[AtlanticBlue99]

I am new to racing, and I have some questions about the tracks and how to get good launches and consistent times with an automatic tranny.

I basically understand the tree and how the lights work; I have no track time as of yet, but I am seriously considering the Ford V6 Chanllenge at SGMP. There's currently 3 people in the N/A class, and it is bracket racing.

So, to get the best launch in an auto, what do you recommend? Just hold the brakes down and rev it up to about 2k rpms or just under what it takes to start the tires to spin and then let off the brake at the last light and hit the gas as it turns green?

[mdvaldosta]

Yea that's about right. Your gonna want to get at least 1 night of actual seat time at the track before you race in an event. Traction is usually alot different than it is on the street, and so is your adrenaline.

[AtlanticBlue99]

are you more nervous and shaky at the track? i am pretty calm on the street because i dont race, but if a gt or cobra or a good sounding f body with exhaust comes by and revs, ill rev back and that is fun sometimes.

as time progresses, it seems as if i will be more able to hit up the v6 challenge. are there any tricks to bracket racing that i should know? do you generally want to sandbag some or give it all you got?

[mdvaldosta]

First, to bracket race you have to run the same time consistantly and have a good reaction. You need experience to get good reaction, and you need experience to know what your car runs the way you drive it. Typically, bracket racers run a dial-in time a tenth or so slower than what the car can run, then let off at the end if their running strong or if the cars alittle slow you can stay in the gas and still get a good run in. Your ultimate goal is to beat the other guy by as little as possible.

[AtlanticBlue99]

So ride hard and sandbag your e.t. After I get the headers on, this will be the setup I will be running, so I will need to practice my timing on the street for launch timing I guess, but get to SGMP a day early to practice. Is SGMP open on saturdays- this one being the 27, March, 2005?

[JRuckas]

Originally Posted by AtlanticBlue99 are you more nervous and shaky at the track? i am pretty calm on the street because i dont race, but if a gt or cobra or a good sounding f body with exhaust comes by and revs, ill rev back and that is fun sometimes. as time progresses, it seems as if i will be more able to hit up the v6 challenge. are there any tricks to bracket racing that i should know? do you generally want to sandbag some or give it all you got?

oh man was i nervous the first time i raced at the track. its definitly alot different racing in front of alot of viewers.. i was so nervous that i couldn't even do a burnout, even with the help of the water box... i still get the shaky clutch foot at times, but you won't have to worry about that with the auto... like joe said, seat time is your friend..

[AtlanticBlue99]

im fine in front of crowds- years and years of national championships and bmx racing... now, ive grown out of bikes and into cars. i will definitely get nervous though. i always get nervous and come to the verge of pissing in my pants when at the gate or on the line lol.

i wish i could get more track time here, but test n tunes are thursday nights and i have school friday...

[turp]

Hmmm about the best advice I can give is if this
1. If you are on street tires find out exactly what rpm's your tires break loose on the track. This will be higher than on the street(probably around 2000 RPM's or so).
2. Drive around the water box. You have an open diff. and will only spin one tire throwing water all over the launchpad. Plus street tires do not get hot enough to improve traction very much anyways so a quick spin to knock the dirt off when you head to the line will do fine.
3. When you watch the tree count down, a good way to get low reaction times is to go as soon as you see the last yellow (or as soon as you see yellow on a sportsman tree).
4. when you pre-stage bump the car up to stage completely and as soon as the second light comes on get ready (whether the other guy is ready or not)
5. Once you are off race THROUGH the lightboards at the end of the track. There is plenty of time and distance to get slowed down. You let off early and it will hurt you.
6. Go to slip shack and pick up your timeslip.
CONGRATULATIONS! You have just completed Turp's school of drag 101!
Seriously Chris I hope this helps a little bit.

[AtlanticBlue99]

thanks a lot. i havent done a pass at all before, so i do need to know about the track layout and stuff too. i know not to go in the water box with open dif and no slicks... i hope i can catch on fast being inexperienced and all. if all else fails, they still give a trophy for best looking car lol.

my ultimate goal is to do well in the competition, but more than anything, i want to gain track experience and perform well in a magazine-covered environment. if i make the mags, it can only do good for the site...

[lemon]

a view from the rafters, before descending and destroying your prey :wink

( this is my 1/8th i ran a good couple of months ago. ... i need to make a visit )

a) pre-staging lines
b) 1/8th mile dragstrip
c) end of the 1/8th dragstrip, timer tripbox
d) cool-down portion of the dragstrip
e) concrete turnaround, for my dragstrip, not sure if the event location will have one, but it takes you back to (g)

f) (should be a little closer to the dot inside the concrete area.. this is the ticket booth to get your slip from.

g) parking. where else are you gonna let your beast take a qick fiver?

remember, the last yellow light is when you want to punch it.. by the time your car starts moving to trip the reaction time laser, the light will be green. dont worry about the other competitor, unless he is smashing into your car, or is careening all over in front of you.

yes, it is nerve-wracking when its your first time, but just go with the additional adrenaline, and it'll keep you awake. its fun. especially launching

[Bossman351]

I was so nervous the first time I ran that I got stomach cramps. I couldnt stop shaking after the first run because I was so excited. Im used to a crowd but it seems like there is more to it on the strip because its not just how you drive. Its like everyone is judging your driving ability, mechanical ability and more. After that first run it'll be on like a pot of neckbones though. Just try to get some seat time in and give it hell. The ONLY way to learn to drag race is to do it. :wink

[87vert]

another tip, if your up against some hoopty let them go first, all too often i've seen them lose an axle or just come carening into your lane. and if you when with them you'll get a nice surprise. So I'll just sit at the light and let them go. sure it hurts your reaction time but you'll atleast be alive.

and remember R/T does not affect ET

[artisan00]

dunno if it helps but i just found this article. maybe its useful .. (maybe not?)

http://www.stangpro.com/html/tutoria...dragracing.htm

[AtlanticBlue99]

thanks for the link art. yea, my car is in awesome mechanical condition, so i should be set for getting on the track. i have a dot legal snell 9 motorcycle helmet. i should have about 2 months of street time with the same set up in preparation for the event. if i have anymore questions i will be sure to post them

[87vert]

13.99 for a helmet....

[AtlanticBlue99]

so embarrassingly, i wont need one lol.

[lemon]

thanks for no recongition there ab :wink


well, after your first pass or two, you will know what you want in terms of performance ...










a gt

[AtlanticBlue99]

not for 7 more years. ill keep the 6er til then

[173speed]

I agree with boss man drag racing is just something that u have to do and when is done at the track is completely different than on the street my fist time at the track I suck big time the guy on the other side kept creping up and I was like u not going get in front of me then the guy from the track call me back because I went to far down the dude smoke me and I could not understand because I was killing people on the street with my 89 gt but once I settle down it went all good and I started running some real times I got my gt down to the 11 before I sold it and I love going to the track I get a bunch of my friends and go down and some times make some money racing

P.S. I would just say go to ure local track test and tune and try to get ure launch down ure 60 foot is very important to running good times good lock man ...

[AtlanticBlue99]

we have test n tunes thursdays and saturdays. i will try to start going on the weekends when im off saturday. we do have a couple breaks from school before the end of march so i will have the opportunity to go. ill keep yall posted on my first trip to the local track, my times, more pointers i might need, and my trip to cecil hopefully.

thanks again