Fuller & Fry Test a Two Speed

Forever Young team owner Mike Fuller, and his driver Mendy Fry, have put the first test laps on a two speed transmission combination in a current front engine AA/Fuel Dragster. In an outing that was encouraged by track operators and the NHRA, and approved by fellow NTF competitors, Fuller & Fry are attempting to answer some of the questions surrounding the feasibility of using a powertrain that is more closely related to that used by the nostalgia funny cars. The test took place in mid-July at Auto Club Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, California.

With the evolution of the front engine dragsters over the past 20 years, since the rules defining these cars were first written, speeds and RPMs have climbed dramatically. Consequently the initially mandated direct drive, small tire, 3.90:1 rear end gear ratio, and small volume fuel pump have become a volatile combination. Current engine loads and speeds have made it exceedingly difficult for teams to avoid engine damage. No one, most of all the NTF teams, want to contribute to the carnage and jeopardize the show.

In a move put forth by parties from all groups involved it was suggested that the dragster investigate adding a two speed transmission to their cars. The idea was not aimed at adding speed or reducing elapsed times, but more so to lessen the strain created by high loads imposed on the cars during the early part of a run, and potentially bring down the engine RPM in the later half of the run. The dragsters, on average, run engine speeds about 2000 RPM higher that the Nostalgia Funny Cars, all while restricted to using a smaller fuel pump. It is thought that the two speed will bring the cars back into an RPM range where the cars will be less prone to damage. Initially the dragsters will test using the same rear end gear, rear tires, and fuel pump as they currently run with the direct drive.

Finding a team to take on the test was difficult at first, as everyone wanted someone else to carry the burden, but Mike Fuller eventually stepped to the fore and offered to conduct the tests at his own expense. Fuller, it should be noted, has been one of the team owners who has championed the two speed proposal.

The initially testing provided some mixed results and challenges. The weekend that was chosen turned out to be exceptionally hot. Anyone who has raced in Bakersfield in July knows that the weather there can test not only the cars, but the crew members as well. Adding to the difficulties was the fact that the team was operating without their full crew. As Fuller described it “The sweat factor was high.”

For this first outing no full runs were planned. Getting past the shift point and gathering data was the prime goal.

On the first run the car recorded a very respectable 1.02 second 60 foot time. It then shook the tires at two seconds into the run. One piston showed it was trying to lift a ring land.

For the second run the team removed some counterweight off of the clutch. The engine drove through the clutch and the 60 foot time increased to 1.12 seconds. Otherwise everything looked fine.

After compensating in the bellhousing the third run produced at 1.07 60 foot recording, but the engine was soft. Mendy drove it past the shift point and shut the car off when she heard the engine pull down after the shift.

A fourth run produced a 1.06 60 foot time, but again it shook the tires at 200 feet. It was discovered that the shake had cracked a hard line fuel line.

Team member Dave Uyehara attempted a ‘make-shift’ repair on the fuel line by welding the crack, but the line broke again on the fifth run. They had also added one pound of air pressure to the tires and the car came back to a 1.03 sixty foot time, but also shook again before the sixty foot clocks. With that, and no proper way to repair the fuel line, the tests were concluded.

Fuller & Fry will possibly resume the testing at Infineon Raceway the day after the NHRA National event. Their next race will be the Pepsi Nightfire Nationals in Boise on August 12-14, but for that they will remove the two speed transmission to comply with the Heritage series rules. Further testing has not been set, but it could happen before the end of August .