ZL-1 vs Clone At Gateway Dragstrip - Report

[70 copo]

What started out as just a photo run for the spectators and the camera's of horsepower TV-turned out to be quite a race. Mark Hassett's ZL-1 #35 got some warm ups in on the parade lap with Mark getting into the throttle hard with the 4.88 ratio working the motor and the NOS wide Ovals to the limits. The ZL-1 clone owned and operated by hartbeat city also looked the part with a set of sticky street radials, 4.10 ratio and street exaust. At the launch both cars came out of the hole with decent reaction times but the Zl-1 clone developed a severe traction problem and seemed to spin almost past the first set of bleachers. Mark's car seemed to bog a little on the line in 1st but then stuck hard in 2nd and maintained something close to traction for the entire run. Later Mark Hassett told me that he let off considerably near the top as there was no need to stress the car. Result - Hassett original ZL-1 with 4 speed and 4.88 had an ET of 14.3. The Hartbeat ZL-1 Clone was a well done car with a 4.10 and an automatic- ran a very traction limited 15.9. Congrats to both cars for the run - it was spectacular!