Well after sitting most of the Oregon winter
in my garage, the Lightning came out to play.
Last weekend at the Woodburn Dragstrip first "test and tune" and yesterday at Portland International Raceway. The dragstrip session went like this. Five months of rain-soaked track plus 50 degree
temps. equals little to no traction but yet
the old 2000 runs it's best ever at 13.74
@101 mph. Go figure. (5400 miles, no mods but Mobil 1.) Then yesterday at PIR with the Cascade Sports car club driving school. Five 20 minute on track sessions with an instructor in the truck. First session was 60 mph max on a wet track/no passing. Second session was good with a dry line starting to develop and flagged passing on the front straight only. By the third session we were ******* everbody. I could not beleive how well this heavy truck would hang in the corners with other cars. And I mean nice stuff. C5's, A4 turbo AWD Audi's, M3 BMW's. It was a blast! But the best part was closing up on other cars out of the last turn and on to the front straight, watching them get a blue flag and have to take the inside line while we blasted them down the front straight! With the O/D off we were turning about max. rpm at the braking point in third gear. (120-125 mph.) Now I know that this was a school, not a race, and that some of those cars could have probably put up a better challenge but I think alot of people got a new respect for what a "sport truck" is capable of. This is the first time I've ever had heavy brake dust from the rear wheels! The fourth session went about like the third. Audi turbo keeping pace in corners but get to straight and Audi becomes small dot in rearview mirror. By the fifth session, we were having so much fun my instructor forgot to instruct me and I got a black flag for "crowding/pushing other cars". He is an SVT rep. for a local dealer and races a mustang. Coincendence? Anyway, the old RedVoodoo is back and want's to say welcome to the 2001 owners and remind everyone to be safe but don't hesitate to show 'em your taillights if the opportunity should arise. Stay tuned for more.

 

Great writing! Road racing sounds like a blast. Where would I go to find an opportunity to put my L on a track on the east coast?

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GalaxyEng
2000 RED #2926
BedRug, Haig custom mats

 

hey how is portland i might be coming that way in a month or so do some fishing in that area

 

Portland is wet and windy right now. It will probably be that way till the day after the big swap meet in April at the Portland Expo Center.

 

Correction, Swap meet is May 4th thru 6th. Weather is usually real nice right before and right after. What sorta weather do fish like anyhow ?

 

good road race in providence R.I.every sunday but subject to change due to police patrol

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Hey Voodoo & all the other Portland area owners-

Great to hear that there will be more bretheren on the streets! With spring weather headed our way, I'm very interested in getting some track time, but I'm scared witless about where to start. Any pointers with where, when, etc.? What do you guys think about a get-together someplace/sometime.

See ya's on the streets!

~rick

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rcarino@mindspring.com
2000 SVT F-150 Lightning (hot red, of course)

 

Hey Spoondog,
Woodburn usually has Test and tune or ET drags on the weekends. PIR has ET drags on Wednsday nights (eigth mile I think)
Both Woodburn and PIR have season schedules online. Don't be scared, once you go you for the first time, you will have to go back every year for the smell of burning rubber and the sound of LOUD engines. It will be a springtime ritual for sure.
If you have never been racing before, the techs will tell you what to do. You will probably end up getting most of your info from the other racers there. Most racers are friendly and more than happy to share their knowledge with you.

Anyone from Portland old enough to remember when used to have the "FOX HUNT DRAGS" THIRTY TWO FUNNY CARS ?!!! blah blah blah...
.... complete with racers like Shirly Muldowny and the buy with the "Blue Max"

The city won't let PIR do funnycars anymore cause they are too loud...... "sigh"

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Cars and Trucks are made to be driven. NOT worshiped

 

So what's the next "newbie" event? With spring break coming up next week, I should have some time to play around.

Thanks Lightfootning! I guess I really just need to get out there and try it... Wish me luck, and hope to see you guys there sometime.

~rick

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rcarino@mindspring.com
2000 SVT F-150 Lightning (hot red, of course)