When to shift at the track

[Dentyneice]

Took my car down to Atco's last night, first time going to any track let alone racing in one and was wondering when's a good spot to switch gears? I've been shifting at about 6k rpm on each range but I still ran a 13.83 on my best run.

[dragrcr]

6000 is good. Because if you are seeing 6000 you are probably shifting a little higher. What was your speed?

[SGOS252382]

Lets see your timeslip. My guess is you getting off the line slow (60' time).

[Merc]

Now you have opened Pandora's Box the 60' time. So what's the best way to get the M6 to 60'

[DarricSS]

With the stock Camaro you will want to shoot for the best 60ft. time you can...Allot of people including myself were able to pull 2.0 60ft. times with the stock tires.

Air down your rear tires to around 25lbs. Hold down the traction control button for 7 seconds to turn traction control and stabili-trac off. Pull around the water box, back into the moist area and you got a couple options. Turn the tires over about 3 or so revolutions don't smoke them up like the imports tend to do...OR practice a couple launches (Launch, back up, Launch back up) you are trying to get pebbles and oil off the rear tires.

Pull up to the line and stage. Rev the engine to around 3500-4000 RPM and RIDE the clutch out at that RPM like you are driving out normal at a stop light. After around the first 60ft the clutch should be all the way out and at WOT. Shift as fast as possible at 6000-6100 RPM. You will chirp the tires in second and 3rd gear and will get some wheel hop in all 3 gears. With the stock gearing you will shift to forth gear pretty much right on top of the 1/4mile trap. I tried running through 3rd and not shifting to 4th and was slower.

If you do everything right you should pull a 13.0 @ 108mph or so, take a look at the 1/4mile list.

Good luck!

[Dentyneice]

60ft @ 2.424
1/8 9.26
1/4 13.919
mph 107.62

and
60ft 2.417
1/8 9.188
1/4 13.836
mph 106.18

[1320junkie]

Yeah you need to work on that 60

[FNKNSTN]

You gonna win some money at a track, or what?

Anyone standing at the side lines without a stop watch is gonna say - "DAYUM! THAT'S A FAST CAR!"

0.4 seconds?

[1320junkie]

Originally Posted by FNKNSTN

You gonna win some money at a track, or what?

Anyone standing at the side lines without a stop watch is gonna say - "DAYUM! THAT'S A FAST CAR!"

0.4 seconds?

.4 seconds can cause you to win or lose a race. Drag races are won or lost in tenths of seconds..so to drag racers those .4 seconds are very important and after you have been racing for awhile you can feel that difference.

[SGOS252382]

Originally Posted by 1320junkie

.4 seconds can cause you to win or lose a race. Drag races are won or lost in tenths of seconds..so to drag racers those .4 seconds are very important and after you have been racing for awhile you can feel that difference.

Yeah, and people don't understand how many car lengths .4 of a second is going 105 mph crossing the 1/4 mile mark (a good 4 car lengths or so). I believe its something like 16 ft per .1 of a second at 110mph.

[CynAgain]

Thanks for this detailed answer! I'm looking forward to giving this a shot in April!!!

Originally Posted by DarricSS

With the stock Camaro you will want to shoot for the best 60ft. time you can...Allot of people including myself were able to pull 2.0 60ft. times with the stock tires.

Air down your rear tires to around 25lbs. Hold down the traction control button for 7 seconds to turn traction control and stabili-trac off. Pull around the water box, back into the moist area and you got a couple options. Turn the tires over about 3 or so revolutions don't smoke them up like the imports tend to do...OR practice a couple launches (Launch, back up, Launch back up) you are trying to get pebbles and oil off the rear tires.

Pull up to the line and stage. Rev the engine to around 3500-4000 RPM and RIDE the clutch out at that RPM like you are driving out normal at a stop light. After around the first 60ft the clutch should be all the way out and at WOT. Shift as fast as possible at 6000-6100 RPM. You will chirp the tires in second and 3rd gear and will get some wheel hop in all 3 gears. With the stock gearing you will shift to forth gear pretty much right on top of the 1/4mile trap. I tried running through 3rd and not shifting to 4th and was slower.

If you do everything right you should pull a 13.0 @ 108mph or so, take a look at the 1/4mile list.

Good luck!

[DarricSS]

Originally Posted by CynAgain

Thanks for this detailed answer! I'm looking forward to giving this a shot in April!!!

The night I went to the track I tried just about every scenario available on the car.

Launch control mode. (2 quick taps of the button) Ran slow
Traction control off. (1 tap of the button) Ran slow limited timing or some granny feature

Then held the button down for 7 seconds turned everything off, did exactly what I listed in the above post, pulled a 2.0 60ft. And Ran my best time of the night first try. 13.3 @ 105mph at a DA of 3300+ corrected to optimum conditions that was a 12.84 @ 110.41 MPH wish i could have had the perfect conditions like some of the others on the 1/4 list

Riding the clutch out at 4500 RPM is the hardest part to get use too. Let the clutch out to fast and you do a burnout at the line (Did it...lol) RIDING the clutch out with a cringe on your face like you sucked on a lemon and pulling your best time of the night PRICELESS!

Good luck!

[CynAgain]

Originally Posted by DarricSS

Riding the clutch out at 4500 RPM is the hardest part to get use too. Let the clutch out to fast and you do a burnout at the line (Did it...lol) RIDING the clutch out with a cringe on your face like you sucked on a lemon and pulling your best time of the night PRICELESS!

Good luck!

OrangeChevyII says ride the clutch as well and you both proved it works. Sound good to me.

Time for some practice

[BLACK10]

my best was 13.13@ 114.3, ive got to try the 4k ride out next time.:(