Kubs

I have a 1990 Z51 with the mods in my sig that I use for roadracing. I will be trying drag racing for the first time this weekend. Any tips on how to launch a 6 speed on street tires? I will be running 285/70/17 Eagle GS-D3s. What kind of times should I be expecting, granted I can get it to hook? I am looking forward to give it a try and will post the results after!

BrianCunningham

Nice having a car that can do both.

I hit the drag strip with my autox tires, but they're pretty inconsistent.

For streets just spin them once to get the dust off, and keep the revs kinda low.

Pretend there's a cop sitting there waiting to give you a ticket if you spin them.

neat

You're not going to break any records your first time out. I would just focus on having fun. IMO, you should make your first pass at 80%. Learn how to stage, where the finish line is, where the return road is, etc... Don't worry about time or anything, just get the lay of the land.

Just have fun.

If you want tips on laucnh technique, www.rangeracceleration.com is probably the best written guide available.

mrc24x

I don't have any advice for you but I've been wanting to do the same thing w/ my car.



(not to hijack but are you coming to Putnam May 16-17 Kubs?)

Aardwolf

I've gone a few times with mine, it was fun! I can't get used to having the windows up! They remind me every run.

rlane5

Neat gave the best advice, get use to going down the track first. Then you can start improving on ETs.
Enjoy it, that's what a hobby is about.
Randy

Kubs

Thanks for the info guys. I dont know how many runs I will get but I will post the results!



I would love to but I dont know how much racing I will actually be doing this year. Money is kind of tight and seems to be getting tighter since I am still in school. Im thinking the less I spend this year the more I will be able to do next year. If I only do one more event this year it will be Mid-Ohio July 10-12. I need to focus on school as I will be finishing up next year, then I can drop lots of money real fast!!

Steve85

Which begs the question, why do you have to have the windows up for drag racing? I mean there doesn't seem to be much of a safety factor with my window up vs down..especially in a street tire class.

neat

Why is it a big deal? Windows up or down is the least of my concerns at the drag strip.

Aardwolf

If you were burning alive and the safety crew had to waste time busting out your window, it would be a big deal. Always windows down at a road course which I'm so used to. The windows up is bizarre. Anyways, have fun out there!

Kubs

The windows up idea is a little weird and the opposite of everything I do. I will have to remember when I go!

Firevette

Id drop the rear tire pressure a bit. Always worked very well for me when I needed hep with my GSC's.

Steve85

What gave you the impression it was "a big deal" and not simply a question derived from having participated in both types of events?

I addressed the obvious "safety" answer, because well, it's an obvious answer but is hardly a great one.

Kubs

How much is a bit? Should I run like 18-20 psi?

Firevette

Its a matter of prefrence, and how the car feels to you. Assuming your driving the car to the track, Id just make sure you have the means to fill them back up before you leave.

I usually ran somewhere between 20-22 with the GSC's. I had a set of firehawks that hooked pretty well with 26-28.

Id drop it a little to start, make a pass...and go from there.

Steve85

Yeah, no point-by's at the drag strip. If you have a car fast approaching from behind on your line at the dragstrip, you gots problems no finger out the window will solve.

I ran about 12-15 PSI in my slicks but I don't think a street tire will benefit that much from going that low on the pressure. The bias-ply and low pressure slicks allow the sidewall to wrinkle, I'm not sure how much wrinkle you can get out of a radial. I ran about 25PSI in my street tires but I don't know if it made a difference.

And as said before no big smokey burnout is necessary. Just a quick one to clean off the tires.

Firevette

Kubs

Thanks guys!! I am already better off with this knowledge than before!

JackDidley

13.50, if it hooks. Thats a pretty big IF. Good luck.

pablocruise

I agree with lowering the rear PSI. Make sure you have a tank or access to air to boost them back up afterwards.

Boost the air pressure in the front tires.

1/4 tank of gas should be ok.

Drive around the waterbox. If you do want to do a burnout, do it in 2nd gear.

Probably you wil be dealing with a sporstman tree.
This is the one where the yellow lights drop slowly one by one.
A pro tree is where all three yellow lights flash, then the green hits.

Launch when you see the 3rd yellow bulb light up.

Try different launch RPM's.
See what 3K RPM does. if the tires break loose, then try 2700 RPM the next time.
If 3K sticks, maybe try more RPM the next time up.

Granny shift it for now. As you get better, try power shifting.

Stay safe and most importantly, HAVE FUN!