Track Day at Pocono Raceway (PICS) & (Video)

[NYCMille]

Hey Guys -

Awhile ago I had signed up for a track day at Pocono International Raceway with the New York Motor Club. Well, yesterday was the day and it was a total blast friggin' blast. We ran the east course which is a 1.35 mile inner road course that utilized part of the back nascar straight as well as the entire infield section. I (as always) was the oldest car on the track with my '68 Charger. The rest of the pack was made up of some high dollar stuff like Lamborghini's, Ferrari's, Porsche's, BMW's as well as some Corvette's and Lotus's and such.

In the beginning of day the instructors asked who in the group had racetrack experience... I did, so I raised my hand as did about 8 other members of the say 25 in the group. He then went around and ask what was our experience and what we drove. It basically went Lamborghini, Porsche, BMW - then he got to me. I said I was driving a 1968 Dodge Charger and he literally stopped dead and asked me if I was kidding... I simply said "no" and explained that it was set up for an event such as this and the suspension, brakes and engine had been updated accordingly - he just smiled and said "I can't wait to see this..."

He then went through the in's and out's, went over the track rules and flags broke us down into 2 groups - beginner and advanced. I was went into the advanced group and out we went - the order went something like this. Gallardo, Gallardo, 911 Turbo, 911 Carrera 4S, '07 BMW M5, '68 CHARGER, Lotus Excige and BMW M3.

Alrighty then.

So out we went. Now I have run the east course at Pocono A LOT as I used to race motorcycles there so I knew the track pretty darn good and I hoping this was going to be my ace in the hole - as it turned out however many of the other guys had run this course as well, so, so much for my ace. We got out there and it was one acquaintance lap then balls to the wall and let me tell you something, I beat this car to DEATH and it just kept on going. I managed to reel in the M5 in about 2 laps and then proceeded to stick on the bumper of the Carrera 4S. I simply could not catch him though as well... it's a Porsche. The thing that I most amazed at though was that other cars could not catch me. In fact throughout the day I was passed on 3 times - once by 2 Lamborghini Gallardo's on the straight another by a BMW M3 and then one more time by a 911 Turbo. Otherwise that was it...

I never once engaged the GV Unit instead just using the reverse manual valve body utilizing the 3:55s that I have in the rear. I know the valve body is more a drag racing set-up, but let me tell you something... it works AWESOME!!!! on a road course. This is the 5th time I have taken this car on a closed circuit course and with each lap I gain more and more confidence in the cars abilities, it's strengths and it's short comings.

Things I need:
- another 100hp
- 18" wheels all around, the stagger of 17s and 18s works, but it is not optimum
- Better Tires
- bigger brakes - will most likely sell the the BAERs that I have and go with a new set-up with a 14" rotor and 6-piston caliper or new 4-piston Viper unit. I ran Motul RBF600 brake fluid which has a boiling point of 600 degrees and that stuff is worth it's weight in GOLD! Also, swapped out the stock pads for Hawk HPS Track/Street pads - expensive but again, totally worth it.
- New tranny cooler with built in SPAL fans as well as external oil cooler with built in fans.
- Roll Cage

Otherwise this thing was a rock star! The only time hit 3rd gear was on the straight where we would top out at like 105-110mph, the rest of the time I was in 2nd and spinning and that old 440 at between 3500-5500rpms - keep in mind I did this for 4 sessions with each session consisting of about 10-12 laps. That and the fact I drove 120 miles to the track then another 120 miles home and then sitting in NYC traffic for and hour and never once having the temp. go over 200. The best part was at the end of the day having 3 of the track officials that were there, who were in their 50s and 60s come over to me and saying that they've seen just about everything run here but seeing but a '68 Charger run past the Pocono Raceway sign on the back straight with the exhaust wailing was the coolest thing they've seen in years and brought back A LOT of memories.

All in all it was great day and I friggin LOVE THIS CAR!!!

[BrianShaughnessy]

Swwweeeettt! 

[Sabre]

Way to go!

[68RT4ME]

Great story, That's the way to show those  Euro-snobs a thing or two.  Your car is awesome and a testament to American Muscle.....

Any action shots? 

[71ChallengeHer]

That is awesome, Mike. Mr. Angry is a Rock Star.

[Hemidog]

That is way too cool! Go Angry!! 

[suntech]

That is awesome!
What was your lap times, compared to the others?
You said you need another 100 hp. how much do you got??
You have 285/ 40 rear, right? Do you think the XV setup is the wat to go , 335 / 30-18, on 12 rear, and 275/35-18 on 9,5 up front ?

[Brock Samson]

That's so cool,. 'n how'd the escort fare?..  'n BTW: who's in charge of painting the numbers..    good job mike, but you really need my motor..

[NYCMille]

Suntech - no idea's what my lap times where as we didn't have timers in the cars. As for power - right now I probably have around 425 or so at the crank. It's pretty mild. As for the XV stuff... I'll be honest, the only thing I have from XV is their inner fender well braces, radiator support and subframe connectors. I have a bunch of stuff from other manufacturers as well, but would I go out and spend 15-20k on suspension - I don't think I would. I think my car has probably has about 90% or more on XV's stuff. They have a track event coming up which I think I am going join - that being said I can tell you right now that their orange car will be in my crosshairs... and honestly, I don't think it will be able to get away from me.

As for tire size, I don't think you need to go with a 12" rear - it's overkill in my opinion. I like a tire to have a bit side wall too it.

And Brock... you are correct sir... I do need your motor.

[gordo1968charger]

your 68 was the best there,hope you made a video to show us?

[firefighter3931]

Nice work Mike....the car is very impressive !    I'd luv to see how it would perform with a 600hp stroker under the hood. 



Ron

[NYCMille]

Yea me too LOL!

[Old Moparz]

Glad to hear you did as well as you did. 

Mike, can you post the date & time of your next event? If it fits into my schedule, it would be fun to watch.

[BrianShaughnessy]

Mike, can you post the date & time of your next event? If it fits into my schedule, it would be fun to watch.

Yup.   Are you gonna do the XV day?     Need to sign up just to be a spectator.

[73ChargerSE]

What's up with all the blue tape on headlights and such?  Aerodynamics or glare cut down?

[69bronzeT5]

What's up with all the blue tape on headlights and such?  Aerodynamics or glare cut down?

Yea, I was thinking the same thing.  Also, thats the first time Ive seen Mr.Angry with a number on it besides 01.

[dkn1997]

Mike rules!!

'nuff said.

[NYCMille]

The blue tape was just painters tape - you would generally put it over the headlights and or front of the car to stop glare and also prevent stone chips. Actually works pretty good.

[Hemidoug]

Things I need:
- another 100hp

It's Hemi time bro.....TRUST ME! With alminum heads you will have less weight then the 440 and TONS of torque all the way to 7K. I need to take you for a little ride one of these days!

[NYCMille]

Here is a link to a quick video of yesterday

http://web.mac.com/miltongil/iWeb/Site%202/NYMC%20Track%20Day%20%40%20Pocono%20Raceway.html

[68charger383]

Video won't work, anyone else having the same problem?

[2fast4u]

yes

[Rolling_Thunder]

work for me...      man..   that GT sounded MEAN   

[tan top]

Video won't work, anyone else having the same problem?

  can't see it either

[suntech]

Hi Mike
I couldnt get the video to work either.
Looking forward  to see how it is up against the XV Challenger, or maybe the 68 Charger is ready by then??
Will be cool to see how it works out!
Rolf