I'm planning on taking my first trip to the track this weekend. Is there any hints, tips, or tricks you veterans can give this newbie to make him not seem like a fool at the track or maybe give him a faster quarter mile time?

Any help or comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

HERE'S THE RESULTS

[img]c:\timeslips.gif[/img]

better than what I was expecting with some slipage in the beginning. I just wish I could have gotten a few more runs in but the announcer said that there were 450 cars there and I waited 1 1/2 hours between the first and second run and the line was atleast twice as long.

I know the reaction times are really bad, but hey, I'm working on it... :yesnod:

I did totally smoke both opponents. One was a mid 90's t-bird and the other was an audi that false started. I wish I could have raced someone at least close to me.




[Modified by mn_vette, 8:31 PM 4/8/2002]

 

Go here, http://www.corvettechallenge.info/ , and check out the relavent Links.

When you arrive at the strip, go through Tech Inspection, go watch a few races to get the feel for procedures and then pull into the lanes to wait your turn.

And, please, don't drive through the water box if on street tires. Drive around, if possible, and do a short dry burn out to clean the tires.

Good luck and just have fun with it.

 

Also go to Beach Bum's web page. He has a lot of good tips on there.

 

All of the above and have fun. It's probably too soon to wish you good luck, but that too. This is a highly contagious activity. You are likely to come back bitten by the bug. You will probably have MORE questions after you've been, than before. The questions will be different, but I'll bet they out number the "pre" questions. We are all here to help...and share. Be sure to tell us all about your expereince. Where is your closest track? Rock Falls Raceway at Eau Claire is the nearest NHRA track I show.

As an after thought. Park and unload your "stuff" before you head for tech. Just as a suggestion, I like to take a couple of folding chairs, a cooler with some cold drinks (no beer), a sandwich or two, and anything else, knowing your car, you think you might need. Try to be as prepared as possible. The plugs should be changed before you go (if they're going to be). I've seen a lot of guys say, "I'll take care of that (what ever THAT might be) at the track, and spend all of their time fussing with the car instead of racing. Have fun.


[Modified by CFI-EFI, 1:13 PM 4/1/2002]

 

What about things like ASR? do you guys recomend keeping this on or off? How about letting a little air out of the tires for greater traction, does this work? are there any other little tips to help me go faster?

 

Turn ASR off. Drop tire pressure to about 30 and see how you do, you don't want to go too much lower, the tires may start cupping and you'll have less traction.

We try to keep our intakes cool by not letting the engine run for more than ten seconds at a time. This can be tough on your starter.

Try and bring as few things with you-more junk=more weight.
I keep 1/2 tank of gas to avoid bogging off the line.

As far as everything else, as was stated above, if you are on street tires, do everything possible to avoid the water box.
DO a short dry burnout, just enough to put some heat in them(too much and they tend to get a little greasy).

Pull up to the starting line, ease up until the top light goes on. Wait for your opponent to light the top bulb, then inch forward till the bottom bulb is also on.
Leave it in "D" and let the tranny do the shifting.
As the three yellow lights start counting down, hit it when the thrid yeloow lights.
I suggest leaving right off idle, if you rev it up, you stand a good chance of spinning the tires and therefore tearing up the track and all the other guys get pissed.
Don't let off the gas until you are passed the finish line.

Repeat until it's time to go home. :)

Most of all just have fun.

 

Ok, this might sound a little dumb but what is the process for doing a burnout? I'd like not to wear out my back breaks as much as possible. How much room, on average, would you say that there is between the water box that I'm going to drive around and the spot that puts me into staging(I think that's the right word, the light tree thing)?

 

First off, be aware of the track officials and follow their signals. And never backup your car, once in the staging sequence, unless an official signals ok.

Most guys with streets just do a dry hop before pre-staging. I prefer to light up my GY Eagles a little more. Also I prefer to pull a little past the water box, just into the tracks of others burn outs. I feel this puts a little soft rubber onto my streets to aid traction.

From the water box to the staging lights is about several car lengths (like maybe 4 car lengths or so).

If you pull up the the tree before the other racer, you prestage (light the top two bulbs only) and wait for the other driver to pre-stage.
If he is pre-staged, pull up, prestage and wait for him to stage (light the bottom two bulbs.
If he is staged, just prestage, do your prep. and immediately stage.
After you pre-stage, turn off all accessories, assure the shifter is in 3rd and bring rpm up to about 800-1000 to avoid bog (assuming an A4).
Watch the 3rd large yellow bulb and launch when it comes on.

There is 0.500 seconds between lighting of each yellow and the green. The trick to drag racing is to time the launch to leave just after the green has lit, which means you must launch on the 3rd yellow.

Now go out and enjoy your Corvette and the drag racing scene. Oh, and don't drink any coffee that morning, you'll be pumped!

 

Spoken like a true PRO Jim! :D

The coffee part is true...somehow, a LOT of adrenaline keeps you going! My hands shake after a good pass(Near or around 117MPH).

Have fun.

 

ttt

 

Alot of good tip here. Have fun.

 

I get goose bumps just reading this - let's go :crazy: :yesnod: :lol: :seeya