Heading to the strip, advice needed

arcwcb · Jun 7, 2010

Alright, I'll be making my first trip to the strip to see how my 06 GT does. I'll be running it on street tires (20s at that) so I'm not looking for AMAZING times, but more or less just looking to have some fun, if I like it, I'll get a set of 17s on drag radials. Now to my questions:

1. On a full on street tire (they are 275/35 Falken FK452s on 20s), how should I launch the car, it's a 5spd?

2. Should I leave the N2O off, or will a 75 shot be fine with stock motor and trans?

3. The car is my DD and I'm in college, so I don't want to do this if it will tear up the car and need repairs. What are the weak points in these cars that are prone to breakage?

4. What safety equipment is needed? Just a helmet? Or a full on racing suit?

5. Since it's my first time, I know I'm missing info that I need to know, so ANY advice you can throw my way would be GREATLY appreciated! Be it car related or driving advice!

Big Large · Jun 7, 2010

youll need a helmet. if the car isnt tuned for the nitrous leave it off . launch it around 2500 or so or youll just blow the tires off of it. if it starts wheel hopping let out the throttle or your driveshaft could become your passenger which is never a good thing

Casey4s · Jun 8, 2010

Just make sure you have an approved helmet and not a Motorcycle helmet.

Just watch what everyone does in the staging lanes or ask for advice from somebody at the track to tell you about that tracks proceedures.

arcwcb · Jun 8, 2010

Is driveshaft breakage really that easy? Honestly, I don't want it destroying my car...

Casey4s · Jun 8, 2010

arcwcb said:
Is driveshaft breakage really that easy? Honestly, I don't want it destroying my car...

No, it's not that easy especially on a stock or lightly modified car. But wheel hop is a problem with S197 cars if your suspension is completely stock. If wheel hop becomes a problem, then you may need an Upper Copntrol Arm upgrade which is usually less than $200 for the parts.

Just take the first couple of runs kinda easy until you get used to launching etc. If you don't over stress anything nothing will break.

dysan · Jun 8, 2010

As far as safety stuff I believe that with any power adder you are "supposed" to have a flame jacket. Now I know plenty of people who are running blowers at my track and they don't say anything but it's technically a rule. You may want to give your track a call and ask but do it anonymously.

You'll probably be fine using the nitrous as long as you don't try to use it in 1st or possibly even 2nd. 2500rpms like was said before, slipping the clutch should hopefully get you a decent launch. And you don't want to do a smokey burnout with the street tires, just enough to get the water off of them if you can't drive around the water box.

gmantheman · Jun 8, 2010

Casey4s said:
Just make sure you have an approved helmet and not a Motorcycle helmet.

Just watch what everyone does in the staging lanes or ask for advice from somebody at the track to tell you about that tracks proceedures.

Motorcycle helmets are fine as long its full face and Snell 2005. I know a lot of people, including myself using a motorcycle helmet.

gmantheman · Jun 8, 2010

I am not sure about other tracks, but for the tracks I have been to, you don't need a fire jacket if your F/I but you do need one if you use Nitrous.

Casey4s · Jun 8, 2010

gmantheman said:
Motorcycle helmets are fine as long its full face and Snell 2005. I know a lot of people, including myself using a motorcycle helmet.

Full face?

Yes, there are people using motorcycle helmets but they are not IHRA or NHRA legal. I used one first time out but if it is inspected by tech you will not race with just a cycle helmet. The face sheild or lack there of has nothing to do with legal or not. If it's an "outlaw" track or the staff is lax you may never be inspected properly.

Take your own chances, but if they deny you permission to race you will have nothng to whine about. Why not just get the right stuff the first time around.

arcwcb · Jun 8, 2010

I have a full on fire retardant suit, so that will be fine. My uncle is building an alcohol dragster and wants me to drive it, so I'm trying to start out in my car, get used to it and then move to his 9-sec notch before i just jump in a 6-sec rail car and just go lol. So what all pieces would I need to stop wheel hop? I'm really just wanting to make sure that nothing can break on the car before I take it out. I'd rather spend the money on upgrades than repairs

Casey4s · Jun 8, 2010

arcwcb said:
I have a full on fire retardant suit, so that will be fine. My uncle is building an alcohol dragster and wants me to drive it, so I'm trying to start out in my car, get used to it and then move to his 9-sec notch before i just jump in a 6-sec rail car and just go lol. So what all pieces would I need to stop wheel hop? I'm really just wanting to make sure that nothing can break on the car before I take it out. I'd rather spend the money on upgrades than repairs

Several companies make Upper Control Arms, Like BMR or Steeda etc. You should probably get an adjustable one with an upgraded upper mount.

gmantheman · Jun 8, 2010

Casey4s said:
Full face?

