This happened last summer at one of the Woodburn drag strip's import challenges. After the eliminations are over they open the track for the "grudge matches", basically just races against some "friendly competition". Well I was there with my '92 DX (SOHC) with stock engine, full interior, and heavy *** 16" rims. I found this punk who thought he was fast and promptly challenged him to a grudge race. This was bracket racing and the fact that my 17.5 dial-in time meant that I would have a full 5 second head start over his 12.5 dial-in didnt phase me a bit. We pull up to the line, stage, my tree drops, and with a chirp im off. I blast through first, hit second, and chance a look at my rearview just in time to see his tree light up green for him. My tach touches red and I drop it into third. Another look into my mirror implants a vision that I wont soon forget. Comparisons to vehicles that break the sound barrier wouldn't do this scene justice as the tiny speck that was once my opponent overwhelms my mirrors. I keep the gas planted as my tach again reaches for the red and I glance to the right just in time to see him cross the finish line . . . BEHIND ME!! Another opponent falls victim to the force that is the Mazda Protege!! All that is left is to return to the tower to get the timeslip for the proof. Yet upon reviewing said timeslip, it is revealed that my trap time was 17.498, A LOSS, I had broken-out by 2 THOUSANDTHS of a second. A quick chat with my opponent reveals my folley. How was I to know that between those drag slicks he had a 1.8L turbo engine swapped from a Japanese 323 GTR, running 20 psi of boost on stock internals, inside the stripped out shell of a 3rd gen Mazda Protege built by Corksport? Oh well, back to the drawing board

Ansel '92 DX

 

1.8L running 20psi? and he crossed the finish line behind you?
Sorry, but I gotta raise the flag...

 

You do have to remember that he is talking bracket racing (if you dial in say 17.5 and he dails in 12.5 you leave first, then he leaves 5 seconds after you), and not head's up racing (which is when you both leave at the same time). So it is posssible if you have a better R.T. And not to mention he did break out.

 

1.8L doing 20psi is perfectly believable, considering it's the BPT, and corksport who has their hands on it

 

Hey, i'm living in Albany and want to hit the local drag stripe and race. I'd love to see what my car to hit, maybe 16s or 17s, i dunno. But when are the races starting up again, do you know?

 

www.woodburndragstrip.com Looks like the next import challenge is May 11th. I'll probably be there, racing or not depends on if I can get the cash for a new clutch (burned it out last season, still drivable but wont hold for dragging ) If they're is enough interest we might be able to put together a protegetech meet there, plus the corksport pro will certainly be they're, and derrick's gunnin for 11's this season. Should be quite a show

Ansel '92 DX

 

Hey I love the roads up there like 9N. Going towards lake george. I had a blast up there getting smoked horribly by an SI!! lol

 

I've been thinking about it, i think i will come over there on May 11th. I'm in the processing of installing a new clutch. Maybe me and you can line it up and see what our cars have.......