DragRacing 101 For Newbies
I was upset when I went to the track 2 weeeks ago for the 1st time in my life.
I read in either Motor Trend or Road & Track that the stock Mustang GT had a 1/4 time of 13.0 secs.
I ran in the 14's in all 4 runs.
I came back home and looked at the magazine again and realized I was looking at the wrong column.
Their speed for the stock GT in the 1/4 was 13.7 secs.
I went back the next week after installing my brenspeed tune and got my 1/4 time down to 13.88.
Maybe with skill, luck, and this thread you will run in the 13's to begin with.
I read in either Motor Trend or Road & Track that the stock Mustang GT had a 1/4 time of 13.0 secs.
I ran in the 14's in all 4 runs.
I came back home and looked at the magazine again and realized I was looking at the wrong column.
Their speed for the stock GT in the 1/4 was 13.7 secs.
I went back the next week after installing my brenspeed tune and got my 1/4 time down to 13.88.
Maybe with skill, luck, and this thread you will run in the 13's to begin with.
heres the link...
http://forums.bradbarnett.net/showthread.php?t=45270
Agreed!
Mach 1 Member
Joined: March 24, 2004
Posts: 686
Likes: 0
From: St.Thomas ,Ontario, CANADA
Read through the thread today,found a backroad and burned some rubber ! Great fun and something I hadn't done in this car before. Guess the kid still lives inside us old farts !
V6 Member
Joined: February 16, 2006
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
well.. I have few questions
When u guys say remove all extra weight.. does that include the spare tire ? because I will be running street tires and removing it will be a problem for traction.
and what tires run best for stock diffrential. ?
When u guys say remove all extra weight.. does that include the spare tire ? because I will be running street tires and removing it will be a problem for traction.
and what tires run best for stock diffrential. ?
Mach 1 Member
Joined: March 23, 2008
Posts: 538
Likes: 5
From: San Diego
I appreciate all this knowledge, very generously shared, and no doubt won at considerable expense. Thank y'all.
I'd like to add an observation about burnouts on street tires: it depends.
My experience with the stock GT Pirellis (on my V6 automatic convertible) was that burnouts were not worth the effort, and the water was disastrous. On the other tires, Michelin Pilot Sport PS2s, I found that rear wheel spin (just the one - no limited slip) was reduced considerably by a decent smoke cloud. Got lots of giggles from the onlookers, but they didn't have the timeslips to compare runs, nor the seat-of-pants sensations that added to my conviction. I always drove around the water when possible, and to be candid, I didn't perceive or record any difference with the Michelins, when trying it for the record.
Another suggestion: if you need to practice launches, go to the RaceLegal eighth-mile drags at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego. The track is seldom as well-prepared as others, from what I've heard, but it's decent, usually, and just fifty feet or so above sea level.
Gates open at 6:00 PM (if you get there at six you'll find tech open and be maybe twentieth in line), and until 8:00 the heavy hitters are still primping - I mean PREPPING - their cars, so it's four lanes, nearly no waiting.
Last night I was maybe the tenth car to make a run, and between the first one at 18:47:48 and the last at 21:19:14 had made fourteen runs, learning something on each one. Came in at about two bucks a run. Premium fun, pauper payment.
I'd like to add an observation about burnouts on street tires: it depends.
My experience with the stock GT Pirellis (on my V6 automatic convertible) was that burnouts were not worth the effort, and the water was disastrous. On the other tires, Michelin Pilot Sport PS2s, I found that rear wheel spin (just the one - no limited slip) was reduced considerably by a decent smoke cloud. Got lots of giggles from the onlookers, but they didn't have the timeslips to compare runs, nor the seat-of-pants sensations that added to my conviction. I always drove around the water when possible, and to be candid, I didn't perceive or record any difference with the Michelins, when trying it for the record.
Another suggestion: if you need to practice launches, go to the RaceLegal eighth-mile drags at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego. The track is seldom as well-prepared as others, from what I've heard, but it's decent, usually, and just fifty feet or so above sea level.
Gates open at 6:00 PM (if you get there at six you'll find tech open and be maybe twentieth in line), and until 8:00 the heavy hitters are still primping - I mean PREPPING - their cars, so it's four lanes, nearly no waiting.
Last night I was maybe the tenth car to make a run, and between the first one at 18:47:48 and the last at 21:19:14 had made fourteen runs, learning something on each one. Came in at about two bucks a run. Premium fun, pauper payment.
Last edited by frank s; May 31, 2008 at 08:46 PM.
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: May 24, 2006
Posts: 7,409
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
New guys you can't do much worse than this guy.
http://jalopnik.com/398949/how-not-t...?autoplay=true
http://jalopnik.com/398949/how-not-t...?autoplay=true
GT Member
Joined: May 10, 2007
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
Alright guys I'm brand new to drag racing at a track, but my sil wants to race me with his Dodge Charger SRT8.
