First time i went to the track i probably spent a 1/2 hour near the starting line just watching other racers and how the staging process worked.At our track they only require open end lugnuts when the car is equipped with slicks.And sometimes the track will let a passenger ride if the car is slow (like a 15 second car).I would suggest that you at least do a small burnout just to clean off the tires (the staging lanes and pits are full of little pebbles)and most tracks will direct you around the water box since you have radials.Don't leave your toolbox in you don't want anything loose roaming around the car,and yes a full tank of fuel is weight over the tires.You will have butterflies in your stomach thats for sure LOL,just remember to have fun!
i forgot to add that and that i drove around the wet box and then back up near it so i wouldnt get the tire to wet
Derek has the right idea. If you can get there early, not sure when the test&tune starts but get when they are laying down the juice on the track (traction compound) and after they do that I'd take a walk from the starting line down to the first 60' of the track just to see how sticky it is....................all of the Big Boys with their 6/7/8sec cars always do this.............but it will give you a good idea. Then, sit and watch for 30 minutes at the starting line..........watch to see how the water box dude is showing cars where to go, either around the waterbox or through it...........then he will usually tell you stop when you are just out of the box............then light-um-up...........then watch the starting line dude as he motions you forward.............and then stage a little at a time. Usually the starting line dude will get you close to pre-stage and then you are on your own..............but while you are watching everyone pay close attention to the people directing cars from the staging lanes to waterbox, when in the waterbox watch that guy.........then watch the starter.....................................everyone makes mistakes so just try and be calm...........for your first time down the strip I would suggest (like some of the other guys have) is to not do a burnout........just concentrate on getting staged................then put your brakes on and bring the motor to 1100/1200rpm (as long as the car doesn't move) and on the last light roll into the gas easy, but not too easy...........and then go for it. The track should have enough compound that you will not break loose, but if you do just back off a little......don't start sliding...................break at the other end and depending on how many turn outs the track has take the last one, this will give you a feel for the lenght of the run out...........and the next time take the first one..................this is how I like to do it at a track I have never been to......................an yes, a helmet with a snell rating that is not more than 4/5 years old should do..............some guys even have motorcycle helments, but it must have a snell rating or SFI rating.....I'd have to go out and look at mine...........One other thing is that you should carry a fire extinguisher..........just to be safe. But again, I think it is important for you to watch at the starting line for at least 30 minutes to get used to what the track people are doing and the other racers...............................this should get you started. Don't worry about your ET, reaction time or speed....................just concentrate on getting to the tree and see how your car reacts to different throttle positions when leaving.....................and if you get loose.....just let off....................THIS IS IMPORTANT!........................IMHO
I'd say any kind of helmet will do most likely but a smell 2005 I think is the latest rating youwould need. Yes weight in the back is a big help for traction. Also a set of ytaction bars would help quite a bit.
Last season I was the announcer for the Tulsa Midnight Drags... That is where the nickname comes from by the way. One thing I can tell you and not stress enough is pay attention to the track staff. When someone is in the lane in front of you, do not move until you are told to. Do not do a burnout until told too. This is not meant to sound like I am preaching. It is just that I almost got hit by over zelous people last year and it really hit home. Other that that do what everyone else is saying and just have fun. I agree a hundred percent with leave when the last bulb lights up. Just watch everyone for a while and have fun, make new friends and most importantly make lifetime memories. Bobo
Face. You are getting WAY too worked up over this. Your first trip out will be a TOTAL LETDOWN! Keep that in mind. You will not get traction without a posi rear, and you will just be revving up like you are in neutral. I did that with my stock engine and an open 2.79 rear. I thought the transmission gave up the ghost, but it was just me spinning my tire(s) 3 or 4 times. I crossed the 1/8th at 24 mph. But, there is nothing wrong with going out and having a good time, and learning the ropes at the track. Keep your eyes open, and learn by watching. And messing up. It is nerve-wracking the first couple trips out, but get a procedure into your head, and keep to it. It will work out just fine. Shift at 5500 the first time. Then 6000 second time. If ET improves, go up some more until it levels out. Also, keep on the gas until you PASS the finish line. I don't know why, but the human brain wants to let off when they get close, and you are usually too soon. There is plenty of room to brake afterwards. PLENTY!!!
I almost busted a gut.........................they do smell after you wear them long enough........................ It's actually a Snell SA2005 or 2007 that you are looking for and should be on the back of the helment or inside the lining.
I want to take mine to the track also. Ive also never been down the drag strip. Scared I will like it to much. Bring your car down here then You, Scott and I can make a night out of it.
Oh, you're right about that. Just like I did the first time I swapped an engine, or a transmission, when I did the AC swap, or more recently when I did my first full engine build... If I'm about to do something new, if it's even remotely complex, I obsess about it until I know everything that can be learned short of actually doing it. Once I've done it, it's usually no big deal, but I would always rather find out in the end I was over-prepared than risk doing something halfassed or outright failing. In this case especially, nevermind damaging my car, I could hurt people. Best case if I go in there unprepared I'll just screw up in front of a couple hundred people who will remember it. And my car looks pretty distinctive. In fact I'll bet there are more people around here who know my car than who know me... "Hey man, check that out! Is that a Maverick?" "Yeah dude, I've seen that car at the track! Dumbass launched it in reverse and damn near took out everybody in the staging lanes!" ...That's the stuff nightmares are made of. Now... About that helmet... Apparently it's only required 13.99 or faster. I expect I will be faster than that, unless an open diff is just that much of a buzzkill. But maybe they'll let me run without it at least once. I'm not sure I have time to get a helmet unless someone local sells them at eBay prices.
I hate to suggest this............because a helmet is worn for a reason, but when you got through tech tell them your car should run about 14.50. That way when you make your first run and if you go under 13.99 all they will say is that need a helmet or maybe let you continue...........it's their call. Just saying I have seen people do this before.......................IMHO
At this point I think that's the plan. Hell with this stock rearend that may not be far from the truth.
I wouldn't worry about times on your first outing..........just concentrate on watching the track personel and getting used to the tree and staging. One other thing is to make sure on your Test&Tune to make it back into the staging lanes after each run..............you really want to go down the strip as many times as you can..................called "Hot Lapping" in the old days...........................nobody is going to fault you for any mistakes you make on your first outing. When I took the Maverick out for the very first time (I turned 9.801 last year) my first two passes were in the low 13's..................when I was in the pits a season'd racer comes over and says, "Are you having problems or anything I can help with", I said, no............but thanks for asking and that this was my first time down a strip in a number of years with a car I just bought........and he smiled.......................so don't worry about pride or ego..................the drag strip is no place for either, just go out and learn and have some fun doing it..........................................IMHO
Dont get worked up over it. If anything just look at it as a legal place to do huge burn outs. Dont worry about the run down the track or numbers. It aint a race car. Just go drive the crap out of it and have fun. I guarantee you will have fun.
I did something almost that dumb. After I had the posi and the GT40 heads and cam, I took it out and was staged next to a 5.0 mustang (the older ones from 90s). I used to have to gas it a couple times or it would stumble off the line, and I was looking down at my feet, and when I looked up, the car was gone and the lights were green. So I gunned it, and caught up with the stang, and we crossed the line at just about the same time, this is 1/8th track. He beat me by just about 5 feet. They handed him the yellow (losing copy) and he started cussing the girl out saying he beat me, crossed the line first. The girl gave me the white (winning copy) and told me she told him "yes, you beat him across the line, but he got here a second faster than you!" So, even if you mess up, you can have good clean safe fun, and learn something along the way.
