Drag Racing 101

[BigRis]

Probably been beaten to death (insert dead horse being beaten) But....This summer will be my first go around. I have gotten some tips but all for stick cars.
I should have taken the car out to the track tis last summer when it just had a CAI, tune and a couple other minor mods . But alot was going on with my medical situation.
So real quick my car is a 2010 GT auto car. I have the mods in my sig plus (see BigRis Build thread) the car is going down to brenspeed for a Roush TVS2300 560R, cams ,and a few other mods. Tires will be M&H 275/45/18 DRs gears are 4.10s. The bottom end will stay stock this year.
That is the basic set up on the car (might add line lock also running stock converter) and I have zero track time. Could you guys just give me some pointers ,tips,advice ? things I can think about until I can actually get to a track.
Also as you know the stock shifter sucks trying to shift manually. Do I need to upgrade the shifter to a Tci or is the shift points in the tune?
Thanks and sorry if this has been asked and answered. James

 

[555]

Seat time will be your friend

 

[one eyed willy]

Run about 12-15psi in the tires, check between each run because it will keep rising.

First few runs just work on your burn out and the launch, figure out what you need to do to maintain traction.

Don't worry about the light, leave when you are ready (after its green of course)....work on your launch.

Seat time, seat time, seat time!

More seat time!

 

[Ssiptang]

Dont bother shifting manually. Just turn the od off.

 

[95five-0]

Dont bother shifting manually. Just turn the od off.

Agreed. The tune should be set up for the best shift points. Just focus on setting the car up straight in the lane. Seat time is going to be your biggest gain. Remember if you see the light turn green more than likely your to late leaving. That is for when you get more into it though. At first just try and make a good clean pass and if it starts spinning bad dont show off and try to spin down the track just let off and try again next time. Seen way to many cars get torn up because someone thinks since they're spinning they're doing something. Good luck and have fun. Its addicting to say the least.

 

[psfracer]

Leave off idle. The stock torque converter, believe it or not, will flash higher leaving from an idle vs trying to bring up the rpm to 2000 or something.

Shallow stage (if going for ET). Meaning when you pull into the beams, the second set of staging bulbs you want to stop as soon as they light up. This will effectively let the car move 10 inches or so before tripping the ET clock (depending how the track has it set up), which basically gives you a rolling start. Later, as you race, you will either learn to leave as the 2nd yellow goes out or deep stage to get better reaction times.

Leave the trans in drive, od off. Traction control off. If the car hits the limiter on the 1st/2nd gear shift, your shift point is too close to the limiter.

M&Hs -- mine worked well at 15 psi. Every car is different. You should be ok anywhere from 15-18 psi as mentioned. Ideally you want as much air pressure while still maintaining traction for the quickest ets.


And as previously said, for the first few runs, don't worry about reaction time, that will not affect your ET. It will affect the race, however, just keep that in mind.

 

[Bud]

put her in D, mash the go pedal, and have fun

 

[05stroker]

Seat time will be your friend

Run about 12-15psi in the tires, check between each run because it will keep rising.

First few runs just work on your burn out and the launch, figure out what you need to do to maintain traction.

Don't worry about the light, leave when you are ready (after its green of course)....work on your launch.

Seat time, seat time, seat time!

More seat time!

put her in D, mash the go pedal, and have fun

These are very good suggestions.

Main thing is to remember you are there to have fun! You are not there to impress anyone or to be the fastest car. There is no one watching you that has not done anything you might do. If there is anyone there that will laugh at you then they are kids, a stupid fuck, or they think they are watching a supercharged Comero and they are drunk.

My point is just be you and dont give a second thought to those people watching you.

I used to make more mistakes being nervous. Now I just pull up and do my deal. When it comes to those watching, it dosent matter what they think. Its just me and "my" car doing what makes "me" happy. And that is it! If they think I should do this or do that, well I dont care . I am there to make myself happy and the hater can suck it.

 

[CharlieR]

Just stay home, don't go, it's addictive and you don't want those problems. j/k
Good advice above.
Have fun, do your thing, but try to be courteous of the guy in the other lane. At the least let the guy know you're "new" and that you don't have a rhythm yet. Everyone has been there and will usually let ya "do your thing". Some tracks will let ya run by yourself a couple times.

P.S. I warned ya.

 

[Diabolical!]

You're going to be nervous on your first run. You might even do something goofy like overshoot the staging beams or jump the gun on launch. Don't let it get to you, at least a dozen cars will do the same thing any night at any track and no one will give it a second glance. I've never been anywhere near as nervous as I was on my first run. By the time I made my second run, I had nerves of steel.

