Heading to track

[JBlack16]

Hey, I am going to head to the track this coming weekend and was going to take the GA just to see what I can run with her. I need some times because I have never been raced on a track before and want to know any tips so I can get a good time and wont look like a beginner. Any tips are much appreciated.

[Nighthawk243]

Alot of people in the GA's hit the gas when on the last amber. That way, they actually start on the green.

[DomestikDemon]

Well, it real bad for the transmission, but you can do whats called power-braking...in other words hold the brakes real tightly so the car doesnt move, and rev up to about 2500-3000 (although 3 is pushing it)....when the light turns green, let go of the brakes and floor it..a stock GA should bite and go....cheers

your lookin at 16s

[Pte Socks]

ask some guys on how to stage right. Different tracks have different setups, but mostly, the first amber light will go on when your close and the second one with light up when you at set.

[TA^Guy]

Originally posted by Nighthawk243
Alot of people in the GA's hit the gas when on the last amber. That way, they actually start on the green.
Thats not GA, anyone that races usually does that, or just has horrible reaction times.
Originally posted by DomestikDemon
Well, it real bad for the transmission, but you can do whats called power-braking...in other words hold the brakes real tightly so the car doesnt move, and rev up to about 2500-3000 (although 3 is pushing it)....when the light turns green, let go of the brakes and floor it..a stock GA should bite and go....cheers

your lookin at 16s
I'd only suggested reving to about 2000-2100, anymor and you're bound to heat up the transmission way to fast and end up spinning the tires off the line.

Also start your power brake a second or so after the last car fully stages. That way you're only standing on it for a few seconds.

Turn your AC off. Not only will you have better power with it off, the track officals wont yell at you for the condisation dripping on the starting line.

Remove all dead weight from the car. Subwoofers, tools, spare tire, ex girlfriend...

Do a tune up before you go, or atleast fresh synthetic oil, check fluids, clean air filter, ect.

At the track remove the drivers side headlight. Allow cool air to enter the engine bay near the air box.

You can air down you front tires to about 28-26 PSI so they are softer and get better traction. While yo uare at it air up the rears to 35, maybe 40 for less rolling resistance. Just remember to put them back to 32-35 (whatever you like them at) after your do racing.

Another tip is to pull the shifter back into D or 3rd (forgot what it's marked on GAs), but don't bother going all the way to 2nd and trying to manually shift it, not worth the hassle of maybe causing a slower ET.

And if all else fails... "Do a Wheelie!"

Originally posted by Pte Socks
ask some guys on how to stage right. Different tracks have different setups, but mostly, the first amber light will go on when your close and the second one with light up when you at set.
Any NHRA track will be like that.

Also when staging drive around the waterbox, not through it.

[GatorGA]

Agree with John on missing the waterbox. Also, unless you're actually racing someone (hope not in a GA), you don't really need to worry about the lights too much. Your time will start whenever you decide to cross the line.

[350F]

Wear pants
go around the water box
turn your A/C off when you get to the race track gates
(most of this has been covered above)
Most tracks, you buy your ticket, then you go to the staging lanes to get "teched in"
They check your car to make sure your battery is tight, nothing is hanging off or if you have snap on centercaps or hubcaps you have to remove them.

When you are in the lanes, just make sure you pay attention to the officials and don't pull forward till they tell you to.

When its your turn to race, Go around the water box, straighten your car out.
Stop and floor it just for a split second to see if your tires will spin and clean off any dust or rocks.
Slowly pull up to the lights. The very top 2 bulbs will light up when you break the first beams. Then you pull forward (7") very very slowly and your tires will be breaking the first beam and the 2nd set. When you do this the next set of lights will come on. You are now staged and ready to go. Once both cars are staged the lights will come down. On the 3rd yellow floor it.
I'm not sure what track you are going to, but most have 2 turn offs. Your car is probably slow enough you will be able to easily stop and make the first turn off. But if you want to just coast all the way to the end and save your brakes go all the way to the end. Just remember, if the turn offs are on the right side of the track, always let the car in the right lane turn off first if you get there close to the same time. You don't want to be in the left lane and cut infront of someone going 100mph and cause a nasty accident. Usually you just come up the service road back and stop at the timeslip booth to get your timeslip :D


If you are spinning of the start, make sure you are in the dark grooves where everyone else launches. Or you can lower your front tire pressure some. Not that it will really matter to you, but the lower your front tire pressure, the worse your reaction time will be.(doesn't effect E/T though) And the less air in your tires, the more rolling resistances your car has...which means slower times.