Why You Need to Try an Top Speed Airstrip Event - Triple Digit Thrills
Half-mile speed events have blown up in popularity and we think you should give it a try!
Disclaimer:Half-mile half events that include roll-race starts or lack timing tree equipment are for fun, not official record breaking or competition. Think of it as a legal and safe alternative to street racing.
Speed Kills or is it Speed Thrills? Both hold weight but let's face it, the latter is way more fun and reason behind my continual return to half-mile airstrip events over the past few years. For as long as tuners have played with performance, those vehicles have been benchmarked in a straight line. Extend the distance of that "straight line" onto a plot of asphalt designed for aircraft, and like Tom Cruise in Top Gun proved, buzzing the tower becomes that much more satisfactory.
If you've ever left a local quarter-mile test-and-tune night with a stupid grin after running 9 to 14 seconds of wide-open throttle, then it's time to consider a half-mile airstrip event. The increased distance equates to higher trap speeds, more time to collect vehicle data, and greater chance to rub shoulders with high-performance heavyweights—supercars that get warmed up at 140 mph.
My first encounter in this world occurred at the very official Mojave Mile in '11 while riding a nitrous-fed Suzuki GSX-R600. My big ass (6'3", 205 pounds) couldn't claw out anything greater than 155 mph before drag fundamentals prevailed, but I was hooked. Although, the event format while credited left much to be desired due to strict rules, expensive entry, rigid run groups, minimal photo zones, and worst of all, you'd be lucky to get more than five runs in a day.
Fast-forward and we adrenaline junkies are now blessed with more and more "laid-back" driver-oriented airstrip events. They are popping up at rural airstrips across the country. Like the early '90s, we are again living in a Golden Age of Speed, with worldwide automobile manufacturers releasing insanely fast vehicles. For example, the new Corvette Z06 out of the box can do a standing quarter-mile in 11.1 seconds—that's from a $78K sports car! With cars like this becoming obtainable, not to mention the number of more powerful cars tuners and enthusiasts are building, a controlled airstrip event is the safest venue to test both the stones in your pants and those of your ride without Johnny Law interfering.
Don't be scared. Like juggling hoes in different area codes, increasing calculated risk only adds to the opportunity for reward. Top speed events aren't a substitute for circuit training, just another card in the deck of sweet shit to do with your car. Many event organizers exist. We've found the event format of Omega Motorsport's No Fly Zone (NFZ) as ideal for those seeking a track-day atmosphere focused on pinning it in a straight line. Here's why:
