Ever since I was young, I have always been fascinated by racing cars and speed. And you would always find me playing and banging around with a spanner. Then, when I was 15, I started working with my father on our racing car, which participates in quarter-mile races. Eventually, I studied for an apprenticeship as an automotive mechanic. This, of course, helped me a lot to acquire more knowledge in how to maintain, set up and tune an engine, which in our team, is my responsibility. I am also in charge of coordinating the team and, before a race, directing the driver to the starting line so that the car starts off as straight as possible.
My father drives the car, which is a very demanding role. Although it looks as if dragsters run on rails, it takes a lot of hard work to keep such a car in a straight line. Our car, however, is very stable at high speeds. And it is handy and relatively comfortable to drive. Of course, do not expect the luxurious comfort of a street car.
As a driver, you have to be fully concentrated at all times and have respect for yourself, for the other drivers and for the spectators. The driver's input is also very important. After the race, my father and I always discuss what we should have done better and what needs to be improved on for the following race.
My father has always had a passion for racing and he always wanted to race a car of his own. Eventually, he started building the first version of the car we have today. It took him six years to finish it and in 1996, we started racing it in the "Bracket Racing" category. It is called "Bracket Racing" because you compete with cars which fall in the same category, but you cannot break a certain time limit.
We raced the first version of the car until the 1998/99 season. At the time, we were racing at about 140 miles per hour and decided that, at that speed, we needed a more stable car with additional safety features. So we started working on the second version which took four years to build and is what we are racing in today. This type of car is called a door slammer and ours is equipped with all possible safety features, such as a fire extinguisher, five-point seat belt and funny car roll-cage. While racing, my father also wears a fire suit, fire gloves, balaclava and crash helmet. Added to this, the track compound is also safe and has a lot of grip. There are also deep walls around the track built in reinforced concrete.
I have always had a crash on American V8 engines, which explains why we mounted our car with a two-speed Power Glide transmission, Chevrolet V8 5.7 litre engine which we bought from America. It has a Ford 9-inch differential while the chassis is made from aircraft quality material (space frame type). Overall, this car is much faster than the first version. In the latter, we used to take 9.8 seconds with nitrous oxide. In this car, we take 9.8 seconds without nitrous oxide. To date, our record is 156 mph in 8.5 seconds.
To maintain and race such a car, you need a big budget. But thanks to our sponsors, we participate in six racing events a year. Still, you cannot spend all your money on a car and a sport where there are no returns and in which there is never the chance to break even. You have to give other priorities like family their due importance.
Apart from the budget, you also need time. Thankfully, other members of the family always help out. As for me, I spend most of my time down at the garage or researching for products which we can buy to improve our car's performance. And I also plan for the day when we will have a faster car, which, in this sport is what you always aim for. Both my and my father's dream is to build a pro-modified car, which is the ultimate door slammer. But until then, we are perfectly happy, and fast, in this car.
My father drives the car, which is a very demanding role. Although it looks as if dragsters run on rails, it takes a lot of hard work to keep such a car in a straight line. Our car, however, is very stable at high speeds. And it is handy and relatively comfortable to drive. Of course, do not expect the luxurious comfort of a street car.
As a driver, you have to be fully concentrated at all times and have respect for yourself, for the other drivers and for the spectators. The driver's input is also very important. After the race, my father and I always discuss what we should have done better and what needs to be improved on for the following race.
My father has always had a passion for racing and he always wanted to race a car of his own. Eventually, he started building the first version of the car we have today. It took him six years to finish it and in 1996, we started racing it in the "Bracket Racing" category. It is called "Bracket Racing" because you compete with cars which fall in the same category, but you cannot break a certain time limit.
We raced the first version of the car until the 1998/99 season. At the time, we were racing at about 140 miles per hour and decided that, at that speed, we needed a more stable car with additional safety features. So we started working on the second version which took four years to build and is what we are racing in today. This type of car is called a door slammer and ours is equipped with all possible safety features, such as a fire extinguisher, five-point seat belt and funny car roll-cage. While racing, my father also wears a fire suit, fire gloves, balaclava and crash helmet. Added to this, the track compound is also safe and has a lot of grip. There are also deep walls around the track built in reinforced concrete.
I have always had a crash on American V8 engines, which explains why we mounted our car with a two-speed Power Glide transmission, Chevrolet V8 5.7 litre engine which we bought from America. It has a Ford 9-inch differential while the chassis is made from aircraft quality material (space frame type). Overall, this car is much faster than the first version. In the latter, we used to take 9.8 seconds with nitrous oxide. In this car, we take 9.8 seconds without nitrous oxide. To date, our record is 156 mph in 8.5 seconds.
To maintain and race such a car, you need a big budget. But thanks to our sponsors, we participate in six racing events a year. Still, you cannot spend all your money on a car and a sport where there are no returns and in which there is never the chance to break even. You have to give other priorities like family their due importance.
Apart from the budget, you also need time. Thankfully, other members of the family always help out. As for me, I spend most of my time down at the garage or researching for products which we can buy to improve our car's performance. And I also plan for the day when we will have a faster car, which, in this sport is what you always aim for. Both my and my father's dream is to build a pro-modified car, which is the ultimate door slammer. But until then, we are perfectly happy, and fast, in this car.