This is my 8th Vette (one at a time) including an 03 ZO6 and I never really raced any of them till now. I am now retired and have time to do things I never could with a 24/7 operation to run. I know I will not turn all the traction control off as other posts have assurred us it gets ugly fast. I am thinking of using the Competition Mode any other advice? My mods are a Stinger and GHL's and I haven't drag raced since the Beatles. I have done some autocross but the technique is very different and I am aware the C6 was not designed to drag race. Pls keep the flames to a tolerable level I am a very young 59.

 

Any of the G-Tech runs I've made are with T/C & A/H OFF, I drive with it OFF much of the time. It makes at least a .2 second lower difference in my times. In Comp. mode I still lose power, I can feel the difference.

As long as you're in a straight line the traction isn't a problem to control with your right foot. With this hot, dry weather and warm tires the EMT Supercar's have good bite. No doubt I'd get better times with slicks and an aggresive launch but I'm looking for everyday fast, not only at the strip.

 

Thinking of doing the same. Any recommendations for launch RPM or launch technique with manual trans, Z51?

 

Fairly low RPMS, like around 1500 - 1800. When the last yellow bulb lights, let the clutch out just a little quicker than normal driving. Then roll into full throttle, just a hair slower than breaking traction. Takes practice to find that exact throttle roll into and clutch release that doesn't break the tires loose.

Practice on a country road, then on a slow night at the track. I'd leave it in competition mode until you are really comfortable with it. You never know when a slick spot could appear on the track, and a vette can get sideways in a blink of an eye.

Shifting takes practice and I like to be more precise shifting and maybe give up a tenth instead of speed shifting and risking grabbing the wrong gear. Practice an open palm on the shifter, instead of grabbing it like a baseball. 1 - 2 shift, open palm on the right side of the shifter (palm towards you). 2 - 3 shift, open palm on the back side of the shifter (palm facing the radio) and push up and over. 3 - 4 shift, hand upside down and open palm on left side of shifter, pull straight back.

Practice putting your hand in the different positions shifting under just normal driving. This will really help prevent grabbing the wrong gear at the strip. It is really ugly to see a Vette do a 3 - 2 downshift at 100 mph. During your 3 - 4 shift if you grab it like a baseball, your natural tendency will be to pull it toward you - bang 2nd gear. This shift is where the hand position really helps, get your palm on the left side and it will go straight back into 4th.

Don't try to set the world on fire first couple of nights at the strip. Some high 13s will be plenty thrilling and will get you used to launching and shifting. The trick to the launch is zero tire slip and roll into the throttle.

 

That depends how sticky the track is.

you want the highest revs you can get without spinning the tires excessively.

probably somewhere between 2-3 K. I'd start at 2500 rpm and adjust up or down. the more revs the better the final time/speed you will run.

I launch my BB powered camaro at 5500 rpm which is right at the flash point of the torque converter. Car rev's to 8600 for shift points.. finish the 1/4 at 9200 rpm. Time: 9.2 at 148 mph best. I never ran the vette.. that's my daily driver. I can keep the vette stock and play with the camaro.

 

The one time I drag raced my previous C6, I made one run in competition mode, and it reacted strangely. It seemed to cut out before redline in first gear, and acted like traction control still kicked in on one shift. Very strange, as it has never done that on the street. I have heard others experience this as well. When I took turned everything off and it ran perfectly.

I've heard horror stories of people losing control and hitting a wall. But I honestly think for that to happen in a stock Corvette would be caused by someone panicing and not backing off if something starts to get squirly. Just my opinion, of course.