New to drag racing *help*

I have a 2002 Camaro Z28 A4. What is the way to race automatics? Overdrive? or all 4 gears? Please help, Thanks. :D

After your burnout, leave it in 3rd(D). Reason: Doesn't matter if it's in OD or D. But, if you leave it in D the engine will help slow you down after you cross the stripe.

As for launching, find a backroad and practice different launch RPMs.

Like he said, put 'er in Drive and GO!:thumb: "Manually" shifting your automatic will only help (with electronically controlled trannies) in a few circumstances:cool:. Get a programmer if you need to raise/lower the shift points.....shifting at just the right time has gained/lost me ~.2 seconds in the 1/4 mile before;).

D or OD doesnt make a difference in speed? Thanks. :confused:

Theoretically the tranny will keep the line pressure higher while in D than OD but I can't find any proof. If the car is set up properly, you'll never use OD in the 1/4 mile. You shouldn't be using OD in the 1/4 mile anyway because the OD gears are small and weak.

Thanks for all your help guys. :D

Theoretically the tranny will keep the line pressure higher while in D than OD but I can't find any proof. If the car is set up properly, you'll never use OD in the 1/4 mile. You shouldn't be using OD in the 1/4 mile anyway because the OD gears are small and weak.
I've heard the same thing, but I've tried running in both D and OD, and never seen a difference on the time slip that I could credit to that theory;).

As far as running into 4th gear in the 1/4 mile, I've never hit it (yet:p) even running 4.10 gears:thumb:. Not until you're running upwards of ~120 mph do you need to look at ways of staying out of 4th (higher rev limiter, bigger tires, or taller gears than 4.10) :cool:.

Thanks, one more question. Why do they burnout before a race? :confused:

For guys with slicks, it's real important to heat them up so they'll stick.....the hotter the rubber gets, the stickier it gets, and sticky = traction;).

You will see a lot of guys warm up their street tires too (I've done it with my car and seen positive results), but as a rule, street tires don't get any stickier when they're hot.....it's just a beneficial sometimes to clean them off before you run. With the tires I'm running now though, it did actually help to warm them up.....I cut a 1.92 60' time with my Hankook's!!:D Track prep was awesome that day though:thumb:.

also just to help in first gear your gonna have to hold yourself back from puttin the pedal to the floor... traction is everything out of the hole just remember that

Thanks again. But, first gear? I hava an A4 2002 Z28. :cool:

well you still have a first gear in that auto.. haha i know what you mean but you can spin those tires almost as easily as us m6 guys so out of the hole feathering that throttle will be important

For guys with slicks, it's real important to heat them up so they'll stick.....the hotter the rubber gets, the stickier it gets, and sticky = traction;).
Up to a point. That point is determined by track temperature (which is why you often see a crew member out there with a pyrometer). Most non-professionals get their tires too hot. When I asked the manufacturers about the burnout required for DR's (BF Goodrich) and Quicktime Pro DOT's (Hoosier), the response was the same: "Don't do a burnout. Just turn the tires enough to clean them. The traction is in the compound."

Good tips, I'll try them when I go to the track. :D

Here's the best way to drive your A4 at the track.

First of all, don't manually shift an automatic transmission, you're just wasting your time and you may damage the transmission.

Your very first pass

1. Make sure your traction control is turned off
2. Totally avoid the water box and don't do a burnout
3. When the light turns green, just take your foot off the brake and leave at idle without spinning, just to get a feel for how things at the track work

When you're comfortable launching hard
1. Make sure your traction control is turned off
2. Drive up to the tree and stage
3. As soon as the 2nd stage light comes on, put your left foot on the brake and press the acclerator to about 1,000-1,000 RPM with your other foot
4. As soon as the yellow light flashes, take your foot off the brake while leaving your right foot in the same position and you'll feel the car bounce forward
5. As soon as you feel your tires grab traction (this could be right away or after minimal wheelspin) just floor it, point the car straight and hold on

It will take practice. I used to always get 2.3-2.2s, but since I've practiced launching, I can now get 2.1-2.0s without even burning out.

