1ST bracket race..

[Steedman07]

Im gonna enter my first bracket event.....ever..Hopefully it will net me an extra run or 2 rather than just doing the Test and Tune..Any advice from you braket guys? I guess the firast 2 runs are practice/qualify and then eliminations from there?

 

[fin1]

There are two factors that are key in moving on in bracket rounds.

The first factor is to pick a dial-in you can run. I try to dial-in close to what I run during time trails adjusted for weather and track conditions. I may add or subtract a half a tenth or so as I go rounds based on the car, weather or track. I favor running the car w/o lifting at the line but you can drop your dial a bit. You'll then need to peddle a bit so that you don't break-out but it's an option. Since it's your first time, I would just run a number you can make w/o lifting at the line.

The second factor, and this is key, is to cut a good light. If you cut a .200 light and your opponent cuts a .100 light, you are giving him/her a .100 head start. Assuming you are both running your dial, you'll never win. Being good on the tree is key.

Bracket racing is not easy and there are numerous other variables you can play with as you get experience. Consistency, is key on both what the car runs and the light you cut.

Just cut a good light and run your number... and have fun.

 

[TexasBlownV8]

Biggest advice: concentration at the tree...only on YOUR side of the lights. Don't look at the other driver or what he/she does; work on your R/T and launching technique for consistency.
And don't THINK at the light, just ACT; do your thinking ahead of time and afterwards.

if you are dialed in good to what you consistently do, you'll do just fine!

Good luck.

 

[Steedman07]

Thanks guys..I appreciate the info..Im pretty excited about it. Again, I was just going for the T & T, but figured, why not? Worst case scenario is Ill get a couple more passes..

 

[06vistabluegt]

I never could figure out why people just T&T. At the track I race at, even first round losers get $5 on Fridays. They only do T&T after every other round. If you actually enter the race, you get at least one more run. If you lose, so what, so did 50% of the people racing in that round. The entry for T&T is the same as racing in street class.

My best advice is to just have fun. Also, if they run other classes before the class you're running, watch what those people do. You will learn a lot. If you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask. Most racers are more than happy to help someone out.

Some rules to understand.

Burnouts: If you're doing a burnout, don't do it past the starting line. Most tracks frown on this. The track I race at will DQ you if you do it during an elim round. The only exceptions are dragsters or cars with no front brakes.

Staging: If you get to the beams first, pre-stage then wait for the other car to pre-stage before you stage. This isn't always followed but is considered good etiquette. Not following this rule will really piss off regulars. I've been known to sit for a long time after a burnout because someone completely staged. This is really fun to do to a ricer as he sits banging off his rev limiter. As long as you haven't lit the pre-staged light, you can sit there as long as you want. The only time "double-bulbing" is acceptable is when someone is deep staging. They should have deep written on their car somewhere to let you know they are deep staging.

After the finish-line: There will usually be at least 2 turn-off roads. If you miss the first one, keep going. DO NOT stop on the track or back-up.

Breakdown: If you notice something isn't right with the car in the middle of a run, pull over to the wall as fast as you can and stop. The longer you wait to do this the longer the oil trail will be to clean-up if there is oil. This is just for safety of other racers behind you and to make clean-up as fast as possible.

That is all I can come up with.
.

 

[Steedman07]

tHANKS^^..Im good with everything except the staging rules and etiquette..This is going to sound stupid, but I dont give a fuck. Once I pull up to stage and only light 1 bulb, will I piss anyone off or should I roll up and light both bulbs once my opponent is staged?

 

[06vistabluegt]

tHANKS^^..Im good with everything except the staging rules and etiquette..This is going to sound stupid, but I dont give a fuck. Once I pull up to stage and only light 1 bulb, will I piss anyone off or should I roll up and light both bulbs once my opponent is staged?

I have a routine I do no matter what. I do my burnout, get to the beams, turn on the pre-staged light. If the other persons pre-staged light is lit, I bump in until I barely turn on the staged light. I bring the RPM's up to 5g's and launch on the last amber.

If I turn on the pre-staged light and the other car hasn't yet, I sit there until the other car turns on the pre-staged light. After that, it's the same routine.

If you're opponent is completey staged and you're not, you can take your time getting pre-staged. Once the pre-staged bulb is lit, you have 14 seconds to light the staged bulb or you can/will be DQ'd.

 

[SteveP]

when you doing this? Like the other guys says, concentrate on the light and don't pay any attention to the other guy.

