Going to the track, any suggestions, tips?

[68stang351]

Assuming that I get my paycheck tommorow (Sat.) morning in the mail, I'm going to the track Sunday. It will be my first time, so I was wondering if anyone had any tips or what to do's and what not to do's.

Feel free to make predictions on my 1/8th mile ET's too. Mods are in sig, plus a 3.55 posi, and some pretty sticky tires, assuming I get a good launch.

 

[12sec67]

rebuilt 351 stock heads with good sticky tires...
1.90 60'
8.7 1/8 mile @83
13.6 1/4 mile @ 104

let me know how you do, good luck.... don't be scared!

BTW... you might be under carbed

 

[brianj5600]

What cam? What tires?

 

[68stang351]

rebuilt 351 stock heads with good sticky tires...
1.90 60'
8.7 1/8 mile @83
13.6 1/4 mile @ 104

let me know how you do, good luck.... don't be scared!

BTW... you might be under carbed

That's what I was hoping for. There is a guy around here I can't stand that runs 8.8, and I just want to match it or beat it. I didn't want to over carb it.

Stock cam, (until I get my Comp roller setup in) and the tires are IMCA's. Don't laugh, they are good tires and don't cost much. Pretty soft.

 

[brianj5600]

I think the 15.0 to 15.5 might be all you will get first time out. Launching on VHT is completly different than a dirty street. You can be alot more aggressive on the starting line. If you adapt quickly you might see high 14's. Cam will kill your power. Just go and have fun. This is just a learning/baseline/fun day. Look for even pattern accross the tire. Rough in the middle, too much air. Rough on the outside, too little air. Start a notebook if you are going to do it regularly. Write down everything, weather, launch rpm, 60' time, et, mph, etc. If you only do it 1 or 2 times a year, just have fun.

 

[speedy66]

Tips... stay away from the wall.. it really kills your times

 

[68stang351]

Tips... stay away from the wall.. it really kills your times

BTW, I know my combo and my skills are way better 15 secs. Just because its my first time at the track doesn't mean it's my first time to race.

I've beat plenty of cars that are way quicker than 15s.

 

[jcp123]

-stay relaxed
-go once just to watch the routine, etc, if you haven't already
-make sure you leave right at the end of the 3rd amber light
-start off easy, build up every run
-have fun

 

[Jonstantine]

youd be suprised how much power you'd lose from a stock cam...

but goodluck

 

[SadbutTrue]

I've got basically the same combo, but with an open rear and crappy tires (195s lol), but in a lighter 66. Best I could pull (partially due to an overheating tranny) was a mid 15. I'm sure with bigger tires and a tranny shifting right, I could have done a low 15, but don't expect much, you need that better cam.

edit: I've also beaten cars in short street races that ar ebetter than 15 seconds, but that doesnt' translate to the track many times.

 

[brianj5600]

How about the results? Did you make it out?

 

[68stang351]

How about the results? Did you make it out?

The shackles on the trailer were broke, so we just drove down there in my Girlfriends 90 GT. But I did run her car. We are about to put another motor and a 5 speed in her car so we wanted to see the difference.

Bone stock GT, 5.0 non H.O. with the crappy 86 heads, and only exhaust mods, with an auto, ran 10.4 in the 1/8. 2.2 60' time, can't remember the half track time, but it shifted into 3rd right at half track and it acted like it hit a wall. It ran real good the first half, but it dropped off dramatically when it hit 3rd.

BTW, I've put an easy 8-10 lengths on her car on the street.

I will run mine within the next two weeks

 

[calpolymustang]

make sure you have all the needed stuff, like
tire guage for airing down (just a little for your first time)
fire extinguisher
radiator over-flow
helmet regardless of the rules
no leaks
metal (not glass) fuel filter
two throttle return springs
etc
they can kick you out for a lot of missing items

BTW: you wreck, you lost it. no insurance on a race track