|
Author
|
Topic: 1/4 mile vs. 1/8 mile poll
|
Dad Vishus
Gearhead Posts: 540
From: Moscow, Iowa, USA
Registered: Dec 2001
|
posted 10-03-2002 12:40 PM
   
I don't know if this has been addressed here before, but I'm wondering how many drag racers here prefer 1/4 and how many prefer 1/8. We have done alot of both over the years and I must say, I like 1/8 mile better. There are several reasons. First and foremost, its safer due to lower speeds and easier on the drivetrain. It also may be somewhat harder as dial ins need to be tighter and there is less time for finish line games. From a spectator viewpoint, its better because the track can all be viewed from about anyplace. What do the rest of you think?
IP: Logged |
Just Strokin
Gearhead Posts: 754
From: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Registered: Dec 2001
|
posted 10-03-2002 12:49 PM
I perfer 1/8. I have found that most cases the race at our level is won or lost in the first 1/8 and the last 1/8 does nothing but see how well you can pull or maintin the momentum you achieved in the first 1/8. also, a lot of times a lot cheaper on the pocket book in motor costs and expenses at the track.Also, the races seem to go faster from both participant and spectator point of view.
IP: Logged |
65_302
Gearhead Posts: 239
From: Bixby, OK
Registered: Jul 2001
|
posted 10-03-2002 12:58 PM
I am split on this one. 1/8 mile at the "slower" car level (like ours)is probably a good idea for the reasons stated above. I would not want to watch top fuel or John Force quite after 660 ft. If a car can go into the single digits, I want to see it for the whole enchilada.
IP: Logged |
kid vishus
Gearhead Posts: 4538
From: middle of NC
Registered: Oct 2000
|
posted 10-03-2002 01:01 PM
The races do go faster 1/8 mile, cars get off the track sooner therefore letting the next pair start sooner. For me, 1/4 mile racing is easier, you have alot more time to decide what you are going to do at the end, plus most racers tend to not dial as hard as 1/8 mile racers do nor puxh the tree as hard (at leas t the tracks I am used to running at). With the longer decision time at the finish line 1/4 racing, there are alot more "games" played at the stripe than 1/8 racing. I know some of them, have won with them, and have lost from them. Fans can see the finish line 1/8 racing, but they like the big speeds associated with 1/4 mile racing. Personally, it doesnt make a bit of difference to me. I like both as I have won on both, and feel I can win on both anywhere. I dont see any difference on how hard it is on parts from one to the other. Every motor I have broke except for one, broke in second gear. Distance had nothing to do with it.
IP: Logged |
ZEATER
Journeyman Posts: 89
From: Mount Pleasant,IA,USA
Registered: Aug 2001
|
posted 10-03-2002 01:03 PM
Lets face it, the majority of the race is over by the 1/8th. Launch is the key ingredient and 1/4 times can be guessed from 1/8th times. It comes down to perception. Car performance is usually listed as 1/4 mile times in the magazines. When was the last time you had a car at a show or cruise night and was asked what it does in the 1/8th? Your average person doesn't know what a good 1/8th mile time is but they know a good 1/4 time. If I had a choice between equal tracks I would have to go with 1/4.
IP: Logged |
kid vishus
Gearhead Posts: 4538
From: middle of NC
Registered: Oct 2000
|
posted 10-03-2002 01:09 PM
But, down south, all they now is 1/8 mile times. They dont run 1/4 much, so no one knows good 1/4 mile times.
IP: Logged |
70coupe
Gearhead Posts: 357
From: Toronto,Ontario,Canada
Registered: Aug 2000
|
posted 10-03-2002 01:36 PM
I prefer 1/4 mile for the reasons that have been mentioned. I like the extra time to play at the finish and I will probably hear about this but I think there is a little more skill in 1/4 mile racing. More shifts, more time to think which equals more time to make mistakes.
