Drag Racing your street car Part 3

Hello again….in part one of our discussion, we touched base on what you needed to do in the days preceding your track day, everything from monitoring the weather conditions, to managing your fuel levels.  Part two of our discussion revolved around the prep needed the day of the event, and what to bring to the track. This discussion will revolve around the event itself. Going to the track is always an exhilarating experience. In fact, if it is your first time it can be overwhelming.

First thing is first, get into the facility. Sometimes that can be a challenge if the weather is exceptionally nice…the line to get in can be somewhat long. This is where we will discuss what I call “thermal management” Typically for myself; this will start on the drive down to the track from the house. Run the heat full blast. Also, if you have a fan switch, or another way to run the fans to keep the motor cool, do it. Cooler motors make more HP. However, you do not want it totally cold, as the oil, and other vital fluids need to be at a minimum temperature to work properly. So, a little heat, then cool it down.

So now, you are in the facility, stake your claim on the pit you want. The closer to the staging lanes the better off you will be. Less of a drive to the start line means less heat buildup. Also, try to go with a group of people, and affectionately call them your “pit crew” as they can help you do last minute prep, push the car, help you fix it. Also, hang out and enjoy the sites and sound at the drag strip. Now would be a good time to do stuff like putting on your slicks (if you have them) fine tuning your tire pressures, getting the last minute things out of your car, also letting the car get cooled down more.  Ok, you got your pit selected, now go through “tech” and get your car inspected. Typically, the “tech” procedure will have a track official examine your car, check out the paperwork you have filled out while waiting. Also, in most cases, they will assign a number to your car. This is how they will identify your car while you are racing. Get used to it as you will have to remember to look at your number to read the time slips properly (that comes later)

Ok, your car has gone through “tech” and it is time to make a run. Go to the staging lanes, and follow the instruction of the track officials. If you run slicks, you should have someone “spot” you into the burnout box so you can heat the slicks up. The hotter they are, the better they will grip. I typically like to let the car roll about ¾ of the way through the burnout box so more of the surface of the slick is wet. This will help the slick burnout easier. If you have a front wheel drive car, lock the emergency brake, and disable the traction control (if equipped) If you have a rear wheel drive car, Hold the brake and gradually give it gas until the rear breaks loose. More smoke, more heat, better traction.  If you have street tires, do not burnout the tires. Drive around the “burnout box” and make sure you are clear of it. I will “burp” the tires to clean them, but do not do a full on burnout, and that will heat the tires up, and unlike slicks street tires will lose traction as they heat up.

Now, let’s explain the “Tree”, here is a picture that will help me explain it:

When you pull your car up to the starting line, you will be “staging” your car. There are beams of light at certain intervals near the starting line, pre-stage, and stage beams. When you break each beam, the appropriate indicator lights will go off. If you do a normal stage, the “pre-stage” and the “stage” lights will all be on. If you do a “deep stage” only the “pre-stage” lights will be on, as you will roll through the “stage” beam. For the purposes of our discussion, we will only deal with a normal stage. When both cars are “staged” the indicators on both sides of the “tree” will be lit. If you are running solo, only the indicators on your side will be lit. There is the “pit side” and the “tower side” pretty self explanatory. The next thing, and from this point on, the only thing to watch is the tree, and ahead of you. When the second Amber light comes on, start your launch. By the time you react, and the car starts moving, the green will be lit. How you launch is determined mainly by your car, and the amount of traction you have. It will take time to figure it out.  For “test N tune” situations, the red light will be of no consequence. That is used in “bracket racing” or pro events. The red light will come on if you leave the starting line too early. No worries here.
You aren’t going to be a pro the first time out. Don’t worry, just enjoy it. For our next discussion, we’ll take about the run itself, and other related items.