I have a basily stock 2007 GTCS with an Auto. I know, I know, but my knee didn't like the clutch anymore.
Couple of questions:
1) Can I beat him or make a race out of it.
2) With an auto should I shift or let the tranny do it? Remember I'm new at this.
PS: I have auto crossed raced with my GTCS and it's a ball.
Thanks
kennymustang
I have a basily stock 2007 GTCS with an Auto. I know, I know, but my knee didn't like the clutch anymore.
Couple of questions:
1) Can I beat him or make a race out of it.
2) With an auto should I shift or let the tranny do it? Remember I'm new at this.
PS: I have auto crossed raced with my GTCS and it's a ball.
Thanks
kennymustang
Member
Joined: July 23, 2008
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Any suggestions for running stock 20" tires on SC Saleen? I will grab drag radials at some point but would like to run in street trim at test-n-tunes for now, without looking like I'm on black ice. One fella told me to launch at 1750 rpm, but it didn't help much. Should I just be more patient and ease into the throttle through 2nd gear? There's something entirely wrong about running 14's in this car.
PS If you laugh too, then they're laughing WITH you, not AT you! LMAO
PS If you laugh too, then they're laughing WITH you, not AT you! LMAO
Bullitt Member
Joined: July 28, 2005
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
From: Houston
New guys you can't do much worse than this guy.
http://jalopnik.com/398949/how-not-t...?autoplay=true
http://jalopnik.com/398949/how-not-t...?autoplay=true
Mach 1 Member
Joined: November 7, 2007
Posts: 591
Likes: 0
From: Brigantine, NJ
I just wanted to add my 2 cents. I am a complete noob when it comes to the track, took my first pass late fall last year. That was my first pass EVER on a track.
The information on here is invaluable, excellent job everyone sharing your wisdom and experience. The only thing I would add/repeat is after you get all this information processed, the BEST mod you can do for your car at the track is the driver mod. All this great information can only be helpful with seat time. Seat time will do two things for you.
First, you get to know your car. Everyone here has a car that reacts differently to what you do. The better you know your car, the more successful you'll be.
The second part of seat time, at least for me, was that it helped me to get all the anticipation and excitement out. I can't tell you how many times I went to the line and had a million things going through my head. Once you get comfortable, you can concentrate on one part of your pass at a time. Work on your launch only, or perfect your shift points, get that 60' time down.
Like I said, I'm a noob, but I've learned alot in the short time I've been racing, mostly how to apply the information I got here.
The information on here is invaluable, excellent job everyone sharing your wisdom and experience. The only thing I would add/repeat is after you get all this information processed, the BEST mod you can do for your car at the track is the driver mod. All this great information can only be helpful with seat time. Seat time will do two things for you.
First, you get to know your car. Everyone here has a car that reacts differently to what you do. The better you know your car, the more successful you'll be.
The second part of seat time, at least for me, was that it helped me to get all the anticipation and excitement out. I can't tell you how many times I went to the line and had a million things going through my head. Once you get comfortable, you can concentrate on one part of your pass at a time. Work on your launch only, or perfect your shift points, get that 60' time down.
Like I said, I'm a noob, but I've learned alot in the short time I've been racing, mostly how to apply the information I got here.
Team Mustang Source
Joined: September 16, 2005
Posts: 1,705
Likes: 2
From: Yatta-Abba, AL
BIG THANK YOU to John, for finding this thread for me, **** this site is getting so big, with so many sub forums, the darn search engine just laughs now when I try to use it.
Anyway glad I got here. Got my FOX finally ready for the track (Gave up trying to sell it, so thought I'd just use it up, re-living my hay days) :-)
Anyway glad I got here. Got my FOX finally ready for the track (Gave up trying to sell it, so thought I'd just use it up, re-living my hay days) :-)
GT Member
Joined: March 30, 2010
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Littleton, CO
Okay, so Wednesday I went to a CSP sponsored track day at Bandimere. It was my first time driving at that track, and the first time driving at ANY track in about 25 years. The 05 has a 91 octane DS tune, Mac CAI, FRPP x-pipe and exhaust, stock 3.55 gears. The track is at 5800 ft, it was about 85 all day with between 30-40 percent humidity and all times listed here are uncorrected (does everyone here list uncorrected or corrected times?). I run stock wheels with stock P Zero's up front and 255/45 Firestone Firehawks out back. I made six runs, two of which I aborted because I missed the 1-2 powershift (yeah, it sucks to do that....) but the other four were pretty decent. I left the spare in place but removed the jack and roadside kit I had in the car.
1st run : 15.1, TCS on, son in car, cooler of pop in car, tips scales at 4000 even.
2nd run: 14.7, TCS off, just me, scales at 3800 lbs....yep, I'm fat AND old......
