I'm going to be going to the track this weekend comeing up as long as we dont get snow , this will be my first time at the track racing, I've watched before, but never paid attention to what the drivers did.
What are the things that I should know befor I go, and when I get there?
so far I know to go around the water box and back into it so i dont take water onto the track wiht my front tires.
but I say soemone say that with street tires (I have comp TA's) I shouldnt use the water box, just give them a little spin to get the rocks off.

 

Do not let the water touch any of your tires. All you need is a brief 2-3 second burnout to get all the debris off the tires. Line yourself up in the lane where your tires are on the dull part of the track, that's where all the rubber is. You'll see when you get there. Keep your car cool, you might want to leave it running and turn your A/C on to trigger the cooling fans. Just turn it off before you pull in to do your burnout.

If you are racing on a sportsman tree, leave when you see the last yellow light up. If you do this you will cut a respectable reaction time. Brake torque the car up some if it's an auto, or slip the clutch from about 3000 RPM if it's a manual. You will have to play around with your technique depending on track condition though. However you do have some good street tires.

Most of all, HAVE FUN!!

John

 

Better yet, let your car cool off about an hour before you run it, but bring a towel, set it on the intake, and put a bag or 2 of ice on the it. It helps.

 

What my tech card?
sorry, but I dont know anything, I've only ever watched.

I have the SS ram air, so how do I ice the intake?

Thanks for the tips, learned lots already. any other ones?

PS I have a M6

 

Oh and if the track prep is bad, and you start to spin, let out of it, do not try and drive your way out of a no traction situation. Sometimes the track will be slicker than the road, if they don't pay attention to prep. I saw a lightning wreck two weeks ago on street tires because he left it floored while spinning. He hit the wall so hard his airbags deployed.

John

 

As I said, just bring a towel, place it over your intake to prevent water going everywhere, just leave the ice in the bag. You might be able to leave the bag on the intake just until it's your turn to stage, depends on the track I guess. You can try not icing your intake, but it helps many LT1s go faster.

 

Turning the A/C on will trigger the cooling fans to come on, drawing air through the radiator as the car sits still. For the ultimate you can turn on the A/C, and turn the temperature to full hot.

 

but turning on the heater, takes the heat that is already in yor engine into you car, hence cooler air gets into your engine bay. turning on your ac is a big no no, it makes your car work harder than the heater, since the heat requires nothing but opening the vents and sometimes a fan.

Just my . 02

 

ahhhhhhhh. NM, I see, you meant the heater as well, not the air conditioner, sorry.

 

I've heard that A/C can make condensate drip from the coils, which doesn't go over well with the track crew.

 

Don't worry about icing the intake. You aren't trying for the last couple of hundreths of a second your first time out. You are learning track etiquette and how to drive the car!

Rich Krause

 

I'll move this to the drag racing forum for you...

Also, forget about icing the manifold. The first time at the track you have way more important things to think about and the last thing I want to see if a first timer carrying anything that could possibly drip anywhere near the staging lanes.

Pay your entry fee. Tell whoever takes it you are new and ask them what to do, and where to go. The procudures at different track vary, but the basic guidelines are to get a tech card that you need to fill out (bring a pen), show your ID (have a valid license), and bring a helmet, long pants, t-shirt (no tank tops), and wear socks, and bring some shoe polish to write your number and possibly dial in on the windows. In a street car that should about cover it.

Watch the other drivers and see what they do, how they line up, where they burn out, how they stage, where the return road feeds into the pits, where the ticket booth is for your time slip. Do NOT speed on the return road or in the pits. Do not do stupid stuff. Do not worry about being cool, concentrate on having a good time, being safe, and not pissing off the staff at the track.

You car will be teched in before you can race. Be helpful to the tech inspector. He is underpaid, overworked, and just trying to do his job. He is wanting for you not to have any problems. Have your tech card filled out to the best of your ability before he checks your car. Be patient with him. Tell him it is your first time.

When you race, if you make a mistake or get crossed up or sideways, just let off the gas and drive on down the track. Don't try to be Don Garlits or you will just hit the wall or something stupid like that. If something does go wrong on the track, pull over to the side (get out of the groove).

In the pits, give your neighbors enough room. Same for the staging lanes. Don't jump lanes. Pick one and stay in it. At some tracks they are numbered and the tech official will tell you which lane to get into.

The starter is your boss. Do whatever he says or motions to do. Have your windows rolled up, do not use the air conditioning (drips), do not have the tunes cranked up. Focus on the race.

I know that sounds like a lot to remember, but if you take the time to watch more experienced drivers first, it will seem natural.

 

Oh yea, have a good time. It takes practice...

 

Make sure after you go through the traps and your run is over don't slam on the breaks because i have driven some cars that break fine a lower speeds but when you're going 100MPH+ a car with not a great breaking system can pull quite hard to one side. Ease off of the gas and firmly apply the breaks. Have a good time!

 

And condences the air which makes heat hence high side of ac.

Try not to flip out and punch a ricer after he drags all the bleach down the track from the bleach box. I know here you need a Helmet if your faster than 13.9. Clean you car out, stuff you dont need 12inch speakers/spare/ 40 pounds of of shirts, kitchen sink .... Along with what was said above and have a good time. Smoke some stangs .