First time at the track is coming up..

[csledd]

On June 11th I'm taking my car to a 1/4 mile track This is my first time racing (on a track)! I'm a noobie, I know. Anyways.. I want drag radials before I go.. I've been looking into Nitto NT-555R extreme drag radials. I don't want anything that's going to hookup too well cuz I don't want to break anything (this is my daily driver) and i want something that I can drive to the track on. Opinions about these tires?

Also.. should I use better octane gas? Right now I'm using Regular.

Anything else I should be prepared for?

Thanks

 

[SpitfireMk24]

i dont know too much about the triple five r's, but I dont think you will want a racing compound, I think they will wear rather quickly and be very hard to control in the rain. But I could be wrong- theres actually a good chance i am.

as far as octane goes, if you have a stock gt, then its pointless to use anything more than 87 octane. higher octane wont do a thing for your car. the biggest difference you can make on your car is to get it as light as you can. this means about 1/4 tank of gas, and think about removing your rear seat, and maybe your spare tire and all that junk.

other than that, practice launching points for best traction and best pull, and shift low.

 

[dcarlson]

The Nittos are good.

Tips for your first time: Relax. Your reaction time doesn't have any effect on your time. The clock doesn't start counting untill the car rolls, so just relax and concentrate on working your feet so you leave hard without spinning.

 

[csledd]

btw.. ill only have these tires on when im going to the track and at the track, and im only getting the back two

 

[hotmustang331]

Nitto DRs are great, but with a 17 inch rim the sidewall cant flex much, and that puts some pretty heavy strain if you get a good launch....my suggestion would be to get the 275 nitto DRs and run about 25PSI (dont want too much traction..otherwise 19-21PSI) do a GOOD burnout in 1st gear. They get VERY sticky.What I did was rev to 3K, drop the clutch, instantly hit the breaks (not hard) and just hold some pressure on them (if the car starts going sideways durring your B out, push the breaks harder, it will stop) ...hold RPMS at 4500RPMS and watch your rear view mirror...once you see white smoke coming up over your car then come out of it. They are hot then...should take about 7-8sec to do that. I suggest you lauch at 3500RPMs and slip the clutch quickly...shift at 5800RPMs. Try to shift between 5500-5800, anywhere above USUALLY hurts your time. Also 87 octain will be fine.You could through in an 89 mix just to make sure there is no ping...sometimes people have pinging problems with CAIs. Hope that helps...I am going to run my car tomorrow at Fun Ford Weekend in Houston,Tx...should be fun. BTW not telling you how to drive your car, and THIS IS THE BEST WAY, just some general guidelines to get you started. No one can tell you the CORRECT way to drive, you have to figure it out for yourself and see what works best for you.Have a good time, and let us know how it goes.

 

[COramprat]

I second not worrying about your reaction time. Take a few seconds after the green if you want or redlight...doesn't matter. You just want to get the best time possible.

 

[csledd]

Nitto DRs are great, but with a 17 inch rim the sidewall cant flex much, and that puts some pretty heavy strain if you get a good launch....my suggestion would be to get the 275 nitto DRs and run about 25PSI (dont want too much traction..otherwise 19-21PSI) do a GOOD burnout in 1st gear. They get VERY sticky.What I did was rev to 3K, drop the clutch, instantly hit the breaks (not hard) and just hold some pressure on them (if the car starts going sideways durring your B out, push the breaks harder, it will stop) ...hold RPMS at 4500RPMS and watch your rear view mirror...once you see white smoke coming up over your car then come out of it. They are hot then...should take about 7-8sec to do that. I suggest you lauch at 3500RPMs and slip the clutch quickly...shift at 5800RPMs. Try to shift between 5500-5800, anywhere above USUALLY hurts your time. Also 87 octain will be fine.You could through in an 89 mix just to make sure there is no ping...sometimes people have pinging problems with CAIs. Hope that helps...I am going to run my car tomorrow at Fun Ford Weekend in Houston,Tx...should be fun. BTW not telling you how to drive your car, and THIS IS THE BEST WAY, just some general guidelines to get you started. No one can tell you the CORRECT way to drive, you have to figure it out for yourself and see what works best for you.Have a good time, and let us know how it goes.

great advice!! i dunno if i'll be putting it on my 17" rims or not yet. i really want them on rims of their own but something cheap. any suggestions? someone told me to put 15 psi in them also.

like i said im a noobie.. but you're saying that i can dump the clutch at 3500 rpms and lightly hit the brakes and give it gas at the same time?

