Hi all.

I hit the drag strip at Sonoma Raceway today with my 2016 F-Type R Convertible (AWD). It was my first time at the drag strip, ever, but it was a great experience. I was able to get a couple timed runs, clocking in 11.667 and 11.619.

However, right before my second run, the supervisors told me I can't do any more runs after this because it's a convertible going faster than 14 seconds. They said I'd need a roll bar and a racing suit and a 5 point seat belt or something. I found this in their rulebook, which I guess I should read through more carefully beforehand:

So I wanted to check in with you guys. Has anyone with a Convertible F-Type R been able to take it to the drag strip? Shouldn't the factory roll hoops be sufficient alternatives to a roll bar? Do other tracks in California have more relaxed rules about this?

 

Eh.... If you are clocking 11.6 seconds, then you don't fall into the category of 12.00 to 13.99 seconds, do you?

 

C'mon, that's not exactly relevant is it? Surely, if a roll bar is required for 12.00 - 13.99s, there would be more restrictions and requirements for cars going faster.

I've ordered a copy of the NHRA Summit Racing Series Rulebook, which is apparently the definitely source of truth in this matter, but I wanted to see if anyone here has taken their vert to the drag strip.

 

This makes no sense to me. Seems to me that I could get just as hurt doing a 14.01 as I could doing a 13.99. The rule really should be "no roll bar, no run; no helmet, no run." F-T verts have roll bars behind each seat and a reinforced A pillar so you should only need a helmet (and maybe the 5 point belt).

 

amr42 was being sarcastic...

 

I think, that an IHRA sanctioned track will let you run 11's in a modern convertible car, NHRA is probably more restrictive.

WSID here in Sydney is IHRA sanctioned these days and we had no issues with an F-Type convertible running 11's...

 

10.99 is the limit for my local track before you need a cage. This particular track seems extreme.

Excellent times for a stock vehicle though, you should be proud of that. Beat me and i'm sure the coupe weighs less.

 

I know it's OT a bit, but can you share your trap speeds for those runs?

 

I was out on the Jaguar high speed track in Gaydon a few months ago with an instructor in a production FTR vert with no special roll bars or mods. We didn't do any straight runs from stop, but I got it up to 170 before running out of straightaway. So, no concern from the mfr about extra safety features.

Funny thing, it was my exact car, even the color, with one exception: I'm not used to driving with someone sitting on my left!

 

they will usually let you get a couple runs before they hammer down on you for ACCEPTED NHRA safety requirements. Factory safety items don't mean squat. Yes it sucks because these portions of the rules have pretty much been the same since a factory production muscle car for the most part was considered fast @ low 13's.
Think that bad wait till you break into the 9's. I have a 79 El Camino with a 580 that runs 8.90's@165. Medical exam, specialty licensing, Tons more car and personal safety equipment etc... You now have cars with a few mods go into the 9's. But then looking at all the Mustangs that cant eave a cars and coffee event without hitting curbs and people you should understand why this stance is needed MORE THAN EVER>>>>

 

your hoops behind the seat count for a roll bar. If you need a cage then find another track.

 

Whoops. That definitely went over my head.

Right? I asked the track manager and she basically just told me "Go slower, and you should be fine." So, I guess I can focus on reaction times, then slow time before the 1/4 mile is over and make sure I go slower than 13.49s. Kinda stupid IMO.

Hi hoonery, I'll share the trap speeds when I get home.


So, annoyed by all these restrictions, I started searching for other venues where I could really push this car in a straight line, and came across SHIFT-S3CTOR: HOME | SHIFT-S3CTOR | AIRSTRIP ATTACK 1/2 MILE DRAG & ROLL RACING

This looks like it would be a lot of fun. I'll try to make it out to the February one and post videos and results here if you all are interested.

 

It's a joke to require any stock street legal car to have additional safety equipment IMO.

Anyhow,mark me down as interested! :-)

Dave

 

I suppose you could try to get some good 1/8 mile runs in, just back off after half way...

1/8 mile is still good for bragging rights, and anyone who runs the 1/4 will have the 1/8 results on their time slips...

 

Yup, that will work for me, I guess.

Here are the numbers from my time slip from the second run.

R/T: -0.82 (red lighted)
60': 1.801
330': 4.927
660': 7.510
MPH: 96.53
1000': 9.732

E.T.: 11.612
MPH: 120.20

 

yeah, i run at sonoma too, but have the coupe, so no issues. good times though...my best is 11.70. i have a 2015 R RWD, so hooking up is always the challenge. lots of fun though.

 

You're #2 on the list https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/m...andings-84783/

 

Dibs on number 3 to the thing I didn't know existed:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/f...-142928/page3/

(post 59)

 

Wow, that's pretty awesome! It's real incredible what AWD does for this car in terms of drag racing. Excited to see what happens at Shift Sector!

 

Done

Yep 11.6 - 11.7 seems to be what they do with AWD day in day out.

(skip to 1.30 in the vid to get to the race itself)