Drag Racing Discussions > Front Engine Dragsters

bracket racing a FED

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wideopen231:
 Yea I know you can't win bracket racing a FED, only heard it few thousand times. Why not? If any car runs the number and the driver hits tree it can win a bracket racing.Is that not the whole basis of bracket racing? (this can work for you, under estimated)

Ok disclaimer done.  Lets talk bracket racing with a fed.
One thing obvious or should be. The view of the race is totally different than in door car or RED. If you can't see the opponent he is way back. Seeing wheel to wheel is harder because they are way out there. Only way I see is a spot on there car when staged and use it.

 Pedaling a fed especailly with zoomies represnt different deals. One if you run Zoomies I promise you they will know if you are pedaling. That can work two ways.It can hurt you and it can help if using it to your advantage. Second Feds have more tendency to get bouncy if whomp whomping it. IMO brake is best way and then it probably needs to be soft.The reason I am adding a drag brake using brake handle and small caliper.

  The number one reason I was told will not work. Consistency. Feds are notorist for making a stupid run  more times than most. Mainly based on older cars with motor bolted to reand(slight exaggeration) and most the weight on rearend meaning very little on front wheels. I think key here is balance of weight and maybe softer leaves than would be for maximum performance. Was told buy a know it all in Kansas that 300 lb
minimum on the front end is required for good driveability. Who am I to question the man?

Running a fed by yourself present lots of things that you will need to be ready for. Buckling up is harder,then so is just getting into the seat.LOL Loading and unloading is a job.Same for all cars but more so with FED.

So guys who mainly bracket race a fed lets here your thoughts, strategy and or experiences.

lake_harley:
I very much look forward to the replies since I plan to bracket race the FED I'm building now.

Partially because I'm just getting into drag racing after years of other car related stuff, and partially because I'm a tight wad, I plan to keep the engine build really mild. Seems to me a thoroughbred of a race engine would be more difficult to reign-in to run consistently. Same with converter and gears. Why make the car faster for the purpose of being faster when it's all about repeatability? Maybe I'm just hopeful and naive but it would seem to me a wild a$$ car would be more difficult to run consistent than a mild, pedal-to-the-metal car. My hope is for a 7-ish second 1/8th mile car....and to enjoy doing it.

Lynn

wideopen231:
Hey I kept it mild only about 960 to 1000 hp and no blower on it. LOL  Now as for running some nitro at times, that is different story. Hey nitro is very consistent. Runs at better AFR.  Less effected by weather. Consistently cost more. LOL

Supercat:
I soften the max tune and run 7.80 to 7.81 at 179 -181.
Car has run a best NA 7.21 at 192mph.
462 iron Buick block with aluminium head set up by Al Dixon injected alky. 1.01 60 ft
I have won and run as runner up many times I even went to the finals in an open class 10.99 and quicker 11 rounds to get to the finals.  It is possible very possible you just need to know your car.

Curly1:
You can Bracket race a FED and they can be consistent in fact I set up my FED so I could bracket race if I wanted to. I have a good cooling system with fans and good transmission coolers. Still the FED is not as easy to load, unload, drive around the pits, get in and out of, get suited up and in the end it is rather a pain to bracket race. That takes a lot of fun out of it. Also some tracks will not let you burn out past the line in a bracket race and that is rather a pain to get a good burn out and get lined up right. That to can be done but just another little inconvenience.

For weight on the front end my car was pulling to the left and scrubbing rubber on right side of tires. Added some weight on the nose and it goes nice and straight. There probably was not 10 Lbs of weight on the nose when it was full throttle before. With a FED it is a balance deal and also if your reaction times ever seem out of line add a bunch of weight up front. They are bad about popping front tires out of beams, setting down then the front tires may come up slowly and set down soft. It is that quick pop up the ruins your reaction times.

As for not being able to turn around to see your opponent behind you, who cares? You are going to be faster car 99% of the time any way. You will be chasing them. I think in the last 10 years and hundreds of passes only 2 times I remember other car was faster and it was like .02 which is basically heads up.

I do think you need to get a bunch of passes on the car to work out the issues and if that is bracket racing go do it. It is a FED you WILL have issues to deal with.

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