[maluchm]

After this winter I'm seriously thinking about running some
striaghtline races in the off season. Which one is the most
friendly on the pocket book to tranform a trail sled into?
I live in SE lower Michigan, is there more grass drags than
asphalt that would be local to me? And where on the net can
I get info, race schedules and rules/regulations?  

Thanks in advance!

Oh yeah, is there anybody looking to go racing with in the
non-snow season since none of my friends whant to?  

 

[AeRotax]

Grass dragging is the easiest to 'walk-on' to.  MSDRA is suposedly going to offer two race programs this year, one for the pros and one for trail sleds.  However, in the past they have made it hard for new guys to get into the sport, but they are saying they are trying to help new guys now.  Check out www.msdraracing.com.  Also, PSGDRA runs a circuit in Michigan, but I don't know how to contact them.

 

[maluchm]

Thanks for the tips AeRotax!!!

What's the major changes for grass drags? Different track
with different studs. Some extra wheels and a cool down
cart? Does this just about cover it for the major changes
besides tuning? I don't want to run my 1.25" predator on
grass do I? The biggest reason for wanting to do this is
1) More saddle time
2) To gain tuning knowledge with clutches and carbs.
3) My competative nature!!!  

The MSDRA web site only has a front page with no info or
links. I guess maybe they're trying to update the site.

 

[ballsout1]

For what its worth I think that  theres alot of set ups that work on grass that will also work on hardpack snow and still have an ok backshift....now on the other hand there is little that is transferable as far as asphalt goes.. not saying I might not try it but grass can be real similar to a hot snow set up.

 

[machz69]

HI THERE I RUN GRAS AND ASPHALT AND THE ASPHALT IS THE BETTER OF THE TWO. SLED STAYS CLEAN. ON GRASS U HAD BETTER KNOW YOUR SLED AND HAD HER RUNNING CAUSE THERE QUICK. I USUALY SPEND TWO WEAKS WITH THE SUSPENTION, CLUTCHING,TIMMING AND GEARING BEFORE IM READY FOR GRASS. ON ASPHALT ITS BRACKET SO IT REALY DONT MATTER HOW QUICK YOUR SLED IS ITS ALL BASED ON YOUR TIME. U WOULD ENJOY THIS MUCH MORE IM SHURE. U KINDDA NEED A TRACK FOR BOTH RACES. BUT ASPHALT THERE ARE A LOT MORE RACES. HAVE FUN

 

[ballsout1]

Thats a real good point, if your on asphalt your bracket racing so the focus goes to being consistant as opposed to having to be the quickest guy in your class.

 

[toydoc]

PRO SNOWMOBILE GRASS DRAG RACING ASSOCIATION
http://www.psgdra.com/
Ohio state snowmobile racing association
http://www.ossra.org/
Michigan snowmobile drag race association (MSDRA is working on the site, should have info. on it soon)
http://www.msdraracing.com/

Asphalt
Milan dragway
http://www.milandragway.com/
Ubly dragway
http://www.ublydragway.com/

Grass:
+ more racers and more tracks
- dirt, dirt, dirt it's hard on the sled. You have limited runs.
Asphalt:
+ clean, you could poss run 2 nights a week all you want, beat up on some cars and bikes
- not to many sleds, 1/4 mile WOT runs is can be hard on your engine.
Let me know if you go asphalt, I may go with you.

U.S. Drag strip finder
http://www.staginglight.com/links/trackfinder.html

 

[Cudney Racing]

Well Maluchm, I race both and for the best one to do I like them both but my favourite would be grass racing because I like heads up racing better. The heads up racing proves your tuning abilities and there are far more competitors at a given race. If you are looking to obtain experience before you venture into racing then I have an idea for you, we race all of the MSDRA races and a lot of other grass races throughout the country so if you like, if you are at any of the races we attend why don't you hang with our team and maybe you can get an insight into grass racing, but remember if you are with us you will get a job to do at the race.  --  Bill

 

[maluchm]

If I doo this I'm going to have to put my competative nature
on the side, which is going to be hard. I want to do this
because I want to learn how to tune better. I like the idea
of bracket racing because consitency is the key right. So
when I try my small changes I should be able to see the
results easier. But then again I like grass because It's all
about how fast you can go. I guess that's why I'm wondering
which one would be the easiest and/or cheapest to get into.

Thanks ballsout1 and machz69 for your thought's on this and
please post anything else you might think would be good
info for me or anybody else reading this. Either of you guys
run in Michigan?

toydoc - I made it out to Anchor Bay once this winter and I
didn't have the sled with me but there wasn't a lot going on
that Saturday I was there anyways. Some Quads going at it
to the right of the boat launch and maybe a half dozen sleds
off the the left. One guy in the parking lot had some kind
of Kart in the back of his truck with a triple in it and
some pin-head looking tires on it. Looked like a lot of fun
though. Thanks for all the links I'm sure they be most
helpful for a lot of us. Do you run a lot of grass or
asphalt around here?

Cudney Racing - Bill, all I have to say is "You the man"
and that I sent you message!!!  

 

 

 

[AeRotax]

MSDRA is supposed to be upgrading their page.

You actually don't have to change alot to run on grass.  Add some wheels, throw in some chisels, cool down, gears, clutching, and suspension.  Everything is pretty simple except the clutching.  The idea with the suspension is to maintain a lighter front end than you would on ice to carry the skis more.

Cudney is right, there are a lot more racers on grass right now, and more classes, too.  But, if you get into asphalt now you will have the experience when it becomes more popular.  I would listen to what Cudney has to say, he has been drag racing longer than just about anyone.

 

[toydoc]

AeRotax, are you going to the north shore this weekend?

maluchm, just for fun, most of the time ice, some grass (not much), cars on asphalt. But I may run the sled this year.

Bill, hats off for your run at the W.S. good job.

 

[AeRotax]

toydoc, we are going to Houghton Lake's North Shore Saturday...Hope to see a lot of guys there.
We have been there every Saturday since Christmas.  We tried to go to Wixom Lake once but weather made us go to N. Shore.  And we were going to go to Cadilac during the festival but got 2 calls on the way up, one from a guy at N. Shore and one from a guy at Cadilac...the N. Shore guy won.  Anyway, the point is we try to hit a bunch of different places over the winter but this season has been screwed up.  N. Shore has been the only reliable place.  We like to go to Anchor Bay or White Lake on Sundays, but not much luck this year.
Where do you usually run?