First time to the track...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: St. Amant LA
First time to the track...
Wed. will supposedly be my first day to run my car at the track, assuming they let me race (im 17), im gonna lie and tell them im 18 tho...anyways in my sig u can see my setup, what tips do u guys have for my launch and shift points etc....anything would be helpful as I am clueless now
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Re: First time to the track... (C3Vettesrock)
Wed. will supposedly be my first day to run my car at the track, assuming they let me race (im 17), im gonna lie and tell them im 18 tho...anyways in my sig u can see my setup, what tips do u guys have for my launch and shift points etc....anything would be helpful as I am clueless now
So, in addition to a note from your parents :) you will need, a helmet (you can almost certainly rent one at the track), and long pants. As for technique, I think you are supposed to wait for the last yellow light and floor it, keep it down til you cross the finish line....?? :) Have fun! MJ
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,708
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Re: First time to the track... (MNJack)
I perfer the ol' "point and pray" tactic...which is, try to line up straigh, close your eyes, and pray you get a good light, and pray you stay in the groove(pray to stay in your lane if you don't want to be pickey). :jester
Kidding. What you may want to try is holding the brake and gas at the same time. Try to get the RPM's to a certain point(lets say 3,000 to start with), then when the last yellow hits, let off the brake and floor it. If you red light, do it in practice, because it doesn't matter then(unless its a grudge match). That way you can get used to when to let off the brake/hit the gas.
Daniel
Kidding. What you may want to try is holding the brake and gas at the same time. Try to get the RPM's to a certain point(lets say 3,000 to start with), then when the last yellow hits, let off the brake and floor it. If you red light, do it in practice, because it doesn't matter then(unless its a grudge match). That way you can get used to when to let off the brake/hit the gas.
Daniel
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
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Re: First time to the track... (Aaron-74)
In Houston at HRP you just show up and race. Sign away life and limb, go through a quick safety tech and pull to the line. No competition license needed to race play nights, or bracket racing etc until you get real fast...9's or so.
Pull around the water and do a quick short burnout and pul to the line. Pull to the line watching the two staging lights at the top of the tree. Slowly inch forward until both lamps are lit then stop. Bring up the RPM to what you think is right ( I KNOW you've ben practicing!!) and as soon as you see the last yellow come on GO!! You need to be moving before you see green. Depending on how great your reaction time, traction etc, yo umay redlight. Big deal when making time shots. Just keep your foot in it. Your ET etc is not affected by the redlight. You will still get an accurate time. Even if you sit there 5 minutes after you see green, your ET etc will be unaffected. The clock begins when the second light beam (remember the stage lights?) is is opened back up when your tire moves forward out of it.
Try to get a helmet. make sure all your lug nuts are there (it happens) you need a coolant overflow tank of some sort and it just needs to look safe and seatbelts need to be there etc.
Take it easy and have fun!!
Jim
Pull around the water and do a quick short burnout and pul to the line. Pull to the line watching the two staging lights at the top of the tree. Slowly inch forward until both lamps are lit then stop. Bring up the RPM to what you think is right ( I KNOW you've ben practicing!!) and as soon as you see the last yellow come on GO!! You need to be moving before you see green. Depending on how great your reaction time, traction etc, yo umay redlight. Big deal when making time shots. Just keep your foot in it. Your ET etc is not affected by the redlight. You will still get an accurate time. Even if you sit there 5 minutes after you see green, your ET etc will be unaffected. The clock begins when the second light beam (remember the stage lights?) is is opened back up when your tire moves forward out of it.
Try to get a helmet. make sure all your lug nuts are there (it happens) you need a coolant overflow tank of some sort and it just needs to look safe and seatbelts need to be there etc.
Take it easy and have fun!!
Jim
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 9,078
Likes: 7
From: DFW TX
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Re: First time to the track... (427Hotrod)
Stupid thing, but on your first run leave it in drive and do not shift. So many people get so jacked up going down the track and forget about shifting. They look down and the tach is on 7000. :eek: Watch the lights before you race and time them in your mind. Every tree is different.
As 427 said, don't get caught up in reaction time. That will take practice. Trust me we all pull 1.0 reaction on occasions. Even the pro's.
[Modified by Budman78, 10:23 AM 3/19/2002]
As 427 said, don't get caught up in reaction time. That will take practice. Trust me we all pull 1.0 reaction on occasions. Even the pro's.
[Modified by Budman78, 10:23 AM 3/19/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,305
Likes: 5
From: Orlando,Fl,USA
Re: First time to the track... (C3Vettesrock)
When you prestage the first small yellow light on top of the Xmas tree will light up. You have about 12" to move in order to stage the other yellow. As soon as both small yellow lights are on for you, & the guy you are racing, the Xmas tree will start to go . Hit it on the 3rd yellow light. . Know your launch RPM's before you go. If you launch to hard you will spin of the line & your times won't look very good. Drive the car like you hate it and keep it to the floor until you pass the finish. The first few passes (if you get the chance) may not be to good but you will get the hang of it & your times will improve. Have fun , Be safe. Oh yea if you have street tires avoid the water and steer around. Just spin the tires to get off the debride. Also line up the car in the center of the lane. If not the timer guy will let you know. Keep your A/C off and windows closed. :smash:
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,758
Likes: 4
From: Medford, Or
Re: First time to the track... (dogboy)
Dittos to dogboy, he's is right on. Follow what he says and you will do great!
Don't let any Mustang beat you. I purposely try to line up with tangs. I love eating up! :lol: :lol:
Good Luck!
Dan
Don't let any Mustang beat you. I purposely try to line up with tangs. I love eating up! :lol: :lol:
Good Luck!
Dan
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 765
Likes: 0
From: Canton GA
Re: First time to the track... (dogboy)
Cool Good luck man. I'm 29 and have never got to run a car on a strip yet, although it isn't going to be much longer. I'll be anticipating you're follow up on how it goes?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: St. Amant LA
Re: First time to the track... (C3Vettesrock)
Thanks, i hope all works well...i am really nervous tho about my times, i asked what times zz4's ran in c3s and people are saying 13.3 and im expecting 14's with the way shes running right now, hopeuflly the carb settings and/or timing will fix that....any other ideas of things to check out before the track...and another thing, run without hte air clenaer on?