 

[hotmustang331]

^ no, saying that you should rev to 3K, drop the clutch and at the same time nail the gas and while your doing that hit the brake as soon as you pull your foot off of the clutch...watch the RPMs and back off the gas accordingly (half throttle). If you keep the gas to the floor you will hit the limiter and thats not a safe place, and this will happen VERY fast, almost as soon as you nail it LOL. Remember, do not slowly let off the clutch when your starting your burnout, let out fast. It will bury the tach FAST FAST, so you may hit the limiter once, but remeber to just keep a steady pressure on the brake and quickly back off the gas to about 1/2 throttle and adjust to hold around 4500-5K. Dont worry its ALOT easier when you do it...........And about getting new rims, this is GREAT...get ANY 15inch rim you want for the rear (15X8) and buy some 275/50/15 nitto DRs for the rear....I have that combo on my 66...borrowed them from the old car and slapped them on the 04...drove 80 miles there and 80 back (back trip the tires were still at 21PSI)...GREAT tires. Sorry for the lengths of my posts. BTW ill find an exaple of a good 15 to get.

 

[csledd]

lol damnit i just corrected myself before you posted that.. read it wrong the first time. thanks

 

[hotmustang331]

Something like this would be perfect http://store.summitracing.com/defau...ults=false&N=0&target=egnsearch.asp&x=27&y=10 ...just make sure back spacing is between 4.5 and 5.5 and it should work great. Most of these guys go with 5.5 BS if im not mistaken. Glad I could help.
Ok take that from there go to browse by brand > weld racing inc > part type: wheels > 15 inch> 8 inch width> lugs: 5> back spacing 5.50 inches> bolt pattern should be 5x4.5 for Ford i believe. Any of the rims on the first page are very good. Wouldnt let me link direct.

 

[csledd]

thanks a bunch

 

[posm6s]

You going to Bowling Green?

 

[SpitfireMk24]

http://modularpowerhouse.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3840

heres a good movie that gives you a visual to what he is describing.

 

[propellerhead]

First time? I wouldn't worry about ETs or reaction times, or tires for that matter. Just go and have fun. Go through the motions. Get a feel for what it's like first. Heck, there were minivans and full size pick up trucks when I went the first time.

 

[Mike97gt]

i agree with those that are telling you not too worry about reaction times. just try too relax ( this will be hard too do) the first few runs may not be good but you will get it with practice. good luck

 

[csledd]

You going to Bowling Green?

yup, a bunch of people are headin up there ( a lot of imports) but a friend of mine is breaking his cobra out for the first time this season, should be in the 530hp range now. you should bring the ligthning


thanks for all the help guys.. but im definately buying tires, mostly for safety

 

[csledd]

so does doing a burnout while holding the gas and pushing the brakes kill your brakes? I mean it's obviously gotta put some wear and tear on there but should I be worried about this?

 

[dcarlson]

so does doing a burnout while holding the gas and pushing the brakes kill your brakes? I mean it's obviously gotta put some wear and tear on there but should I be worried about this?

Don't worry about it. It will put as much wear on the rear brakes as a hard stop from highway speed, thats it. No wear on the front brakes at all.

Remember to turn the traction control off for the burnout, if you've got it.

Seriously, for your first couple runs I would skip the burnout altogether and just get used to lining up in the staging lights at the starting line and going smoothly down the track. Once you've got the hang of that, then try the burnout. I'ts really not that hard, but for the first time you will have enough going on without getting all worked up over whether you did the burnout right.

 

[posm6s]

yup, a bunch of people are headin up there ( a lot of imports) but a friend of mine is breaking his cobra out for the first time this season, should be in the 530hp range now. you should bring the ligthning


thanks for all the help guys.. but im definately buying tires, mostly for safety

What time does the track open? I would like to go to get a run on my Lightning, but I'll have to check if I work or not that day. I may call out.

 

[csledd]

What time does the track open? I would like to go to get a run on my Lightning, but I'll have to check if I work or not that day. I may call out.

The track opens at 4:00. Everyone that's planning on going from the west ky area is meeting at the Benton Wal-Mart at 1:00 and will be leaving from there no later than 1:30. If you wanna ride with everyone feel free