1st time at the track advice.

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cudaspaz

cudaspaz

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Ok feller racers.....

Looks like I am finally going to take the show queen to the track and take full advantage of the modifications and go fast goodies.

So any advice for me before I go down the 1/4 with my four speed small block car?
Going on test and tune night so pretty laid back.

I rode in the passenger side of 67yellowdartgt's car down the track to get a feel for what I'll be looking at.

I won't be out to set any land speed records but just wanna get a feel for things.
 
I'd do some 1/8 mile passes first so you can get used to the suspension and what the car wants to do.
 
USCG CHARGER said:
I'd do some 1/8 mile passes first so you can get used to the suspension and what the car wants to do.
Click to expand...

I was thinking that also but i do have a pretty good feel of what the car can do after plenty of thrashes on the street, but I can see how the 1/8th would be fun as hell first.
 
Plant your feet, keep your eye on the ball...

Oh, wait, nevermind...


Pay attention to your reaction time off the line. .500 is considered perfect, any less - you have a chance of red lighting, any more - you are snoozing on the starting line. Don't loose the race before you start...
 
hardest part is going to get the rpm right to launch the car without bogging it with a 4 speed...

what kind of tires and gearing do you have?
 
krazykuda said:
Plant your feet, keep your eye on the ball...

Oh, wait, nevermind...


Pay attention to your reaction time off the line. .500 is considered perfect, any less - you have a chance of red lighting, any more - you are snoozing on the starting line. Don't loose the race before you start...
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's gonna be fun to figure out reaction times, but if I red light, no sweat as long as I have fun and get a feel for things....kinda like a first date.....little nervous, don't wanna make an *** out of myself and just wanna test the waters.
 
70aarcuda said:
hardest part is going to get the rpm right to launch the car without bogging it with a 4 speed...

what kind of tires and gearing do you have?
Click to expand...

I'm running MT S/R radials in back with front radials. The rears are 30" tall and I'm running 4:10 gears.
Usually launch anywhere between 2500-3000 rpm on the street but I will play with tire pressures and see how I launch.

Running ss springs with 1.5" lowering blocks but I'm yanking the 1.5s and replacing them with 3/4" blocks to reduce axle wrap up plus my springs have settled and I want to sit higher in the rear anyways.

Any water box recommendations?
Go around, back in to water box , roll through????

I know some guys go around and back into water box so their front tires don't collect water in the treads.
 
cudaspaz said:
Ok feller racers.....

I won't be out to set any land speed records but just wanna get a feel for things.
Click to expand...

That's the right attitude to have. As far as launching i would start at your stated street launch #'s first and if you have some bogging you may want to add a little air to induce a little spin instead of steadily raising rpm. It's not worth taking out a clutch or breaking something on the shakedown runs. Don't be surprised if it takes several trips and dozens of passes before you'll know what it really likes, and if you do make changes do them one at a time so as not to confuse the results.

Main thing i'd like to add is shut down a little early on the first few runs and check your breaking and gauge your shutdown area, we don't want to lose you or that beautiful car!

Best of all, have fun, cause it's a blast:thumbrig:.
 
Cuda,

I would get some MT drag radials.. I can tell you that your going to blow the tires off with those S/R's. I'm going to buy a set of those S/R but use them for the street only. If it were me I'd have two sets of wheels and tires one for the street and one for the strip. As of now I'm running MT ET streets on the street. I even took them for a 300 miles road trip this wkend. They would be fine if you intend on driving ur car to the track.

As far as water box advise, I have never went around it. I drive right trough it. When told I slightly spin my tires in the water box to get them wet, then pull to the front of the box and proceed with my burnout. I like to see thick white smoke for a second before I roll forward.
 
OldmanRick said:
That's the right attitude to have. As far as launching i would start at your stated street launch #'s first and if you have some bogging you may want to add a little air to induce a little spin instead of steadily raising rpm. It's not worth taking out a clutch or breaking something on the shakedown runs. Don't be surprised if it takes several trips and dozens of passes before you'll know what it really likes, and if you do make changes do them one at a time so as not to confuse the results.

Main thing i'd like to add is shut down a little early on the first few runs and check your breaking and gauge your shutdown area, we don't want to lose you or that beautiful car!

Best of all, have fun, cause it's a blast:thumbrig:.
Click to expand...

