1st Time on the track Friday Night

[SIN R G]

Last night I went to the track for the first time in my life. I went to have some fun and to see what I could do. I did have a lot of fun, but was a little dissapointed in what I could do. I have read many threads here and with the mods I have others have been able to get around 12.3 in the 1/4. Now I did not expect to run those kind of times, but I was hoping I could get around 13.5. I made 8 passes and my best time was 14.11 with most of my 60 ft times were 2.22. I had gone on a few back roads when nobody else was around and did a couple of launches and I thought I would do pretty good. My very first run I know I nervous and a little excited, but what suprised me was how slippery the track was compared to a back road. I have the auto so on the back road I put it in sport mode, gave it just enough gas that I had to hold the car still with the brake. Then on launch gave about 3/4 throttle till it stopped spinning then put it to the floor and held it. It gave a good squawk when it hit second and the back end wiggled a bit to keep traction but held straight. The same happend when it hit third.
On my first run on the track I did about the same thing, once I thought I was going good I put it to the floor, but when I did the tires busted loose and the rear end swung to the right real fast and I had to let off big time. Each run after that I tried to feather it a little but I just could not put it to the floor till about half way down the track without totally breaking the tires loose and the rear end swinging to the right.
I am running the stock street tires and I have read a lot of the threads here to get ideas on how to run. I did not let any air out of the tires because I was only there to have some fun. I also read that with the stock tires that you should drive around the water and not do a burnout. But at this track you could not drive around the water. I am learning and I know the burnout I was doing was not the best. I was just very suprised that the track was this slippery. I thought the track would have more traction than that. This track is in Wisconsin and the temp outside last night was about 55 degrees. Are all the the tracks this slippery or did the cold weather contribute to it being this slippery.
My very first run of the night was a 14.93 and I improved with each run till run #7 where I got the 14.11. On run #8 I tried running in drive instead of sport mode thinking that maybe it would not shift as hard as sport mode. I did then try giving it more throttle right after the launch but again the rear busted loose big time and swung to the right so I had to let off and only got a 14.46.
Like I said, I went to have run and I did have a lot of it. Meet a lot of really nice people that showed me the ropes and offered advice. I thought I would only do this once and never do it again. But I do think I will be back because I do want to hit at least a 13.00. I have a lot to learn and my next set of tires for sure will be better tires for the track. I know this was a long post, but please give me feedback, because I do want to get better. Thanks all....

[usa1camaro1969]

if you'd scan and post your slip some of the gurus here would analyze you run

not all tracks are squirrelly and I doubt it was the temp as much as tire pressure and your burnout
sometimes if you're at a track that directs everyone through the water box if you go talk to the guy wetting down the box and let him know you're putting dry right below your number he'll make sure not to add more water to the lane

[SIN R G]

Here are my timeslips from the 4th, 5th and 7th run, with the 7th being my best of the night. I really was only going to go to the track once, but I had so much fun I want to go again. And I know the car can do so much better, but I won't be able to get back this year. Next time I will let some air out of the tires.

[ZenitramSS]

Your tires are spinning way too much. Get your 60ft down into the 2.00 and you'll be in the mid 13's. I took a look at the D.A. and the conditions were PERFECT! Try warming up your tires a bit, not too much.
When you light up the lights on the tree, step on the gas and raise the RPMS to 1000-1500. Try not to slam on the gas pedal, roll into it and this will get your 60FT times down which will lower your overall E.T.. Good luck


Here's a vid of my car. Notice my burnout, it's just enough to warm the tires up a little. I ran a 13.2 this night (best time is 13.00 at 4000 FASL)



Joe

[Parag]

Just practice, we were all in your situation at one time, have someone ride along thay knows what they are doing, it is probably pretty obvious. Some tracks dont allow ridealongs though. Maybe just some street fun

[Grand Pa]

cold asphalt + water + stock pirelli's = crappy times.
with similar mods I ran mid 12's w/low 1.9 to hi 1.8's @ e-town where i could go around the water. @ atco where I had to go thru water I spun the tires thru 3rd +had wheel hop on my 3rd and last run, this with 20# of air and launching @ 800. Bottom line with your mods if you have to go thru water save over the winter for some D.R.'s