March 7th will be my first time down the 1320!! (yes,Im a virgin,LOL) How many seconds does it take the tree to get down to green,after both cars have staged??Are all tree's the same,or are all tracks different??
1/4 mile///christmas tree question
- Thread starter willys1
- Start date
You are going to go to Island Dragway right? At Island for test and tune, it is a .500 tree. This means that .500 seconds after the last yellow turns on, the green will go. Last yellow, then .500 seconds later, green. Basically, most people just go once they see the last yellow, because by the time they react, it will be green.
Chris
Chris
TrophyHead
15 Year Member
I've never been to the track either. What happens if you jump the light? Will I still get a time slip or will it say disqualified? and could I run again?
SLiM JiM 156
Founding Member
you still get a timeslip, if its time trials you get to keep running but if its eliminations you get to go home if you redlight
Yup,Island dragway.Opening day is the 7th(weather permitting) .500,,,thats 1/2 a second,.They are also having a dinner banquet in Panther Valley.All the sponsers go and they give away stuff.5.0GT said:
MustangMulch
New Member
There's not enough time if you are the second car to stage, IMO. It always makes me nervous, sometimes resulting in a not-so-desirable launch. Just gotta work on that I guess.
astronut1885
Founding Member
I will be going for my first time this summer. I've never even been to the track, so I have no idea what you do. If anyone would care to enlighten me, I'd appreciate it alot. I don't want to go and do something stupid or forget to do something.
mike keirstead
New Member
MustangMulch said:
The 3 ambers don't start coming down until both cars are staged. If you are the secong car in you can take all the time you need. Once the second stage light comes on that's when you prepare for your launch.
MustangMulch
New Member
The most embarassing thing u can do is roll past the ambers, and then have the light turn green while u are reversing to go back. 
TrophyHead
15 Year Member
After both stagging lights come on,when do the ambers start,if I remember correctly,it takes a few seconds,doesnt it?mike keirstead said:
After both stagging lights come on,when do the ambers start,if I remember correctly,it takes a few seconds,doesnt it?mike keirstead said:
astronut1885
Founding Member
Can anyone to a play by play of what you do, from when you get in your car to when you launch? I feel really stupid, but hey, only one way to learn. Not trying to hijack the thread, just learn.
MustangMulch
New Member
Ok, make sure you go around the water, unless you are running drag radials or slicks. If you're on street tires, go around the water, and then do a short burnout.. maybe 1 to 2 seconds. Then roll up to the ambers slowly until they are both lit up, and wait for the other car to stage. When both cars are staged, the ambers will light up 1..2..3.. green. Launch on the 3rd amber, because like 5.0GT said, once you react, the light will be green. And that's how its done. Just be safe and have fun.
astronut1885 said:
It's simple. You go, you pay, someone looks over your car and writes a number on it. Then you line up in the pit lanes(someone usually points you in the right direction). Just sit in the lane until your lane gets moving(if in front, someone tells you when to go). Go towards your staging lane. Wait until the people before you take off, then roll through the water box and do your burn out(or go around if running street tires). Then creep slowly forward until the first staging ambers go on. Go forward a very little bit until the second lights go on. Then get yourself ready to launch, and blast on green!
Chris
astronut1885
Founding Member
Why do you avoid the wheel wash? Isn't it better to get them clean? After that, why do I do a burnout? I imagine it's to get the tires hot and sticky... Also, what is the right way to launch? I've hammered in my car plenty of times, but I usually just put it in first and mash the pedal. Do you guys already have it in first with the clutch depressed while the amber lights are going ro do you go from neutral to 1st on green? Do you hold the brake before you launch so you don't roll though the staging area? Thanks for all the info so far!
Oh, on the burnout, do you use the brake to hold the car, or just light them up and then stop? I have a T-5 if that makes a difference.
Oh, on the burnout, do you use the brake to hold the car, or just light them up and then stop? I have a T-5 if that makes a difference.
It depends on what kind of tires you are running. If you are running street radials, then you want to avoid the water box, and just quickly spin the tires to get the crap off of it. Street tires don't grip well when heated up. If they are drag radials or slicks, then spin away in the box.
As for the launch, keep the clutch pressed in with the tranny in first. Rev it to wherever you think you can without spinning the tires out of control. I used to launch at about 1500rpm last time I went with about the same mods as you. Then I eased into the gas so I would keep spinning at a minimum. You shouldn't have to keep your foot on the brake, it should be level at the track.
As for the launch, keep the clutch pressed in with the tranny in first. Rev it to wherever you think you can without spinning the tires out of control. I used to launch at about 1500rpm last time I went with about the same mods as you. Then I eased into the gas so I would keep spinning at a minimum. You shouldn't have to keep your foot on the brake, it should be level at the track.
mike keirstead
New Member
astronut1885 said:
If you do not need to do a burnout GO AROUND THE WATER BOX. It is for a burnout. Yes the burnout heats up slicks or dragradials so they will hook.
Stage you car and stop it. It should not roll. Depress the clutch and put it in first. When the lights come down bring your revs up to your launch RPM and teh when the last amber comes on let the clutch out and get movin. That's it. You will get more and more used to it.
1. drive around the water box
2. stage car ( second light turns on )
3. wait for the amber's to come down and on the last amber LAUNCH.
4. beat the guy your racing