Yes, there are people using motorcycle helmets but they are not IHRA or NHRA legal. I used one first time out but if it is inspected by tech you will not race with just a cycle helmet. The face sheild or lack there of has nothing to do with legal or not. If it's an "outlaw" track or the staff is lax you may never be inspected properly.

Take your own chances, but if they deny you permission to race you will have nothng to whine about. Why not just get the right stuff the first time around.

Here is the helmet I am using: Racers Gear
This actaully may not be a motorcycle helmet. Tech has inspected this helmet before with no issues.

Casey4s · Jun 8, 2010

gmantheman said:
Here is the helmet I am using: Racers Gear
This actaully may not be a motorcycle helmet. Tech has inspected this helmet before with no issues.

That helmet is a cycle helmet, and it's says it is M rated Snell 2010

You are lucky I guess because at the sanctioned tracks I have been to they do inspect and if it's not SA2005 it won't pass. A mere motorcycle helmet is not fire rated period, and a motorcycle helmet is tested for pavement impacets, not for impact with the intenals of your interior or roll bars etc.

gmantheman · Jun 8, 2010

Casey4s said:
That helmet is a cycle helmet, and it's says it is M rated Snell 2010

You are lucky I guess because at the sanctioned tracks I have been to they do inspect and if it's not SA2005 it won't pass. A mere motorcycle helmet is not fire rated period, and a motorcycle helmet is tested for pavement impacets, not for impact with the intenals of your interior or roll bars etc.

This helmet does satisfy NHRA regulations for cars running 13.99 or quicker:
Drag racing safety & helmet rules for all drag racing classes at Englishtown NJ Raceway Park.

Big Large · Jun 8, 2010

umi makes an anti hop kit for 200 bucks. it comes with tubular lower control arms with poly bushings and relocation brackets to move the mounting point of the lca's lower with helps the car bite aswell. it took every bit of wheel hop out of my car and is way easier to install than an upper control arm. driveshaft breakage is a reality with a stock car i dont care what anyone else says. if you load then unload the drivetrain violently "wheel hop" then you can pop a u joint in a yugo. just be careful and if it starts wheel hopping then just let out of it and ease back into the throttle and you will be ok.

arcwcb · Jun 8, 2010

Well, looks like I'll be giving BMR a call before I hit the track lol. Thanks for the help guys!

MyGG · Jun 11, 2010

As far as helmets go I'm pretty sure it just varies by track. I was looking into the open drag nights and the rules they had was for a Snell 2000 or 2005 certified helmet (motorcycle) if faster than 14 sec. This was at ORP (O'Reily Raceway Park), in Indy. They host the U.S. Nationals so I don't really think it has anything to do with the track being "sanctioned" or "outlaw" as posted previously. Just find out the local track rules before you leave and make sure you follow them, they may let some things slide, but why worry about it once you're already there.

BTW, I'm sure you know you need to go through the licensing process before you jump into the dragster and not just get some experience in your Mustang. Just letting others know as well.

arcwcb · Jun 11, 2010

Lol, oh, I got the rundown of everything I needed to do before hitting the strip in the dragster. He's been racing his whole life, so he's guiding me through the process.

walter · Jun 12, 2010

If I can interject on the helmet debate the only difference between a Snell Motorcycle and SA (Special Automotive) helmet is that the SA rating includes additional testing for fireproof certifications otherwise they should be the same. When I got my helmet (now I have two open and closed face) I went with SA because I wanted to make sure that I could drive as many events as possible without getting kicked out for such a small technicality, however if you're going to limit yourself to a few runs here and there at a track that doesn't necessarily require SA then save some money and go with an M rated helmet or even a simple DOT if that's all they ask for.

Heading to the strip, advice needed

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