Took my R/T to the track.

9251 Views 48 Replies 25 Participants Last post by BuzzCityBee, 2 mo ago

kpeterha

Discussion Starter · Feb 16, 2015

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.

Save

Reactions: 1

1 - 8 of 49 Posts

HemiSphere

· #10 · Feb 17, 2015

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.

Save

Reactions: 1

HemiSphere

· #16 · Jul 15, 2015

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

Save

HemiSphere

· #19 · Jul 25, 2015

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

)

Save

Reactions: 1

HemiSphere

· #22 · Jul 28, 2015

Sure! It had sat in the parking lot cooling off for about an hour before the first run, which was the quickest. The second run was slower and then all the rest were in the 16's, after complete heat soak had set in. I was hot-lapping as quickly as I could so I'm not surprised. Once it got really heat soaked, it was very consistent from there out. I'm number 520:

See less See more

Save

Reactions: 2

HemiSphere

· #24 · Jul 30, 2015

It is AWD and I tried it both with and without traction control. It made no difference. With and without Eco mode, as well, and no difference there either.

Save

Reactions: 1

HemiSphere

· #27 · Aug 11, 2015

Took my Durango to a different track this past Saturday set a new personal best time with it: 15.407 @ 90.2mph

Slightly cooler air and 700 feet less of altitude is responsible, I think.

Save

Reactions: 2

HemiSphere

· #29 · Aug 11, 2015

Correct. Zero mods, unless you count the window tint.

Save

HemiSphere

· #31 · Aug 24, 2015

Mr D said:
I'm going to a recently reopened track on Friday. This will be my first time doing a quarter mile. Should be interesting, and fun.

Sweet! We will, of course, require your best times (60ft, ¼ mile, trap speed) as well as weather conditions at the track (temp, humidity) as well as altitutde.

Good luck!

Save

1 - 8 of 49 Posts

Top Contributors this Month