Dave's Dime at the 'strip
(Woodburn, Or, 10/10/98)
- timeslips - -- pictures

I managed to talk a few friends into making this trip with me, as the event was an all import shootout, which meant no big American iron, just a bunch of rice and sauerkraut burners. The cars in our "crew" included two V-8 Z cars, Mike Spreadbury's turbo V-6 car, and myself. I also expected us to all be in the top 10% of cars there, as we had some serious HP, as far as import cars are concerned. And my personal hope was to line up against Rice Boys and show them looks ain't everything.

Probably 100 or so cars turned out, and Paul (one of the V-8 Z guys) and myself had the definite roaches, as the quality of these cars was impressive, although I must mention were were racing our 25yr old cars against cars that were at most 7-8yrs old. In any case, Civics and Integras outnumbered everyone else, and many of these care were detailed very nicely. There were many Rice Boys, but everyone seemed to be friendly and having a good time, and I don't think the most gaudy ones really thought their cars were that fast, they were just there to see how they did. There were others, however, who were after serious times . . .

Below is a play-by-play of my runs,see my notes for the rest of the event.

Run 1. I line up against a Honda Del Sol, who was running slicks and unknown modifications. This car made me nervous, as it had NO decals, just slicks (he's on my pictures page). I have my trusty DOHC six, and it's time to walk the walk. Light turns green, I cut a decent light, but Del Sol leaps out ahead as I bog slightly. Past the 60' mark, I'm reeling this Del Sol in, and by 330' it's Sayonara!! My time at 14.599 is okay for a first pass, and I'll just launch a little harder the next time.

Run 2. Stock looking Integra GS-R in the next lane, no slicks, no decals. Looks dead stock . Luckily for me it ran a stock speed, as I did NOTHING but spin my tires because I tried to launch too aggressively (my 60' time of THREE SECONDS reflects this). By 330' it's obvious to me I'll still be able to overtake him, and I wind up with a lousy 15.08@97 and still beat him by .8secs (about seven car lengths).

Run 3. Looks tougher, and I can't botch this one. '97 or so Eclipse AWD Turbo (no stickers, very clean, nice wheels, otherwise stock also on my pictures page), so I HAVE to get a good run. I get a decent light, but he drills me for a .4 sec lead by 60'!! I came out of the hole okay, but I need more traction. Going to 2nd gets me about 20' of wheelspin. Thank god for superior horsepower! By 330' I'm working him, and I manage to get by him about halfway down the track. It was his best run of the day at 14.91, unfortunately for him I improved to a 14.417.

I'm still disappointed at not getting into the 13's, and Mike has the turbo V-6 510 into consistent 14.1-14.2 already, and Paul is solidly into the 12's with 12.3's and 12.4's - exactly where G-Tech said he'd be. Traction is the key, and it's worse here for me here than on the street.

Run 4. Integra from the Eugene area lines up next to me, decals all over the place, and the type of car I REALLY came here to beat (he's on my pictures page). Elimination's start with this run, and "dial in" at 14.35, but this guy dials at 14.00. My first loss? First slower ET than Rice Boy? My tree ticks off, and I cut a crappy light, but get a decent launch. I break out with a best so far of 14.296 so he "wins" with a 14.311. I'm concerned with ET, I count this as a win for me because my ET is faster, (barely).

For whatever reason, the officials let the first round losers into a "consolation" group, and I opt to take it. MORE RUNS! Another loss and I'm done for the day, though.

Run 5. Rice Boy Civic next to me. 96-ish hatchback. Not gaudy like run 4, but an RB as he's LOW, and big TIP. Did I mention slicks?? He red-lights, giving me the win. Looks like he ran hard anyhow, but I take him with a 14.438 vs his 14.714.

Run 6. I dial in at 14.25. Stock-looking Jetta GLX dials in at 15.60. I sit and watch the Jetta motor for about 1.35 secs, then I'm off after her. She's off .4secs with a 16.105, and I run a 14.364. My 60' times are getting better, but I'm DYING for the 13's, and it looks like I'll need more power to get there.

Run 7. I figure this would be my last run, as I'm no bracket racer, and I've been lucky thus far. I invite Paul to be passenger, we pull some crap out of my trunk to partially offset his weight. Turns out I get a "bye" (no one to compete against me) as there are seven left in this group. With nothing to lose, I line up, wait for the last amber, and run the hell out of the car getting off the line. I spin the tires for maybe 30', but the car was pulling pretty good throughout. Second gear gets a little more wheelspin, but she's pulling pretty good. Get back and see I have my BEST TIME, and with a 200lb passenger!! 14.284@96.99. I kick Paul out, and . . .

Run 8. I end up lining up against at SNOWMOBILE!!! He's dialed in at 10.70, so he gets to watch me for a LONG TIME. I cut an ok light, launch as hard as I did with Paul in the car, spinning again through a lot of first, but the car is moving well still. Going into second, I see the snowmobile launch - GOD HE'S MOVING!! I'm DETERMINED (to say the least) to not get beat by this guy. I run the 510 hard, but this guy's coming. I manage to cross the line ahead of this guy, but only because I BROKE INTO THE 13's!!!! I break out by almost .4 secs, but I don't care. I lost the race, but get my best official 1/4mi time an speed of 13.971@99.75!!

TIMES
(scanned slips linked to each run)

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