[kpeterha]

Last Friday night I took my newly modded 2011 R/T to the track feeling good about how it would perform. Well, I found out that an eighth mile drag strip is way too short for my Durango. My best time was 10.808 seconds @ 68.39 mph. My best reaction time was 0.859. Having drag raced on a quarter mile track once before (Chrysler 300M 3.5L V6) I was disappointed in my results, even factoring in the size and weight difference. There were calls from the spectators like, "Do you have a car (baby) seat in there?" People even pointed and laughed at the " Grocery Getter". I went and talked to some of the others in my Mopar group and they said they get the same trash talk. It sure was fun to watch the SRT8 Jeeps kick ass and take names after all the drama. They run superchargers, slicks and some AVgas in their Mopars.

I don't plan on any more mods or trips to the track. Maybe one day if we get another venue that's a quarter mile I might consider it. The R/T was just getting ready to really MOVE at the finish line on the eighth mile track. Their venue isn't able to accommodate a longer track because you need twice the length of the track for slowing down. The Chargers stadium parking lot is not ideal and they've been looking for a place for a quarter mile drag strip but haven't found one.

Just want to say that the people who put these races together, RaceLegal.com, are a great organization and I am happy to support their good work in my community.

 

[unxpctd]

Drag racing can be really fun. I used to race all the time in previous vehicles. The Durango, while a blast, isn't really made for drag racing. Its a trade off....while we can race we're not going to be the fastest out there due to the weight.

But....I have more room, comfort and overall am very happy with my purchase. While putting on miles for long trips I sit higher than other vehicles and can drive for long distances in pure comfort!

I wouldn't be too disappointed with your times...as you said....the Hemi is really just getting to its comfort level when you're 1/8th is done. It takes a bit of power to get a bigger vehicle moving and on a 1/8th track its all about getting your vehicle off the line. With more weight that is tougher.

Thanks for sharing! I have a few 1/4 mile tracks I used to race around here...may take her out one of these days just to see what she can do!

 

[FSTDANGO3]

No worries Karen your D weighs in at almost 6 K with fluids and normal car items. It probably would have scooted to about 92 -95 mph in the 1/4 mile. At least you had fun
STEVE

 

[Chase300]

Yeah, 1/8th mile tracks you need to be quick and have a car that hooks up well off the line.
I use to own a lot of cars at the 1/8 mile local tracks in my modded AWD Talon.

But with the D, you need to loose weight. Wonder how much lower time would be if you took some interior weight out like remove the seats, jack, spare tire.
That is what I use to do with my Talon, made quite a difference.

 

[FSTDANGO3]

I would guess you need to lose 1000lbs plus
STEVE

 

[Chase300]

Every 100lbs = .1 sec in the 1/4 or there about as I remember.

 

[Tony H]

The 5 or 6 speed tranny, or what ever it is, is very sluggish compared to the 8 speed. I think it would be better in the 1/4.

 

[kpeterha]

Thanks for all the responses. I would definitely be in a different vehicle if I was going to the track all the time. I love my R/T and the mods I've made have "Woken up" the Hemi. But I won't be dropping 1,000 pounds anytime soon. My Dad has a 2007 BMW 335i twin turbo that would probably be good on an eighth mile track. He isn't driving it much anymore. Something to think about!

 

[FSTDANGO3]

No Durango will be Great in the 1/8th except a purpose built one.
STEVE

 

[HemiSphere]

I know what you mean about the 1/8th mile. It's just too short. I feel like I'm just racing between a couple of red lights on the street.

Back when I was racing pretty regularly, the Atlanta Dragway would sometimes announce that they were only going to set up for 1/8th mile racing due to high winds. I didn't even bother going out their on those nights.

 

[AlbeDurangoRT]

Will most likely be running my '15 R/T at the track have a 1/8th closer to home than the 1/4th. I know it wont do great but for fun. I had a Lexus IS350 and was a perfect 1/8th car I remember running modified cars that would not get grip off the line and beating them since they had no room to catch up


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Turborusty]

My '13 Citadel AWD ran 15.83 @ 88 in the 1/4 mile. They're not a great drag racing car.



Turborusty

 

[Durangutan]

Won't see too many "Took my Pilot to the track" threads!

 

[ppowell1983]

Won't see too many "Took my Pilot to the track" threads!

There's only one crappy video of the Honda Pilot drag racing another vehicle. Many of the Durango, so I think you are right.

 

[imadude1134]

10 in the 1/8 and 15 in the 1/4 are pretty good for a vehicle of the Durango's size. I would be happy with those

 

[HemiSphere]

My goal will be to someday get it into the high 14's.

 

[OurZoo]

I used to go to an 1/8th mile all the time when I lived in So Cal (Fontana) as that was close. Used to race my GCSRT8. While it was fun and I ran some decent times with my mods, it always left me wondering what I could do quarter mile.

 

[Robfrmny21]

I'm pretty sure I'm going to island drag way July 26 any guys from here local want to join up and get some runs in feel free to pm me.

 

[HemiSphere]

Ok, I took a trip up to the Atlanta Dragway last night and I think my D performed...decently...given the really bad DA (density altitude). I haven't raced at all in 6+ years and I was mostly just trying to get my reaction time back up to snuff. Best times from the runs I did:

RT: 0.056 (a fluke; I was averaging about 0.200)
60 ft: 2.28
1/4: 15.59 @ 87mph.

I'm hoping that with minimal mods and with a good DA I can squeeze it down to 15 flat.

Totals: 11 runs (1 win, 10 losses but my win was against an infinity G35 )

 

[Durangone]

You could do some serious weight reduction like a carbon fibre hood and trunk along with the roof spoiler. There's also the possibility of reducing window weight especially off the rear window. Fiber glass fenders, or front and rear bumpers and carbon fiber side skirts and diffusers. Oh you could also get some lightweight rims but it's hard to find ones that look appealing on a durango... These ideas are possibly but your looking at serious body work and need to look beyond average tuning garages and mechanics. The simplest thing you could probably do is get rid of the rear seats in the car