[siswati]

Hi Guys

Just got back myself – I had an absolute blast – I met some really cool guys that all have the same passion about their cars - no matter what the brand or model.

Guys were pumped just getting close to 15secs and edging towards 100mph trap speeds - Just about every type of vehicle was there from super fast Modifieds to bonestock pick-up trucks.

I met some really cool guys from the forum SGC, Fiske, BenzoBoi and others.

SGC ran only one pass, right at the end and ran a 12.04 pass @116mph - his only mods are drag radials and K&N filter. I believe that BenzoBoi ran a 12.8 in his C32

Temp was in the low 70s and fairly moist air - not the best conditions but still better than sitting at home.

It was my first time down a drag strip of any kind, and I was a bit intimidated by the whole affair, so I decided to get into it nice and slow. I ran in Granny Mode for the first 3 runs.

This involved suspension in comfort mode (highest) and tranny in Sport mode. I left the ESP on and as the tree turned I just stomped it with no regard for wheelspin or anything. Was hoping to break into 13's on my first ever runs

Surprise, surprise - I ran a 12.56 @113.7 for my firs run ever, 12.50 @113.83 for my 2nd run and 12.596@114.02 for the 3rd run - I was pumped - my R/Ts improved with every run from .678 to .558 to .322

My 60ft short times were 2.04, 1.990, and 2.111 and this is with ESP on. I never really felt like the ESP was intruding and I got good hookup from the launch each time.

But of course the E55 experts were all there – guys who have run 12.0s and faster, and they were saying I had to run it with ESP off, and I kept on saying nah, another day maybe, let me get into this drag racing scene nice and slow, don’t do anything stupid on my first night, but the nagging – just couldn’t get it out of my head. So for the final run I said wtf - gotta give it a shot.

So I steeled myself by repeating to myself over and over again that I had to get on the gas real slow and feed it in. By now I was getting the traplights down fairly well and when the light turned – well yeah you guessed it – I forgot everything and just stomped it. The back let go violently, turning me very sideways, and I had to back way off, and my final run was 13.780 @112 (but my R/T was .224 – so at least something was still improving.)

So what did I learn?
First things first – this shopping cart of ours has balls – it runs 12.5 with ease in granny mode. Quietly, with no fuss, and it blows people away – early on I was the only E class and lots of young guys came and asked me what I had done to my car! Just told them that I was a bald fat old fart on his first run down the strip in my family sedan. I am living proof that anyone can run mid 12’s in this car! Its just that easy. Set it in granny mode, point it down the lane and stomp it. Don’t shut off till you pass the traps and you will have yourself a mid 12 second 110+mph run – guaranteed.

Now then, trying to get it to go faster than that takes work, practice and timing, and discipline on the throttle, and I for one, have lots of homework to do, cos I cant wait to go back and do it again. Gotta get this launch nailed with the ESP off – easy on the throttle, easy does it.

It was just a total blast – felt like a kid all evening, the rush was awesome and is totally addicting.

But the best part was while talking to SGC, Fiske and RJ (690rwhp viper), a know it all dude walked up and insisted that he had run a 11.03 at 138mph in his E55 with only a Renntech pulley and chip, and stock Conti's - of course has car wasnt here tonight. After he left I asked SGC and RJ (knowledgeable guys for sure) if the dude's E55 could run 138mph they both simultansously chimed in - "sure, no problem ,just give him a couple more miles at the end of the strip and hell get it up there" LOL



PS (I unfortunately arrived at the track with a full tank of gas (bad preparation on my part) and I had my trunk full of video gear that I couldnt offload anywhere) - so maybe there is a 1/10th lurking there when I run on vapors next time round. Damn one day at the track and already I am making excuses and looking to find ways to get these times down!!!!!!