Need Drag Racing Tips

[KD4WCL]

I have a stock 2002 Z06 and would like to take it to the local 1/4 mile drag strip for the first time. Could anyone give me some driving pointers such as:

* RPM's to drop the clutch at?

* Should I have competitive driving mode on or off?

* Should I shift from 1 to 2 or 1 to 3 or 4?

Any other advice for this green rookie is apprieciated!

 

[DRTH VTR]

I am an amateur racer, but I have a couple hundred passes under my belt. Here are a few things that I can offer.

Tirespin is slow. The trick is to launch as hard as you can without excessive wheel spin. Quite a bit depends on the tires that you run and how well the track is prepared. You will have to find some of this out for yourself. On street tires, it is very easy to apply too much power right at the start.

Drive around the water box. Burnouts are good for "cheater" slicks or drag radials, but not regular street tires. Line the car up to go down "the groove", where other cars have laid down rubber on the track. Back up to get straight, if you need to. Spin the tires a little to remove any sand or small stones. Pull up to light the prestage lights, then wait for the other car to prestage. When you pull up and light the staged lights, be mentally ready to go. The race will start within a few seconds. On street tires, I would suggest that you bring the RPM up to 3000-3500 or so. When the lights count down, go on the last yellow. The starting line is about 18" in front of your front wheels, so you will have 1/2 second to get to the actual starting line. Let the clutch out briskly, but don't just drop the clutch and floor the gas. This will result in excessive spin. Once you have hooked up, roll into the power. The 60' time will tell the tale. A start with too much spin will result in a 60' time of between 2.2 and 2.4 seconds. A good start on stock tires would be more like 2.0-2.1 seconds. I run drag radials and I am pleased with 1.8-1.9 seconds.

Shift from 1st to 2nd at 6500RPM, 2nd to 3rd at 6500RPM, etc. You will need to get into 4th before the end of the track. It will not hurt anything to bump into the rev limiter once in a while.

Use the competitive driving mode at the strip. This will prevent the traction control from being too obtrusive, but will allow you to retain stability control just in case you happen to get a little loose during your run.

Have fun!

This thread is from the Z06 performance section.
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48106

If you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me or just post the questions for comment. MadMic is also very experienced at drag racing and is a good resource.

Jim

best time 12.42 seconds @ 113.63 (at 2600'- would be about 0.3 seconds faster at sea level)

 

[DRTH VTR]

Remember that the elapsed time is independent of reaction time. The reaction time is the time it takes to cross the start line compared to the ideal time. At some tracks, ideal reaction time is 0.5 seconds (the time between when the last yellow light is on and the time when you cross the starting line). At other tracks, ideal is 0.00 seconds (the time between the green light and when you cross the starting line).

The point is this: if what you are after is just to see what your car will do in the 1/4 mile, forget about reaction time. Just go when you are fully ready. Reaction time is very important in a race, but it just does not matter in a time trial. The elapsed time is the time it takes to go from the starting line to the finish line. It is possible to get a 13 second time, whether you sit at the light for 0.6 seconds or 6 seconds.

Do you know how bracket racing works?

 

[MsSchroder]

Wow, that's all very good info, DRTH.
I was thinking about trying the Drag Racing at Cruisefest. Just thinking at this point... I've never done anything like it before. It sounds intimidating. I have a feeling I would forget to shift.

My street tires have about 16k miles on them. When do you make the decision about putting new tires on for drag racing?

Tammy

 

[KD4WCL]

What great advise... thanks... Anything I need to bring? I know I need a helmet and a low / almost empty fuel tank... anything else? Thanks again!!

 

[Evolution1980]

Wow, that's all very good info, DRTH.
I was thinking about trying the Drag Racing at Cruisefest. Just thinking at this point... I've never done anything like it before. It sounds intimidating. I have a feeling I would forget to shift.
My street tires have about 16k miles on them. When do you make the decision about putting new tires on for drag racing?

