Any tips on my first time at the track?

[JA BoostedSTANG]

So Saturday I am going to the 1/4 mile track for my first time ever, I have no idea why I have never been and I have had this car for 2 years and am 22 years old, possibly because the closest track to me is almost two hours away and my job forces me to work weekends sometimes.

But anyways I want some tips, I just recently mounted some 26"x10.5x15" MT ET streets on a set of stock 15" mustang wheels I know these are not the best tires but I got a good deal so there better then street tires, I have played with the tire pressure on a some backroads and 15psi seems to be good but seems to get somewhat wobbly at higher speeds nothing to bad though, and on the street I cant rev it up past 2k and drop the clutch without it breaking loose in first Im hoping that will change at the track. I have my trunk completly gutted and I am trailering my car down I was wondering If i could put some ice water in my water over flow by my aftercooler if that would help any? and I have a meth injection setup but I am going to have to have it un hooked since I wont be able to get it re tuned for a while and dont want to lose any HP.

Anything I am missing? Any tips would be apprciated! thanks!

 

[Stangtuner]

I'm running a 17" ET Street and they are EXCELLENT tires. I wish I had 15's

You can click on the link in my sign to see the vid from when I went to the track as I think it'll be the same one you're going to. The track hooks very hard.
Tips:
1. Don't be afraid to launch the car. 2k dumps are for Hondas.

2. Rev to 6300 so when the next gear comes you're right in the power band. I wish I would've had a chance to really do this when I was there. I would've been in the 12's for sure. I was'nt revving high enough.

3. Cha, ice in the aftercooler resevoir would help drasticly.

 

[thunderstang]

For a first time 1/4 driver I would say hang out near the tree for a while watching, Learn how the track is operating, watch how the prestage and stage beams work. If you have questions ask someone as most people who love our hobby will be more than willing to help you out. When your ready jump in a staging lane and work your way to the start, Roll through the water box and do a light burnout, there is no need to John Force that bitch half way down the track, although cool to watch it is not necessary. Roll up till you light up the first set of lights STAY CALM alot happens real quick here, roll to light the second set and wait for the green. Drag racing is an addicition, and I love it. If you plan on doing a lot of racing start a log book; shit like time of day, weather, temp, tire air pressure, launch rpms, shift points, how well was the track prepped, and anything else that could change from time to time. Have fun man thats what is all about.

 

[stkjock]

First have fun and dont get disappointed if you dont run the car to the ET you feel the car should run.

Second - pump the fronts to 40 psi

Third - do a good burnout, 2nd gear and see 50-55 MPH on the speedo for 4-5 seconds for the first one (the ET streets should need shorter burnouts after)

Fourth - I'd start at a 4000 clutch drop and see how it hooks. then adjust up in RPM is it bogs down if it spins ( this will have a lot to do with track prep)

Fifth - Ice the aftercooler and the head unit between runs, the aftercooler you can get as cold as u like, the head unit dont ice too much you'll could shrink the outer casing and cause binding of the blades. Get it to cool to around ambient temp and that will help.

Six - check your tire pressure between runs if your cooling the car off (just b4 the next run)

Seven - shift like a mo fo

Eight - have fun

 

[JA BoostedSTANG]

im at work so i cant watch your video, but is it gainesville? thats where I am going I hear there track prep is really good and that the track hooks very hard, but i just dont know about 6300rpms and 500whp coming down on my stock input shaft and axels? What you think?

 

[JA BoostedSTANG]

Good stuff so far guys

STKJOCK... you havent had any tranny or axel issues with your race tires and those hard launches?

 

[stkjock]

the axles are 31 spline stock and very stout, I upgraded my rear to a trutrak last year. the stock unit was starting to make some noise on low speed turns which told me the clutch packs were on the way out, so when I did the gears I upgraded.

the only tranny issue I've had was mostly my fault as a result of the remote mounted shifter on these cars, typically I drop the clutch around 5000-5500, and its been ok so far

 

[luckyone]

Dont know about up there...but keep windows rolled up, may need a helmet (if running quicker then a 13.9) which I am sure you are, do not run your ac....it drips on the track.

and have fun. my first trip I was real nervous, but after that first pass I was hooked.

 

[ArtQ]

When you guys say "drop the clutch" or "dump the clutch"

you may want to remember that can be taken literally.

If you just let the clutch fly you will break shit.

Smooth quick engagement is what you're looking for in case you didn't know that.......

You can work in a little slip as you gain experience to control bog or spin as needed.

 

[joedls]

Turn off your taction control.

 

[stkjock]

When you guys say "drop the clutch" or "dump the clutch"

you may want to remember that can be taken literally.

If you just let the clutch fly you will break shit.

Smooth quick engagement is what you're looking for in case you didn't know that.......

You can work in a little slip as you gain experience to control bog or spin as needed.

I just bring up my foot as fast as I can, I dont sidestep it


and what's that old racing adage.... if you aint breaking shit your doing it wrong

Turn off your taction control.

yeah I forgot that one!!!

 

[Freaknazty]

they got it covered basically .... id start around 4k then go up/down as needed i had best luck around there

try the tires 15-17psi or so you want as much as possible with it still hooking

light burnout after 1st otherwise your just wasting tire

if your going for fun slip it if your going for times dump that hoe and mash the gas lol

best thing to do of all is talk to the guys who you know are there every weekend they can tell you tips/tricks and they will know how the track is hooking

you'll need a helmet its supposed to be approved but they never fucked with me about mine and mine isn't approved

most foremost HAVE FUN

 

[JA BoostedSTANG]

thanks everyone good stuff! At what speed is a passenger not allowed is it sub 12.99?

I should also have some sweet videos and pictures

 

[thunderstang]

Both of the tracks I run here in Nc, neither one of them let passengers ride. Besides thats 150-200 lbs of extra weight in the car. And weight kills ETs.

 

[stkjock]

Our tracks dont allow passengers either

 

[TexasBlownV8]

Like said, on your first run, just get the hang of the track, the lights, etc. You'll be hooked from there .

And if you aren't sure about how to stage, or what to do, just ask...lol, my first time was against another first-timer, and we both went past the tree, looking at each other where to stop. It was hillarious, but we didnt know what to do.
My first run was horrific; I spun all over the place, nailed a 19 second run. That was over a hundred runs ago, and each time it's just as thrilling and fun as the first time!

Also know WHERE the finish line is!

The comments about taking notes is a GREAT SUGGESTION and one I follow. By keeping note of what you tried, where you screwed up, what you did well, etc, it'll add up to making you better over time.

Don't be bashfull about talking to others, getting ideas and suggestions. Unless you're hanging around with a bunch of a-holes, everyone will normally help you and others out. That's how we learn.

Good luck, and have fun!!!

 

[terry5357]

Most of all Just have freakin fun. +1 on don't worry about running low ET's they will come. The most important thing is GET TO KNOW YOUR CAR!!!! Find out what it likes and what it doesn't. I know this sounds strange, but believe me, you will see what I mean.

For example: mine does not like coming off the line at any more than 1200 rpm (automatic), any more than that and it just falls on its face.

Like I said, the very most important thing is to enjoy yourself. watch some cars run.

Lone thing about launching. Go on the 3rd yellow light. If you wait for the green, you will be sitting there by your self........lol.

HTH