think I'm gonna go hit the track for the first time on Friday...any tips

[grey5.0beast]

I ran a 14.8 @94 w/ a 2.2-3(can't remember) spinning like a mofo and in high 90 degree weather. I am guessing mid 14s. and remember I have a heavy ass vert

My first time down, 795.0pacecar rode with me to teach me everything. I had a lot of fun and I am sure you will too.

 

[mattmcdan]

1st Tip : Be safe, don't focus on everyone else, just worry about yourself.
2nd Bump up your timing (remove spout first) if its set stock.
3rd Premium gas 1/4 tank is adequate.
4th Have fun, its your first time, don't expect to be a superstar, it takes time to learn the light and your car.
5th Immediately after you get home logon to http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=649375 and tell us all about it.

lol, have fun man! I started racing at 16, I had an S10 with a 350. I used to think I was doing something by burning the tire for about 100 feet.

 

[25thmustang]

Watch and learn what to do first. See where the line is, go around the burnout box, and just be patient and take in everything you see. For a beginner I say document everything. When you run, see exactly what you did, where you shifted, what you launched at etc... and write it down on the back of the timeslip. This way you can see what changes hurt or helped. Granted you will be getting used to it, but its no different than beating your car up on the street.

Personally I say on your first pass, get used to going around the water, seeing where the start line and finish line are and get a feel for it. Next pass start working on things, and by the end of the day you should be comfortable behind the wheel.

It is addicting, but some people get lucky and dont break (Im very lucky I guess). Just have fun and dont expect the fastest time possible!

 

[mob]

It is addicting, but some people get lucky and dont break (Im very lucky I guess). Just have fun and dont expect the fastest time possible!

This is a big one, my buddy had a stock 99gt, first time to the track he was convinsed he was going to run a 13.9. Couldnt get it under 15.3 the whole night. I expect mid 15's first time i went so it was a given I was very excited to even hit 14.7 the first time. Dont expect much and you wont be disapointed.

 

[grey5.0beast]

I was the same mob. expected 15.3s. also surprisedto pulla 14.8

 

[25thmustang]

I expected 13s my first time and went 14.1. Then never got a 13 till I put the 5-speed in. Then expected high 13s shortly after and went 13.2. Then expected high 12s and went 12.6. Expected low 13s on radials and went 12.99 that day...

Sometimes you get what you want and more but for a beginner, go expecting the worst, hoping for the best, and then set goals...

I had 3 goals and got them all...

1. 1.6x 60' (got a 1.691)
2. 7.9x in the 1/8th (got a 7.94)
3. 12.9 on radials (got 12.999)

 

[795.0pacecar]

It might be a good idea to get your buddy to ride with you on the first run, just so he can give you tips in case you forget something. Bring jeans, if you wear shorts they wont let you run.

 

[mob]

It might be a good idea to get your buddy to ride with you on the first run, just so he can give you tips in case you forget something. Bring jeans, if you wear shorts they wont let you run.

man you must have a strict track. I can run my car in boxers and no shirt and no shoes, they would never even notice. My track isnt very strict they dont have tech or anything, just pretty much pay your 15 bucks and you can do what ever you want. I usually sneak 2 people in, 10 bucks per person, i can hide 2 in my trunk and they will never even notice.

 

[25thmustang]

Some tracks are strict, some dont care. My 3 are more or less similar. Sleeved shirts, pants, and the cars go through some kind of tech. The best track we go to has the weakest tech and the middle of the road track has a strict tech.

 

[795.0pacecar]

silver dollar and the atlanta dragway are both strict tracks. Tech isn't bad but if you run faster than a 13.99 you better have a helmut and you have to wear jeans no matter how fast your car is. Im cool with it though. I got third degree burns on my leg in a motorcycle wreck because I didn't wear jeans so I've learned the hard way.

 

[MyBad70]

should I burnout or just go for it....I might slap a old set of my friends 10" Hoosier slicks (from a sircle track car)

dont waste ur time....circle track tires get greasy when theyre heated up. youll spin worse than street tires....we tried this a few years back with my friends 65 mustang. spun it all the way thru the 8th

 

[Roland69]

thanks for the tips guys...I am really wanting to bring my car now

 

[Roland69]

I was playing with my shifting points tonight. I think if feels like 4800 is where I want to shift. After that it seems like I get some detonation or valve chatter. I am going to set the timing and see maby it has been bumped and I have never ran more than 87 lol.

 

[grey5.0beast]

actually i thought the same cuz my car peaks at 4800, but you want to go high enough so you still have decent power but that you will be at a good spot on your power band for the next gear.

 

[Roland69]

with 3:55's if I shift around 4800 when I hit the next gear I think it's around 3400-3600

 

[bubba-dough]

Remember that your first run will blow total ass. Period. Don't let that get you down. It takes time and practice to cut good lights, get out of the hole quick, and to learn your car and how it reacts on the track. And find out the tracks safety, tech and clothing policy before you get there. There's nothing worse than being turned away from the staging lanes. And ummm just pretend I repeated what everyone else said also

 

[grey5.0beast]

thats not bad. ok that might be ok. play around with it, my best came when shifting at 5300.

 

[Foxfan88]

shift the stock cam at 5200ish.

the first run is the best. you will be like stoned from the adrenaline and it will last all the way until you get back into the pits then your like "wow that was awesome". i was soooo nervous when i made my first pass. never felt so quezzy and nervous in my life.

with street tires your times may be inconsistant, especially since its your first time.

once you get a good tire and a couple runs under your belt, it will be easy.

it only takes about 3-5 runs to get the hang of it, and then you start trying things, you will notice you will get faster and faster each run. you are learning the car and the track. its great and loads of fun!

 

[Roland69]

you guys are giving me alot of ambition to do this...we are going to see about welding in some frame connectors at work on friday once the new drive on hoist is done...(waiting for cement to cure)

 

[795.0pacecar]

the first run is the best. you will be like stoned from the adrenaline and it will last all the way until you get back into the pits then your like "wow that was awesome".

I agree to a point. The "wow that was awesome" feeling normaly only lasts to the little hut where you pick up your time slip. Then you realize that when your run felt like it had to have been in the mid 14s, it was realy a 15.8. Thats what my first run was like the first time I took my car to the track about 3 years ago. I was pissed after that lol.