Good advice:cheers:
 
USCG CHARGER said:
Cuda,

I would get some MT drag radials.. I can tell you that your going to blow the tires off with those S/R's. I'm going to buy a set of those S/R but use them for the street only. If it were me I'd have two sets of wheels and tires one for the street and one for the strip. As of now I'm running MT ET streets on the street. I even took them for a 300 miles road trip this wkend. They would be fine if you intend on driving ur car to the track.

As far as water box advise, I have never went around it. I drive right trough it. When told I slightly spin my tires in the water box to get them wet, then pull to the front of the box and proceed with my burnout. I like to see thick white smoke for a second before I roll forward.
Click to expand...

X-2:cheers:
 
Have a fire extinguisher in the car. Have any/all support pieces & tools you'll even imagine you'll need with you & clearly markede. If you're bringing along help, take care of 'em--they're doing YOU a favor.
Don't be the first car out on the track. Let some others lay some rubber down for you so you can make your best passes. Watch a few cars to see how the veterans do it & which lane seems to be better. Pit near a loudspeaker so you can hear when your class is called--alot of guys miss the call & shortchange themselves. Myself---if you're not using slicks I'd drive around the waterbox as some guys get real ticked off over you dragging water up to the startingline. Once you're staged-PAY ATTENTION! A Pro-tree flashes pretty quick so be ready. If you're using a .400 tree, know how quickly your engine spools up so as not to be revving it needlessly. Unless you know positivly your motor can take 7k + RPM don't try it--you'll only be beating it up needlessly & working well beyond most dual-purpose car's power band. Some guys will mat the gas pedal as soon as the stage light is on, revving the motor for no reason. Observe "courtesy staging" protocol. Burn-downs, backing in & out of the lites is BS, ticks guys off & is an easy way to get into fights with other racers & in some cases track crew. Drive YOUR race---the fact there's another car next to you,at this point, is incidental--don't worry about him once you're launched.
If you get sideways, start veering towards the center or the wall---GET OUT OF IT!. Nothing's worth the race, your car, or your life. If the engine or trans blows, pull to the side ASAP. Nothing ticks off the track or racers like some guy that drives down the track with his car spewing oil the full length of the track.
You're there to have fun--enjoy the experience, learn & be safe!
 
hemicop said:
Have a fire extinguisher in the car. Have any/all support pieces & tools you'll even imagine you'll need with you & clearly markede. If you're bringing along help, take care of 'em--they're doing YOU a favor.
Don't be the first car out on the track. Let some others lay some rubber down for you so you can make your best passes. Watch a few cars to see how the veterans do it & which lane seems to be better. Pit near a loudspeaker so you can hear when your class is called--alot of guys miss the call & shortchange themselves. Myself---if you're not using slicks I'd drive around the waterbox as some guys get real ticked off over you dragging water up to the startingline. Once you're staged-PAY ATTENTION! A Pro-tree flashes pretty quick so be ready. If you're using a .400 tree, know how quickly your engine spools up so as not to be revving it needlessly. Unless you know positivly your motor can take 7k + RPM don't try it--you'll only be beating it up needlessly & working well beyond most dual-purpose car's power band. Some guys will mat the gas pedal as soon as the stage light is on, revving the motor for no reason. Observe "courtesy staging" protocol. Burn-downs, backing in & out of the lites is BS, ticks guys off & is an easy way to get into fights with other racers & in some cases track crew. Drive YOUR race---the fact there's another car next to you,at this point, is incidental--don't worry about him once you're launched.
If you get sideways, start veering towards the center or the wall---GET OUT OF IT!. Nothing's worth the race, your car, or your life. If the engine or trans blows, pull to the side ASAP. Nothing ticks off the track or racers like some guy that drives down the track with his car spewing oil the full length of the track.
You're there to have fun--enjoy the experience, learn & be safe!
Click to expand...

Good advice.
Already got me fire bottle in the car.
Yeah will play with my launch rpm so I don't over rev or spin like a bandit.
Really just there to have fun with my buddies who will be racing their cars too so we will all be helping eachother out.
Hopefully we will have three barracudas and one dart there if all goes well.

