Expensive weekend

[kenmerc]

How does this sort of 'set-back' effect your budget?

I presume most of the money to run the team, comes from sponsorship. Do you plan a years/seasons budget in advance, or do the sponsors pay a percentage of the running costs?

.

Our sponsors mainly supply us with consumable parts i.e NGK with plugs, Lucas with Oil, Superpower Unlimited with Super Charger repairs, Teng Tools with some tools for the season and clothing for the crew, but as far as running costs fuel (nitro and methanol),parts like we have just had, tyres, and running the truck is down to us, so with out any breakages and damage it costs us £1000 per run down the track.
The reason why we foot the bills is because Drag Racing in the UK is thought of as a bit of a 2nd rate motorsport so trying to get good backing is near enough impossible,but it would be fantastic to get a big sponsor on board that could help us out financially and promote the sport to the level it deserves.

 

[kjay]

That wasn't the answer I was expecting!
I have a mate (who I've not seen for years) who always was into drag racing. He started out with a Triumph Herald with a Rover V8, then later he built his own car. You've got to respect people who give up everything else to plough money into their sport!!
I (nievely) thought because your team looks so proffesional, that it would be fully funded by sponsors.

Full respect and keep us updated!

.

 

[kenmerc]

Cheers kjay that's nice to hear, we do try and be as professional as possible, the thing with Drag Racing is it's one of those things where you have to experience it live, you can get access to the cars and teams ask as many questions as you like, there is no snobbery it's proper grass roots racing plus it's the smell and especially the sound standing at the start line when a Top Fuel car launches off the line the sound wave hits your chest and just for a split second it literally takes your breath away.

Here is an example of performance figures of an F1 car as most people can associate with them.
F1

0 to 100 km/h (62 mph): 1.7 seconds

Ours

0 to 160 kmh (100 mph) under 1 second

F1

0 to 300 km/h (186 mph): 8.6 seconds

Ours

0 to 355 kmh (221 mph) 6.5 seconds our fastest time this season so far.

F1

Top speed 370 kmh (230 mph)

Ours

Top speed 434 kmh (270 mph)

F1 G's at launch

1.45g's

Ours

3 to 4g's

Cost for the season approx for next year

F1

£40 million Minimum

Ours

£25 thousand Maximum

 

[Dieselman]

Nice figures there.
Is there a reason why you put the bare block into the frame then built it up. Wouldn't it have been easier to build the whole engine than install it into the car.?

 

[kenmerc]

Nice figures there.
Is there a reason why you put the bare block into the frame then built it up. Wouldn't it have been easier to build the whole engine than install it into the car.?

The main reason is familiarity as all inspections, repairs and rebuilds are done at the race track and are carried out with it in the frame, as after every run we drain the oil, pull and check the plugs , rocker covers off check all valve clearances and spring condition, check clutch plate clearance and adjust as required, repack the chutes.
Every second run we carry out all as above plus we drop out the main & big end bearings and inspect and replace if need be, carry out a pressure down test on all cylinders, replace the plugs and give the whole car and frame a full nut & bolt check over.
Plus we only mix enough fuel for each run, approx 15/18 gallons has to be made as well each time which is quite time consuming and I normally cop for that job.

 

[Moylesey]

Did you try switching it off then switching it on again?

 

[kenmerc]

Did you try switching it off then switching it on again?

 

[Dieselman]

Mercedes reset..