Continuation of Thread: Drag race - Kirkham 65 side-oiler vs Ferrari 458 Italia - Page 13

tin-man · #1 (**permalink**) 03-09-2011, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stentor

Yep, it looks like ol' Blitz played a pretty good game of poker.

Yeah, and dont forget it was Blitz who made the challenge and Tommy took it hook, line and err, sinker.

John, AKA, tin-man, UK

Buzz · #2 (**permalink**) 03-09-2011, 10:59 PM

Man, what a day! Seeing and hearing that glistening lil' Cobra streak down the track posting three consecutive 10 second runs alone made this trip worthwhile. Dan was as blown away by that performance as everyone else - I can honestly say that there was no snookering or gamesmanship on his part.

Yesterday, in three practice runs on the same track, he posted two 11.2's and one 11.6 or .8 (can't remember exactly right now). On the last run, he smoked the tires right through first with a very short shift into second, hit the 60' mark in 1.8 seconds and still stormed to an 11.27 ET at well over 130 mph. It wasnt his best run of the day, but it showed how brutally fast the Cobra gits to gittin down the track once it hooks up.

We discussed track prep with the strip manager afterwards and he cautioned that with a fresh prep, that track is known as a driveline wrecker so it may be best to leave it as is rather than risk busting something on race day.

With the latest word from Tommy that he was running (I think) 11.29's in the Vegas atmosphere on unprepped pavement and questions about him further lowering his times on the track surface, Blitz being the wildman that he is said screw it - put the fresh prep down for the race. It was looking way too close to play it safe and with a huge stake on the line (not my place to disclose the sum), he was going hell-bent, make it or break it.

Heading back into town after dropping the car off at Shelby for a polish job (Dan felt the car was running well and should be left as is), Dan was literally vibrating with adrenaline. It was obvious that the Cobra had the potential for even quicker times, the key would be a little less wheelspin in first and a slightly more aggressive 1-2 shift. And pulling it off under pressure against the flawless consistency of Tommy's 458.

Well, as we see, he pulled it off big time. Dan launched the Cobra hard with little to no wheelspin, hit second perfectly, and stormed straight as an arrow to an astounding 10.73 second run.

Contrary to almost everyone's expectations, it was soon clear that the Ferrari had no chance. In a heads up side by side race for bragging rights, the 458 jumped ahead off the line, but the Cobra bellowed in anger and blew past before mid track, running away to another 10 second ET.

Even with Tommy in the passenger seat for a ride, Dan easy-shifted the Cobra to another amazing 10 second run, which was probably the most telling of all as you could clearly hear the RPM's drop at each conservative shift.

I was blown away by the Cobra's poise and unfaltering performance, and also by Dan's driving. He may come across as an adrenaline-junkie wildman - which he is -(you know it Bro

) but he backs it up with sheer do or die determination and real world ability.

The Ferrari was also impressive and on another day against another car and driver, with its awesome looks, sounds and speed, it would have ruled supreme. Equally impressive was Tommy himself - the ultimate gentleman racer - battling to the end and amazingly cool after it was over. He spoke cheerfully about the whole thing at the track and later on, discussing his car and the Cobra with friends and strangers alike as if he had just pulled up a local cruise-in. This was clearly not about the money for either of these guys - it was a sporting duel between two hardcore players who couldn't be more dissimilar in nature if they tried, but who are also bonded by friendship and a common yen for high-stakes competition.

It's been a huge blast for me and I enjoyed meeting everyone - Dan, Tommy and their respective posse's. It was also great to talk to Mr007 and the Vegas Cobra guys - I look forward to seeing you all again on saturday and getting some good shots of your cars.

I'm typing this on a brand new laptop in my room and I shot with a brand new camera today so I will try to post pics tomorrow once I get the software loaded and sorted out. Right now its about time to relax a bit before I head out to celebrate Cobra vs. Ferrari part 2!

PS: Sorry for the long winded dissertation but I just couldn't help myself!

rodneym · #3 (**permalink**) 03-10-2011, 12:01 AM

Awesome!

Congrats, Blitz!
You did make us proud.
Well played, indeed.
And good show.

Excaliber · #4 (**permalink**) 03-09-2011, 10:44 PM

I'm real interested in the 0-60 foot time's. Tommy was running 1.9 or so earlier and I thought for sure the Cobra would be about the same, maybe slower. Like a 2.0 for the Cobra. Due to traction issues it's just really hard to get a good launch. But we never did figure out exactly what tires Blitz was running. Do we know for sure NOW????

When I saw Tommy's relatively slow 60 foot time (1.9), thats when I knew Blitz would have a serious shot at a win, because it was doubtful Tommy would get a significant hole shot.

tkb289 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-10-2011, 12:40 AM

Buzz,

Great reporting, well said. Glad you were there to meet Tommy & Blitz and along with the other CC guys be a part of this notable event.

FatBoy · #6 (**permalink**) 03-10-2011, 01:39 AM

Brilliant!

I'm going to drive my Kirkham with just that extra bit of pride now.

Well done and thanks to Dan and Tommy, but especially Dan for helping to keep the legend alive.

