1/4 or 1/8 mile??
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Steve,
I guess the question comes down to what you are used to and how you have your car set up. We used to have two local tracks until one closed down. Both (were/are) 1/4 mile tracks so that is what I am used to what I have geared my car toward.
I can tow my car about two hours to an 1/8 mile track and did so last summer (borrowed truck and trailer). It was a really cool, rural track, but with 3.73 gears, I know I left a lot on the table.
I also drive my to car and from the track (33 miles one way) because I don't have a truck and trailer. So I guess I would prefer the 1/4 format.
I guess the question comes down to what you are used to and how you have your car set up. We used to have two local tracks until one closed down. Both (were/are) 1/4 mile tracks so that is what I am used to what I have geared my car toward.
I can tow my car about two hours to an 1/8 mile track and did so last summer (borrowed truck and trailer). It was a really cool, rural track, but with 3.73 gears, I know I left a lot on the table.
I also drive my to car and from the track (33 miles one way) because I don't have a truck and trailer. So I guess I would prefer the 1/4 format.
Here around Dallas there are 3 sanctioned 1/8 mile tracks, 3 outlaw 1/8 mile tracks, and 1 1/4 mile track (Texas Motorplex).
The Texas Motorplex staff told us years ago that they could not care less if bracket racers ever showed up at their track. They were only interested in the National event, the Division race, and special events. The rest of the time, they felt like they were doing us a favor by charging us bracket racers to race there.
So, most everybody obliged them and went 1/8 mile racing. Kennedale, Denton, and Red Line are jammed to the gills on a weekend with racers and spectators. The "beer and bullets" tracks are loaded with gamblers every weekend. TM can't put 80 cars in the lanes once a month.:thumbsup: They only run brackets 5 weekends PER YEAR! TM is always crying that they're not making any money. Gee, I wonder why
When I want to run 1/4 mile, I'll tow 2 3/4 hours to Cherokee County Motorsports Park rather than the 1/2 hour to TM.
If you treat your customers right, they will come no matter what the format. I run anywhere that the payout is good and guaranteed.
Personally, I've grown to like the 1/8 mile format. The rounds finish quicker and it's easier on equipment. More challenging driving the stripe, too.
JMHO!
Randy
The Texas Motorplex staff told us years ago that they could not care less if bracket racers ever showed up at their track. They were only interested in the National event, the Division race, and special events. The rest of the time, they felt like they were doing us a favor by charging us bracket racers to race there.
So, most everybody obliged them and went 1/8 mile racing. Kennedale, Denton, and Red Line are jammed to the gills on a weekend with racers and spectators. The "beer and bullets" tracks are loaded with gamblers every weekend. TM can't put 80 cars in the lanes once a month.:thumbsup: They only run brackets 5 weekends PER YEAR! TM is always crying that they're not making any money. Gee, I wonder why
When I want to run 1/4 mile, I'll tow 2 3/4 hours to Cherokee County Motorsports Park rather than the 1/2 hour to TM.
If you treat your customers right, they will come no matter what the format. I run anywhere that the payout is good and guaranteed.
Personally, I've grown to like the 1/8 mile format. The rounds finish quicker and it's easier on equipment. More challenging driving the stripe, too.
JMHO!
Randy
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I prefer 1/4 mile racing. I can see Rob's point about safety, and some tracks around here run 1/8th mile in some classes. But for a street car, I think the 1/4 is the better way to go. Cars can be geared for the 1/4 and still be street-able. To run the 1/8th you must decide to gear your car for the track and loose most street-ability, Or gear it for the street and leave a lot of it's track potential on the table.
Me too! It makes a big difference that the 1/8th mile track is 15-20 minutes from my house! I have no problem running 1/8th mile.
Edit: I guess for street type cars it would be more fun to run 1/4. I think I might want to slow my car down to bracket race 1/4 mile. I'm a little more concerned about my safety than when I was younger! JMHO.
It sure is. I haven't raced in many years, but I preferred the 1/8, just because I never had a really fast car (13.7 in the 1/4, 8.9 in the 1/8). On the 1/8 track, it's possible to beat much faster cars just by fine honing the start technique, shift points etc. It was kinda fun to see them in the mirror, just almost catching up on me right as I was crossing the finish line.
