I posted this under the 131 thread, but I figured I might get more responses if I started a new thread.

So, three newbies will be at the 131 strip tonight. Watch out for a red 2002 SS(A4), a black 2001 WS6(A4), and a silver 2001 WS6(M6). Don't watch for us to beat you, but watch for us to be in the wrong places doing the wrong things... ignorance is a big factor here!

Anyone know the proper launching RPMs for an M6? Two of us have A4s and if I remember right you just rev it up a bit while holding the brake and let loose when the light falls. I was guessing the guy with the M6 should 2000-2500 RPM then let the clutch out for launch... I'm totally clueless as to how the launches should actually work though, so PLEASE tell me if these are good tactics or not.

Other knowledge/rumors I've picked up:

Have fun!

Drive around the water box and back up to do your burnout. All three of us have stock tires, so I'm guessing we shouldn't even back into the water box.

Have fun!

Turn on A/C while waiting to cool the car down. Just make sure to turn it off when you get closer to your turn so you don't drip water onto the track.

Have fun!!!

I'm also assuming we have to wear long pants and helmets. Helmets might be difficult to come by...

 

I can speak for the A4 side. You are correct in saying you want to go around the water box. Back up until you are about 1-2 feet in front of the box. Put the car in 1 gear and brake tourqe it slowly until the you get a good amount of white smoke off the tires. I usually continue for about 10 secs after I get the good white smoke. Then let off the brake (still have the tires spinning)and go about 15 feet until you feel the tires start to grab. No problem if you go by the start line. Just back up and get yourself on the right side of the line to stage. Once you are on the line you can bring up the rpms on an A4. If you have a stock converter in the car then try to get the RPMS to about 2000rpms, If the brakes will hold the car at this rpm. Then when the starting line lights start, let off the brake when the last yellow light turns on.

From there, enjoy the ride..... Oh yea, make sure you have the car in drive and if you have traction control make sure it is off.

Good luck and post how you do.

Bill

 

How about gas tank? How much should I carry or does it really matter? I was thinking around alf a tank as I'm not going for broke here... I just want some good base times.

 

Fill it up, you'll need the weight for traction. Esp on Street Tires

 

no less than 1/4 of a tank in a ls1..

half tank is fine

 

If you're at a track where you have room, you can pull around the burnout box and then back into it. But at Martin, for example, there is no room to pull around it so you just have to go through it.

Yes, you must wear pants. And no tank tops either. Short sleeves are OK if you're pretty much stock. I raced last summer in pants and a short sleeve shirt.

Most tracks have rules about how fast you can go before you need a helmet. If your car is pretty much stock, you don't need a helmet. My Z is stock and I haven't needed one yet.

Empty all loose objects out of your car. And if you have messed with your radio, make sure it won't fly out of the dash! My ex had his CD player fly out of the dash during a run, and he couldn't shift into third! LOL

Bring water to drink. And a snack if you're of the mind. Track food is expensive.

Some people like to put bags of ice on top of their engines to help them cool off. If you want to do that, bring a bag of ice.

Here's my #1 piece of advice: Pay attention to what people say about launching, but also make sure you know when you should start stopping. When you're driving past on your way out, it looks like you have miles of space, but when you're going about 100mph it's not that much space. You don't want to end up going sand-dragging.

Well that's about all I can think of right now.

And oh yeah, do have fun.

 

 

I'm guessing my gear is taller than 2.73... I don't recall how much taller though.

Course according to the dyno I've got 200hp @ the rear wheels so traction shouldn't be a problem !

 

So did you guys get to run? If so, what times did you pull off.

 

Track was closed due to muddy pits... this weekend doesn't look too promising either. I guess I'm not allowed to get any time slips!

 

I think the (stock) gear in my Z is 3.23, so yours might be that. Or since yours is an SS it might be something different.

 

A4 SS = 3.23

M6 SS = 3.42

 

How can you only have 200Hp at the rear tires? Do you mean 300Hp?

If you have only 200Hp at the rears there is something very wrong with the car.

 

The number one tip for newbies is to park your car in the pits, let it cool down and take a walk up to the starting line.
Watch all the things going on there, the tire warm-ups, approaching the pre stage beams, entering the prestage beam,stopping and waiting for your opponent to also enter PS beam. Whats a prestage beam? Look at the tree , it will say on the top - Pre stage. Next go into the Stage beam, this is the bottom of the two top stage lights. Once this beam is lit you are saying to the starter YOUR car is ready to go.
ALL OF THE ABOVE YOU ARE WATCHING OTHER CARS DO SO YOU HAVE AN IDEA AS TO WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO, COME YOUR TURN.


Next... walk down to the finish line and notice TWO sets of lights there! The first one (line) starts the MPH clocks. The second one (line) shuts off your ET and MPH. THE SECOND LINE IS THE ACTUAL FINISH LINE!

Thirdly... walk over to the entrance to the staging lanes and familiarize yourself with the lane numbers. This way when your class is called, you will have an idea as to where to go. MOST tracks will have a staging line director at the front of the lanes to tell you what lane to go into. Usually they'll hold up finger(s) to indicate lane number.

Lastly... listen to the PA system for your class call and for heavens sake KNOW what class you are in.
Report ONLY to staging lanes when told to do so by PA announcer.

These are only a FEW of the things you need to learn to do, but... they will get you down the track the first time and remember... when you pass the second line on the top end, YOU CAN START SLOWING DOWN AND LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO EXIT THE TRACK!

I personely have been a drag racer since the mid 70's and a goodly share of it was in National (BIG) type events. I get just as nervous for a local race as I do a World Final!
Don't sweat the little stuff and by the way... unless you are a T/F, F/C or P/S car and a few other sportsmen racers, crossing the line doing a burnout is a NO-NO! Accidents happen and people do drive through the beam but an 'on purpose' burnout past the starting line is not a good thing.

There is way more to learn but... I would have to write a book here and besides, if you do it long enough and serious enough, YOU'LL LEARN!

 

Well it wasn't a typo... 200hp is what the (not functioning properly) dyno said. I hate to think it's true. Until I get out to track I don't know what to believe!

Thanks for all of the tips everyone. One of these days I'll actually put them to use.