Good luck at the track. :cool:

I will try it with the Traction Control off. I just have to wait until the California Speedway opens again to drag racing. Thanks. :D

Tomorrow I will be visiting Irwindale Speedway for my very first drag race. I am excited to see what my times are. I am not sure if I will be running the 1/4 mile or the 1/8 mile. I dont know if they have the 1/4 mile there. But either way I should have some fun. :D

Tomorrow I will be visiting Irwindale Speedway for my very first drag race. I am excited to see what my times are. I am not sure if I will be running the 1/4 mile or the 1/8 mile. I dont know if they have the 1/4 mile there. But either way I should have some fun. :D

Good luck man......if you need any help go over to the Michigan message board.....there is guys over there that have been drag racing for over 30 years....Tanner is a good person to ask.....HotrodHawk is a nother good guy...and many many other guys are good to ask this is a good site of advice for drag racing.and again good luck tommarow....hope you win...... :death:

Thanks MotorCityNova, I will post up my results hopefully tomorrow night. ;)

P.S. should I remove my spare tire "donut" and jack before I run? Thanks again Nova.

Thanks MotorCityNova, I will post up my results hopefully tomorrow night. ;)

P.S. should I remove my spare tire "donut" and jack before I run? Thanks again Nova.


It'll shave off about a tenth.

It'll shave off about a tenth.

Yea....you should take off all the stuff you ant goin to need everyday.like the jack and donut.....but i would say put them back in after the race...i have never drag raced....but i just know a lil bit about it from friends and TV shows...

I got in two runs on Thursday before they canceled the races because of the rain. They were only 1/8 mile, not 1/4 mile. The first one I totally messed up. I guess I was between D and OD and I went no where and got 11.963 ET :cry: and the second one wasnt that good either I got 9.112 ET. I need to go back and practice, until I get the hang of it I guess. I suck at this drag racing stuff. :mad:

I got in two runs on Thursday before they canceled the races because of the rain. They were only 1/8 mile, not 1/4 mile. The first one I totally messed up. I guess I was between D and OD and I went no where and got 11.963 ET :cry: and the second one wasnt that good either I got 9.112 ET. I need to go back and practice, until I get the hang of it I guess. I suck at this drag racing stuff. :mad:

That 9.112 1/8 ET is good for low 14s in the 1/4. Unless you have some wicked top end. :p

Low 14's isnt that good an ET for an LS1 powered F-body is it? I will keep trying to get a better 1/8 mile at the Irwindale Speedway, until I get a chance at the 1/4 mile at the California Speedway. ;)

Low 14's isnt that good an ET for an LS1 powered F-body is it? I will keep trying to get a better 1/8 mile at the Irwindale Speedway, until I get a chance at the 1/4 mile at the California Speedway. ;)


Well, it WAS your first time wasn't it? Don't beat yourself up. You'll be fine with more practice.

Youre right it was only my first time at the track and all I have is an SLP lid and a Flowmaster exhaust. :barf: :D

I got in two runs on Thursday before they canceled the races because of the rain. They were only 1/8 mile, not 1/4 mile. The first one I totally messed up. I guess I was between D and OD and I went no where and got 11.963 ET :cry: and the second one wasnt that good either I got 9.112 ET. I need to go back and practice, until I get the hang of it I guess. I suck at this drag racing stuff. :mad:

9.112 is a damn good E.T

Am I going to be able to get better times with my 2.73 gears?

that one i dont know.....

Thanks M C Nova 572. ;)

Am I going to be able to get better times with my 2.73 gears?

I have 2.73s. I hate them. :lol: I'm planning on swapping 3.73s in this year. 2.73s will be decent for hooking off the line. But if you're looking for better E/T, then 3.73s in an auto is what you want. I'll admit, 2.73s are pretty good for MPH in the 1/4 for a mostly stock car. :)

Thanks LS1 03, I will eventually end up switching to 3.73s. :D

4.11 :)

4.11 :)
That is what I plan on going to once the 9" goes in:D

It's a sickness isn't it? My first time at the track, ran a 13.7, then the second time out ran my best of 13.1. Experience will be one of your best tools. Ideal track conditions are always a plus, unfortunately it's not the same at every track. My goal for this coming spring will be to squeeze into 12.9 completely factory, with just over 9,000 on the odo.

experience :d

Experience will be one of your best tools. Ideal track conditions are always a plus, unfortunately it's not the same at every track.
Yeah:rolleyes:, 'til the track conditions go for a crap at the track you're used to running, and all the experience in the world can't save your 13.0 second car from running 13.5's or worse:(. Been there, done that, got the disappointing time slips!:irk: