A Day at the Dragstrip

Finally, after over two weeks of unbearable heat, the weather has finally turned pleasant again. No more 100+ degree heat indexes, no more air conditioning cranked up, just pleasant, warm, dry weather. Cool breezes, clear skies, what summer, and start of fall, weather is supposed to feel like. In weather like this, most people would probably go for a picnic, a walk in the park, or some other peaceful, quiet day in the sunshine. However, car people aren’t most people, and while we won’t object to one of those tranquil activities, we also like to get a little excitement and a healthy dose of horsepower and sheet metal. And what better way to get that, than to spend a day at the drag strip.

Last night, I and two of my friends did just that as we trekked down to Edgewater Sports Park just outside Cincinnati, OH. All summer long, Edgewater has been running a “Thursday Night Lightz” program of heads up drag racing and “King/Knight of the Streets” competitions every week. And, while I’ve only gone twice this summer, each time has been a great event for auto enthusiasts from all walks of life.

Edgewater Sports Park: The stands, the cars, and a big white truck that got in my shot

Now skeptics may write off drag racing as boring or only for rednecks and middle aged guys in muscle cars, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. While yes, it does lack a bit of the technical driving skill found in autocross, time attack, or other motorsports involving left and right turns, drag racing is nevertheless a fun event that attracts all sorts of cars, with Edgewater getting the full range.

From Volkswagens to Hondas, Fords to Nissans, even bikes, all came out for a good time with friends, and a chance to see some great cars, and great cars there were. Both this night and the other night I went to Edgewater, I saw some cars I had not expected to see. Admittedly, the first time I went, there were a few more unusual vehicles lurking about, like a Lamborghini Gallardo, and a Rossion Q1 (the Americanized version of the Noble M12), this time had plenty of unique rides as well. Diesel heavy duty pick ups (that were racing and winning), a trio of Acura NSXs, a roughed up Datsun B210, and, most amazingly, a genuine R33 Nissan Skyline.

R33 Skyline (not a GT-R, but who cares?)

Datsun B210 (It got dark pretty quick)

Aside from the cars, the racing was good fun too. Cars from bone stock El Caminos and Del Sols to fully built Monte Carlos, RX-7s, Mustangs, the aforementioned diesel trucks, and literally everything else in between lined up for a few passes at the quarter mile. A lack of active timing lights left my friends and I to get rough time estimates from an iPod touch timer, but the racing was fast and close most of the time, and the constant grudge racing meant you could see all your favorite rides square off with their rivals.

I didn’t see the driver, but the plate says it was ze German Stig

Each night culminated in the “King/Knight of the Streets” competition where the fastest racer would be crowned after elimination matches in domestic, import, and bike categories. Naturally, the bikes wouldn’t compete with cars due to being substantially quicker than any car participating, but the final race between import and domestic the first time I went was fantastic. A battle between an RB (Skyline engine) powered 240SX and a powerful Pontiac Trans Am resulted in extremely close racing in two straight up runs. The Trans Am would get a good start and small lead, but half way through, the better top end in the turbo 240 would reel in and overtake the Trans Am both times. This night, unfortunately, a Fox Body Mustang blew its engine on one of its elimination round runs, spraying various engine fluids across the track. Despite the track crew’s best efforts, they couldn’t get the track cleaned up enough to finish the competition and the night ended early. Fortunately, the driver managed to keep the car off the wall and had no injuries, and the racing up until then had been quite close.

Summer time is a wonderful time. A time to spend with friends, to get out in the fresh air and beautiful weather. And, if you’re a car enthusiast, few places are better for this than a day at the drag strip. Even if the burnt rubber fills that fresh air. Actually, maybe that’s not such a bad thing.