Some question from a first-timer...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 334
Likes: 0
From: Honolulu Hawaii
Some question from a first-timer...
Aloha all,
Been thinking about taking my 03' Z (Stock) to our local track for some 1/4 mile fun. After seeing the video posted over on the C5 general forum I'm having second thoughts
Anyhow, I’ve been researching & reading many of the post here on this forum but still have a couple of questions...
1) Should I make my first attempts with TC on (completely)? I'm not going for great times at this point, I just want to learn more about the car at much higher power settings than I encounter day-to-day.
2) Should I use my street tires to begin with or am I asking for trouble? My friend has offered to let me use his drag radials... Do they make that much of a difference?
I'm a newbie and still have a lot to learn, I don't want to be a danger to others or myself on the track. I know these things take time & practice so I don't mind turning some low times if it means staying in one piece until I've improved my driving skills. My goal is to at least get into the mid 12's with my stock Z at some point in the future (fingers crossed)
TIA & Mahalo!!!
Mark
Been thinking about taking my 03' Z (Stock) to our local track for some 1/4 mile fun. After seeing the video posted over on the C5 general forum I'm having second thoughts
Anyhow, I’ve been researching & reading many of the post here on this forum but still have a couple of questions...1) Should I make my first attempts with TC on (completely)? I'm not going for great times at this point, I just want to learn more about the car at much higher power settings than I encounter day-to-day.
2) Should I use my street tires to begin with or am I asking for trouble? My friend has offered to let me use his drag radials... Do they make that much of a difference?
I'm a newbie and still have a lot to learn, I don't want to be a danger to others or myself on the track. I know these things take time & practice so I don't mind turning some low times if it means staying in one piece until I've improved my driving skills. My goal is to at least get into the mid 12's with my stock Z at some point in the future (fingers crossed)
TIA & Mahalo!!!
Mark
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,457
Likes: 22
It seems to my you have the right attitude. Things can happen on the track. If you use street tires stay out of the water box. Think of the launch as pulling out on a rainy day. If anything happens don't forget to just let off the gas. Seems simple enough but people get squirley and just stay in it. Just watch the other cars and watch the staging directors on the starting line. Ask questions. See if you an go with someone with experience. Besure to know where the finish line is and where the turnoffs are. Don't cut in front of the other car. Comes down to just plain common sense. I fell much safer on the track racing than driving 70 mph in daily commuter traffic. First time out just get the hang of things, think safe, and have fun. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,456
Likes: 8
From: Cockeysville Maryland
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Daytona Jam 1 Veteran
Hey Mark, Good luck to you. You are in for a lot of fun!
IMHO you want to turn TC off but leave Active Handling on. To do this hold down the active handling button for 5 or 10 seconds until COMPETETIVE MODE appears on the DIC. This allows for wheel spinning (no TC) but retains the active handling functionality in case you get a bit of shape at some point. I use the COMPETETIVE MODE myself.
Since you have a Z06 and the F1 Supercar tires you should have the PSI at about 20. You can go through the water box with these tires and I suggest you do a small burnout.
Never dump the clutch but more like ease it out as you give it gas. I would launch your car at aroound 1800 - 2000 rpms but NO higher as you will experience wheel hop which is very bad for your car.
Stay safe and have fun!
IMHO you want to turn TC off but leave Active Handling on. To do this hold down the active handling button for 5 or 10 seconds until COMPETETIVE MODE appears on the DIC. This allows for wheel spinning (no TC) but retains the active handling functionality in case you get a bit of shape at some point. I use the COMPETETIVE MODE myself.
Since you have a Z06 and the F1 Supercar tires you should have the PSI at about 20. You can go through the water box with these tires and I suggest you do a small burnout.
Never dump the clutch but more like ease it out as you give it gas. I would launch your car at aroound 1800 - 2000 rpms but NO higher as you will experience wheel hop which is very bad for your car.
Stay safe and have fun!
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,457
Likes: 22
Originally Posted by AnteVenom
Since you have a Z06 and the F1 Supercar tires you should have the PSI at about 20. You can go through the water box with these tires and I suggest you do a small burnout.
Please never go into the water box with street tires. It only creates problems for you and the next 4 cars behind you. If you feel you really need the water to spin pull around the box then back into the damp spot. The staging director will help you do this. In my street car (street tires) I pull around the box and just chip the tires to clean them off. Pulling through the water box with street tires will only drag the water up into the grove of the track. Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,001
Likes: 0
From: Carmel ny
Originally Posted by kazman
Please never go into the water box with street tires. It only creates problems for you and the next 4 cars behind you. If you feel you really need the water to spin pull around the box then back into the damp spot. The staging director will help you do this. In my street car (street tires) I pull around the box and just chip the tires to clean them off. Pulling through the water box with street tires will only drag the water up into the grove of the track. Thanks.
I cant agree more....
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,456
Likes: 8
From: Cockeysville Maryland
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Daytona Jam 1 Veteran
Originally Posted by kazman
Please never go into the water box with street tires. It only creates problems for you and the next 4 cars behind you. If you feel you really need the water to spin pull around the box then back into the damp spot. The staging director will help you do this. In my street car (street tires) I pull around the box and just chip the tires to clean them off. Pulling through the water box with street tires will only drag the water up into the grove of the track. Thanks.
Are you saying that it's okay to go through the water box if you do not have street tires? Would this include front AND rears?
I would venture to guess that unless one is running slicks (et streets) and skinnies up front that some water will be carried forward.
That goes for drag radials on the rear and radials on the front, ET Street radials on the rear and radials on the front even the crazy setup of ET Streets on the rear and radials on the front. It's the tread that allows a slight bit of water to be retained.
As far as worrying about water being carried forward and being deposited for others to slip on IMHO it is not that big of a deal and causes no real issue for any driver behind.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 19,653
Likes: 428
From: Melbourne Florida
Cruise-In IV Veteran
If you are not running "skinnies" up front, always drive around the water box and back up into it before your burnout...some tracks (just a few) don't allow you to back up into the water box...in this case, obviously, you drive through it...
The only reason I can see for tracks not allowing you to back up is to increase the volume of cars taking passes...personally, I think it's an awful rule to make you follow a car (or cars) that have dragged a bunch of water to the starting line and left it there for you to deal with on your run...rant off...lol
The only reason I can see for tracks not allowing you to back up is to increase the volume of cars taking passes...personally, I think it's an awful rule to make you follow a car (or cars) that have dragged a bunch of water to the starting line and left it there for you to deal with on your run...rant off...lol
Race Director
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 13,298
Likes: 14
From: Somers NY
Originally Posted by kazman
It seems to my you have the right attitude. If anything happens don't forget to just let off the gas. Seems simple enough but people get squirley and just stay in it.
Too many new racers start to spin off the starting line, & try to drive through it.. I (and many here) have seen cars hit the wall in the first 100' why??? because the driver tried to be "macho"If it starts to get out of shape..GET OFF THE GAS the run is already shot... it will be a poor ET so why risk nailing the wall...
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