Just my opinion------------------
351c 4v clsd heads
60'1.619
1/8 [email protected]
1/4 [email protected]
IP: Logged |
kid vishus
Gearhead Posts: 4538
From: middle of NC
Registered: Oct 2000
|
posted 10-03-2002 01:45 PM
I think you will find that most pure reacecars are in high gear before the 1/8 mile mark, so there isnt any more shifts to make. I think 1/8 racing is harder because 1/8 bottom bulb racing, you try to have a total package around .025-.030. Most guys I have raced 1/4 mile, dial down at least one if not two, then shoot for a .530'ish lite. All the 1/8 mile racing I have done, you dial on, and try for a lite better than .525 and try and not take more than .015 at the stripe. That makes for some VERY close racing. Earlier this year, one night I had four rounds that were decided by .0002, or less (the timing system at that track carries it out 4 digits). Tht's close racing, and pure blind luck to get the win light.
IP: Logged |
Just Strokin
Gearhead Posts: 754
From: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Registered: Dec 2001
|
posted 10-03-2002 01:46 PM
More time to shift? Have you ever seen any of the alky funny cars or maybe the likes of the Dixie Prostockers run the 1/8th? They hit all the gears in under 4.5 second and many are high 3's and very low 4's.It is a blast to run a 9.90 or 10.90 car on an 1/8 and hit all 3 gears with the automatic or 4/5 gears with the sticks. All of this in less that 7 seconds and many less than 6 seconds for these types of cars. And believe me.....there is a lot of start and finish line games played on an 1/8 Most all the 1/4 mile tracks in and around Alabama only run one 1/4 mile race once a month or once every two months. And like I have always felt, if my car won't do it or be consistent in the first 1/8th, the last 1/8th isn't going to help me any.
IP: Logged |
Dad Vishus
Gearhead Posts: 540
From: Moscow, Iowa, USA
Registered: Dec 2001
|
posted 10-03-2002 02:08 PM
quote:
Originally posted by 65_302:
I am split on this one. 1/8 mile at the "slower" car level (like ours)is probably a good idea for the reasons stated above. I would not want to watch top fuel or John Force quite after 660 ft. If a car can go into the single digits, I want to see it for the whole enchilada.
If you have ever seen fuelers or floppers go 1/8, most of the MPH is done by then. Tommy Johnson ran his fueler at Eddyville some years back. He had set a new record in the quarter that year. He was going around 260 in the eighth that day. Granted, its not 320 like quarter mile speeds, but I'll tell ya, 260 MPH in 660 feet is darned impressive. The next time someone crashes real hard in a fuel car, there will be all kinds of talk about slowing them down. The easiest way is to run 1/8 instead of 1/4. Many fuel cars are mixing up cylinders and eating engine parts after the 1/8 mile mark anyway. The second half of the track is the most dangerous for those cars.
IP: Logged |
70coupe
Gearhead Posts: 357
From: Toronto,Ontario,Canada
Registered: Aug 2000
|
posted 10-03-2002 06:32 PM
Who said more time to shift??? Just wondering!
IP: Logged |
S/Q 2204
Journeyman Posts: 93
From: Ozark, AL(again after a year of being deployed)
Registered: Feb 2001
|
posted 10-03-2002 07:07 PM
I like the 1/8th best. I think the racing is tighter & I use about 1 1/2 gallons more per pass in the 1/4 (alcohol). I get all 4 gears in the 1/8th no matter what length track.
Mark J
IP: Logged |
Moneymaker
Administrator Posts: 19704
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
|
posted 10-03-2002 07:56 PM
1/4
------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator/ non 65-66 Mustang owner sensitivity co-ordinator NHRA/IHRA/SRA/MCA member
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA National Record Holder '00, '01, & '02
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28
Part time secret agent license #0089
Professional Manwhore
The Barry of BarrysGrrl Quote #1: "I never met a magazine mechanic I liked."
Quote #2: "Make sure brain is in gear before engaging mouth!"
IP: Logged |
MrWesson22
Gearhead Posts: 1209
From: Dacula, GA
Registered: Sep 2000
|
posted 10-03-2002 07:58 PM
1/8 mile is like premature ejac... well, you know.  1/4 mile all the way!
------------------
Neal 69 Gulfstream Aqua Grande
351C/4sp
IP: Logged |
steve'66
Gearhead Posts: 6522
From: Sonoma,CA,USA
Registered: Mar 2000
|
posted 10-03-2002 08:29 PM
Well on the "left" coast there aren't any permanent 1/8 mile tracks, soo I dunno. I've never been to a 1/8 mile track. So I can't vote on this one. We did have a race years ago when Melissa was in HS and the race at Sears Point was shortened to 1/8mi due to standing water at the 1/4mi stripe. She did very well during that race if I remember correctly.  SteveW
IP: Logged |
ASTIKHOSSW
Journeyman Posts: 88
From: UPLAND CA SAN BERNARDINO
Registered: Sep 2000
|
posted 10-03-2002 08:52 PM
STEVE there is one permanent 1/8 mile track in southern callie,it's called IRWINDALE and it's a fun track to run on, and has really good traction.as far as tracks, doesn't matter to me one is as good as the other you have to think faster on 1/8 mile.
IP: Logged |
Dusty Kiser
Gearhead Posts: 126
From: Bethel,Oh USA
Registered: Mar 2002
|
posted 10-03-2002 09:18 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Moneymaker:
1/4
Ditto
IP: Logged |
jsracingbbf
Gearhead Posts: 1677
From: Batesville,MS. , U.S.A.
Registered: Mar 2002
|
posted 10-03-2002 09:29 PM
I've raced both. I used to hate 1/8th mile when they first introduced it around here. I Like it now. As far as more skill, well I dunno but you DO have to run a tighter package in 1/8th mile. That's a fact. I was always prone to finish line race so I didn't like 1/8th mile at first. If your package isn't .oo8-.012 your gonna be first round fodder around Mempho. Not a brag just a fact. I guess for bracket racing I prefer 1/8th, if I am grudge racing I prefer 1/4 mile & .400 tree
All the reasons Dad Vishus gave are correct. I see he bought a new drag car, and from this thread and his choice of car I can tell this ain't his first rodeo.
C' ya
------------------
Jerry Smith
69 Mustang Pro ET Drag
70 Mustang retired former footbrake car
"Drag Racing, the most fun you can have with your clothes on"
IP: Logged |
Mario428
Journeyman Posts: 61
From: Charlottetown, PEI, Canada
Registered: Nov 2001
|
posted 10-04-2002 07:02 AM
At my home track we run both. There is a stock car track at the end of the dragstrip so Sat gamblers is run 1/8 mile because a few cars have gone off the end of the track into the stock car area. I like the 1/8 mile setup, I love running the finish line in 1/4 and am good enough at it I can do it though not as well on the 1/8. One or the other makes no difference to me.
I find it interesting that in the southeastern US no matter what class you run you had better take a .01 package with you to win any round. I had a dragster pilot visiting our track 2 weeks ago tell me the same thing about his home track. Also went on to comment that footbrakers like me can usually win a round or two but cannot get thru the big rounds after that. I did lose the final that day, the darkness threw me for a loop at the lights. But the .03 package easily beat the dragster, down here in Canada's hillbilly land "you have to run your number".
IP: Logged |
64FalconF-16
Gearhead Posts: 191
From: Republic Of Texas!! Temporarily living in KY
Registered: Feb 2002
|
posted 10-04-2002 07:23 AM
As a racer on a budget. I will go with the 1/8th mile. It is easier on the parts. My motor has gone 4 yrs with no major breakage running 1/8th mile. I could not say the same when I ran 1/4. Of course that does not count I was running Chebbies then. My excuse is I was young. ------------------
64 Pro-Street Falcon
351C 4V 8.1s in 1/8
79 Ford Bronco 4 X 4 Lifted 6"
400 9.9s in 1/8 :)
70 Plymouth Cuda'
440 Magnum. 2600#
Race Car 6.90 in 1/8
IP: Logged |
68 S-code GT
Gearhead Posts: 1044
From: Sayreville, NJ, US
Registered: Mar 2000
|
posted 10-04-2002 07:54 AM
I never really had a choice with growing up 5 min from Englishtown and now living 15 min from there it?s always been the 1/4! [This message has been edited by 68 S-code GT (edited 10-04-2002).]