I know what you mean about the safety concern. My Vega runs 143.5-144 in the quarter. Listening to that 355 hum down at the 1000' mark and knowing the driveshaft is just 2 or 3 inches from my hip covered by a piece of removeable flyweight aluminum, and the crankshaft is an ancient GM factory steel piece, sometimes I get nervous during time trials.
Race time is another matter. :yes: I'm so focused on the other guy that the thing could be upside down and I'd still be trying to judge the stripe.
I get so used to the speeds that sometimes I'll start unbuckling my helmet and belts in the shutdown area (still well over 100) and the track personnel will warn me about it.
Randy
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i bracket race and have my car geared for the 1/8th mile but our track runs 1/4 mile on street nights and on sunday test and tune but we also get the 1/8th times then to.since you said it was for street cars i would think you will probable have a bigger turn out with the 1/4 mile .
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I really like both, that being said it sorta depends on what and how fast of a car I am driving. My race car will go 134+ mpg in the first 1/8 but then only gain another 34 mph or so in the second 1/8. You are really aware of the raw acceleration in the first 1/8 (in a fast car) and then you are introduced to really fast speeds on the big end. In a slower car I only like 1/4 mile stuff.
In a fast car 1/8 mile is much easier on parts.
In a fast car 1/8 mile is much easier on parts.
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3,015 Posts
69 Ratt Corvette, Have you run your car on a full quarter mile with the nitrous on? I was wondering how much RPM you had left before topping out, after the eighth mile pole.
I have only ran the 1/4 mile, I have watched 1/8th mile racing and I hated it, and I'm sure if I ran the 1/8th I would hate it also, if my local track ever changed to 1/8th mile I would drive the 2 hrs to another track just to run the 1/4 mile. JMO :yes:
I agree whole heartedly. 1/4 mile is the best for the above reason. I would hate to have to run around on he street with a 5:13 rear gear turning 4 grand at 55mph. JMO
I can see someone having fun with his car even if its not fast (13 sec car is no slouch). But if that was the case then why are we all trying to build fast cars? Just save the money and run 1/8th mile. Not me, I have a need for speed! JMOIt sure is. I haven't raced in many years, but I preferred the 1/8, just because I never had a really fast car (13.7 in the 1/4, 8.9 in the 1/8). On the 1/8 track, it's possible to beat much faster cars just by fine honing the start technique, shift points etc. It was kinda fun to see them in the mirror, just almost catching up on me right as I was crossing the finish line.
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82 Posts
1/8 mile.....I bet it would help on insurance too. Maybe print the conversion to 1/4 mile on the time slip.
Since you guys are prepping the track for faster cars it will be easier to get faster cars there.
Since you guys are prepping the track for faster cars it will be easier to get faster cars there.
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I watched several minutes of 1/16 (422 feet) mile on utube. I don't think my car would get out of 2nd gear in a 1/16 mile. I have never done a 1/8 mile. I prefer the top end speeds of the 1/4 mile. I am an adrenaline junkie.
330 is 1/16th of a mile. I prefer 1/4 mile, in the 1/8th I hit 3rd and its over, having said that, the track I run at runs 1000ft., which is a nice compromise between the two. I have found most 1/8 to 1/4 conversion charts are off when comparing my car.
I used to really prefer 1/4 mile.
Then I moved to the DFW area and as Randy mentioned, all of the tracks are 1/8th except for the Texas Motorplex. I ran at Kennedale (1/8th) mostly as it was only 20 minutes from the house. I've since moved again and Denton Dragway (1/8th) is only about 20 minutes away.
I've gotten to where I really like 1/8th mile.
I'll probably drive 5 hours to Houston Raceway Park before I run at TM (1.5 hours) if that tells you anything.
Then I moved to the DFW area and as Randy mentioned, all of the tracks are 1/8th except for the Texas Motorplex. I ran at Kennedale (1/8th) mostly as it was only 20 minutes from the house. I've since moved again and Denton Dragway (1/8th) is only about 20 minutes away.
I've gotten to where I really like 1/8th mile.
I'll probably drive 5 hours to Houston Raceway Park before I run at TM (1.5 hours) if that tells you anything.
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