Old forge shootout results

[BIG BLACK WARRIOR]

Just for everyones information. The track was excellent and stayed that way at least through the stock box and dealer prep runs. Track was re groomed between the box stock runs and the dealer prep runs. These runs were only about 45 minutes apart. Temperatures were fairly consistent also. Probably about 10° at 11 AM when it started, and about 12° when the dealer prep runs took place. So the track and temperature should of had no bearing on any out comes. The track did get a little chewed up when the mod sleds were running at the end, but still stayed in good shape. Probably the best track they have had for the shoot out in the 25+ years I have been going.

 

[Buster696]

Before I get going on this… Everyone needs to chill the ‘F’ out! I was helping the Excell Team getting the SRX ready and I will let you all know what really happen. First… The track was NOT in perfect condition when the SRX ran, that statement is totally ridiculous. The track and starting line had 18 runs on it when we ran the 19th run. Yes, it ‘was’ in good/great condition for the sleds with the 1-1/4” track with correct stud length in the 600 and even 800 classes with the Polaris 800 at 100.22mph (impressive). But, on the run 19th (after the 850’s, Doo Turbo and Cat Turbo ran) the SRX ran in the same spot we put it in last year when we ran 107+ mph last year. Remember last year, Excell Motorsports had a better ET in dealer prep over box stock, one of the few. After the 18 sleds ran the 3~4 in base of snow was gone! And, there it was…. 3~4” of beautiful sky blue ice showing itself at the staring line. The SRX 1” track… 1.175” Gold Digger Trail Stud supplied by Woody’s did not have a chance. Not our call… Woody’s was the sponsor, but for the life of me can’t understand why they decided to send these over and I’m a huge fan of Woody’s products. 2nd run we did get a break and find ‘the spot’ on the 20th run getting the sled to our goal of 110+ mph. After that... the starting line went away quick, real quick, because EVERYONE settled on the left side of the track after watching the 110+ mph run, so it was a gamble depending on where you were in the order. The SRX ran 19th and 20th (out of box) and 39th and 40th (Dealer Prep). The SRX needed just a little more bite (and luck) with a better stud for that starting line that developed for the first 60ft.

Dealer Prep - No clutching was done other than soften up the belt deflection, softened up the skid and pulled the blocks. That’s it… This is the same changes many of us all make when we get our SW. So the claim of not letting Excell touch your sled should be retracted immediately. Excell has one of the best shops in the east coast with a passion for Yamaha Snowmobiling. If all of you don’t see that then you’re a damn fool! Here’s a fun fact for all of you who want to have the inside scoop… the first set of studs that were supplied were the 1.075 length. We could not even get the nut on the stud because it was too short when pushed through the track. Woodys was afraid that if triggers were sent at 1.477” that the SRX would have too much advantage... Also, did anyone ask or observe why the 850 Polaris did not dominate it’s little brother the Pol-800cc sled on all of it’s runs? Starting line! Short trail studs don’t work on 4" of chewed up ice starting line with minimal snow…! It was like running at your local lake or pond with 1" of snow on ice that rutted up quickly. The SRX is a rocket and we all know it’s going to run and handle great and wish all of the SRX owners out there the best, this sled is truly a rocket and lives up the SRX name.


--Buster696--

 

[**sj**]

The entire track was like 20' wide I think?

As to Excell... Sooner if the best guys in the sport top to bottom...I only wish I lived in their state...

Seems like a raw deal all around... They made sure to eliminate the supposed unfair advantage and then some

 

[SumpBuster]

Before I get going on this… Everyone needs to chill the ‘F’ out! I was helping the Excell Team getting the SRX ready and I will let you all know what really happen. First… The track was NOT in perfect condition when the SRX ran, that statement is totally ridiculous. The track and starting line had 18 runs on it when we ran the 19th run. Yes, it ‘was’ in good/great condition for the sleds with the 1-1/4” track with correct stud length in the 600 and even 800 classes with the Polaris 800 at 100.22mph (impressive). But, on the run 19th (after the 850’s, Doo Turbo and Cat Turbo ran) the SRX ran in the same spot we put it in last year when we ran 107+ mph last year. Remember last year, Excell Motorsports had a better ET in dealer prep over box stock, one of the few. After the 18 sleds ran the 3~4 in base of snow was gone! And, there it was…. 3~4” of beautiful sky blue ice showing itself at the staring line. The SRX 1” track… 1.175” Gold Digger Trail Stud supplied by Woody’s did not have a chance. Not our call… Woody’s was the sponsor, but for the life of me can’t understand why they decided to send these over and I’m a huge fan of Woody’s products. 2nd run we did get a break and find ‘the spot’ on the 20th run getting the sled to our goal of 110+ mph. After that... the starting line went away quick, real quick, because EVERYONE settled on the left side of the track after watching the 110+ mph run, so it was a gamble depending on where you were in the order. The SRX ran 19th and 20th (out of box) and 39th and 40th (Dealer Prep). The SRX needed just a little more bite (and luck) with a better stud for that starting line that developed for the first 60ft.