I will definitely be the greenhorn as all of my buddies have raced on and off for years.
I plan on driving my car to and from the track so I will keep in mind to behave, treat the machine well and just have fun.
 
hemicop said:
have a fire extinguisher in the car. Have any/all support pieces & tools you'll even imagine you'll need with you & clearly markede. If you're bringing along help, take care of 'em--they're doing you a favor.
Don't be the first car out on the track. Let some others lay some rubber down for you so you can make your best passes. Watch a few cars to see how the veterans do it & which lane seems to be better. Pit near a loudspeaker so you can hear when your class is called--alot of guys miss the call & shortchange themselves. Myself---if you're not using slicks i'd drive around the waterbox as some guys get real ticked off over you dragging water up to the startingline. Once you're staged-pay attention! A pro-tree flashes pretty quick so be ready. If you're using a .400 tree, know how quickly your engine spools up so as not to be revving it needlessly. Unless you know positivly your motor can take 7k + rpm don't try it--you'll only be beating it up needlessly & working well beyond most dual-purpose car's power band. Some guys will mat the gas pedal as soon as the stage light is on, revving the motor for no reason. Observe "courtesy staging" protocol. Burn-downs, backing in & out of the lites is bs, ticks guys off & is an easy way to get into fights with other racers & in some cases track crew. Drive your race---the fact there's another car next to you,at this point, is incidental--don't worry about him once you're launched.
If you get sideways, start veering towards the center or the wall---get out of it!. Nothing's worth the race, your car, or your life. If the engine or trans blows, pull to the side asap. Nothing ticks off the track or racers like some guy that drives down the track with his car spewing oil the full length of the track.
You're there to have fun--enjoy the experience, learn & be safe!
Click to expand...

x10
 
Depending on how your track is set up, if you have to reverse into the water box for your burnout, remember to put your car back into a forward gear.

lol, I have seen more than one reverse burnout.

This usually causes severe butt pucker by the driver requiring a safety team to separate his Azz from the Seat.
 
1968FormulaS340 said:
Depending on how your track is set up, if you have to reverse into the water box for your burnout, remember to put your car back into a forward gear.

lol, I have seen more than one reverse burnout.

This usually causes severe butt pucker by the driver requiring a safety team to separate his Azz from the Seat.
Click to expand...

Yeah that would,suck.
No it's a roll forward burnout area.I have seen guys do reverse burnouts...I guess it works for them.
it scares me when the track techs stand in front of the cars doing a burn out especially with their back to them.

My buddy did a burn out and had to stand on the brake pedal to avoid hitting the track dude that was just standing there at the starting line.?..I've got it on video from in the car.
Is there a rule about this or do the track techs just like to take their chances?
 
Always watch the track official,he will let you know WHEN to start your burnout.I keep my eye on the tree operator also,he always looks for leaks or broken peices from the guy that just left before you.Play safe/have fun.:cheers:
 
Letting off early at the stripe to gage your braking and where the turns offs are is a good idea. Wish someone would have told me to do that... My first time down the a track
was an 11.25 run at 124mph - with drum brakes all around.. Scared the crap out of me watching two turn offs go by without being able to pull into them. Good thing it was at a sanctioned track that had three turn offs..
 
stumper said:
Letting off early at the stripe to gage your braking and where the turns offs are is a good idea. Wish someone would have told me to do that... My first time down the a track
was an 11.25 run at 124mph - with drum brakes all around.. Scared the crap out of me watching two turn offs go by without being able to pull into them. Good thing it was at a sanctioned track that had three turn offs..
Click to expand...

Holy crap! This was the reason I rode in car with my buddy when he ran his mustang.
I asked an assload of questions and paid attention to the stripe and exits.

His mustang has good brakes so he was able to catch the first exit.

Thanks for the replies all, got me thinking about lots of things.
 
If you want to just get a feel for things the first time around, and a time on your car, "don't fight" with the tree. The timer starts WHEN YOUR TIRES LEAVE the lights, and have nothing to do with the green.

So if you want to concentrate on launch, don't get all rattled with the yellows and green. Just take your time, and LAUNCH It won't matter if you set there on the green for 5 seconds, although some of the "crowd" might wonder.
 
Don't do what I did my first time. I lined up correctly then looked over at my buddy pulling up to the tree in the next lane. By the time I looked back, the light was already green. Doh!!!
 
I've run alot of manual cars.
Get to know your car.
Then install a 2 step rev limiter.
One for your launch and the 2nd for your engine limiter.
Like everyone says,go have fun.
 
I'm pretty cool headed so I won't be blowing the motor up at the tree or while winding out gears.LOL.

My plan is to see how/ if it launches regardless of red lighting and see if I am spinning or hooking up and take a granny cruise down the track to get a feel for things then try to get better each time.
Sound good?

Maybe me and my buddy can have a grudge match with his 67 barracuda fastback 440 cross rammed motor.....lol, I think he will eat my lunch.
His nest so far was a 14.2 at 107 mph, 3.23 gears and all while having problems shifting into third...had to let off the gas to make it shift.
 
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