Mo-Kan Dragway, provides another packed house! People were
stacked in the stands like cordwood. This is a track we always enjoy going to. We have come into this race having made yet more changes to the combination seeking what the new car wants. After running the new clutch in Byron and seeing a positive response from the car, we knew we solved one problem – a worn out flywheel. Now it’s time to make a plan to pick up the 60ft and ultimately go a little faster. The 60ft has been one thing that has eluded this new car.
The main goal going to Mo-Kan is, make the car go faster and make it consistent. We feel like this car still doesn’t have the same “traction” or “bite” the old car did. To address this issue we decided to make a series of adjustments that may seem small, but all add up to make a big difference. We adjusted some weight around, changed the wheelie bar, and tweaked tire pressure adjustments that were out of our normal range. And started the weekend from there.
Off the trailer we ran a 3.77 at 202mph, this was a good starting point. The data showed the car wanted more clutch “finally”. It looks like we can attack the starting line a little harder. So for the second qualifying run we added a little weight to the clutch and the car picked up the 60 ft and the 330 ft by just a little. It was after the 330 ft mark that the car got out of shape. This was because we needed more wheel speed, and it looked like the car drove right out of the groove and got into a slick spot. It was bit slick out of the groove because the dew was setting in fast!! There was no need to keep in it and risk the car – Kirk wisely lifted. At the end of the qualifying session Friday night we would hold the number 3 position in the A Field. The car still showed that is wanted more!
In the final round of qualifying, the track was still in good shape. It was warmer than the night session on Friday and seemed like it might be a little looser than Q2. With only minor adjustment the car picked up again and stayed in the groove! This time running a 3.75 at 204 mph, it looks like we are heading in the right direction! At the end of qualifying the team would be in the number 4 position. We would face off against Jim Chase in the first round.
In the first round Williams would leave the line first and not look back. The car would pick up once again running a 3.72 at 204 mph to take the win. The car is really responding well to the changes we have made in the setup. Our goal is to try and repeat in later rounds! In the second round we would be facing Brian Lewis, who has been strong all weekend. In the first round he put a 3.70 giving him lane choice and a slight performance advantage. Kirk Williams and Brian Lewis both take the green light. Williams has a huge advantage on the starting line at 0.082 seconds! Williams would take the stripe running a 3.75 at 202mph in a big whole shot win against Lewis running a 3.68 at 194mph. This would lead Williams to the FINALS.
In the final round Williams would be facing Keith Zimmerman in the Penny Pincher. Zimmerman has been running quick all weekend and will be a tough opponent. The final round ends with Williams going red -0.012; giving Zimmerman the automatic win. Zimmerman also loses a belt and does not make it down track. Williams will close out the weekend running a 3.78 at 201 mph. It was another decent pass down track, it slowed a little in the final round. Overall the weekend was a great success, we were able to make the car 60’ better than it had all year, we can now find a little more power and keep making progress! This hot rod keeps making moves in the right direction!!
