I went to Thompson Raceway Park today to make my first runs of the year during the Gasser re-union. I couldn't hold the car on the line, the brand new clutch dragged me through the beams, I let it out completely after I saw red, went a 1.26 sixty foot and 5.70 1/8 mile time @ 120 mph I clicked it off around the 900 foot mark, ran 7.60 @ 1000', coasted through at a 9.668 @ 99.24 mph. Second pass the tranny had issues during the burnout, so I loaded it up and came home. 5.70 eighth mile time translates into a 8.98 1/4 mile time, but I won't be totally happy with it until I make it officially into the 8s, but it felt great shifting at 9100 rpm in my totally homebuilt 340 smallblock dart that weighs 2850lbs with no power adders what so ever. I can't thank my friend/machinist/engine builder Bill, his wife Linda or their son Dave enough. They have went out of their way and worked extremely hard to help me make this all happen. I've owned the car since I was in high school, 20+ years, and it's went from a 10.50 e.t W-2 powered car to a 9.50 e.t W-5 powered car to it's current W-9 setup.

UPDATE

The weather finally gave me a break and I waited out some light rain at Thompson raceway park Saturday, (6/25/12). First pass was a 8.96 @ 149.01 mph. Second pass was a 8.93 @149.08 mph. Still too much clutch and a few other bugs to work out but it's headed in the right direction. Thats only the 4th and 5th passes on the car this whole year so I'm sure it will pick up some more after I learn how to drive it...