I'm not nearly as versed in drag racing as Darth & Mad-Mic, but it's not really intimidating. It's actually kind of a rush. It all depends on your attitude. I race against other people at the strip for fun. I race against myself for competition. What I mean is that drag racing is a lot about personal bests. I don't really care what the other guy does, because many times in open trials, you happen to stage against someone much faster or slower. I go out there and try make my own personal bests. "What was my reaction time?" "What shift points did I use?" "Are the mods on my car making a real world difference?", etc.

You won't forget about shifting because it's already instinctual for you. (or should be depending on how long you've been driving a manual.)
As for tires? I would say only the diehard drag racing folks need to consider drag radials. You are not going to really tear up your tires after a couple passes and a couple days at the track. And for the average person at the strip for fun, drag radials are a sizeable investment for not much more increase on the "fun factor".

What to bring besides a helmet and a half-empty tank?

Helmets are not mandatory for the drag strip. They did require them at the Auto-cross, but they supplied them to those that didn't have their own.

 

[DRTH VTR]

I'm not nearly as versed in drag racing as Darth & Mad-Mic, but it's not really intimidating. It's actually kind of a rush. It all depends on your attitude. I race against other people at the strip for fun. I race against myself for competition. What I mean is that drag racing is a lot about personal bests. I don't really care what the other guy does, because many times in open trials, you happen to stage against someone much faster or slower. I go out there and try make my own personal bests. "What was my reaction time?" "What shift points did I use?" "Are the mods on my car making a real world difference?", etc.

You won't forget about shifting because it's already instinctual for you. (or should be depending on how long you've been driving a manual.)
As for tires? I would say only the diehard drag racing folks need to consider drag radials. You are not going to really tear up your tires after a couple passes and a couple days at the track. And for the average person at the strip for fun, drag radials are a sizeable investment for not much more increase on the "fun factor".

Helmets are not mandatory for the drag strip. They did require them at the Auto-cross, but they supplied them to those that didn't have their own.

That is also good information. The NHRA rules require a helmet at times lower than 14.0 seconds. If the track adheres to NHRA rules, you will need a helmet with most C5's and some C4's. The track may have more stringent rules as well. I have not seen easily available loaner helmets at my drag strip.

I got 2 extra rims and some drag radials for a couple of reasons. First, I wanted faster times. I think that they are worth about 0.4-0.5 seconds. Second, I didn't want to wear out my street tires. the DR cost less that the street tires.

Drag racing is just like any other skill. It takes practice. There are lots of new people at the track on any given night. Just don't enter the competitive season-long series, and you will be fine. Have fun. It is quite safe, and can be done without damage to the car, unless you get extremely aggressive in driving style. It would be especially hard to damage a car with an automatic. Just put it in drive and stand on the gas!

I have just started trying autocross. I went to a school last weekend, and I plan to do lots more autocross.

 

[DRTH VTR]

Here is another interesting thread in the C3 section: http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65243&page=1&pp=15Jim

 

[Evolution1980]

That is also good information. The NHRA rules require a helmet at times lower than 14.0 seconds. If the track adheres to NHRA rules, you will need a helmet with most C5's and some C4's. The track may have more stringent rules as well. I have not seen easily available loaner helmets at my drag strip.

Might that helmet rule only be applicable to NHRA sanctioned events? Or possibly with bracket racing where there's already an approximated/known ET.
I've raced at Norwalk Raceway and at Beech Bend for open driving, and neither required a helmet. I'm just speaking from my own personal experience. At an event like this, I can't see them mandating helmets, as how would the track personnel (or newbie drivers) know what their car is capable of and whether or not to bring a helmet? Plus, I believe that they had us sign liability waivers to CYA themselves.

 

[DRTH VTR]

Might that helmet rule only be applicable to NHRA sanctioned events? Or possibly with bracket racing where there's already an approximated/known ET.
I've raced at Norwalk Raceway and at Beech Bend for open driving, and neither required a helmet. I'm just speaking from my own personal experience. At an event like this, I can't see them mandating helmets, as how would the track personnel (or newbie drivers) know what their car is capable of and whether or not to bring a helmet? Plus, I believe that they had us sign liability waivers to CYA themselves.

