Tom tells us about racing his turbocharged Avanti.......

I try to go once a week, either Friday night or Saturday evenings.  I usually run the street war shootout classes because I can get more test runs in and the entry fee is only $15.00 verses a 35 or 41 dollar entry for the super pro and modified classes.  I don't run electronics.  Mine is a backyard engineered effort on a very limited budget. I started this Avanti late last fall and have made the most performance improvements this summer. 

Still making changes and improvements.  I started with a 12.45 @109.68. The eighth mile was showing 7.98 @ 87.75. This was on a 1.832 for the 60 ft launch. The waste gate is set for 7-9 boost spring tension and I have run high 12's on steady 6-7 lbs boost with no intercooler.  Hope to go higher boost levels in the future as I continue the tests.

20 August 2004

Tom's Studebaker powered Avanti runs a low ET record of 11.828 @110.15 mph in the quarter mile test drags. Best eighth mile is 7.501 @ 92.86 mph on a 1.738 60 ft. time. The record was made on non-intercooled 13 lbs of blower boost using the factory 3.73 Dana rear and traction bars on 20 August

10 September 2004 

Here's the hot scoop from Team Three, with a crew of one, who made it into 3rd Round of the Muscle Street Drags. The first two runs gave a high 11's index.

Run 1:  11.83 @ 114.36         7.559 @ 92.38        60 ft @ 1.742

Run 2:  11.90 @ 114.48        7.623 @91.95          60 ft @ 1.782

Elimination's dial in selected is 11.90

Round 1: Win over a Pontiac with a 12.218 @ 98.75   Had a good lead so backed out of it in third to avoid breakout of dial.

Round 2: Win over a Ford with 11.918 @ 114.04  Close to the dial, but OK.

Round 3:  Win over a Chevy with 11.885 @ 112.15  Close win, other racer breaks out of his dial more than my breakout, therefore I win.

Round 4:  Only three cars remain and I don't get the by run.  Lose to a LT-1 Camaro by red light and breakout of dial.  Run is 11.841 @ 114.80 verses 11.97 @ 110.67 for the Chevy with a 11.94 dial.  Maybe next time.

Summary:  Overall a very successful evening with no failures or surprises.  All runs made with 3.70 ratio rear, R series factory cam and 13 lbs of blower boost.  Still shifting at 5200 rpm with about a 2000 stall. The mile per hour of 114.80 is the best mph for the quarter to date.  A new record on mph due probably to a new set of points in the old Stude distributor and a retard of the timing by a few degrees from the previous setting.  No carburetor popping in high gear this time.

An interesting observation is the time slip comparison with today's best against an antique Studebaker.

                         Dial      60 ft      330      1/8        mph     1/4        MPH   
LT-1 Camaro:    11.94    1.590    4.782   7.545    88.89   11.973    110.67     Win

63 Avanti:         11.90    1.791    4.930   7.581    92.52    11.841   114.80   Breakout

23 September 2004

Tom and his Avanti set the bar higher yet again! His comments about the new low ET and top speed......

"The air was much better for the car at about 65 degrees and I re-jetted the carb secondaries which made a big difference.

The Avanti ran 11.707 @ 116.15 mph in the quarter mile. 

Eight mile time was also a new record at 7.492 @ 93.21 on a 1.748, 60 ft. time.  Rear is still 3.70 ratio and engine is 289 bored .060 over for 298 cubes.  No intercooler on the blower but maybe next year."

26 September 2004

Is it possible?! Tom says.......

"I ran the lowest ET ever at 11.688 @ 112.75.  The eighth mile was best ever at 7.444 @ 93.17 and the 60 ft time was best ever at 1.670.  This was a breakout elimination's run where I had dialed a 11.71.  The car keeps surprising me with its potential.  Boost was a max of 13 lbs. 

Don't know if I can improve on this much more but there are a few more weeks left in the season and the air is getting much cooler so we will see.  I may try one more re-jet change to put a little more fuel into the cylinders."

Sonny says....

It don't get NO better! (I mean hearing all the great news that you always have!) Congratulations on your accomplishments Tom! That's a great record and an inspiration for all of us! There's no doubt, there will be more to come............

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