how many of you.....
 

have built a car that scared the chit out of ya?

at first yes...but then no

If it doesn't scare you the first couple of times out, you didn't build it fast enough. :D You will get used to it quickly.

Now this assumes that it is built safe and isn't scaring you because it doesn't run straight or stop appropriately.

Trying to drive thru a buck wild tire spinning freeway blast from 60 mph will get your attention! LOL ... Lots of boost, cold streets, and a drag radial makes for lots of fun.

First pass with my old engine was an intetesting pass to say the least, lol.

I never have, only because I don't drive anything with more than 100 hp at the tire. I'm simply not capable of it.

Now, built cars that scared their owners a little, maybe. Here's some priceless quotes from some of my customers that I'll never forget, many of which have become running jokes: (names withheld to protect the innocent lol)

"I thought you said were going to take it easy on the first pass?"

"Do they make any turbos smaller than this one? A trainer model maybe?" (You all know this guy, lol)

"If that's the low horsepower setup, then I may have to get my wife to drive." (Which he did!)

"Who's got a cigarrette? I need to sit down."

"I feel like I just took up bull riding, not driving a racecar."

"I have a feeling that this is going to get interesting...."

Usually the first pass of the year is a little apprehensive.

I'm hoping this new build will make me crap my pants! TMI?????? LOL

Skid marks and tire marks..Priceless Bill LOL

X2!!!!!!!!!

I have never driven anything REALLY fast but the Vega that I drove with the 5 speed Nash that ran 9.40s got my attention. That sucker was all over the track. BB 482 Engine. I was not ready for a very small car and how much it moved around.

Did not crap my pants but was really paying attention the NEXT pass.

The 600 RWHP Horsepower supercharged Mustang "Pool Car" was nothing compared to that Vega.

Tom Vaught

FAST
 

x2:eek::D

I beleive my 62 tempest is going to be a hair razor.
With 700+ hp at 3050 race weight 9 inch tire and
A 4-speed. I beleive it will get my attention as soon
as I let go of the clutch pedal. huh. Should be a BLAST
To say the least. I think I'll releve myself before hand.
LOL

GT.

My 10-second '64 GTO was the first car that scared me on the first few passes. My current ride even more so. When you build a race car from scratch, there are always a whole bunch of unknowns on the first passes down the track: traction, brakes, steering, etc. That's why part-passes make sense at first.

I'm always "excited" the first pass out after even a week off. Looking forward to being real "excited" some time later this year when I get my supercharger set-up going.

Jim

My hand is up --

My first ever 11.98 at 120 got my attention big time!!

I ususally keep the slicks pumped up to 30 PSI when trailering so the car doesn't wiggle too much. Forgot to let the air out. This was when the car had the 5000 stall and ran 1.5 60s. Burnout felt normal, staged, launched and went sideways spinning, backed out shifted and hit it in second got sideways also. That got my attention,

Plan on the half passes when the IA goes in the Camaro at first.

I was very fortunate to get to drive other people's stuff most of my early years, so it wasn't anything I built. When I first bought my dragster, I had ran it 1/8 mile a few weekends going 4.70s, but as far as the 1/4, at the time I had never been quicker than 13.70 @ 101 until I went to Byron and ran 7.40s@180. I wasn't scared, but it was the most exhilarating feeling I had ever had!! That sucker never stopped pulling and it was a thrill I'll never forget.

Now all I want is one 7 second hit in my gto and I can die a happy man :)

Roy Hill runs a school for Drag Racers, (That Marty Palbykin went to). The "Mules" could basically run at that time with-in 2 tenths of the best PRO STOCK times. This was 1996-97.

Roy would have the class do nothing but proper staging and 60 ft times initially.
Then 330s, then 660s, the 1000 ft, and finally the quarter mile stuff. The school and cars were his property so he could call all of the shots. Marty graduated when quite a few in the class did not.

So my point is, even the high dollar schools do the fast car stuff in specific steps.

Tom Vaught

All that being said, Steve Grebeck (a friend) was killed when his Turbo Mustang got loose at 1000 feet and crossed over into the opposite lane SIDEWAYS. Good Bye Steve, may you rest in peace. So even with a lot of passes in a fast car stuff can happen. Nothing wrong with aborting the pass vs pretending to be the John Force of the Pontiac World and getting on and off the throttle 3 times and blowing the engine up.

Steve was the man. Very gifted individual