CoolCarl · #7 (**permalink**) 03-10-2011, 02:17 AM

Sweet story. So how many CC members showed up to the race?

I'm anxious to here from the players.

FatBoy · #8 (**permalink**) 03-10-2011, 03:12 AM

There's a video posted here:

http://www.twitvid.com/TUR1H

tin-man · #9 (**permalink**) 03-10-2011, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FatBoy

There's a video posted here:

http://www.twitvid.com/TUR1H

vid does not come thru: not found. So the bet was US$400 large? tin-man

FatBoy · #10 (**permalink**) 03-10-2011, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tin-man

vid does not come thru: not found. So the bet was US$400 large? tin-man

Works for me OK.

blitzforce · #11 (**permalink**) 03-10-2011, 04:16 AM

Gentlemen it was a great pleasure sharing this with you all. Your support and enthusiasm was definitely appreciated. These are the facts, when this bet was booked I had never raced a quarter mile in any way in my life. My first couple quarters were in the 13's and when I booked the bet I had not driven my car in a year more than 20 miles tops. The day I went to the track and Tommy asked my times, I told him the truth they were an 11.9 and the two other 12 second passes. Those runs were on a track that was prepped the day before, not that day, and I almost wrecked on each one(un-prepped tracks are way slicker than the regular road, and I didn't know this at the time), and I told tommy the track wasn't prepped and he assured me the prep lasts a few days. This has been a big rollercoaster for me, I had not driven in the last two weeks due to the track being closed for NASCAR, other than 3 passes I did yesterday with a prep(not as good a prep as we had today) and I ran a 11.25, 11.6, and an 11.2X. I went out there today knowing in my head I was going to win or wreck, losing was never gonna happen. I put the ****ing hammer down every run and it was an absolutely perfect day (75 sunny) and the car hooked like it was on super glue and pulled like a ****ing john deer tractor. I appreciate the support once again guys and Buzz it was great to meet you, I will post my professional video that was made of the race as soon as I get it.

undy · #12 (**permalink**) 03-10-2011, 04:34 AM

Congrats Dan...

My hat's off to everyone, Dan, Tommy and all the Clubcobra "groupies". There was nothing but class acts at Vegas Speedway yesterday...

Zedn · #13 (**permalink**) 03-10-2011, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blitzforce

Gentlemen it was a great pleasure sharing this with you all. Your support and enthusiasm was definitely appreciated. These are the facts, when this bet was booked I had never raced a quarter mile in any way in my life. My first couple quarters were in the 13's and when I booked the bet I had not driven my car in a year more than 20 miles tops. The day I went to the track and Tommy asked my times, I told him the truth they were an 11.9 and the two other 12 second passes. Those runs were on a track that was prepped the day before, not that day, and I almost wrecked on each one(un-prepped tracks are way slicker than the regular road, and I didn't know this at the time), and I told tommy the track wasn't prepped and he assured me the prep lasts a few days. This has been a big rollercoaster for me, I had not driven in the last two weeks due to the track being closed for NASCAR, other than 3 passes I did yesterday with a prep(not as good a prep as we had today) and I ran a 11.25, 11.6, and an 11.2X. I went out there today knowing in my head I was going to win or wreck, losing was never gonna happen. I put the ****ing hammer down every run and it was an absolutely perfect day (75 sunny) and the car hooked like it was on super glue and pulled like a ****ing john deer tractor. I appreciate the support once again guys and Buzz it was great to meet you, I will post my professional video that was made of the race as soon as I get it.

Well done.

Surely that video has to be worth a years marketing budget for Mr Kirkham.

RodKnock · #14 (**permalink**) 03-10-2011, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zedn

Well done.

Surely that video has to be worth a years marketing budget for Mr Kirkham.

Not only that, but I think it may make Dan's KMP a little more valuable today. What # is it?

SP01715 · #15 (**permalink**) 03-10-2011, 09:26 AM

Good job Blitz. I said the Cobra had more potential, it was just controlling the car and putting down a good run. It looks like Blitz came through. Great thread...

fastd · #16 (**permalink**) 03-10-2011, 04:37 AM

buzz
great job throughout and beautiful recap. thanks for everything.

blitz - simply stunning.

fastd

Mdman352 · #17 (**permalink**) 03-10-2011, 05:07 AM

Blitz,
Great job!!!

David A.

slaga · #18 (**permalink**) 03-10-2011, 06:31 AM

1st post ever here.

The video worked for me too. Kudos to both Blitz and Tommy. I have enjoyed following the story for the last month or so and predicted (well I went with my heart anyway) the correct outcome.

mr0077 · #19 (**permalink**) 03-10-2011, 07:11 AM

Not sure what the original bet was, but a friend of Dan's said he had a lot of side bets on this too...

Trevor Legate · #20 (**permalink**) 03-10-2011, 09:06 AM

Correct result. Who needs technology when you got serious grunt?

Kinda hoping that Tommy doesn't trade up to the new McLaren MP4-12C (nice name) as it has recorded a 0-186mph time of 24.5 seconds on Pirelli Corsa road tyres. Think about it. Who needs a 458 now?