Drag Racing for Newbs

[Neumatic]

Originally Posted by Rockit_z28

Footbrake - Term used in bracket racing. Generally, the car slows down before the finish line to avoid breaking out and run their index/dial-in. Note: Jumping on the brakes at the finish line can be dangerous.

I am going to disagree with this one. That is the definition of sandbagging not foot braking.

Foot Braking is where you are using the foot brake to hold the car at the line and to stall the converter.

[Merc]

Originally Posted by Neumatic

I am going to disagree with this one. That is the definition of sandbagging not foot braking.

Foot Braking is where you are using the foot brake to hold the car at the line and to stall the converter.

Agreed!

[vroomapunk]

Originally Posted by rjla67

Excellent post. Good refresher for those who have never done a drag race or hasn't been to the track in a long time (like myself). For those with autos, what do most favor to turn off in terms of the nannies to get the best times?

Just turn off t/c, dont need stabilitrak off, so just hit the button once.

Use sport mode for the trans.

Originally Posted by rjla67

Oh, forgot... any tips on RPM's for a good launch on stock tires?

Alot of good racers on this forum have said to just launch from 1k rpm, any higher than that and you will most likely spin. I have all bolt ons, and spun a little every launch between 1400 and 1500, brakes couldnt hold trying to go over 1500.

So, maybe 1,000 - 1,200, and see what your traction is like

[Supercharged SS]

Originally Posted by molsonbrador

Return road, note speed limit sign. Atco.

Worst return road ever!!!

[dixonk]

Great writeup. Hitting the strip on Wednesday.

[Pro Stock John]

We still need a new picture to illustrate tech inspection.

[Pro Stock John]

The one you posted was I think from NMCA Digital, can run into ownership issues. I do freelance for SORC (they own/operate most of the car mags we like) and it can get tricky.

[carfansince73]

Originally Posted by Supercharged SS

There's really no reason for any of us to deep stage. Its closer to red lighting and you cant get any momentum. Stage shallow and you'll have some team already built up when you trip the lights. Better 60'd and lower ET's.

I've read someplace on here I think that you leave on the yellow right before the green light. I'm guessing that this is only when you shallow stage? We have a 1/8 mile strip just open up new a couple weeks ago. I watched and many were leaving on green.

Originally Posted by HRD_WRK

Thank you
28 -17-4.5" M&H
Pretty common on the 5th gens

How much of an advantage do skinnies give you? I doubt that I'll ever have enough under the hood to make it worth my while, but I'm just curious. I think the look is pretty cool though as most cars with skinnies just haul arse on the drag strip.

[ROD_SS]

I might of missed this this part. What if you can't go around the water box?

Our track located here doesn't have much room to drive around. I'm on stock tires too. Would I just drive through, do a quick turn of the tires to take the dirt/water off, and stage?

[Pro Stock John]

I would always try to go around. If they make you drive straight through well that's not ideal. I would do a burnout to clean off the rear wheels.

[Neumatic]

Originally Posted by Pro Stock John

I would always try to go around. If they make you drive straight through well that's no ideal. I would do a burnout to clean off the rear wheels.

Same here, if its inevitable just try to minimize how much water your driving through and then give them a spin to try and knock off any that you picked up on your way.

[carfansince73]

Originally Posted by HRD_WRK

Nice SIM.
Unless a car is very light or Gobs of torq , you always react/ leave on the third yellow.
To the spectator -it looks like they left on green cause they did-else red light, but the driver started the process normally on the third yellow. Slow mo video would show their car is moving before the green lights up.
On a full tree its easier to red light though vs Pro tree, due to the advance notice.
If you go deeper stage, it also adds to the potential of red lighting.
You deep stage to cut a better light or slow your ET Down or both.

The skinnies are worth over 0.06-7s in 1/4mile run, by sheer weight reduction-excluding rotation mass.
Tim

You too!

Thanks for the tips and info.

[Denis]

Idk if I missed it but what's the expert opinions on the staging lanes? Do you shut the car off or let it run? I see both sides....shutting the car off will stop creating heat if you're going to be there for a while but all stops the coolant from circulating. Buuuut keeping it running keeps the coolant circulating but also it won't cool off...it'll just stay at that temp.

[xjer22x]

Originally Posted by Denis

Idk if I missed it but that's the expert opinions on the staging lanes? Do you shut the car off or let it run? I see both sides....shutting the car off will stop creating heat if you're going to be there for a while but all stops the coolant from circulating. Buuuut keeping it running keeps the coolant circulating but also it won't cool off...it'll just stay at that temp.

You will see both sides of the coin here.

but majority will shut there cars off if there is any sort of wait.

sent from my galaxy s3. that would explain the errors.