First time at drags this friday
 

I did some research on drag racing techniques and launching, but i have one question. When people say they launch at "X" rpms are they tapping the throttle to get to that rpm or are they holding the throttle constant to maintain say 3500? So, do u rev the engine or hold the throttle constant?

Matt

I hold it at a constant rpm and then dump the clutch.

what kind of tires(street or drag) and at what rpm?
thanks

What rpm varies from car to car, and different levels of hp. Best suggestion for a new guy, don't worry about cutting a good light. Pay no attention to the tree, just go when it turns green. In other words, you don't have to try to anticipate the tree. This can be a major distraction for someone at first. It doesn't affect your ET's.

I run on BFG G-Force KDW on the street 245-45-16 and Nitto 555R 225-50-16 for track. At a good track you can launch the Nitto's at 5000-6000rpm and hook up well, too low causes wheel hop and too high cause spin. If you launch way to low then it will bog the motor down. On the street on concrete I launch the BFG's at 4000 and the Nitto's at 5000. Lost Time is rihgt about the tree. Don't worry about it. Many people think that just because they crossed the line first that they won but it all depends on E/T not R/T.

hold the throttle down, no need to tap

so what trips the timer? when you cross a specific point or when the light go green? it appears you guys are saying that the first applies.

mp

The timer does not start until your car moves forward.

Make sure to heat the tires up very good, if you don't you get severe wheel hop and a good amount of spin as well.

Like some others have mentioned, you can sit there until yout hink you feel comfortable to go, the clock doesn't start until you cross the line, BUT when you are lined up against someone else, it's kinda hard not to race:)

Don't expect great times on your first run, even if you've been dragging before there are always many factors you have to acclimate to: track, temp, wind, etc. After a couple runs you'll notice your ET's are getting dfaster as you start becoming familiar with launching the car and familiar with the track.


Launching all depends on the driver and mods. Most will tell you to hold a constant RPM then drop the clutch, I myself can match revs very fast and accurate so I wait until just before the light then rev to whatever point I choose...

Also, when the tree lights up, you'll pretty much want to start launching when the 3rd amber light comes on if you want to cut a good light.

Don't get nervous! It's all for fun, just ahev a good time and don't get mad either. I ran a 14.7 my first run down the track! The I came back on my 3rd run and put down a 13.0 on 10psi.....

You will get better the more you run, everyone has to start somewhere.

thanks...currently running full exhaust, intake, and tuned pfc (kdrotary dyno tune). i think my car is capable of 12s. i am figuring i will get low 13s

really ...you say heat up the tires...? i hear that it doesnt matter to heat up stocvk tires

Don't heat up normal street tires. What you want to do is "clean" them off. Try not to go through the water and just spin the tires a couple of times to get the gravel off the tires so they sit flat with the track. I suggest you watch a few people stage very closely first before you run. You have two stage lights that are triggered by your front tires, stop when they are both on. Then you have 3 amber lights and a green light. Go when you see the 3rd amber light come on or the green light. I would assume for you to start to launch around 3-3500k and see how that does.

After a few runs, you can start to work on your RT dont wait until you see green. Floor it when you see the last yellow light come on. This will get you closer to a .500 rt, which is a perfect.
Here is how you line up. When you line up you will stay in that lane (left or right). Then the burn out guy will motion you up to the water mark and you will do your burn out. then you will line up. "make sure you are pointing straight" You will slowly creep up until you break the first beem."the beems are down buy your tires" after you break the first beem, you will see 1 set of yellow lights come on. Then you creep up really slow moving like 1/4 inch at a time, until you see the 2nd pair of lights come on.Then get your rpms to the right spot and watch the tree. I recomend going on the last yellow. So what if you get a red light. After the first run you will feel like a pro, and you will want more and more and more. Dont forget to give your car a rest. You will find out that the hotter your car gets the slower you will be.....last of all have fun. Oh yeah dont forget to fill us back in

DO NOT drive through the water with street radial tires. DO NOT engage in a NHRA-style burnout. Street tires don't hold heat for shit and all you'll be doing is wearing them out. Just line up and go.

