First time Drag Racing tips?
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 182
Likes: 26
From: Kentucky
First time Drag Racing tips? After months of being rained out and school getting in the way. I am finally going to run my car at the strip. Car has full exhaust, LS6 Intake, ported throttle body, SLP lid for power, some Koni SRT.T shocks with stock springs and UMI rear lower control arms, relocation brackets and sub-frame connectors. Going to London Dragway, DA should hover around 2600 or so. Any tips on getting good launches or little things to improve times? This is my first time running it so my expectations are very low.
12 Second Club
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 146
Likes: 11
From: Mpls. Mn.
Just remember, everyone had a first pass, just follow the starting line guys, they'll direct you. Leave as the third yellow light is on full bright, if you see green, you're late. Have fun, and don't take it too seriously, it's supposed to be fun, I've had too many race days ruined by unrealistic expectations of myself and the car.
If you've never staged a car at the drag strip before my guess will be a low 14 or high 13's. it's supposed to be fun and don't beat yourself up too bad if you or the car doesn't meet your expectations. I really like the Pro tree but the Sportsman tree is a good place to start. Just wait for the guy to signal you in and roll into the bleach box. You'll feel the dip but once your back tires come out of the box let her rip if your on slicks but if on a standard radial it'll just be a smoke show and your most likely going to spin anyway on the launch. Now pre-stage the car and wait for the other driver to pre-stage. Then finally ease up a little more until the second stage light is lit and stop or you can move in a little more to deep stage and prepare to launch. Once you see the third yellow bulb stand on the loud pedal and remember this prayer.
" As I lay rubber down the street, I pray for traction I can keep, but if I spin and start to slide, please dear Lord protect my ride"
" As I lay rubber down the street, I pray for traction I can keep, but if I spin and start to slide, please dear Lord protect my ride"
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 182
Likes: 26
From: Kentucky
Well I went, and did better than I thought I would! 83 degrees and almost immediately running the car after a 1 hour drive, went 13.41 @ 97 mph, I let out too soon. Hot lapped it, and ran a 13.34 @ 106 mph. Waited and watched some others race and then clicked off a 13.33 @ 105 mph and hot lapped it again and ran a 13.31 @ 106 mph. Last run was against a bolt on 2v mustang and ran a 13.44 @ 103 mph. Car had a 2.07 60 foot for every pass except the 13.31 where it did a 2.04.
Nice trap speeds for a basically stock ride. A good converter would really wake that up. I've got a similar setup in an 01 SS but with a Yank SS3600. 60's in the 1.7's for 12.6 @ 108. Lot's of fun on the street too.
10 Second Club
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 4,468
Likes: 195
From: Harford Co. Maryland
Can I suggest the next outing, go around the water box and back up to it, pull up some, and a 3 second heat up IF street tires, just to clean them.
Unsure how you launched, but any spinning could be the tires dragging water up to starting line, or too warm.
Not bad at all for a first timer, and can only get better....
Unsure how you launched, but any spinning could be the tires dragging water up to starting line, or too warm.
Not bad at all for a first timer, and can only get better....