 

[Steedman07]

when you doing this? Like the other guys says, concentrate on the light and don't pay any attention to the other guy.

tommorow night..I am not going to stage too deep cuz my timing is not there with the tree yet. Hell, ive only run this car down the track twice. And before then it was probably 7 years ago in my 99 in MAryland..I like the idea of just about lighting the second bulb, and then launching when the final amber lights up..I donr know why im over-thinking it, but I dont want to look like too much of a noob out there with the local bracket guys..

 

[Steedman07]

I have a routine I do no matter what. I do my burnout, get to the beams, turn on the pre-staged light. If the other persons pre-staged light is lit, I bump in until I barely turn on the staged light. I bring the RPM's up to 5g's and launch on the last amber.

If I turn on the pre-staged light and the other car hasn't yet, I sit there until the other car turns on the pre-staged light. After that, it's the same routine.

If you're opponent is completey staged and you're not, you can take your time getting pre-staged. Once the pre-staged bulb is lit, you have 14 seconds to light the staged bulb or you can/will be DQ'd.

Thanks again..Wish me luck...lol

 

[TexasBlownV8]

Ignorance can be bliss. Hell I won the first street-car bracket race I entered without knowing WTF I was doing. And that was during my first track visit outside of private club events. I didn't know anything about the staging etiquette, dial ins, etc. Asked a lot of questions to make sure I didnt break any rules, as they were enforcing staging rules (not to stage until the opponent has pre-staged, too, as mentioned above).

Have a good time and lots of fun...that's what it's all about!

(LOL, I love the idea of making a ricer wait while being fully staged...I'd be laughing my ass off!!!)

 

[06vistabluegt]

I think Don W has a video of him doing that. It's pretty funny.


And OP, good luck. You're going to have a blast.


I wasn't trying to worry you with the starting line etiquette. I just wish someone would have informed me of this stuff when I started racing. I had a Super Pro racer about bite my head off the second time at the track because I double-bulbed him in a gambler's race.

 

[SteveP]

u going to NY?

 

[Steedman07]

Ignorance can be bliss. Hell I won the first street-car bracket race I entered without knowing WTF I was doing. And that was during my first track visit outside of private club events. I didn't know anything about the staging etiquette, dial ins, etc. Asked a lot of questions to make sure I didnt break any rules, as they were enforcing staging rules (not to stage until the opponent has pre-staged, too, as mentioned above).

Have a good time and lots of fun...that's what it's all about!

(LOL, I love the idea of making a ricer wait while being fully staged...I'd be laughing my ass off!!!)

I cant wait..

I think Don W has a video of him doing that. It's pretty funny.


And OP, good luck. You're going to have a blast.


I wasn't trying to worry you with the starting line etiquette. I just wish someone would have informed me of this stuff when I started racing. I had a Super Pro racer about bite my head off the second time at the track because I double-bulbed him in a gambler's race.

The advice from everyone is great. And, lol, that is exactly what Im afraid of^^ Pissing off one of the regulars

u going to NY?

Hell ya..Its about an hou or so from enfield..Meeting at 3:30-3:45 at the DD off exit 48 off 91 south, and heading out to LVD by 4:00...

 

[SteveP]

tear it up! With those nittos you are gonna have to heat them up! gonna be cool out there.

 

[Steedman07]

tear it up! With those nittos you are gonna have to heat them up! gonna be cool out there.

lol, Ill give it hell.....And ya should be in the low 60's around 6:00 ish, good for the vortech though..The Nitto's will officially get broken in

 

[Steedman07]

What a blast tonite. My first run of the night ended up being my fastest..12.52 @110.73 w/ a 2.003 crappy 60 ft. LOL, and I won the first round one bracket class. Lost in round 2 to a guy thats been bracket racing with the same car for years..The DR's felt friggin great, but I now know I need a torque converter badly. 2 of the runs it bogged on launch and my best run I basically left at idle..Hopefully Ill see 11's after a torque converter and Methanol injection..

 

[SteveP]

nice results. What were you launching at?

 

[Steedman07]

nice results. What were you launching at?

Hey man, I got your message later in the day, Ill call ya tommorow..first run was at about idle to see what the DR's would do..ended up being my best 60 ft. and run of ther night..The rest of the runs I foot braked it to about 2,000 rpm's and it felt like it bogged, the Nittos hooked really good on every run @ about 20 psi..

 

[SteveP]

When I had nittos on mine, I would have to launch around 3500 to get them to do anything. Anything below 3k with our cars it will just bog down. Even with burnouts. I gotta be in second gear and up to 4k. Linelocks help alot with that though. Drop the tire pressure to like 17-20psi too. With the MT slicks, I launch mine around 45-5k to get traction and 1.7's and i know i can do better then that.