Dealer Prep - No clutching was done other than soften up the belt deflection, softened up the skid and pulled the blocks. That’s it… This is the same changes many of us all make when we get our SW. So the claim of not letting Excell touch your sled should be retracted immediately. Excell has one of the best shops in the east coast with a passion for Yamaha Snowmobiling. If all of you don’t see that then you’re a damn fool! Here’s a fun fact for all of you who want to have the inside scoop… the first set of studs that were supplied were the 1.075 length. We could not even get the nut on the stud because it was too short when pushed through the track. Woodys was afraid that if triggers were sent at 1.477” that the SRX would have too much advantage... Also, did anyone ask or observe why the 850 Polaris did not dominate it’s little brother the Pol-800cc sled on all of it’s runs? Starting line! Short trail studs don’t work on 4" of chewed up ice starting line with minimal snow…! It was like running at your local lake or pond with 1" of snow on ice that rutted up quickly. The SRX is a rocket and we all know it’s going to run and handle great and wish all of the SRX owners out there the best, this sled is truly a rocket and lives up the SRX name.


-
-Buster696--

Bought my sw from Excell, and had my vector carbs cleaned and rebalanced , and plugs and apex plugs and general lookover....just because I wanted to be nice to the old girls) Excell is great!!
Just sad to see no more grass drags at the track...

 

[Robs06attak]

Before I get going on this… Everyone needs to chill the ‘F’ out! I was helping the Excell Team getting the SRX ready and I will let you all know what really happen. First… The track was NOT in perfect condition when the SRX ran, that statement is totally ridiculous. The track and starting line had 18 runs on it when we ran the 19th run. Yes, it ‘was’ in good/great condition for the sleds with the 1-1/4” track with correct stud length in the 600 and even 800 classes with the Polaris 800 at 100.22mph (impressive). But, on the run 19th (after the 850’s, Doo Turbo and Cat Turbo ran) the SRX ran in the same spot we put it in last year when we ran 107+ mph last year. Remember last year, Excell Motorsports had a better ET in dealer prep over box stock, one of the few. After the 18 sleds ran the 3~4 in base of snow was gone! And, there it was…. 3~4” of beautiful sky blue ice showing itself at the staring line. The SRX 1” track… 1.175” Gold Digger Trail Stud supplied by Woody’s did not have a chance. Not our call… Woody’s was the sponsor, but for the life of me can’t understand why they decided to send these over and I’m a huge fan of Woody’s products. 2nd run we did get a break and find ‘the spot’ on the 20th run getting the sled to our goal of 110+ mph. After that... the starting line went away quick, real quick, because EVERYONE settled on the left side of the track after watching the 110+ mph run, so it was a gamble depending on where you were in the order. The SRX ran 19th and 20th (out of box) and 39th and 40th (Dealer Prep). The SRX needed just a little more bite (and luck) with a better stud for that starting line that developed for the first 60ft.

Dealer Prep - No clutching was done other than soften up the belt deflection, softened up the skid and pulled the blocks. That’s it… This is the same changes many of us all make when we get our SW. So the claim of not letting Excell touch your sled should be retracted immediately. Excell has one of the best shops in the east coast with a passion for Yamaha Snowmobiling. If all of you don’t see that then you’re a damn fool! Here’s a fun fact for all of you who want to have the inside scoop… the first set of studs that were supplied were the 1.075 length. We could not even get the nut on the stud because it was too short when pushed through the track. Woodys was afraid that if triggers were sent at 1.477” that the SRX would have too much advantage... Also, did anyone ask or observe why the 850 Polaris did not dominate it’s little brother the Pol-800cc sled on all of it’s runs? Starting line! Short trail studs don’t work on 4" of chewed up ice starting line with minimal snow…! It was like running at your local lake or pond with 1" of snow on ice that rutted up quickly. The SRX is a rocket and we all know it’s going to run and handle great and wish all of the SRX owners out there the best, this sled is truly a rocket and lives up the SRX name.


--Buster696--

Isn't the golddiggers for a 2 ply track?

