As a general rule, yes. But some tracks will let you race without one depending on how fast the car is.

 

I've haven't been to a track yet, but none the less, good luck and enjoy the experience!

 

If you are in the 13's, you will need a helmet. Usually, you can get by with one run.....and if it is less than 14.0, they will tell you you cannot run again unless you have an approved helmet. Not just any old helmet.

Again, good luck. Just enjoy yourself and don't be worried about "breaking something".

 

Oh and when you line up to the tree, and the light start to come down, don't wait until you see green. Leave on the last YELLOW light. If you haven't left yet and you see green ( Your sleeping at the light )

Have fun.

 

run out and get you a stinger intake and borla stinger exhaust. sting that stang

 

I'm not laughing at all. I remember my first time at the track and it was not all that long ago.

Yes the 2 Yellow Staging lights are different than the 3 yellows the click off the start.

There are the smaller yellows at the very top of the tree, these are the staging lights. As mentioned before, the first one tells you you are close to the line, the second one tells you that you are AT the line and staged.
THEN after both cars have turned on both of their respective staging yellow lights, the other (larger) yellows will start to flash down. YELLOW, YELLOW, YELLOW, GREEN

 

Couple more things:

YES you need a helmet and most tracks will rent you one.

Leave on the SECOND yellow on your first attempt. You most likely will NOT red light being your first time, trust me.

DO NOT PAY ANY ATTENTION TO YOUR OPPONENT DURING THE RACE. Run your own race.

 

Blackwing intake and Stingers exhaust made a HUGE difference in SOTP in my 01 A4 Coupe (2.73 gears). I have no idea if it's any faster - but it FEELS faster - and it SOUNDS faster and it scares the pants off Ricers and Stangs

The gurus have told me that I should have picked up about 15-20 rwhp - but I don't really care. It sounds like a Vette should sound and if I race anyone and lose, who cares? I'm still driving a Vette and they are not.

Have FUN - nothing else really matters!!!

 

Whn I was at the track last two weeks ago, I rented a helmet. I ran high 12s.
Then I saw vipers and z06s running low 12s and high 11s and no helmets.

 

Eliminate excess weight. You should only have about 1/4 tank of gas.

 

Good luck at the track. I too would take a few practice runs just to get your timing down and get a feel for the track. If it is a slightly modded Mustang, you should do fine.

 

If the guy who owns the Mustang has raced before, expect him to run about 1 second faster than he should (his car won't be stock), so say a 13.9, instead of a 14.9. I used to run D stock and no one was legal (and we were running about 2 seconds faster than was possible true stock). You're only illegal if caught.

You will most likely do one of two things and lose - 1) spin or smoke the rear tires and lose an half second or more, or 2) feather the throttle too much to avoid wheelspin and leave the line too slow.

I agree with staging as short as possible and leaving on the second yellow (there are two ways to say you have won - beat him to the line or post a better time) a red light is meaningless in a grudge match and unless well practiced on the lights, the only way you'll get a red by trying to leave on the second yellow will be pure luck.

I say leave the traction control on (so you can forget about wheelspin) and push the accelerator to the floor.

There is only one thing I would check before the race, and that is the throttle linkage - make sure when the throttle pedal is depressed that the throttle at the engine is WFO. I have seen many an engine where this was its only problem.

Finally, less weight equals more speed - drive to the track on fumes and carry no more than a couple of gallons on board when you race, empty your storage compartments, take out your floor mats, wear a speedo, cut your hair, fast for two days, etc.

 

Would you guys recommend adding some octane booster to the gas? Even if its already premium? I've got a similar situation (except for the race) and was wondering if that booster stuff is worth it.

 

I do not think octane booster helps performance. I tried it and recieved no gains. Also do not use higher race octane gas at the track, your car is not designed for it and can damage parts, it will also cause you to throw an engine light on.

 

 

DO NOT LEAVE TRACTION CONTROL ON!!!

You can manage the throttle much faster than the computer can.

 

Except for the "IB4TL",Its a legal street race,why lock?

 

Okay this thread was yesterday so she must be at the track right now results??

Lot's of good advice here. I would do one of 2 things....either get there early to practice..or let someone else drive.

Hope you win!!!

good luck

 

How do you know? I have a 98 A4 coupe if that helps. I tried and it will only take TC on and off.

 

This will sound stupid, but it really isn't.

Don't look over at the Mustang. Look at where YOU are going. Looking at him won't make him any slower or you any faster.