Next up is the burnout; it is important to do it the same each time. Again, the key is repeat, repeat, repeat so the ETs will be the same. Line up in the "groove" as you pull into the burn-out box and put the shifter into high gear. When I get the signal to do the burnout I hold down on the rev limiter I use for burnouts. This holds the engine to 6600 RPM on the burnout. Again, it is about consistent burnouts. After the burnout it is important to back up straight so you are lined up correctly and "in the groove" for the run.

During the burnout you have to push a rev limiter button in on this car to hold the RPMs to a max of 6600. This is just a safety precaution in case I get carried away with the gas pedal in the burnout.

After the burnout all you have to do is slip it into Reverse, right? Not quite. After you get it through the mandatory reverse lock-out and into the detent for Reverse, you have to activate the "reverse button". This switch is hooked directly to the transbrake solenoid and bypasses the timers and delay box so they are not activated during backing up.

It isn't a lot to remember after a few runs, but the first few times I did manage to screw it up a little.

Before I stage I make one more hard tug on the safety harness, check the oil pressure, make sure the water pump is on, lock the visor down, hit the "tach reset" button and move forward to pre-stage. At this point every racer does "their own thing." For me it is "don't think too much." I try to be completely relaxed and focused on one thing: the race. By that I mean I try to focus on the car's forward motion and be aware to stage the car the same, exactly the same, every time. Once both cars are staged, I focus on the tree and try to react to the top bulb coming on WITHOUT anticipating it.

BAM! The light is on and "Project 4-Link" is underway. What I try to do is keep it as straight as possible and try to "feel" if it hooked up like the last run. After that, it is time to keep an eye on the other racer towards the finish line. Some racers call it skill, others call it luck. I think finish line driving is best described as "confidence, luck, practice and more luck."

As I cross the finish line, at about 163-165 mph I ease into the brakes. If all seems OK, I won't need the parachute. The car stops great and I have never been nervous about having room to stop. The Dragstar 4-Link chassis keeps the rear tires glued to the track for better braking.

At the end of the run not much goes on except making sure you don't turn off in front of your opponent. On the return road it is time for me to check oil pressure, water and fluid temperatures. I usually turn the CO-2 bottle off, as it is mounted right under the dash panel.

Once we get back to the pits it is time to check the weather instruments again, fill out the Summit Racing Log Book with all the ET Slip information and take an EGT (exhaust gas temperature) reading and check everything over for leaks or any possible problems. The preparation for the next run begins right away and continues right up until it is time to run again.

We stay busy most of the time on race day, but you should leave some time for family, friends and some socializing at the event. I enjoy every run and I will NEVER let a Robot have that much fun. As long as I like competition I will be racing and I hope it goes on for a long time yet.

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