 

[Robs06attak]

Isn't the golddiggers for a 2 ply track?

Only know this because I bought the 1.175 diggers and now I'm told you cant run golddiggers in a single ply track

 

[fxnytrortxkid]

They make a single ply version. And yes he is correct the track was crap by end of 800s, the dealer prep so little is truly allowed that it’s really a joke to even offer it at this point. Back when you could re-jet and play with diff things in clutching to dial them in there was an advantage. With efi it’s basically shock adjustments. It’s really an irrelevant run anymore. Yes they groomed the track but that just made sure there wasn’t huge dips from 60’ on out. It wasn’t a huge groomer that packed really well. Also yes same rider for every sled and every run.

 

[titanrcr]

IMHO, The dealers doing the box stock and dealer improved sled runs should be able to choose whatever studs they deem necessary to allow the sleds to hookup and give an accurate representation of what the sled will do. This was clearly not the case this year in Inlet. The studding on that SRX was a joke and I can't imagine anyone buying one would stud it so inadequately. The tracks starting area was chewed up however many of the sleds running just before the SRX were hooking up fairly well. (studding)

As Buster696 stated, (( " Woody's was afraid that if Triggers were sent at 1.477" the SRX would have too much advantage")). Well the SRX does have an advantage and that advantage was given to the the SRX by the engineers at Yamaha that developed that engine and again this year by changing the suspension settings for greater top end performance. So instead of showing all of it's advantage / performance someone decided to put it at a disadvantage ? Sad......

FWIW, I was standing about 15' from the sled at the fence for that last run and watched it blowing snow and ice to the back fence instead of being propelled forward.

 

[Sidewinder]

LoL these test have their limitations. The idea is great ,the intentions are great. The track got beat up so bad you can't compare one run to another depending on when the run took place.

When I do performance testing I prefer to test on ice with perfect traction. We can repeat runs to hundreds of a second and to half a mph.

Then we see exactly the gains ...then final testing in snow to confirm clutching.

But if you had done better then you would be all this is the stuff guys.
LOL

 

[SumpBuster]

Sounds like the SRX has a big advantage! Nice! Beware, lesser sleds...the srx is BACK! (ps...call me chicken, but I knew better than to line up against one on a stock machz...back in the day!)

 

[**sj**]

IMHO, The dealers doing the box stock and dealer improved sled runs should be able to choose whatever studs they deem necessary to allow the sleds to hookup and give an accurate representation of what the sled will do. This was clearly not the case this year in Inlet. The studding on that SRX was a joke and I can't imagine anyone buying one would stud it so inadequately. The tracks starting area was chewed up however many of the sleds running just before the SRX were hooking up fairly well. (studding)

As Buster696 stated, (( " Woody's was afraid that if Triggers were sent at 1.477" the SRX would have too much advantage")). Well the SRX does have an advantage and that advantage was given to the the SRX by the engineers at Yamaha that developed that engine and again this year by changing the suspension settings for greater top end performance. So instead of showing all of it's advantage / performance someone decided to put it at a disadvantage ? Sad......

FWIW, I was standing about 15' from the sled at the fence for that last run and watched it blowing snow and ice to the back fence instead of being propelled forward.

well said...agree on the bold....the whole shootout seems like a joke...big iron should run first and have adequate traction..

 

[Frozenstiff]

After attending this crap shoot for a decade or so, I realized after the first one that the winners are the beer stores, and the local bars. It,s a great event to attend with your buddies, especially if all of them own different brands. There is zero consistantzy from one run to another, and it,s a crap shoot. Someone has to win, someone has to lose. One thing that is guaranteed is, the results will vary greatly, depending on launch conditions, and the length of the race. Kind of a sad joke really, cause these results prove nothing, but are taken for gospel by sledders that don,t know better, for the next following year.

 

[Crossfire12]

There are always excuses when you lose, but all sleds ran same track, yes it was icy but everyone new that. To icy, not enough traction, to many runs before me,bumps, studs to small, etc. All the sleds ran good ET in their classes, all close.

 

[Frozenstiff]

Unless a sled runs on ice, or pavement, you cannot see its full potential. Way to many variables on loose packed snow.
Doesn,t matter what brand of sled it is, just not consistant enough conditions to give each sled a fair launch. One may get better hook-up than other, so it is just luck, whether you get hook-up, or not.
Spinning 1/2 way down the track you loose E.T. and MPH. I,m not brand loyal, which one wins doesn,t matter to me.

 

[74Nitro]

All I know is that the SRX cleaned house by a large margin.