My Prius is going Drag Racing

[Skraut]

Well it was just a matter of time before this happened. I work at a dragstrip where everyone races cars with massive cubic inch engines.

Well tonight they are going to face my Prius. Since I work here I can't race it, but it will be raced by a guy with over 20 years racing experience, and I'm mostly interested in getting some time runs just to see how fast it goes. The car will be bracket racing, a form of drag racing where the drivers each make a prediction as to how fast their car will go, and the closest to their prediction wins. It will also be in the Sport Compact class, where it will be facing Supra's WRX's Neons, Civics, Eclipses etc...

I'll post some ET slips when it's all over, and you can watch the race via our webcam at http://www.norwalkraceway.com/video and cheer the Prius on!! Racing starts about 5:30 EST and goes all night.

[Ormond]

Sounds like fun! Please post some photos for us! Are you putting on racing slicks!

[Skraut]

No, I can't have the car run slicks because they aren't permitted in the Sport Compact Class. I have taken a bit of the air out of the tires to get more grip off the starting line.

[Ormond]

Good luck with your vehicle! Let us know what mods you make.

[bobc]

Skraut,

I just tuned into the live streaming and think I saw your caR!

The video is pretty low quality but it looked like a Prius....

Hope you had fun....

[Skraut]

Yep that's my car on the starting line cool you got a picture.

[Ray Moore]

Let me make a suggestion. Keep the tires aired up to near the max as tire spin won't be as significant as rolling resistance. Try it in the parking lot first to test this. Let out some air if it proves to be an issue.

A full battery will be the most significant factor. The way to charge the battery to the top of it's range is to hold down on the brake and trottle at the same time. This will force the generator to charge the battery and the rpm will slowly drop as you approach a full charge. Keep in mind that charging and discharging the battery will cause it to heat up and will thus limit it's operational efficiency. Charge the battery and then allow time for it to cool. The engine should of course be fully warmed up. A practice run will be counter-productive to haveing a cool battery for the actual run.

I have not run mine yet but I intend to soon, down in Houston. These are all educated guesses. I hope they help if you choose to use them.

I expect someone to warn of the dangers of holding down the gas and brake to charge the battery. I think the computer can direct the systems to play nice together.

Good Luck. Beat 18 seconds and 0-60 in under 10 seconds.

[Ray Moore]

So this has already happened?

[Skraut]

It is going on right now.

The car just went 17.720 at 77.1MPH

which is faster than my Scion xA

[Skraut]

I'm just not driving it, because as an employee of the track I can't compete with it.