Well the 73 is almost ready for the track and well im kinda nervous to be honest. Ive never been down the track and i was just wondering if you guys could give me some advice. My cars is a 73 with a 347 slight cam, slight head work stock, heads though, parker funnel web with a holley 750, open headers. also 10 gallon fuel cell, cars completely gutted other than one seat, no bumpers so im assuming its pretty light. Also 9 inch rear 4.11 posi running 26x8.5x14. So what should i expect? Any pointers and helpful advice is welcomed
when you get to the track park the car and watch the starting line procedures. also ask the track employees any questions you have about what to do and where to go. make sure your car meets the track safety rules. some quick ones they may check for is a coolant overflow tank. if your battery is in the trunk they will want a shut off switch in the rear of the car clearly marked and will want it to turn off the motor when you shut off the switch. they may check for a neutral safety switch. if you have a 5 point harness its sfi tag cant be over 2 years old. make sure you have a helmet that is current, i don't remember what snell rating they want. where long pants and closed toe shoes.
Make sure all the lug nuts are there. Like Bryant saod watch the starting line procedures. Usually there is a guy pulling cars out of the staging lanes. Watch him til he sends you up to the burnout box. Then watch the guy at the burnout box. Don't start until he tells you to. Then pull up to the line and turn the prestage bulb on. After your opponent turns his light on, pull up and turn the stage light on. Bring your RPM's up and get ready to go. If you see the green, you're late. You'll figure out when is the best time for you to leave. Good luck and have fun.
You will need a snell 2000 helmit. Also only a short piece of rubber fuel line is alowed. Best to have braded steel lines. Your car should run in the 13s i would think. Maybe 12s. Have FUN!!! Thats the most important thing.
Its looking good then, my harness is only a month old, helmets Snell rating is in spec Also have the switch for battery in the trunk. Luckily my dad will be with me And he use to race every weekend. I'm hoping to have her ready by all fords at Mason Dixon anyone heading there for the day?
I haven't been to Mason Dixon for years, you are gonna have a blast! A few tips... When you are at the end of the track after your run, do not forget to see where your opponent is. There are atleast two turn arounds. Don't cut him/her off if they are coming up behind you with speed. Mind the return lane/pit speed limits, and don't forget to pick-up your time slip. Just watch and learn before you jump in your car, get a feel for the motions and you should be just fine! Oh, and take pictures!
I think everyone else has pretty much said most of things to watch for, but one more piece of advise...............don't worry about the first few passes, you need to get used the car and see how it acts as you leave the tree. Seat time is the name of the game, and I wouldn't worry about changing much on the car (unless is starts missing) the first few passes, just take your time and feel the car out. Good Luck and let us know how it goes.
When you are running slicks if you are not use to them, with lower air pressure in them say 12-14 pounds they tend sway going down the track sorta like being in a boat and it can be a unpleasant feeling at first, so I would suggest 15 pounds for the first few runs or maybe you wont even need to air them down each car is different. If you notice smoke or anything while going down the track slow down and pull off to the side of the track so if you are leaking something you wont contaminate the entire track, the track crew will thank you. Most important thing is to have fun and be safe, dont expect you car to run as fast as it will the first few times out, it takes a lot of seat time to learn the car so it can be at its best. With all that being said I am off to the track tomorrow and get some practice myself
im in star tannery va. its about a half hour away from winchester and front royal. Thank you everyone for the advice, its awesome. car would be ready after this weekend if my back glass gasket would ever come. ordered it two weeks ago.
Very Old school Hoodscoop, definitly more fitting than an L88 or cowl induction scoop, I like the Boss 429 scoops also. good luck racing!
first time going down the track went down without hurting anything so pretty successful. Never been more nervous but got in 3 passes. First pass didnt heat the tires enough and felt slippery so i took my time ran a 15.4. Second pass again didnt heat up the tires enough but a little better and stayed in more and ran a 14.7. Third pass heated the tires way better and felt more comfortable and got a way better 60 foot but the car decide to lay down and i ran a 14.8. Im only shifting at 5k and still need a couple more passes before im completely comfortable to go all out. But the car felt excellent and has way more in it. Had a blast and hopefully will be back at the track next weekend.
