new to the track

JBH · 05-12-2003

Hello,
Well I am new to the whole drag seen, and would like some help.
I dont want to make an A$$ out of myself. So far I have gotten some good advice from the past posts. I expect to run around 14.3-14.6 in the 1/4 but I would love to see 13's. We have a local track and test and tune night is coming up. Any help would be great. Thanks!

Street tires
get rid of spair and jack
Launch around 1500
Shift at 5500
Keep her cool as possible

Drag racing 101 ( got my #2 pencile and paper)

GTRaptor · 05-12-2003

RPM launch at 1500?
i would advice you to test that, i would advice on launching at 2,500 RPM or higher depending on grip.

Fordgazm · 05-12-2003

Track courtesy

When you pre - stage ( trip the first yellow bulb ) Wait until the guy you are racing pre stages too before you stage . ( trip the second yellow bulb ) . That way you wont piss the other racers off . Now if you pull up too far and have to back up ( i've done it

hey , your nervous

) make sure you back up all the way out of the staging lights . This makes sure that you HAVE to pull forward again . ( keeping you from launching in reverse ) Ive seen it , not done it

. Now this is a little controversial , but the BEST drag racers will pull up to the second light and just barely trip it . That will give you the longest track distance and if you work on cutting good lights this will make your car run a faster time . Dont tell ANYONE about this , I dont want other people knowing my secrets

. If you break something that leaks and you catch it down track , pull your car over to the side so that your not spilling stuff in " The groove " . The groove is where you want to be , usually it is where the two blackest stripes are going down the track . Thats where the traction is

And be sure to take a tire pressure guage with you . You can run street tires as low as 20 psi rear and max pressure on the front . Thats about all I can think of now . Just post if you have any other questions

JBH · 05-12-2003

Great Thanks!
I was wondering on the whole tree thing!

ro51468 · 05-30-2003

One very important point is watch the starter. He will let you know when to begin your burnout and when to stage. Just keep an eye on him, he directs all the traffic. As far as "barely tripping the second light"..this is what is called a "shallow stage" vs. a "deep stage" (rolling thru and actually turning the second bulb off). Decide beforehand how you plan on staging. Shallow or deep, and do it the same way each time, because it has a definite impact on how consistant you are. Depending on your cars power, your "rollout" will also change. This is how fast your front wheels will "unblock the beam". This determines which light you leave on. Never wait for the green, if you do, you have already lost. I would think the last yellow would work for you.

Ron

Chaparra · 07-08-2003

Do you think standard is better then automatic to drag race?

ro51468 · 07-08-2003

It all depends on how consistant you want to be. For ET bracket racing an automatic can't be beat. Heads up racing a stick would be OK. Most of the Pro and S/Pro guys run automatics with electric shifters, delay boxes etc.

Ron

vbrpete · 07-09-2003

One thing- when you get up in line,DON'T go and do some big a$$ burnout.It's okay to go around the water box,back into it,give it a quick spin to wet 'em,roll out and then give it a SHORT burnout in second gear.Also,try to keep your rpm stable as varying it can put a lot of stress on your (stock?) valvetrain.Big burnouts are cool looking,but they put more heat in your motor and your CLUTCH than your tires.Of course if you're running slicks of any type,then do a proper burnout.

Another,personal note- make sure to run your own race.Do your best,practice,whatever,but if you're doing your best and the other guy's winning don't get stupid and overrev,or miss a shift,or ignore what's going on on your gauges(temp?oil pressure?) because you'll end up breaking something,or someone,and lose anyway.

Or,I could be wrong.