3rd run: 20.2, missed the 1-2 and why bother.....
4th run: 14.8, TCS off, just me.
5th run: 16.2, muffed the shift but picked it back up so I could beat the 20 sec Volvo, 'cause I still gotta little pride........
6th run: 14.8, TCS off, just me, actually might have been quicker but I shifted to fourth about 50 feet from the finish for some stupid reason.......
So here's some things I learned:
1) I gotta get sticky tires if I'm gonna go back. I drove around the water box every time and short hopped it up to the line a couple of times, but I swear the first 30 feet I was spinning rubber. I got my best times launching at 5k and shifting at 6k, but I'm betting good rubber will net me a couple tenths with reduced 60 foot times.
2) It's a long way to 2nd gear. I think I missed my shifts because I didn't get the shifter into second before my foot came off the clutch.....but don't seem to have that issue from 2-3 or 3-4, so don't know if it's mental or if a short throw shifter is worth the investment....
3) I can't cut a good light yet, but I gotta practice more.....
4) I used this calculator just to see corrected times....but don't really know how accurate it is, supposed to use formula that NHRA uses, but not sure.....if anyone knows of a better one, chime in....http://www.wallaceracing.com/convert-et-to-msa.php....my best corrected time, according to this, is 13.75.....
5) Never let a 17yo be your photographer, if you actually want pics of YOUR car going down the track....I got 5....little ones......with most of my car in them........and some lovely pics of the track tractors, some vettes, Ford GT, GT500, and some teen chicks........
1st run : 15.1, TCS on, son in car, cooler of pop in car, tips scales at 4000 even.
2nd run: 14.7, TCS off, just me, scales at 3800 lbs....yep, I'm fat AND old......
3rd run: 20.2, missed the 1-2 and why bother.....
4th run: 14.8, TCS off, just me.
5th run: 16.2, muffed the shift but picked it back up so I could beat the 20 sec Volvo, 'cause I still gotta little pride........
6th run: 14.8, TCS off, just me, actually might have been quicker but I shifted to fourth about 50 feet from the finish for some stupid reason.......
So here's some things I learned:
1) I gotta get sticky tires if I'm gonna go back. I drove around the water box every time and short hopped it up to the line a couple of times, but I swear the first 30 feet I was spinning rubber. I got my best times launching at 5k and shifting at 6k, but I'm betting good rubber will net me a couple tenths with reduced 60 foot times.
2) It's a long way to 2nd gear. I think I missed my shifts because I didn't get the shifter into second before my foot came off the clutch.....but don't seem to have that issue from 2-3 or 3-4, so don't know if it's mental or if a short throw shifter is worth the investment....
3) I can't cut a good light yet, but I gotta practice more.....
4) I used this calculator just to see corrected times....but don't really know how accurate it is, supposed to use formula that NHRA uses, but not sure.....if anyone knows of a better one, chime in....http://www.wallaceracing.com/convert-et-to-msa.php....my best corrected time, according to this, is 13.75.....
5) Never let a 17yo be your photographer, if you actually want pics of YOUR car going down the track....I got 5....little ones......with most of my car in them........and some lovely pics of the track tractors, some vettes, Ford GT, GT500, and some teen chicks........
GT Member
Joined: March 30, 2010
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Littleton, CO
By the way, for you low landers who've never been to a high altitude track, here's what some of the competition was running......
Stock 2008 Bentley Continental......14.5's....driver might've been noob, but he made 6-7 passes and didn't get much better.....
Stock 2010 SS Camaro's: Every one there that was stock ran low 15's high 14's.
Modded 2010 Camaro's" Couple running mid 13s, know that exhaust was modded but not what else.
Stock GT500, 2008: 13.5's at first, high 12's at the end.
Two modded (1 blown, 1 nitrous) vettes in the mid 11s
Stock STI's: mid 14s to low 15s
some modded Subbies running mid 12s....and I mean heavily modded.
2010 ZX10R: 10.7
2009 Vmax, modded: 11.5
2007 R6: 12.5
There were lots of others all over the time range, but this gives you a good idea of what cars are running uncorrected at 5800 feet......
Stock 2008 Bentley Continental......14.5's....driver might've been noob, but he made 6-7 passes and didn't get much better.....
Stock 2010 SS Camaro's: Every one there that was stock ran low 15's high 14's.
Modded 2010 Camaro's" Couple running mid 13s, know that exhaust was modded but not what else.
Stock GT500, 2008: 13.5's at first, high 12's at the end.
Two modded (1 blown, 1 nitrous) vettes in the mid 11s
Stock STI's: mid 14s to low 15s
some modded Subbies running mid 12s....and I mean heavily modded.
2010 ZX10R: 10.7
2009 Vmax, modded: 11.5
2007 R6: 12.5
There were lots of others all over the time range, but this gives you a good idea of what cars are running uncorrected at 5800 feet......