Going drag racing for the first time. Tips?

[johnnycharger]

Hi Guys
I am going to the local drag strip this afternoon  to race my SRT4 for the first time. I have never done this before. The car is mostly stock. It has an ACT street clutch, K&N typhoon intake, better plugs/coil/wires and slightly wider tires.
Does anyone have any helpful advice or tips that I should know? I have been doing a little research online....

[RallyeMike]

1. Pay attention to the track crew's directions.
2. Drive around the water pit and forget the burn out.
3. When the last yellow light turns off, slam the gas.
4. Don't make any turns. 

[charger_fan_4ever]

Very good points above. Gas it on yellow. Watch the lights when your in staging lanes to see how fast they go.

1st tip never go on street tires.

You will be disappointed with street tires.

My 1st trip to the track was on street tires, the 2nd trip i had MT ET street bias ply slicks.

With an automatic can get away with drag radials. With a stick full on slick imo. Unless your a super driver.

[Mytur Binsdirti]

Don't crash or break anything.

[garner7555]

Very good points above. Gas it on yellow. Watch the lights when your in staging lanes to see how fast they go.

1st tip never go on street tires.

You will be disappointed with street tires.

My 1st trip to the track was on street tires, the 2nd trip i had MT ET street bias ply slicks.

With an automatic can get away with drag radials. With a stick full on slick imo. Unless your a super driver.

The original poster is driving a front wheel drive so the tires isn't such a big deal.   

[XH29N0G]

I assume you have been and returned.  I went 2 weeks ago for the first time myself.  I found it tremendously fun.  I was advised to take it easy the first time down the track and let up if I lost control. 

I hope to go back next week.

[johnnycharger]

Hi Guys!
Thank you all for the advice- the serious and sarcastic!     it is great help. Otherwise I would have done burn outs in the box and gone on green instead of yellow.
I had a great time. There is a lot more to it than just slamming on the gas. I do have street tires. This car is also my commuter that I put 80+ miles on each day.
I hope to do this more often. I will definitely need to be more consistent in my launches. My fastest time was 14.02 at 98.98 mph.

[XH29N0G]

That is great.  Glad you had fun.

[c00nhunterjoe]

Forget trying to be fast. Concentrate on learning the tree, where the beams are, and cutting a good light.

[500Jon]

Drag racing LOOKS easy but its not!
NEVER floor it on the start-line!
Feed the throttle in carefully and avoid wheelspin at ALL costs!!!
Don't red light, thats a total waste of a run.

Best run I ever made was on Coldish tyres and drove her off at tick-over.
10.66 @ 130mph.

Good luck in the future Johnny.
Once you get the BUG you is a LOSTBOY!

[johnnycharger]

Thanks guys! I will put this info to use tomorrow night (if it doesn't rain). I think I have been bit!

It is amazing how much under the pressure you feel when staging. Trying to learn the lights and make a smooth smart launch rather than panic and floor it isn't easy...

[alfaitalia]

10.2 @ 145.7.......................Ok that's was on my GSXR 1000 K2. Stock apart from exhaust, K5 engine and strapped suspension. Under 10 is possible apparently (if you don't loop it!) but you would need to be a better (and lighter would help) rider than me!!!

[RallyeMike]

10.2 @ 145.7.......................Ok that's was on my GSXR 1000 K2. Stock apart from exhaust, K5 engine and strapped suspension. Under 10 is possible apparently (if you don't loop it!) but you would need to be a better (and lighter would help) rider than me!!! lol

Same boat here. My daily bike supposedly does a mid-10 quarter, but probably +2 seconds with my ass on it. I'd be embarrassed to even try and find out.

[500Jon]

Talking NoN-Mopars on here is a crime, but two wheeled vehicles!

Its what you can do with a 'ton and a half' vehicle that counts!!!

[Mefirst]

1. Don´t try to be a hero on your first time out!!!!
2. Understand the roll up procedures.
3. Line up straight!!! Both car and front wheels!!!
4. Depending on what Tree -Sportsman/Pro. Sportsman leave when you see the last yellow (depending on your car, you could try leaving at second bulb), Pro tree, WTFO when you see yellow lights...
5. See #1 again. IF your car gets out of the groove or something feels weird, get off the throttle!!!

6. Surgeon General Warning - Dragracing is highly addictive!!!



Have fun!
/Tom

Ps. Do NOT run Antifreeze in the cooling system at the track!!! If you dump antifreeze coolant all over the track, people will HATE you!!! Check that the wheel nuts are tight!

[johnnycharger]

1. Don´t try to be a hero on your first time out!!!!
2. Understand the roll up procedures.
3. Line up straight!!! Both car and front wheels!!!
4. Depending on what Tree -Sportsman/Pro. Sportsman leave when you see the last yellow (depending on your car, you could try leaving at second bulb), Pro tree, WTFO when you see yellow lights...
5. See #1 again. IF your car gets out of the groove or something feels weird, get off the throttle!!!

6. Surgeon General Warning - Dragracing is highly addictive!!!



Have fun!
/Tom

Ps. Do NOT run Antifreeze in the cooling system at the track!!! If you dump antifreeze coolant all over the track, people will HATE you!!! Check that the wheel nuts are tight!

Thanks for the great tips! Your car looks awesome! I have gone twice now and it definitely is addictive!

[Mefirst]

Thanks for the great tips! Your car looks awesome! I have gone twice now and it definitely is addictive!