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Drag Racing Discussions => Front Engine Dragsters => Topic started by: tcoupekyle on February 28, 2020, 12:07:21 PM

Title: Finally taking the digger out on Sunday
Post by: tcoupekyle on February 28, 2020, 12:07:21 PM
Going to run a tnt during an import event. Excited and nervous all at the same time. First time driving this rig hopefully all goes well.
Title: Re: Finally taking the digger out on Sunday
Post by: wideopen231 on February 28, 2020, 01:50:29 PM
Before first shot= nervous.After first shot=  hey lets go again. Then its hey lets go straight with no shake.LOL
Title: Re: Finally taking the digger out on Sunday
Post by: gregm784 on February 28, 2020, 03:37:52 PM
I've had first pass jitters for 20 years.  it leaves when it fires the first time.  Before that i'm almost sick (wanna throw up)
Title: Re: Finally taking the digger out on Sunday
Post by: THE FRENCHTOWN FLYER on February 28, 2020, 05:21:12 PM
I've had first pass jitters for 20 years.  it leaves when it fires the first time.  Before that i'm almost sick (wanna throw up)

Me too. For the first 30 years of my racing career. Now - the last 20 or so - not so much, just get in and race.
Title: Re: Finally taking the digger out on Sunday
Post by: Curly1 on February 29, 2020, 09:10:55 AM
That is part of the fun of it. Have fun.
Title: Re: Finally taking the digger out on Sunday
Post by: tcoupekyle on March 09, 2020, 02:36:16 PM
It was a ball. A little weird not being able to see straight ahead. But a whole lot of fun. Even on a show 5.88 1/8 Mike pass
Title: Re: Finally taking the digger out on Sunday
Post by: Finnish Fireball on March 09, 2020, 10:48:55 PM
Good to hear you enjoyed it!
Title: Re: Finally taking the digger out on Sunday
Post by: Curly1 on March 10, 2020, 06:45:49 PM
It is an adrenaline rush, that's why we do it.
Title: Re: Finally taking the digger out on Sunday
Post by: tcoupekyle on March 10, 2020, 07:38:32 PM
No doubt!
Anybody else not be able to see over their engine? Think that's the spookiest part.
Title: Re: Finally taking the digger out on Sunday
Post by: Paul New on March 10, 2020, 08:33:44 PM
No doubt!
Anybody else not be able to see over their engine? Think that's the spookiest part.
I thought that was why we drove them!!
Title: Re: Finally taking the digger out on Sunday
Post by: tcoupekyle on March 10, 2020, 09:01:50 PM
Hahaha I mean... I guess it just takes some getting used to
Title: Re: Finally taking the digger out on Sunday
Post by: THE FRENCHTOWN FLYER on March 11, 2020, 06:27:09 AM
Anybody else not be able to see over their engine? Think that's the spookiest part.

For sure. Once after I won a race I was so ecstatic I drove back through the pits and straight into a 55 gallon trash barrel. Glad it wasn't somebody's cocker spaniel.
Title: Re: Finally taking the digger out on Sunday
Post by: tcoupekyle on March 11, 2020, 08:11:49 AM
Hahaha awesome glad I'm not the only one
Title: Re: Finally taking the digger out on Sunday
Post by: gregm784 on March 11, 2020, 10:26:00 AM
I've never driven a FED that i could see out of....

Title: Re: Finally taking the digger out on Sunday
Post by: buickfed on March 11, 2020, 03:57:24 PM
my son complains all the time. it goes straight(even straight up), and he backs up straight by himself. this year i'm making it taller just for him. lol
Title: Re: Finally taking the digger out on Sunday
Post by: THE FRENCHTOWN FLYER on March 11, 2020, 04:56:59 PM
I wonder if that is the reason the newer nostalgia FEDs have the driver in an upright position on top of the pig instead of behind it? That may be especially important when running index racing and the finish line stripe is even more critical.
Title: Re: Finally taking the digger out on Sunday
Post by: crider on March 11, 2020, 05:17:11 PM
I must say even though vision is limited with the dragster, it is much better than the funny car were
Title: Re: Finally taking the digger out on Sunday
Post by: tcoupekyle on March 11, 2020, 07:45:44 PM
Right on!
Title: Re: Finally taking the digger out on Sunday
Post by: tcoupekyle on March 15, 2020, 12:00:47 PM
Went to funny car chaos and ran the Fed again. Definitely getting more comfortable and car ran a 4.91 1/8 at 13. Next outing I'll get more aggressive and speed her up hopefully
Title: Re: Finally taking the digger out on Sunday
Post by: JrFuel Hayden on March 18, 2020, 12:07:07 AM
You just need more seat time you'll get use to it. In my dual engine Top Gas dragster my eye line was in the middle of the blowers, a 6 foot tall guy could stand at my front axle and I could not see any part of him. Just drove in perspective so much on each side
Our driver complained at first trying to look around the offset 20 amp MSD in our Heritage JrFuel, but as he had more time driving he just is  getting use to it.
i don't like bar stool drivers , don't look right. 
Title: Re: Finally taking the digger out on Sunday
Post by: dreracecar on March 18, 2020, 07:43:47 AM
It all comes down to perspective , since the trend was to narrow the front axle (for no other purpose, the because the "Big Show" cars did it) instead of having it wider to keep an eye on the tire. Its the same visability then as it is now except the front end width
Title: Re: Finally taking the digger out on Sunday
Post by: rooman on March 18, 2020, 01:39:00 PM
It is fairly simple--when you stage the wall is a certain distance from one side of the car and the centerline is a certain distance from the other side--keep those distances the same and you will go in a straight line. You don't need to be looking sideways to do that, just paying attention to the relative distances from any part of the car that is in your field of vision.

Roo
Title: Re: Finally taking the digger out on Sunday
Post by: tcoupekyle on March 19, 2020, 06:42:17 AM
Yeah after the fourth pass. I was feeling way comfortable and the vision didn't bother me at all. Thanks y'all