Racing, Just like the good ol days! Options

[awd4kicks]

This write-up was originally posted on the DSMCentral Yahoo group while DSMCentral.com was down for a while...
(There is nore info posted there if anyone is interested. Or the orginal poster can copy those items here if they feel the need.)


Last night I got the chance to take the Talon out to our old lake bed race track
in Mexico and stretch her legs.

My old friend and driving opponent was there with the new and improved 383
F-bod. We didn't mess around launching from a dig since it would give benefit
to the Talon and/or break some of her aging drive train parts.

On our first go, we went from a slow roll where I was in second. I got a little
nervous and honked the horn trice times forgetting to rev the engine in
preparation. The V8 left Hard and fast on the third honk as I waited for my
stead to spool. Once in the power band I began to make-up ground, but for any
than know the throws of racing with a manual... You gain a car and then lose
half of it shifting. I missed third all together and then regained composer
going solidly in to third and pulling up. Though I never quite caught all the
way up to my friend before we got out of it due to some wild Mexican animals in
our path.

On our second go I prepared a bit more and we started of a bit slower. Again
the American muscle stood to attention as the third honk sounded off. The Talon
wasn't far behind, maybe a half car from front to front. As before I would gain
as lose pace with power then shifting. I finally passed him, but I believe
there was a miss shift involved on his part.

On our third go-round we shifted some 150-180lbs of ballast from the Talon to
the 90's muscle car. This roll-on start was faster than the other two with a
big bison coming up from behind us. I again fell back slightly on the launch
but regained even right away. Almost like the first race I missed third, but
this time I did a quick double clutch nearly standing in my seat, and regained
my momentum. At this point and began to pull hard on the American. To make
sure he didn't catch back up I hammered 4th home and let it eat for a few
seconds before letting the old Talon rest. I had thought the ballast made most
of the difference, but come to find out My friendly opponent had squarely missed
third gear so badly that he didn't even try after that because of the distance
lost.

All in all it was a good couple of runs and we summed up the night feeling the
383 had improved over the last time we had run side-by-side. It is a fast car,
but the Talon held her own, deserving a nice easy ride home back to the states.

[spyonu2007]

Sounds like that 383ci engine needs some help!

[Kazz5]

Ah, Old Mexico!