into elims. I drove it a touch harder rpm-wise hitting 7800 at the shift and 78 in the traps and was rewarded with a 8.59@157+mph 1.26 60 and still minor bog. The second round I ran my 2 buddies with a solid 7 sec '69Z28 ...and I lost bad reaction bad driving but I was still on cloud nine. Got the chute working well too! The car is more than exceeding my expectations while needing tuning and the comradery was perfect. Come out and see us in August!!!
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Man i miss going to the drag strip... Milan had the best hot dogs ever :)
 
Icetech said:
Man i miss going to the drag strip... Milan had the best hot dogs ever :)
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If you come out stop over and say hello. I forgot to mention I met MotorCityMagnum on Saturday as he came over to us in the lanes.

MilanHU6Jul.JPG
 
ValiantS said:
If you come out stop over and say hello. I forgot to mention I met MotorCityMagnum on Saturday as he came over to us in the lanes.

View attachment 1716273495
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That's a good lookin car... Praying i get mine going before winter.. literally weeks on trying to get the lower quarters straight enough to paint.. i hate bodywork more than anything :)
 
I told you that thing was a beast Sean. Congrats. That is cookin!!!! It’s got a lot more in it I’m sure of that. Especially since you’re fighting a bog. This is awesome.
 
71Demon528 said:
I told you that thing was a beast Sean. Congrats. That is cookin!!!! It’s got a lot more in it I’m sure of that. Especially since you’re fighting a bog. This is awesome.
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It honestly surprised me. Now, if i drop the weight (not class legal) I can and get everything done I planned dialed-in, I feel it'll go 8.20's in good air.
 
ValiantS said:
It honestly surprised me. Now, if i drop the weight (not class legal) I can and get everything done I planned dialed-in, I feel it'll go 8.20's in good air.
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Without a doubt! If you were not running that class and could be as light as it can be, with the tuning I know you’re going to do, it’ll do that in good air. Huge congrats.
 
B3422w5 said:
Nice job Sean. You should be proud of what you are accomplishing with that beast!
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Thanks Don! I'm pleasantly surprised and that helps offset some of the sacrifices I've made to get here. But that's kinda the game we're all in anyway?
 
MOPARMAGA said:
No back window?
That was a great run
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It may be just REALLY clean? ...for now I'm doing other improvements and there are a few on that list. Not that that was the intent because we spent a lot of energy getting the car nice and that jumps out for sure. It's worked in my favor a couple of times being able to hear and be heard while I'm strapped-in too.
 
ValiantS said:
It may be just REALLY clean? ...for now I'm doing other improvements and there are a few on that list. Not that that was the intent because we spent a lot of energy getting the car nice and that jumps out for sure. It's worked in my favor a couple of times being able to hear and be heard while I'm strapped-in too.
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I was just wondering because it seems like that would feel really good having all that air circulation in the car .
Your valiant is one of my favorite cars in the entire milky way Galaxy dude.
 
MOPARMAGA said:
I was just wondering because it seems like that would feel really good having all that air circulation in the car .
Your valiant is one of my favorite cars in the entire milky way Galaxy dude.
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That's another unexpected 'pro' but the car would look pretty nice IMO when i get it in. Keep on yours and it'll be in the same boat. It took me a long time to get this here for a number of reasons and NEAR THE END despite the usual (from what I know now) perception of going slower and backwards if you just keep trying, it'll get "done". Me participating in the media is mainly to inspire others to get back out and have fun despite not having the best or fastest whatever. And it seems to be working!
 
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