I am considering taking my Stang to the track. I have never been and don't have a clue what i am doing. I am not even sure how to do a proper burnout. Do the tracks offer any type of class on proper safety/procedures or can you guys offer any advice for a complete newb.
Drag strip? Dude, just go. You can watch what the other cars do. It's no biggy. Don't even worry about the "tree" or burnout.
For your first run just smash the gas when you see the other car go and have fun.
You will learn fast.
Remember that you WILL need a helmet and most likely have to wear long pants and possibly a long sleave shirt, but in the summer they cut you a break on the shirt...sometimes.
Also make sure your car isn't leaking anything. So don't run the AC while waiting in line. Water on the road could get you bumped.
When you drive up to your lane, drive around the water box. If you are on your street tires you don't want to get that water in your treads. Don't worry about doing a huge burnout. Just turn your Traction Control off, dump the clutch like you do when you do a burnout any other time. Don't worry about brake torquing, just dump the clutch and ride the burnout for just a couple seconds. All you need to do with these stock tires is clean the dirt off. It's just like you do any other time out on the street. No big deal.
Like they said above, don't worry about your reaction time your first time out. If you do want to take a stab at it, launch out of there when the 3rd yellow light comes on. Don't rev it up & dump the clutch... just bring the revs up to about 3500 and ride the clutch out, easing into the throttle. Do it just like as if you were pulling out from a red light on a steep hill. This gets me 1.88-1.93 60's all the time.