IP: Logged |
66 Racer
Journeyman Posts: 58
From: West Covina, California
Registered: Aug 2001
|
posted 10-04-2002 09:27 AM
I have only raced the 1/8th and think its cool for my car for now, but the faster my car gets the more im going to want to enjoy it. here is a formula to help covert 1/8th mile times into quarter, this is basically for a aproximation. formula for converting 1/8th into 1/4 1/8th mile time x 2
------------------- = 1/4 mile time
1.3 Example: 8.5 x 2
------- = 13.076 seconds
1.3 Im pretty sure thats how it is. [This message has been edited by 66 Racer (edited 10-04-2002).]
IP: Logged |
cpmaverick
Moderator Posts: 1564
From: Auburn, AL.
Registered: Jan 2000
|
posted 10-04-2002 10:38 AM
Quarter Mile! Why? because Any car that can run the 1/4 can be driven on the street reasonably (as far as gearing goes). In the 1/8th, a car with 5.80:1 gears can kick a street-geared car's butt, but it can't go over 60 MPH without overrevving. I'm all about making a street driven car fast (not a racecar fast), so the 1/8th sucks because it doesn't test that component well. ------------------
-Charlie Ping
1970 Maverick Grabber
[email protected] with AC and overdrive.
http://www.maverickgrabber.com
IP: Logged |
Just Strokin
Gearhead Posts: 754
From: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Registered: Dec 2001
|
posted 10-04-2002 10:43 AM
CP, not sure where you come up with those gears for 1/8th mile but most people I know don't run much over 4.57 if that steep. I only ran 4.86's in my old TBird drag only vehicle. It would rip off 5.80's @ 124mph. And when I sold it, I was comtemplating a change to 4.57 or 4.40's.And another thought, most bracket racing these days isn't about how fast or how quick but how consistent you and your car is.
IP: Logged |
kid vishus
Gearhead Posts: 4538
From: middle of NC
Registered: Oct 2000
|
posted 10-04-2002 10:46 AM
Very few guys anymore run a different gear for 1/8 mile racing than for 1/4 mile racing. If it is geared too deep, it will take the motor out of its powerband sooner and slow it down. That's why alot of racers run the same gear for both. I do, as do most of my buddies that race 1/8 all the time.
IP: Logged |
Dad Vishus
Gearhead Posts: 540
From: Moscow, Iowa, USA
Registered: Dec 2001
|
posted 10-04-2002 10:58 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Just Strokin:
CP, not sure where you come up with those gears for 1/8th mile but most people I know don't run much over 4.57 if that steep. I only ran 4.86's in my old TBird drag only vehicle. It would rip off 5.80's @ 124mph. And when I sold it, I was comtemplating a change to 4.57 or 4.40's.And another thought, most bracket racing these days isn't about how fast or how quick but how consistent you and your car is.
Here in the land of dirt poor racers, most guys don't change gears for 1/8 to 1/4 racing. KV had 5.00 gears for quite a while and they worked real well in the 1/8 and pretty well in the 1/4. We went to 4.86s the last time after the 5.00 went away. The car I just bought has 4.86 gears and that works well for both also. I can't honestly say I know of anyone from our home track that runs more than 5.00 gears on the 1/8 although there may be. Strokin has it dead on. Its not how fast the car is but how consistent. If ya can't dial it, ya got a problem.
IP: Logged |
cpmaverick
Moderator Posts: 1564
From: Auburn, AL.
Registered: Jan 2000
|
posted 10-06-2002 10:19 PM
I guess so. 4.86 gears without overdrive isn't a street car either though. I guess it doesn't matter as much to me which track then, but I want to see car that can be driven cross country if necessary at the strip clicking off times than a 10 second racecar. And seems like the 1/4 is a better test of a street car. My opinion though Getting off topic too, so I'll cut it short.
IP: Logged |
Mustangsandmore Forums
UBBFriend: Email This Page to Someone! 
