Top fuel qualifying at the Snap-On Nitro champs for Read Speed Racing has proven to be a challenging task. Due to damage sustained in the runner up finish at the Summernationals, the "Spirit of Las Vegas" has received significant hardware changes in the engine combination. The addition of a new supercharger and new cylinder heads has induced, as anticipated, some challenging tuning issues.

As the new combination had not been tested the first qualifying pass at 5pm was used to gain a base line from which to tune the car. In order to ensure that no parts were damaged during the base line pass, it was planned as a 300 feet launch. "The Pom" Steve Read left the line with a 0.891 second 60 foot time, clicked it off at 300 feet and coasted through the traps in 7.296 seconds at 97.76 MPH, An elapsed time that proved to be quick enough to qualify in seventh for the eight car field.

Analysis of the data gathered during the pass indicated that, although the overdrive on the supercharger was reduced to allow for the anticipated increase in manifold pressure, the new supercharger was making significantly more pressure than was anticipated.  Another issue was identified on the pass, the slide valve, which controls the amount of fuel that is supplied to the motor, did not operate correctly and subsequently the engine was very rich on the line and dropped a cylinder on the hit of the throttle.

Qualifying session two at 9.00pm, after rectifying the issues identified in qualifying session one, promised to be an interesting session as Read Speed Racing attempt to get on top of the new combination. Unfortunately due to an issue with the team in the opposing lane, "The Pom" was forced to sit in pre-stage for an extended period of time, causing the clutch to heat up to a temperature well above normal start line temperatures - subsequently at the hit of the throttle the "Spirit of Las Vegas" went up in tyre smoke and rolled through the beams to record 14.317 seconds at 78.65 MPH.

The only significant data collected from the second qualifying session was that the issue with the slide valve had been rectified and that the manifold pressure had been reduced to the required level. Due to the instant tyre smoke on the step of the throttle the engine rpm climbed to over 9000rpm. This high rpm caused some minor damage to the rear main bearing, which was then replaced.

The final qualifying pass for the Spit of Las Vegas was run at 11.40pm in challenging conditions, where the relative altitude was approximately 150 feet and the track temperature was 52 degrees Fahrenheit. On the step of the throttle the "Spirit of Las Vegas" went into tyre shake, Steve Read stepped off the throttle and rolled through the beams to record 11.467seconds at 76.17MPH. In retrospect a few tuning issues can be resolved, the most significant cause of this tyre shake is believed to be a slightly elevated tyre pressure. The higher pressure causes the tyres to grab the track hard and due to a dropped cylinder the car attempted to drive through the clutch inducing the tyre shake.

The Read Speed Racing crew stripped the car down and prepared a short block for today's racing before leaving the track for a well earned break. We look forward to a great, fast and exciting day of racing.

Read Speed Racing