Mile Marker 1 Event Race

An Inside Look At Top Speed Mile Racing; Taking Three Of GM's Finest For The Ultimate Ride In The Everglades

From the April, 2010 issue of GM High-Tech Performance

By Justin Cesler

Photography by Justin Cesler, Pete Epple

Mile Marker 1 Event Race Chevy Camaro Racing Stripe

This can't be the right road. I haven't seen another car in over an hour and these "Panther Crossing" signs are really starting to freak me out. What happens if you hit a panther? Would you have to get out and fight it to the death or something? Either way, I didn't want to find out. It was dark, it was 4 a.m. and it was way too eerie outside to get lost. As I drove on into the night, I began to wonder what it must have felt like the first time someone bombed down the salt flats for over a mile. I wondered what type of loon would be attracted to building a one-mile certified death machine, something capable of hitting well over 200 miles an hour in under 5,280 feet. Wait, what did that sign say? It was so small, that couldn't have been my turn; I didn't see an abandoned airport. Keep on driving. As if the salt flats weren't enough, I began to wonder what type of person thought about renting a private runway for a day, inviting all of his friends to the middle of nowhere and seeing who could go the fastest. Then I realized, that type of person was me, and it may very well be you. If you have never been to a standing mile event, read on.

The first thing you need to know if you plan on going mile racing is that it isn't drag racing. All of those "small" issues your car has in traffic, the ones you get away with at the dragstrip-they aren't going to fly out here. Racing at this level means being wide open through every gear, which means everything on your car has plenty of time to break. So, before you even think of heading out to a local mile event, you need to check all of the common but oft-neglected wear items that we normally take for granted.

Tires
I'm not saying that we are generally a little cheap, but when was the last time you bought tires based on top-speed performance and not price? Well, now is the time to check out all of your tires for wear and, just as importantly, make sure they are rated to handle your intended top speed. For the average car, this means having a tire that is both Z and 88W rated, which would clear you for up to 168 mph. If you plan on running faster than that, you need tires that are 99Y rated, or capable of over 186 mph.

Belts and Fluids
Turning 6,000 rpm for a mile means your accessories are going to be working overtime. You need to check, and probably replace, all of your belts before heading out to the mile, as we saw several cars sling belts around half-track. With new (or checked) belts installed, you should also take the time to check all of your car's fluids, especially the clutch and brake hydraulics. The last thing you want is a brake failure, especially at well over 150 mph.

Equipment
If you plan on running a mile event, you will need roughly the same equipment as you would need at a dragstrip. Obviously, you need a helmet that meets the SNELL Foundation 2000 rules and is still up to date. OEM seatbelts are fine, but five- or six-point harnesses would be better, if you have them, mounted to a weld-in rollbar (not a harness bar that attaches with two bolts to the A-pillar). You don't need a fire jacket to run the mile but we recommend wearing non-synthetic clothing (long sleeves and pants with closed-toe shoes) and some driving gloves while on the course.