First time down the track.

[TangoMike]

So next Saturday I'm headed out to the dragstrip for the first time.

I figure no water box, or burnout. And keep stabilitrac on. What about TC? for a first timer is it worth the higher RPM to have TC off?

And any other tips for a first timer?

[united1]

Yes , read drag racing for newbs lots of great info for first timers. Relax and have fun.

[Rock-It Man]

Well, since you are not getting much from old hands, let me chime in as having been a first timer last week.

I didn't worry about reaction time, took the tree as a "suggestion" on when to step on it.

I made the first two runs in D with all nannies on. I resisted the temptation to stab the gas pedal. Since my second run was better than my first, and I felt in control, I went to competitive mode for the third pass. Still not stomping on the gas, and not spinning the tires, and now in S rather than D.

My time improved, and by the fourth run I was at 13.790, having started over 14 on the first. Still not worrying about reaction time, although it did get better.

I see you are in a V6 so you don't have competitive mode, but you can turn TC off. You could do that, but I would start with it on. If you can control yourself to start without causing TC, then turn it off after a few passes. I avoided spinning the tires by pre-visualizing a one second pedal time. Step on the gas gradually while saying " one thousand one."

[TangoMike]

Originally Posted by Rock-It Man

Well, since you are not getting much from old hands, let me chime in as having been a first timer last week.

I didn't worry about reaction time, took the tree as a "suggestion" on when to step on it.

I made the first two runs in D with all nannies on. I resisted the temptation to stab the gas pedal. Since my second run was better than my first, and I felt in control, I went to competitive mode for the third pass. Still not stomping on the gas, and not spinning the tires, and now in S rather than D.

My time improved, and by the fourth run I was at 13.790, having started over 14 on the first. Still not worrying about reaction time, although it did get better.

I see you are in a V6 so you don't have competitive mode, but you can turn TC off. You could do that, but I would start with it on. If you can control yourself to start without causing TC, then turn it off after a few passes. I avoided spinning the tires by pre-visualizing a one second pedal time. Step on the gas gradually while saying " one thousand one."

On launch I hit the gas as much as possible without breaking traction. I'm assuming how much gas is something I have to learn on each different vehicle?

Also is it better for a first timer to start with no gas, or should I have the rpms up a bit?

[Rock-It Man]

Originally Posted by TangoMike

On launch I hit the gas as much as possible without breaking traction. I'm assuming how much gas is something I have to learn on each different vehicle?

Also is it better for a first timer to start with no gas, or should I have the rpms up a bit?

Well, I'm a newbie, so take it for what it's worth: I have no intention of holding the car on the line with the brakes, because I'm not racing anyone so why put stress on the torque converter? Although my ET was not good for a V8, I did get up to 104mph on my 2nd through 5th passes. Big fun!

I did use my left foot on the brake to improve reaction time, but I let up on the brake before stepping on the gas.

As for breaking traction, that's going to depend on the track. I was at a track that had a private rental before street night, and they had been applying fresh traction compound. I have walked on this surface and it will just about pull your shoes off. It's a lot more sticky than a public road!