Tips at Drag Strip??
Tips at Drag Strip??
Make sure when the tree goes green you step on the gas!! 
Seriously though.... I've read everything from removing the spare, to only having a 1/4 tank of gas, to removing the rear seat. People with an intake have also put ice by the opening so you're guaranteed to have the intake pulling in cold air.....
Seriously though.... I've read everything from removing the spare, to only having a 1/4 tank of gas, to removing the rear seat. People with an intake have also put ice by the opening so you're guaranteed to have the intake pulling in cold air.....
Racer
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: California, OC
Originally posted by juniorbean
Make sure when the tree goes green you step on the gas!!
Seriously though.... I've read everything from removing the spare, to only having a 1/4 tank of gas, to removing the rear seat. People with an intake have also put ice by the opening so you're guaranteed to have the intake pulling in cold air.....
Make sure when the tree goes green you step on the gas!!
Seriously though.... I've read everything from removing the spare, to only having a 1/4 tank of gas, to removing the rear seat. People with an intake have also put ice by the opening so you're guaranteed to have the intake pulling in cold air.....
Mr.T
Lead Footed
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,415
Likes: 15
From: Plano - Texas
Too late . . for a response.
But for next time . . . and IMHO
Start with these two and get them down first. Like with anything, it takes practice and you don't want to think about 20 + things. You won't get it right the first dozen or so times anyway.
Before you ever get to the point where you line up start watching the xmas tree when other drivers are staging. Start counting down with the light in your mind and imagine yourself letting off the brake and mashing the throttle down. Do this 10-20 times until you have a rhythm down. Then focus on when the last yellow light goes out before the green goes on. For the best reaction times you are going to launch before the green comes on. Between the average person's reaction times and the capabilities of our cars you might even be able to launch on the last yellow. I don't know since I've never raced a stock car at a drag strip before. Only heavily modified V8s. Most races are won and lost at the light. If you should red light, don't worry. Practice.
Second. Work on getting your shifts down. You only have two, but by either over-reving or under-reving you aren't making the most of your cars powerband. Since these aren't highly tuned transmissions it's going to be hard to get a consistent shift at say 6900RPM. Assuming you know how to read your time slip you can make a few passes shifting at slightly different RPM and see if it makes much of a difference. But remember, if you aren't consistent on your shifts you'll just be guessing. Also keep in mind that track, temperature, engine temperature, car weight, and such can and will vary between each pass. Some of this you can control, some not. These too will effect your runs.
Oh, before all this. Ignore the other person next to you. They don't exist. It's just you and your car against the light and the track. This is a very important point.
You may also want to check with SSMAN66 as he has run his TLS on a track and may have better recommendations for "stock"cars. As I said, my track days were with competition class cars and they were probably more difficult to manage than our stock or slightly modified car.
Either way - have a great time. I can't wait till fall to go test mine out.
RUF
But for next time . . . and IMHO
Start with these two and get them down first. Like with anything, it takes practice and you don't want to think about 20 + things. You won't get it right the first dozen or so times anyway.
Before you ever get to the point where you line up start watching the xmas tree when other drivers are staging. Start counting down with the light in your mind and imagine yourself letting off the brake and mashing the throttle down. Do this 10-20 times until you have a rhythm down. Then focus on when the last yellow light goes out before the green goes on. For the best reaction times you are going to launch before the green comes on. Between the average person's reaction times and the capabilities of our cars you might even be able to launch on the last yellow. I don't know since I've never raced a stock car at a drag strip before. Only heavily modified V8s. Most races are won and lost at the light. If you should red light, don't worry. Practice.
Second. Work on getting your shifts down. You only have two, but by either over-reving or under-reving you aren't making the most of your cars powerband. Since these aren't highly tuned transmissions it's going to be hard to get a consistent shift at say 6900RPM. Assuming you know how to read your time slip you can make a few passes shifting at slightly different RPM and see if it makes much of a difference. But remember, if you aren't consistent on your shifts you'll just be guessing. Also keep in mind that track, temperature, engine temperature, car weight, and such can and will vary between each pass. Some of this you can control, some not. These too will effect your runs.
Oh, before all this. Ignore the other person next to you. They don't exist. It's just you and your car against the light and the track. This is a very important point.
You may also want to check with SSMAN66 as he has run his TLS on a track and may have better recommendations for "stock"cars. As I said, my track days were with competition class cars and they were probably more difficult to manage than our stock or slightly modified car.
Either way - have a great time. I can't wait till fall to go test mine out.
RUF
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