I have no opinion on the burn out!!! But a burn out is not just for heating up the tires, its also for getting all of the dirt and dust off....Its always fun to do. I suggest burn them off the first time and then try to go around the water, and see if you get a better et... Be safe, Have fun, and remember you cannot wear shorts!!!!

Some street tires will actually get slicker the hotter they get.

Z rated tires are made for high speeds which means they have a stiffer sidewall, better traction, and will NOT hold in heat. A smokey burnout is a waste.

13.99 and quicker requires a helmet too.

Drag racing, yes-one of my favorite things to do with my car. Beating many V-8's is rewarding.

My advice on the launch. I tap the gas.
Reason is that if you hold the gas at a certain rpm. You actually have your turbo's go into vaccum. "Watch your boost gauge for this.
But if you tap it as you press down each time you get boost. The as you go... apply more gas to get out of the hole and WOT. And destroy thosde V-8's.

Drag racing can be exspensive. Last year a engine let go on me as well as a rear Diff. The Diff was more Exspensive!

Now I have the Kazz diff. but my turbos now have a few issues.

My best w/M & H drag radials: 12.15 @ 114 mph
jc

Don't dump the clutch...what I do for a good take off is I baby it off 3k rpm...it flies off without a peel out. Some tips would be to make sure you don't miss 3rd gear...if it's stock shift at 7200 RPM

hey, quick question. How do you burnout exactly, pull the handbrake? or can you just floor it and dump the cluth in the water? Just dont' want to make a fool of myself. Thanks guys

don't do it

you dont have to run as soon as you sign up. Just go sit your ass down and watch how people are doing it.

Don't pull up on the handbrake!! You can just rev it up a little and pop the clutch if you want a burnout. Remember in the water pit your tires will be more likely to slip so it is not hard to spin the tires.

what do i need to bring wih me?? ie...licenses, registration, insurance....? I guess i will rent a helmet...you could rent them right?

You just need your drivers license, helmet (I don't think they rent them because if you got into an accident and the helmet failed they would be liable), and some $$$!

can someone confirm that they dot rent helmets at E-town? Shit where can i buy one?

you can rent helmets at etown :)

i haven't drag raced my FD should be done next week but i have raced my 89 TII which ran a best of 13.7 @101.5 MPH with a 1.92 60FT and stock catback,dp,mp,ecu,upgraded turbo,intake, old 120K mile engine. kumho ecsta supra 712 street tires. i love doing burnouts you can tell a difference in how much stickier even street tires get after a few nice burnouts. they get GUMMY almost :D

good luck i'm working so i can't go ;)

If you are going to insist on using the water box make sure, I repeat, DO NOT drive through it with your front tires. Drive around it, then back your rear wheels into it. If you drive straight through it, you'll track water onto the strip and make alot of people very angry.

Since the handbrake opperates the REAR wheels, and you're trying to spin the rear tires, using it would be counterproductive. If you insist on it, pull the ABS fuse out first. Then back into the box, hold the brake, bring the rpm's up to 3500 and let go of the clutch quickly. Just keep the brake held in until you're satisfied with the burnout and let go of the brake. You'll continue to slide forward a few more yards. Once the tires hook up, stop the car. DO NOT continue through the starting line.

There is a certain amount of etiquitte that is expected on the strip. It's not just a bunch of drunk rednecks doing whatever they want. I suggest reading the rules first, then running.

hey fool, they wont even let you hit the water box if you have street tires youll get kicked out

I think you have been smoking a little too much, and I don't mean cops either.

i concur with gsrsol :D

How would you know, exactly? They didn't even go to an actual dragstrip in "The Fast and the Furious". Oh, and welcome to the forum. :rolleyes: