What is "good track prep"?
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 231
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From: Wilmington, NC
What is "good track prep"? what exactly makes a given track/stage area well prepped?
What are the characteristics?
This is something I see mentioned a lot, and used by many as a reason/excuse they didn't get good times, so it's obviously important-- what should I look for at my area dragstrip?
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />
What are the characteristics?
This is something I see mentioned a lot, and used by many as a reason/excuse they didn't get good times, so it's obviously important-- what should I look for at my area dragstrip?
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />
Launching!
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 231
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From: Australia
Re: What is "good track prep"? Do they 'scrub' the track, i.e: take a fine layer off of it before the 'big' meets, do they apply rubber to the track, i.e: usually with old rubber tyres and a tractor set up for that, to past the 660' mark from behind the start line, do they then VHT the track? Is it an NHRA track? (The best track prep). Has it got concrete to the 330' or 660' marks? ask these and NHRA racers about your local track.... <img border="0" alt="[Burnout]" title="" src="graemlins/burnout.gif" />
TECH Junkie
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,029
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From: Chi-Town
Re: What is "good track prep"? track has to be STICKY! if you can roll up to the staging lines and you can hear your tires sticking to the concrete, you know its a well prepped track <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
obviously, the less prepped it is, the more it is like racing on the street, read: no traction.
obviously, the less prepped it is, the more it is like racing on the street, read: no traction.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,341
Likes: 1
Re: What is "good track prep"? When you walk up by the starting lights you lose your sneaker in the glue. That is a well prepped track <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
Cheers,
Chris
Cheers,
Chris
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,324
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From: Corona CA
Re: What is "good track prep"? Raced at Carlsbad CA with a stock M6 Camaro wearing Nitto's. I couldn't launch higher than 2000rpm without going up in smoke, and would spin going into second.
I drove the car to Las Vegas for a big meet. I rev to 2000 and BOG BIG TIME; nearly shut the engine off. Next pass, the car in front of me breaks. I walk up to the starting to look at the damage, and that track was STICKY like a ****! You could hear your shoes making sucking noises when you walked. It was like walking on fresh tar.
The best way to assure that you will get good traction is to run at a track when alot of 9 second and quicker cars are running. They lay down a sticky blanket of rubber on the track. Line up with their tire prints when you stage.
I drove the car to Las Vegas for a big meet. I rev to 2000 and BOG BIG TIME; nearly shut the engine off. Next pass, the car in front of me breaks. I walk up to the starting to look at the damage, and that track was STICKY like a ****! You could hear your shoes making sucking noises when you walked. It was like walking on fresh tar.
The best way to assure that you will get good traction is to run at a track when alot of 9 second and quicker cars are running. They lay down a sticky blanket of rubber on the track. Line up with their tire prints when you stage.
On The Tree
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 120
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From: Washington, D.C.
Re: What is "good track prep"? </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Chris ARE 360:
<strong>When you walk up by the starting lights you lose your sneaker in the glue. That is a well prepped track <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
Cheers,
Chris</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">LMAO Chris!
Very funny, BUT TRUE!
Chuck
<strong>When you walk up by the starting lights you lose your sneaker in the glue. That is a well prepped track <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
Cheers,
Chris</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">LMAO Chris!
Very funny, BUT TRUE!
Chuck
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 231
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From: Wilmington, NC
Re: What is "good track prep"? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> Thanks, guys-- I've always wondered what the term meant-- <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />
