First time drag racing

[eLeSthree]

I got a spot for a private rental. This was my first time dig racing, and I admit it was harder than expected with the manual trans.

Out of the 6 passes I made, 3 were aborted due to spinning too bad recover. 3k, 3k and 4k leave.

The other 3 I left at idle, 2k, and 2500. All of these resulted in 1.9/2.0 60’s.
Despite the horrid 60’ times it still went a best of 10.4@139. Highest trap was 147mph.

28x10 MT stiff walled slick and bias ply skinnies.

Guys at the track said if I get the 60’ to a 1.6 it would go mid 9s. But until them it looks like I have a 10.50 street car.

It was an absolute blast, and my buddy went 8.80@159 in his big single 388 th400 5th gen!

[eLeSthree]

https://youtube.com/shorts/Gs7yFRE-SFI?feature=share

God thats ugly.

[joshnmn]

Sounds like a good time. I bet it's hard to plant all them ponies with your left foot. Looks like some good runs. You need some reps to get it down.

[FasNuf]

Originally Posted by eLeSthree

https://youtube.com/shorts/Gs7yFRE-SFI?feature=share

God thats ugly.

Video is now private?

[ariZona28]

Head over to the "Camaro vs ..." section of this forum. Scroll down on the first page and check out the thread "Bad Launches". Plenty of good info about using the E-brake as a line-lock. A few good videos too. Those guys make it look easy but of course it's NOT!

[eLeSthree]

Originally Posted by FasNuf

Video is now private?

Fixed.

Originally Posted by ariZona28

Head over to the "Camaro vs ..." section of this forum. Scroll down on the first page and check out the thread "Bad Launches". Plenty of good info about using the E-brake as a line-lock. A few good videos too. Those guys make it look easy but of course it's NOT!

Will do, thanks.

[eLeSthree]

I think on that run, I actually lifted before the line. You can hear it in the video. I thought I botched it at the start, so I was just running it out for data. Probably explains the lower trap speed.

[eLeSthree]

https://youtube.com/shorts/fHLzrmQI5yY?feature=share

2nd gear burnout. A little better slipping the clutch, but still a 1.97. 10.5 @147. You can hear i did not lift this time. Of course i let out on what turned out to be my best pass.. total newb.

[ariZona28]

Don't beat yourself up. A rookie drag racer attempting to pilot a 1200 HP, 10 sec car at nearly 150 mph is a recipe for frustration (if not disaster). You can reasonably practice your launches on the street in a secluded area. Work on discipline and fundamentals. You need repetition, seat time and more seat time. Next time you're at the track don't try to be the fastest guy out there. Focus on being consistent and steadily improve. Bill Jenkins and Ronnie Sox didn't become Pro Stock heroes overnight.

[eLeSthree]

Disaster is right. First pass i was missing 2 psi from the drivers rear, and 4 psi from the passenger front. The wall tried to suck me in at 147. After evening the tire pressures it went straight as an arrow. Ill never make a pass again without checking first. Doodoo touched underwear.

[Risingson05]

Cars a beast tho !! And lol about the doo doo brown lol

[sr530]

The magic you need will come from controlling clutch engagement. Lots of trial and error in trying to perfect a foot-controlled launch, lots of wear/tear on the drivetrain as well. You can avoid that frustration and skip to the front by adding a clutch hit controller.

I got this feedback yesterday from one of my Procharged customers that had a similar 60' problem...
"Grant,
First I'd like to say that once I installed your clutch tamer on my mustang it was night and day. In six passes I went from a 1.8 to a 1.3 60 foot time. I know it will go faster, I just ran out of racing season. All the progress was made on the last two weekends at the track. I have 900 rwhp via F1A Procharger with a Mcleod RXT1200 and I was running a MT 26x10 stiffwall slick. Again I know it will go faster with this combo as I was still making shock and tire pressure adjustments. I was wondering what experience you've had or seen with regards to the use of drag radial and the clutch tamer?"

For a gen5 Camaro application, I would recommend the Hitmaster over the ClutchTamer. Here's a link to a page explaining my views on clutch tuning, shows how controlling clutch engagement can keep the engine happy and make the car more consistent without destroying parts...
Advanced Clutch Tuning

Grant

[acammer]

More RPM, more slip, and less throttle pedal will get that to roll those first few feet under better control and keep the tire hooked up. My quick read on watching the videos is your initial bite on the release is way too hard, shocks the tires, and then you're playing recovery from there with the throttle and it's actually lazy for a tick and then comes right back on. Using the e-brake and preloading will definitely help you be right on that engagement point with the clutch, rather than it surprising you as you make your release. We've talked, it's a lot of car to hook up, and some seat time will help a bunch.

For other guys checking this out that are interested in the "preload" method for stick cars, I have a long boring youtube video about it. It has some good info on how to use that technique to gain consistency and most importantly reduce breaking - those shock loads on the initial clutch release (and any accompanying wheel hop) is what kills driveline parts.

[ariZona28]

That's a darn good "Drag racing w/manual transmission 101" class Mr Acammer. Plenty of good info. It shows that in order to be REAL good with a stick you've got to be a student of the game. Plenty of seat time and dedication. With proper upgrades the trans and IRS can take a bit of abuse. Nice to know.