First Trip to Drag Strip
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Bowling Green Kentucky
First Trip to Drag Strip
So this Sunday I will be venturing to make my first trip to the drag strip, and wondered if there was anyone who would give some tips to a first timer. A stock 2001 Vert with e-cutouts, new plugs and wires, and street non run-flat tires, other than that the car is completely stock. Anyone find/know of any sort of recommended launching RPM, or does that vary with tire tread and temps and such? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks for your time! 
Racer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 393
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Max the air pressure in the front tires and about 25 lbs in the rears...launch hard as you can w/o spinning....go around the water box and just spin the rears enough to clean them.....launch when the last amber light comes on before the green light....wont change your ET but will give you a good reaction time.....learn but most important enjoy yourself...
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
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I've got a great Word file on drag racing basics. If you'd like a copy, PM me your e-mail address.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 8
From: Belleville Il
Max the air pressure in the front tires and about 25 lbs in the rears...launch hard as you can w/o spinning....go around the water box and just spin the rears enough to clean them.....launch when the last amber light comes on before the green light....wont change your ET but will give you a good reaction time.....learn but most important enjoy yourself...
I ran about 42#in front,,25# in rears. I found around 2500 is a good RPM area to start experimenting with. Do a quick lift off the clutch,,don't side step or "pop" the clutch. As you feel the clutch/tires grab,,step on the gas. I managed lots of 13.1s&2s with one 13.08@110.24 like that,,,on old Goodyear runflats!! Have fun!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 46
From: Springfield IL.
Oldtimer
Don't do it!!! It is VERY exspensive and very habit forming. My son-in-law and I took my 87 GTA to the track 9 years ago just to have a little fun one time. Ya right. Two weeks later we were back having a little more fun. At the end of the season we desided we would build us a track only car. He only lasted 3 seasons, and quit. Since then I've built 4 differant cars, and several thousand dollars later, I gave up driving at the end of last season. Don't care for the wheel stands anymore. My son still has a back halfed 96 Firebird, we'll be putting my engine in next week. I may even have to take the vette over and run it a couple times this season. Be careful and have FUN !! You will be HOOKED.
Last edited by 92GA; Apr 6, 2011 at 08:34 PM.
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Michael S. Palmer
Team Owner
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From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
When you launch, launch on the last yellow, right before the green and you will almost cut a perfect light every time 
Thanks,Matt
Thanks,Matt
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,010
Likes: 493
From: South Florida
Max the tires in the front to 40-42lbs. Set the rears to 25lbs cold and go from there. Do a decent burnout(2nd gear), and stage the car deep. By deep, I mean as soon as the second yellow light pops up, immediately stop. Once the first light comes up, just creep up as slowly as possible. Deep staging allows for better ET's, but not good for bracket racing.
For rpm's launch between 2800-3800rpm, you will have to find out which works for you. Quickly slip the clutch on the launch. It doesn't like to get hot. If you wheel hop, get off the gas IMMEDIATELY. I don't care who you are racing, this will brake your rear and/or trans. With these techniques and bolt-ons, I have managed a best of 11.80@118mph.
You should see anywhere from 13.5-12.9 depending on your 60'. MPH I would guess between 104-110mph. If you bog a launch, your ET and mph will both be slower. Spinning is better than bogging. The best modification for drag racing is the driver mod. The more you practice, the better you get. I myself, am still learning. I hope to go 11.60's before I do my heads/cam package, but I am not sure if time will allow for it. Good luck and post up the results.
For rpm's launch between 2800-3800rpm, you will have to find out which works for you. Quickly slip the clutch on the launch. It doesn't like to get hot. If you wheel hop, get off the gas IMMEDIATELY. I don't care who you are racing, this will brake your rear and/or trans. With these techniques and bolt-ons, I have managed a best of 11.80@118mph.
You should see anywhere from 13.5-12.9 depending on your 60'. MPH I would guess between 104-110mph. If you bog a launch, your ET and mph will both be slower. Spinning is better than bogging. The best modification for drag racing is the driver mod. The more you practice, the better you get. I myself, am still learning. I hope to go 11.60's before I do my heads/cam package, but I am not sure if time will allow for it. Good luck and post up the results.
AMP Racing
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,757
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From: Washington TWP NJ
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2017 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12
Most of all have fun.
Ask questions from others there. Everyone had a first time at a track and they will all be willing to help you.
Run in competition mode. Hold the active handling bottom for several seconds until you see competitive mode on the DIC.
Try to avoid the water box if able. Spin the tires a bit to clean them off and stage slowly.
Report back.
Btw. There is a dedicated C5 performance section here where most ofthe drag racers hang out as well as a drag racing section with lots of helpful members.
Have fun.
Ask questions from others there. Everyone had a first time at a track and they will all be willing to help you.
Run in competition mode. Hold the active handling bottom for several seconds until you see competitive mode on the DIC.
Try to avoid the water box if able. Spin the tires a bit to clean them off and stage slowly.
Report back.
Btw. There is a dedicated C5 performance section here where most ofthe drag racers hang out as well as a drag racing section with lots of helpful members.
Have fun.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Bowling Green Kentucky
So today was very interesting...I got 4 passes in and am very happy with the results that I was able to pull off!
My first run, in which I was scared to really romp on it as I had no prior experience ended up decent, but I noticed an improvement as I went on!
1st Run: 14.680 @ 90.07 mph
2nd Run: 14.082 @ 104.61 mph
3rd Run: 14.027 @ 103.05 mph
4th Run: 14.049 @ 106.75 mph
Fortunately I didn't break into the 13's as I would've needed a helmet according to track rules, so I think I came about as close as possible to that rule!
Overall the day was great, raced a few mustang gt's, a ford probe, and my personal best record was beating a dodge viper that was modded with according to the owner around 600 rwhp. Beat him by about 4tenths...thought for sure that owning a stock Convertible Vette I would beat him at the 1/8 but he would catch and surpass at the 1/4 but I was able to hold him off! I am afraid I am hooked now, so it looks like all discretionary funds have found their home!
My first run, in which I was scared to really romp on it as I had no prior experience ended up decent, but I noticed an improvement as I went on!
1st Run: 14.680 @ 90.07 mph
2nd Run: 14.082 @ 104.61 mph
3rd Run: 14.027 @ 103.05 mph
4th Run: 14.049 @ 106.75 mph
Fortunately I didn't break into the 13's as I would've needed a helmet according to track rules, so I think I came about as close as possible to that rule!
Overall the day was great, raced a few mustang gt's, a ford probe, and my personal best record was beating a dodge viper that was modded with according to the owner around 600 rwhp. Beat him by about 4tenths...thought for sure that owning a stock Convertible Vette I would beat him at the 1/8 but he would catch and surpass at the 1/4 but I was able to hold him off!
I am afraid I am hooked now, so it looks like all discretionary funds have found their home!
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
that you had a good time. Keep at it and you'll be in the 13's before you know it.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Bowling Green Kentucky
Tons of fun 
My 60 Times were as follows:
1st Run: 2.319
2nd Run: 2.423
3rd Run: 2.258
4th Run: 2.295
Thanks it was a great time, I am hoping so, but that means I must invest in a helmet in order to run at that track, but that is my next logical purchase anyways!
hahaha yeah, I have a feeling the mod bug is going to bite really hard now! 
My 60 Times were as follows:1st Run: 2.319
2nd Run: 2.423
3rd Run: 2.258
4th Run: 2.295