this is my first stick shift car and my first time going ot the track. i am pretty good at driving it normal everyday driving but i dunno how to drive it at the track. what rpm should i be shifting at? i dont have a tach or a shift light just the stock tach. and how should i be launching it?

 

2500 rpm slip it a little and once you get going step on it. unless your on DR's then heat em up and drop it at 2500 and hold on. I would shift at around 5800 good luck

 

can i get just a shift light or do i need a whole big tach?

 

You'll have time to watch the tach. The 1-2 shift comes up quick though. I agree with Offspring, shift as high as possible, which is 5700 rpm with the stock redline.

If I tried to launch at 2500 RPM, I would bog. You really have to see what works for you. What I did was go to a deserted road, and try different launch RPM's. What you do is hold the car at a certain RPM, lets say 3000 rpm, and let off the clutch quickly (not dropping the clutch) while holding the gas in the same spot. If the car takes off good without bogging, then that is the RPM you should use. Once the car is rolling pretty good, mash the gas and shift as quickly as possible. By the way, I launch from 3500 rpm.

Just remember, everyone does this for a first time. Don't be out trying to impress anyone. Don't worry about what anyone else thinks, because there will always be faster cars there.

I drive around the water at the beginning of the track. With street tires, you don't need to heat them up. You could do a really small burnout if you want to clean them off. My last time to the track I just drove around the water and didn't even do a burnout and did pretty well.

Just remember, everyone is there to have fun. DON'T STRESS.

Dan