Competition Bentz Dragster Indy Results and My Impressions

[sbentz]

Let me be clear: IT WAS HOT! How you guys live in the heat and humidity, is beyond me. I'm a wimp. :{ The heat killed me and the car.



Friday:



We had the car on display at Cummins all day in Columbus, at the Corporate office building, the Tech Center and the Cummins Day Care Center. We met a lot of fans that watch what all of us are doing out here with Dodges and the B engines. They are impressed at what all of us are getting out of these engines. And yes, we saw and touched the famous ALUMINUM 6B engine in the tech center. Only 222 pounds lighter than a iron block and head 12V. I got the ATS guys in there for a tour, and I though they were going to have to call security a few times, as we kept snooping. I think the metal detectors went off on the way out. Hmmm...



Saturday:



First, we never got out the tune up right on the car, and struggled all weekend. The first pass, we spun the tires and Dustin had to play sprint car pilot to keep it straight. The second pass, we engaged the lock up on the TripleLoc too early and literally killed it on the line. We thought we broke the trans, but not the case, it was fine. We went back and checked it out, and should have just fired it back up and made the pass. Bad decision, we wasted a pass.



Sunday:



Reset the tuneup, rewired the lock up switch point, and tried again. We did a killer burnout, and were ready for a good pass. The tuneup and the stall on the converter were not a good match, and we spun and then hooked. Still a 9 second pass.



Last chance, and I really screwed up with a bad tune up, could not even get up on the converter, had to do a second burnout. We went ahead and ran, and still a 9 second pass.



My point? No excuses. As many others have learned, the tune up, the converter, the gear ratio, the starting line procedure, and many other factors can send you to the looney bin trying to go fast. We simply were too agressive on the first pass, and then backed it down too far and let the simple things get messed up. We will be back.



As far as the event went, I was impressed, and we had fun. I loved the pulling, and the schedule allowed us to drag in the AM, and watch the pulling in the PM. I just wished I could have watched the drags too. Too busy.



All us Top Diesel cars tried hard, and I would say Keating did excellent. He was out there with us hot lapping that truck with 9's back to back. It is cool to see the darned thing lauch. He has it figured out pretty well. Eric did an unbeleivable burnout Saturday AM, and then made a high 8 second pass, but had to kick it off early. He ended up with trans fluid blowing out, and some problem with the Lencodrive. They were unable to run again Sunday. He and the Scheid team are getting their game together. Hopefully they can come out to Denver and play.



For those of you that did not go, it was a great event. For those of you we met and talked to, thanks for coming, and stopping by. Every year we meet more neat people with the same disease: Diesel racing.



We are grinding away again back here in Denver, checking out what we did wrong, and will go back to square one, and put the "California' tune up back in it and then go a bit more gradual at going faster. Sorry we did not make a killer pass, but we still learned a lot.



Come play in Denver on July 24, at the TruckFest.



PS> It's not near as hot in Denver in July as it is in Indy :-laf .

 

[DavidTD]

Scott, wish I could have made it over to say hello and let my nephew see the dragster but I never got away from the dyno. Looked like everyone had a hard time on the track with the heat and humidity. Lots of carnage from the big boys from what I heard.



I thought the event was great (take away the heat) and it was good to see you guys and ATS make the long drive out. I also didn't even get to see BBD's truck but I know it was a long ride for him as well.



Myself and the rest of the dyno crew were so beat after each day, we never made it into town for "all the fun" but I heard it was a great time.



Sunday nearly got me, I couldn't get enough water/poweraid in me to keep up with the heat.

 

[sbentz]

I got to see the dyno run one unit Friday night, and that was it. You guys looked like you were giving away free Ice Cream all day, you were so busy.



Yes, we heard from everyone that they tore up stuff like no tomorrow.

 

[DavidTD]

I got to see the dyno run one unit Friday night, and that was it. You guys looked like you were giving away free Ice Cream all day, you were so busy.



Yes, we heard from everyone that they tore up stuff like no tomorrow.

You mean you were there Friday and I didn't recognize you? Well, glad you stopped by. That was Matt's truck we did Friday and we didn't include his run in the competition. But it was a cool run indeed.



Ice Cream... now that is an idea... or the truck with the pool in the bed (those guys had the right idea) or maybe next year we run all the trucks on the dyno with the AIR ON!!! :-laf

 

[HeavyHauler]

Scott it was great to finally see your dragster in person - you guys keep up the great work. The other dragster was a big disappointment in my opinion. Seems like that thing should be nearly bulletproof by now as much as they've talked it up. They should have been ready to go heads-up with you on Sunday. I was really looking forward to that - maybe next year.

 

[LPreston]

It was great to see Scott and his crew make the 16 hour trip for the event. Makes our 6 hour trip from Knoxville seem weak.



Hot... . just like home. Not that it makes it more tollerable... .



I was only able to attend on Sunday due to business commitments but was thrilled to be able to come. After reading and hearing about everyone elses programs, it was nice to put faces with names and actually see the vehicles.



The TV crew told us the event will be aired this Sat at 2pm Eastern time on ESPN2.

 

[Turbo Thom]

Scott... ... ... ... . I don't understand the comment about the heat. It was fine by me, but then the fifth wheels air worked well. Plenty of cold water and root beer. A nice rocker recliner to sit in, propped my feet up and watched y'all run. Then when I did get outside my straw cowboy hat served me well.



And when we got home, the sweat was dripping off the outside mirrows. Now thats hot and humid.



It was really good to see y'all again and watch the rail. Best of luck the rest of the year.



C y'all



. . Preston. . :{

 

[LPreston]

Scott,



I forgot to mention this earlier... . I build lighting and electrical products for motorcycles. I was at the dragster when you were doing some wiring. Nice job under the hood... too bad most people don't get to see it.

 

[sbentz]

It was great to see Scott and his crew make the 16 hour trip for the event. Makes our 6 hour trip from Knoxville seem weak.



Hot... . just like home. Not that it makes it more tollerable... .



I was only able to attend on Sunday due to business commitments but was thrilled to be able to come. After reading and hearing about everyone elses programs, it was nice to put faces with names and actually see the vehicles.



The TV crew told us the event will be aired this Sat at 2pm Eastern time on ESPN2.

The first time we get a chance to get on national TV, and we can't run better than a 9. Oh well.



I am excited to see how they cover this event. Hopefully, we don't make the out takes reel.

 

[sbentz]

Scott,



I forgot to mention this earlier... . I build lighting and electrical products for motorcycles. I was at the dragster when you were doing some wiring. Nice job under the hood... too bad most people don't get to see it.

Thaks for the compliment. I should post a photo of it. After jumpering wiring and changing things som many times, I finally made it simple and all relay controlled. When you are scrambling, it is hard to remember if the circuit grounds to engage, or uses power. We have a bit of both, due to the 47 Trans.

 

[sbentz]

Scott... ... ... ... . I don't understand the comment about the heat. It was fine by me, but then the fifth wheels air worked well. Plenty of cold water and root beer. A nice rocker recliner to sit in, propped my feet up and watched y'all run. Then when I did get outside my straw cowboy hat served me well.



And when we got home, the sweat was dripping off the outside mirrows. Now thats hot and humid.



It was really good to see y'all again and watch the rail. Best of luck the rest of the year.



C y'all



. . Preston. . :{

What blew me away was getting out in the hallway of a nice hotel at 1:30 in the morning, and it was about 110 degrees. It NEVER cools off back there. The track temp killed us, and the car. We are so used to the west, we are spoiled. I am looking for a trailer with a lounge before we go back again. Hmmm... Root beer and A/C, sounds like I may be able to handle that.

 

[DHRA]

It was still a pleasure having all the exhibitions there, and completely evident that we are all still tuning!

SDM has the worse luck with the transbrake solenoid sticking, so that is why we shut down after the burnout and rolled back. Then on my run at about 900 feet some thing popped-ringing my ear good. That converter was better, but still didn't bring the engine down at all. So we'll keep testing..... No word on if we are going to Denver for sure, it's on the calendar though.

 

[Turbo Thom]

For me, I was impressed with everything I saw. The diesel world has really come a long way in the last two years



The two rails are really trick. And Scott, thanks for driving so far just to run by yourself. Quite a ride from Colorado.



. . Preston. .