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toyfan
06-18-2006, 10:03 PM
I was thinking there should be a thread offering some insight for new participants. looking at the timeslips posted here there are a ton of people with a 2.2 60" which seems kinda bad.

1 bring a helmut. at 14 seconds or faster it is required, if your supra is going to be going faster than 14 sec learn the rules pertaining to your speed/class.

2 If you are using radial tires do NOT use the waterbox. Drive around it. If you are not going to do a burnout with slicks, backing in and giving the tires a short spin will clean the tires. in my limited experience slicks( mt streets nittos etc) are well worth the investment, using a linelock/roll control system is an inexpensive way to ensure clean efficent burnouts.

3 Having practiced the most aggressive launch RPM somewhere safe, edge into the timing lights, prestage(first light), edge forward until second light turns on. increase RPM.

Launch your car upon the appearance of the last orange light.

4 depending on the car/setup u have u may be able to acheive better times slipping the clutch to retain rmp or dropping it like a hammer. Powershifting is a tequnique used to retain rpm/ without taking your foot off the gas u touch the clutch enough to slam the next gear home.
*PLEASE UNDERSTAND that powershifting may cause things to go boom, it is up to you to decide what abuse your car can withstand.

5 saftey is the most important thing. Race in a legal and controled enviorment ONLY. Dont race hammered/too stoned; you have the life of the racer beside you in your hand as well as your own.

6 have fun :) it is what it is all about.

please edit add to this as you see fit. ty

turbogoo1
06-18-2006, 10:12 PM
Now is this for 1/4 or 1/8? Just wondering....hope to do some 1/8 this weekend coming up.

Chrisfrom1986
06-18-2006, 10:13 PM
Dont race hammered/too stoned
How about not at all.

CJSREDPRA
06-18-2006, 10:43 PM
If you are in the States...

Some of the larger racetracks follow the rules from the NHRA rulebook regarding what you (the driver) and your car needs to pass Tech inspection. Usual standard items: No loose items in the car or the trunk, things like a subox or something of similiar size needs to be secured, or just taken out. If the track is following the rulebook, they usually WILL ask you to pop the trunk/hatch.

Underhood: At least have a proper battery tie-down and something for a coolant overflow recovery tank. If your motor/drivetrain is leaking fluids like a sieve, this can be a problem.

To add to Toyfan's #2. If you are on normal street tires.. ALSO avoid the waterbox. Water gets inbetween the tread blocks & can affect traction when it's time to leave the light.

If you are going to be running 12's or under... Time for a rollbar/rollcage. Again, read the NHRA rulebook in regards to this matter. (I just ran a search on old threads, it's 11.49 & under where you will start to need a cage).

Personal/trivial stuff. MUST wear REAL shoes!! No sandals/open toed shoes. Wear long pants, no shorts. Goof on any of these 2 above items, & most times YOU THE DRIVER (not your car) won't pass Tech.

My "important" item for newbies to drag racing... LEARN WHERE THE BOX IS FOR THE STAGING BEAMS!! DO NOT LINE UP "NEXT" TO THE CHRISTMAS TREE, unless you want to look really foolish in front of everybody. Can't begin to tell you how many times this happens to MKIV owners @ SILV, quite embarassing.

What else did I miss???

toyfan
06-19-2006, 09:12 AM
a quick guide here http://www.nhra.com/tech_specs/ETQuickRef.html

IHRA is very similar. rear mounted batteries need an external cut off switch well marked.
Another thing is raceing fuel. If your car does not need 105+ octane it prolly wont help a bit, in fact it may run slower. We get 94 octane in Canada at the pumps and thats fine for most cars.

I agree w the professor...watch where the staging area actually is, there is always a few people every friday that mess it up :P ( most tracks like money and "may" allow some small transgretions with slower cars,