cool weather drag racing adjustments

[bigcat]

i am going to try to get to the track this friday. daytime high will be only 62* and racing starts at 7pm, so the temps will fall pretty quickly. what adjustments should be made for better timeslips?

obviously, cooler weather is better for the engine, but what about traction issues? i will be running the stock pirellis. i would love to better my timeslips this time out, but this is the coolest weather i have seen and dont know where to make adjustment.s

 

[Emay]

Bigcat, tire pressure is going to be key.. I haven't run on street tires for quite some time, but when I did I air'd way down to 18-22psi.

Also had to lower my launch rpm by about 500 rpm, the tires don't hold much heat in the cooler temps. So your two major factors are coming out a little softer and hope the pressure adjustment nets you a decent 60ft. The cooler air will aid you to make up for it on the top end, you should notice the car pulling like a freight train through the traps with those temps your posting.

 

[bigcat]

what about burnout? should i do more than just a little spin to clean off the the tires? would a longer burnout be beneficial with the street tires and cooler temps?

 

[Khyron]

what about burnout? should i do more than just a little spin to clean off the the tires? would a longer burnout be beneficial with the street tires and cooler temps?

With the colder temps, you'll want to heat them up pretty good with a longer burnout. Also, when running on street tires, be sure to pull around the water box and not drive through it. The front tires will just leave water tracks that will wet your back tires and make matters worse.

 

[Maza4ever14]

ooohhhh...good info.

so the same PSI could be used for the stock bfgs i have?

 

[Emay]

Bigcat, as mentioned increase your burnout but don't liquidate the tires with a John Force style heater. Too much is just like not enough.

Maza, a street tire is a street tire for the most part, so the same holds true. Tire pressure and traction hold will obviously be different even between two people with the same tires. I was simply giving big cat a starting point, he'll have to play with it from there based on what he feels on the launch.

 

[Khyron]

Bigcat - You heading over to MAM (1/8 mile) or KRPI (1/4 mile) for your racing this Friday? I've done both and 1/8 is just too short, leaving me wanting more!

 

[bigcat]

With the colder temps, you'll want to heat them up pretty good with a longer burnout. Also, when running on street tires, be sure to pull around the water box and not drive through it. The front tires will just leave water tracks that will wet your back tires and make matters worse.

i am aware of the waterbox. been to the track a few times in the past year. good information for anyone new that wants to try to get to the track this year before the snow hits though. i was just looking for adjustments to make for the cooler weather. coolest weather i have run in so far has been 75*,so this is a pretty big jump to cooler temps, IMO. race time temps will probably be in the 55-60* range.

Bigcat, as mentioned increase your burnout but don't liquidate the tires with a John Force style heater. Too much is just like not enough.

ill keep that in mind.

Bigcat - You heading over to MAM (1/8 mile) or KRPI (1/4 mile) for your racing this Friday? I've done both and 1/8 is just too short, leaving me wanting more!

i will be going to MAM. kearney is just too far away for me. i have to be at work at 6am on saturday, so the 3 hour drive is too much for me to make it there and back. its too bad, i would love to run and entire quarter mile for once. 1/8th mile is short, but its the best i have to work with.

why dont you meet me there? we can have a good time. i am trying to get a few more lined up as i speak. one is about 75%, one is about 50%, and some others tht have not yet called me back. i would love to get a group out there. much more fun than just one or two cars together.

chubhunter, are you heading there this weekend? need to try the 4.10s again and see where you get this time. i know its the beginning of the month and time is precious, but you can make the exception!

 

[Mike97gt]

Bigcat there is some very good advise already posted but remember your traction will be very limited depending on the prep at your track it could be very slick.

As the night gets colder I suggest going easy out of the hole, try to roll into the throttle and limit the sudden power load that can break the tires loose. At those temps once you start spinning it's going to be really hard to get traction again without fully dumping out of the gas.

 

[Khyron]

i will be going to MAM. kearney is just too far away for me. i have to be at work at 6am on saturday, so the 3 hour drive is too much for me to make it there and back. its too bad, i would love to run and entire quarter mile for once. 1/8th mile is short, but its the best i have to work with.

If you are looking for something more, believe it or not but we have one of the premier Open Road Races right here in Nebraska each year. The Sandhills Open Road Challenge (SORC). I did it this year and can't wait for next year. Not only is there the 28 mile road race, but they have a shootout (solo drag race) for a 1/2 mile or if you have a 5-pt harness you can do the FULL 1 MILE..
Check out http://www.sorcrace.com for more info about it.

 

[bigcat]

so you headed to MAM friday?

the SORC looks like fun, might have to look into it for next year. i have heard of it before, i remeber reading about it in the World Herald.

 

[DarkFireGT]

Yup, lower the tire pressure and launch at a low RPM will definitely be the key. I'm going Friday too. Similar temps here. Make sure you fill up your fronts to about 45PSI. That'll give you less rolling resistance also.

 

[bigcat]

i usually run about 40 in the fronts. might try a little more air up there this time. could not hurt.