Texas Mile: Any tips for first timers?

[Mullet]

I got a suit with the above specs from Summit for $170 and gloves for $40. Seems reasonable

Now all I need is a white helmet with a reflector visor to be the "Black Stig". :bored

 

[Silverbullitt]

What do we need to bring to the run? Helment and a fire extinguisher?

 

[dbk]

This is what is posted on the website for clothing. How many are going this route?


4. CLOTHING : Non-synthetic fabric clothing (cotton, wool, leather etc.), covering torso, all arms and all legs, plus "tennis" shoes without holes are the minimum standard. SFI approved driving gloves are REQUIRED. They can be purchased through Summitt Racing and Jegs. Golf gloves are not considered appropriate. NO open toed shoes, shorts, tank

a. REQUIRED FOR VEHICLES THAT WILL RUN AT 190 OR ABOVE and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR ALL OTHER DRIVERS: An SFI 3.2A/1 (or better) Driver's suit and SFI 3.3 Driver's Accessories (shoes, balaclava, gloves, underwear) are highly recommended.

I purchased a Medium, Large and Extra Large SFI race suit and 5 pairs of different sized SFI gloves for people to use. Regardless of how fast you are going, if you would like to borrow them, you are more than welcome.

 

[Triheart7]

TexasGT - thanks for the great and well thought advice. Much appreciated.

I agree. Great write up. :thumbsup


One question I have is whether or not a Whipple with race gas would have any benefit over 91 octane?

 

[pe2unia]

I purchased a Medium, Large and Extra Large SFI race suit and 5 pairs of different sized SFI gloves for people to use. Regardless of how fast you are going, if you would like to borrow them, you are more than welcome.

Thanks Dave I will take you up on that:cheers

 

[dbk]

Here's some advice for the Mile, although Keith already stated it very well.

The main thing is that we're there to have a good time. With that in mind, drive within your comfort level. This is a great venue for people to be able to experience something they most likely will rarely run into, and that is taking their GT well into the triple digits. We'll have plenty of time to make runs with less than half their normal lineup and none of the bikes or more extreme vehicles that require a little more time, so please feel free to gently nudge your speed as you gain experience and comfort on the runway. Whether you cross at 100 or 150 or 200, you'll have a wide runway and plenty of run to do it in, so please, don't think you have to run your car to the max asap. Just do what you feel comfortable with.

Also, unless you really are after the maximum number your car can produce, do not take off from the line extremely hard or slip the clutch. The run is over 5000 feet, so blazing out of the first 60 isn't as relevant when you just want to do some speed runs. The clutch in the GT is resilient for the occasional incident, but it will not tolerate significant slippage like you would with a something like a Z06. At El Toro during Rally II there was a great deal of white smoke wafting around the start line, and very little of it was coming from tires. That's the one sure way to shorten the useful life of your clutch, or flat out end it.

During the run, keep your eyes ahead of you. You'll most likely be near redline in 4th if you're near stock or just getting into 5th when you hit the mile. With few shifts, a few hundred rpm here or there aren't nearly as important as focusing on where you are going.

When braking, I do not recommend panic stopping from vMax. That's where practice runs to get the feel come in handy. As long as you remain cognizant of where the finish is, you'll have plenty of room to stop in most of the cars. I've hung myself off the seat slamming the brakes at 175 at the track, and the car can behave much more unpredictably under that tremendous pressure. Mentally saying "Oh $#&%" and wondering if you'll stop before the end is not a pleasant feeling. At Oscoda, Peak's car panic stopped from 200 in just under 1100 feet. That should give you an idea on the leeway you have to ease onto the brakes and apply much harder pressure as you lower your speed. At 186 mph, you're going a football field a second, so it's not that much time, but you won't have to get off the throttle and slam the brakes.

 

[Triheart7]

An SFI 3.2A/1 I assume is a 1 layer suit?

 

[Fubar]

I guess I'm the only one who loved the brake. I am slow.

 

[dbk]

I guess I'm the only one who loved the brake. I am slow.

No, the braking is awesome. It's actually pretty shocking how hard the car stops if you make it (even with our non-ceramic brakes :lol ), it's just not something people do regularly so I recommend they ramp it up before going all in. Just drill the brakes at 70 mph and before you finish the thought you'll be stopped.

 

[AZSTAD]

Here's my advice for what it's worth.

GREAT INPUT! Thanks for all of the pointers for us non-vets. This will be a fun day guys. I can't wait.

Curious...given a stock whipple, with Ford Racing Pulley & Tune and X Pipe, what do you think "best" top speed should be?

 

[TEXAS GT]

I agree. Great write up. :thumbsup


One question I have is whether or not a Whipple with race gas would have any benefit over 91 octane?

Not unless you have a special race tune that takes advantage of the higher octane. The main purpose of increasing octane is to prevent detonation, not add power. The power increase that race gas gives you is by allowing you to tune your car for higher cylinder pressures and different timing.

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, (as if you wouldn't).:lol

 

[TEXAS GT]

If we have a similar tailwind like we did in March I know I will be knocking on the 223.007 mph door. There will be a handful of other guys with bigger hp numbers that will be all over the 220's+.

Jason you may be right but 220 is an awful big number to hit. The fastest GT I've seen at the Mile was Peaks twin turbo. He had a professional driver making several passes, a special ice tank mounted to his intercooler, lowered suspension, Hoosiers all around and none other than Jason Heffner himself in his pits personally tuning the car between runs. His best run that weekend was 222 mph. Cody and the other twin turbos will no doubt make some big numbers but a lot depends on the weather and just plain luck.

Everyones best opportunity to reach their personal top speed will be early morning while it's cool. Speeds drop as the temperature goes up.

Good luck to everybody.:thumbsup

 

[roketman]

Is there 100 unlead available near by?

 

[Mullet]

Is there 100 unlead available near by?

not that I am aware of.....never seen anything over 93 octane at the pumps in Texas.

I have 11 gallonds of MS109 (104 octane unlead) I can bring for you. I paid $8 a gallon for it. It's yours for $70. I ran this in my pulley/tuned GT last March at the Mile.

 

[Indy GT]

Not unless you have a special race tune that takes advantage of the higher octane. The main purpose of increasing octane is to prevent detonation, not add power. The power increase that race gas gives you is by allowing you to tune your car for higher cylinder pressures and different timing.

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, (as if you wouldn't).:lol

You are correct! And point out a fact (octane is not in an of itself related to power) missed by many. (But championed by the oil companies....)

 

[kumar]

do we need numbers on our cars?

 

[fjpikul]

No, since this is not a "sanctioned" event. You can put one on if you want though.