I can only speak for what they do at Firebird Raceway in Boise. They follow NHRA safety rules for all events. If you run faster than 14.0 without a helmet, they come find you and tell you that you must not do that. A second instance means that you cannot run again without the helmet. The same thing applies with the roll cage, etc. You can get away with it once, but that is all. You cannot have a dial faster than 14.0 unless you have the helmet, etc. They did not require the driveline loop on my Z06 because the torque tube is already surrounded by car structure. The NHRA rules were relaxed a bit on the roll cage; you can run 11.5 seconds without a roll bar in a stock car such as a Viper or Corvette or Mustang. One year at VetteFest, there was a Grand Sport replica that could not run at all because it had no top. I believe that convertibles are also limited to 14 seconds and slower.

There was an accident at Firebird about 20 years ago. Somebody decided to do a burnout in the approach lane and went into the crowd. Some people were seriously injured, and I think a woman was killed. They are quite sensitive about safety issues now. If they find you doing a burnout anywhere besides the water box, you are gone for the year.

 

[mjustmike]

Kudo's to you drth!! Great info and suggestions! You're also dead on with regards to the helmet issue, most tracks will require one under 14's.

Tammy, don't be intimidated! It's a blast, just run it like you're coming out of a light hard with a Mustang beside you!!
Only 2 further suggestions to add on to the above info.....lower the rear tire pressure some (on F1's I'd drop to 18#'s and adjust from there),
and with these cars you don't need to power shift. It will actually hurt your times unless you're very experienced.
These cars are very strong with the torque down low and it's easy to ignite the street tires.

Most important thing is "have fun!!!" There's nothing better than feeeling a good run........well maybe a 3 day event at VIR.

 

[Mad-Mic]

ALL NHRA and IHRA tracks require a helmet at 13.99 and quicker. on Test and Tune nights they "May" give alittle leway but not much.

practice on a deserted road somewhere and practice your launching technique and row the the gears as quick as you can. this will help you ALOT at the track! although at the track you should get alittle more traction it just helps you better understand how to launch your car. try launching at 3000 rpm. Don't just "Dump" the clutch ease it out alittle till the car gets moving some then roll on the gas pedal not just dumping the clutch and slamming the pedal to the floor.

when staging the car in the "Beams" you will notice 2 sets of small yellow lights at the top of the tree. these are your indicators to where your car is on the track when getting set to make your run. 1st light is your pre-stage. roll in 6 inches more and your staged. once staged hold the brake, bring the revs up and on the last yellow let'er rip! don't leave on the green as you will be 1 second late. although reaction time doesnt have anything to do with overall ET it's just embarresing to get "Beat" to the stripe by a much slower car.

when you get to your local track walk up to the starting line and watch what the guys do to get staged. your local track officials will help you also get staged if you have troubles. also try and get into the habit of doing the same routine EVERY time you race. if you don't you will screw up!

if you have problems spinning your tires let some air out of the rears. start at 22 psi and work your way down. don't go lower than 18 psi on street tires and don't forget to put air back in your tires when you leave!

good luck and let'er rip!

 

[Mad-Mic]

Wow, that's all very good info, DRTH.
I was thinking about trying the Drag Racing at Cruisefest. Just thinking at this point... I've never done anything like it before. It sounds intimidating. I have a feeling I would forget to shift.

My street tires have about 16k miles on them. When do you make the decision about putting new tires on for drag racing?

Tammy

Tammy your tires are fine. when you roll thru the water box or go around it just light'em up with a 4k dump for a second or 2 just to turn them over a few times and put alittle heat in them. no need for huge burnouts on street tires unless your Me

 

[tmiller24]

Like everyone has alreary said I suggest anyone with street tires please avoid water before you stage as it gets in the tread of the tires and spreads out everywhere, making the faster guys upset. One other suggestion I will make is to Prestage and then stop, take you hands off everything and take a deep breath, cause it will give you a second or two to relax, calming the butterflies. Never raced a streeter myself,but the friends all suggest about 5 to 10 psi less than whats normal for the road.
Drag Racing is some of the most fun I've ever had on wheels, relax and soak it all in!