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Firemanjim
Posted on Sunday, July 29, 2007 - 12:23 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Terry and I had a booth at the drag races at Sonoma.Got to watch the qualifying all day saturday. I had forgotten what an unbelievable experience it is when 2 top fuelers leave,it is more than noise.Kinda turns your insides to Jello.
Met a cutie riding one of the Buell pro-stockers, Peggy Llewellyn, had a great chat with her.She was qualified 5th.
Then I was admiring the Chip Ellis bike when an older,grey haired gentleman(Yeah,Yeah, I know, but he was older and greyer than me.)He waved me in and and was answering all my questions when I noticed his name tag--George Smith of the S&S Smiths-- I ended up talking motors with him for 30 minutes or more. He said if I needed any help to call. How cool is that!!!
Fun facts about the prostock motors,5 1/8" bore with a 3.75 stroke running up to 9700rpm and making about 340hp. 2.7" intake valve.(I could be off with these numbers a bit as my memory may have been affected by high doses of nitromethane fumes.)
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Oldog
Posted on Sunday, July 29, 2007 - 02:36 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

cool!
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Toona
Posted on Sunday, July 29, 2007 - 03:37 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I can't wait for August 17/18. That's when NHRA comes to Reading, PA for the Keystone Nats.

Hard to believe they are running faster now with 80% nitro and rev limiters than a few years ago with 100% nitro and no rev limiters.

Ahh, to good ol' days of "yellow clouds" in the pits when they do their warm ups....

Plus I get to ride my Buell 180 miles each way!

If you get the chance to attend an NHRA event - DON'T MISS IT. TV doesn't do it justice. The noise, the smell, the open pits. You can walk around in the pits and talk to the crews/drivers much more easily than at a NASCAR race- if you can even get into the NASCAR pits.

The Pro Stock Bikers are a small community of riders that will help each other out if needed, whether they ride the same brand or not. Unlike the Top Fuelers/Funny Cars with their 10-12 man crews (per car), the bikers may have their self and 2 or 3 other crew members, max (and that's if you are one of the "big" teams).
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Toona
Posted on Sunday, July 29, 2007 - 06:42 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Sonoma Update:
after 2 rounds of elimination there are 2 Buells, Peggy Llewellyn and Matt Smith, Eddie Krawiec - Screaming Eagle HD and Steve Johnson on a 'zuki.

The Suzuki doesn't seem to have much of a chance, the V-twins are running in 6.94-6.97/190-192 range and SJ is running a 7.03 at 190.

Peggy Llewellyn has made every pass this weekend in the 6.90's, including all 4 qualifying rounds.

updates can be found at http://www.nhra.com/2007/events/race15/results/sun day_psm.html?#suelimination2results
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Alchemy
Posted on Sunday, July 29, 2007 - 09:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Toona,

Maple Grove is pretty close for me. Maybe I will see you there. I have never been to that track but it sounds like fun. Is it necessary to get advanced tickets?
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Bluzm2
Posted on Monday, July 30, 2007 - 12:27 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

If you have to crawl to an NHRA National you MUST!
The top fuelers are worth the trip alone.
I've seen the biggest baddest ass biker types actually drop when a fueler is doing a drivetrain warm up and a it's associated throttle snaps.
If you've never been beside one of these beasts, it's almost beyound description.
The sound pressure levels a single car produces is unbelieveable. When the mechanic does a throttle snap while the car is on the lift it is like a bomb going off.
Like I said above, I've actually seen it drop folks to their knees.

They come to Brainerd in a couple of weeks.
You bet your bootie I'll be there!

Brad
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Toona
Posted on Monday, July 30, 2007 - 12:42 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Nope, you can buy tickets "at the door":

Fri: $33 - Friday night qualifying is not to be missed! 1st round Pro categories start at 3:00, but the 2nd round (best) starts at 6:00.
Sat: $45 2 rounds of Alcohol/Pro qualifying and start of Sportsman elim's.
Sun: $47 Eliminations Day.

I don't get reserved seats. I like the full effect; one round at the starting line fence pit side, next round mid track, another round top end (nothing like your hair jumping off your head when they blow buy at 330 mph and then having it reattach itself ) and then final round I always stand at the starting line on the side opposite of the pits for a quick escape.

I'd like to get you "up close and personal" in the Nitro pits when they do their warm ups (shush, don't tell him what'll happen)

The power these cars make is incredible. I've heard rumors that it takes more horsepower to turn the blower on a nitro car than a Nascar motor makes. Almost 1,000 hp per cylinder, and we get excited when the 1125R has around 145 hp. No wonder they have to rebuild them every round-which in itself is crazy to watch - synchronized chaos is the best way to describe it, and that's if they don't hurt anything.

The last time I was there, 2 years ago due to business obligations, there was MC parking with a guard near the bikes all day, right next to the gate! So you can be geared up and on the way out before most people get to their cars.

The gang I stay with, usually make at least one trip to the Shady Maple Smorgasborg- another not to miss experience in Blue Ball.

This will be the last NHRA event to make the Championship Run. So the teams on the "outside" (9-16) will be going all out to "make the chase". The top 8 will go for the Championship. Some teams are already locked in because they can't be bumped out of the top 8.
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Toona
Posted on Monday, July 30, 2007 - 12:48 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I've seen the biggest baddest ass biker types actually drop when a fueler is doing a drivetrain warm up and a it's associated throttle snaps.

Isn't it great! I got a "mouthful" one time and almost puked
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