06/03/2026
DROP the HAMMER 2026 in the books.....
Day 0... We showed up Thursday for testing and early registration. Initially I signed up for 6.40 class as that is what I can "run" because I don't have a certified cage. And that's what the car can comfortably run with pushing to the limit. Went through registration easy enough. Even registered as car 55. First test pass the car instantly hit boost cut (25 psi). Not sure why it hit so aggressively. So turned it down and my second test hit was a 6.42. I should have made a third pass to back it up. But I did not. Thought perfect I have my tune to start Friday.
Day 1... Arrived early, got all set up. Went and made my first pass and ran. 6.51. So turned the car up a little and went up for a second pass and slowed down 🤷. Ran a 6.6*. Tried again went even slower with no explanation. So we decided to turn in the 6.51 and switch to dial your own for a class. We packed up and headed out. On the way out my steering seemed to wander more the usual. Well the rout for the drive took us 3 miles from my barn. So I swung in and made a pitman arm adjustment. Rest of the drive was uneventful and we made it to the host hotel in decent time.
Day 2... We made our way to northern Michigan drag way. First rip was to fast. Ran a 6.32 turned it down to far and ran a 6.6*. Tried again and went a 6.7*. Tried again and it did the instant boost cut again. We turned in the 6.6* pass. We packed up and headed out. Another uneventful drive. Hit all the checkpoints, stopped for fuel and ice cream along the way. Stopped at the final checkpoint and got an amazing taco dinner and watched some cars do some burnouts leaving. I went out and attempted a burn out. Unfortunately trying to do a burnout foot braking doesn't work well in the 55. The front brakes can't hold the car back in 1st gear. So did a lame attempt. So I turned around and came back and did a boosted launch. Much better. Ended up at the host hotel and a great time. Few shenanigans and a few drinks ended the night on a good note.
Day 3... Found our way back to mid michigan. Went out for my first pass and launched hard and went way to fast. 6.26, which was a new pb for the car in the 1/8. Unfortunately when I let out after the stripe the engine had some noise. I took it easy back to the pits and by the time I got back the noise was getting quieter. Thinking I might have bent a rod on the pass. Decided it wasn't worth risking an bigger issue and the possibility of oiling the track. So we called it. Was a great weekend with a great group of friends.
Maybe next year I'll have the fairlane certified and enter the 5.45 class and give those guys some competition.