 

[BigRis]

Thanks a bunch guys. Yes I am nervous as I have never ran an official 1/4 mile. So I dont even know the basics. I know after a couple times of just going through the steps will help alot. I mean I have no idea from the water box to stagging...So you guys have helped alot.
I know seat time is what I need but it is nice to know what you guys are telling me. So I am not as worried about looking like a idiot. Which I not real concerned about jumping the light or anything like that. I just want to make sure I do not do something to cause damage to my car or even worse cause someone else to damage their car or injure themselves. It would be bad enought to scuff my car but I would feel terrible if I caused someone else harm by doing something stupid.
I have seen the videos of the guy in the Shelby or the GT500 that scuffed the wall. While my car is no 9sec machine I think my car with 500hp something could go bad fast. Especially if I was arogant enough not to respect it and make sure I ask for advice. I have learned it is better to be the guy that ASKS alot of "stupid" questions than the guy that DOES alot of stupid things.
Again thank you for your replies and i hope to meet some of you guys sometime.

 

[Bud]

One other note, now that I found out it actually exists I'd suggest track insurance to cover any accidents while making a pass. I got quoted $1200/season for a 9.50 car on 275 radials. It is a good chunk of change but the risk of losing 30, 40, 50k worth of vehicle just isn't an option in my eyes.

 

[BigRis]

One other note, now that I found out it actually exists I'd suggest track insurance to cover any accidents while making a pass. I got quoted $1200/season for a 9.50 car on 275 radials. It is a good chunk of change but the risk of losing 30, 40, 50k worth of vehicle just isn't an option in my eyes.

I will have to ask my Ins guy. But knowing those dinks they will automatically raise my ins rate even if I do not get track ins...lol

 

[jayman33]

Good luck!! You'll have fun.

 

[psfracer]

I got a quote for $950 annual premium for $50K stated value, coverage from theft or accident at home or while towing to/from track, on the track property, and in staging lanes and return road, but NOT on the track surface. I tried to get that but that program is currently being revamped and is not being offered as of right now. But I will get it. I had a previous quote of $1200 for that.

 

[skwerl]

Since you're not familiar with even the basics, I suggest you go over and watch the other guys for about 15-20 minutes instead of just pulling up in your car and not knowing where to go or what to do. Watch the guy directing traffic, how the guys pull up through the waterbox and do their burnout, how they pull up to the line, etc. Most tracks you can either pull through the waterbox or drive around it. If you have fat and skinny tires then pull through. If you have street tires on the front then drive around and back the rear tires up into the water. Otherwise you will track water on the front tires up to the starting line which will make you spin. It may also cause the guy behind you to spin, which is rude.

 

[Bud]

I got a quote for $950 annual premium for $50K stated value, coverage from theft or accident at home or while towing to/from track, on the track property, and in staging lanes and return road, but NOT on the track surface. I tried to get that but that program is currently being revamped and is not being offered as of right now. But I will get it. I had a previous quote of $1200 for that.

Who is that through, only person I knew dealing it was Bill over on the bullet. I'm not sure I really want to run my car until I get that insurance, did they give any idea of when they would be selling policies again?

 

[VTXFrank]

Get your axle tubes welded before you go.

 

[BigRis]

Since you're not familiar with even the basics, I suggest you go over and watch the other guys for about 15-20 minutes instead of just pulling up in your car and not knowing where to go or what to do. Watch the guy directing traffic, how the guys pull up through the waterbox and do their burnout, how they pull up to the line, etc. Most tracks you can either pull through the waterbox or drive around it. If you have fat and skinny tires then pull through. If you have street tires on the front then drive around and back the rear tires up into the water. Otherwise you will track water on the front tires up to the starting line which will make you spin. It may also cause the guy behind you to spin, which is rude.

I am not suppose to be playing with you since you keep telling me to spend more money on my car..lol
Thanks for the advice i do not want to be rude or do things to irratate other drivers..."the freaking new guy" syndrome . So I will definatly just hang out and watch for a bit before giving it a go.

Get your axle tubes welded before you go.

Is that a slang term...

 

[Diabolical!]

Is that a slang term...

Lol. It's actually good advice if you will be driving on drag radials or slicks considering your power level. The axle tubes have a tendency to twist in the differential housing causing anything from immeasurable to catastrophic damage.

I think my car with 500hp something could go bad fast. Especially if I was arogant enough not to respect it and make sure I ask for advice.

Just knowing that makes you more qualified than 90% of people who go to the drag strip for the first time. You'll do fine. Good luck!