Yes, IMO. Too often I read posts of people posting that they would have run much better if the track was prepped. This may be true to a small extent but not to the level people want to believe. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for track prep but too often people use it as an excuse for lack of driving.
I believe it can save .1-.2 on ocassion and makes a difference for the skilled driver who needs to shave a tenth to reach his goal.
For example: my best 60' is only .04 better on a well prepped track vs. a track with NO prep on a street night with 100's of street cars.
This is geared more toward cars with 500 hp and less because trap prep gets more critical as you go higher up the food chain.
You see people post that they ran 12.8 but would have been in the 11's if the track was prepped makes me .Instead of blaming the track, go out and practice,practice, practice. I used to blame the track,too.
I agree with your assessment 100%. I am never going to blame track prep for ineptitude on my part on the strip. I know it's me and the car...period. If you have a car that is prepped right (power, tires, clutch) then the numbers are in your hands.
So...the only other thing I can think of if it's not me or the car...must be the track.
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I was just discussing this very subject at the track last Sunday. I have friends that race sanctioned events and some that just like to go on test and tune night. The street racers always complain about track prep but my buddies who run full slicks tell me our track hooks like a mutha.
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However, In a lot of instances track prep AND track conditions can make as much of difference as a .6 and 5-7 mph. For instance pressure @ 27 and going and racing the next weekend with cooler temps, much lower humidity, pressure @ 30 plus and the the first 330 ft prepped with VHT.
However, In a lot of instances track prep AND track conditions can make as much of difference as a .6 and 5-7 mph. For instance pressure @ 27 and going and racing the next weekend with cooler temps, much lower humidity, pressure @ 30 plus and the the first 330 ft prepped with VHT.
I'm not talking weather here, just track PREP alone.
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03 Z06 H/C
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Rob,
I agree with your points but let me add one of my own: Too many are just chasing after ETs; drag racing is about getting to the finish line before the guy in the other lane.
Rob, I somewhat agree and disagree at the same time with your premise. When I was stock (or close to it) the track prep made a hell of a lot less difference than it does now.
The more power, the harder to get traction, the more track prep effects ET's. (IMHO)
Rob,
I agree with your points but let me add one of my own: Too many are just chasing after ETs; drag racing is about getting to the finish line before the guy in the other lane.
That's true Jerry. I guess because its hard to get people to heads up race. It makes it so much more fun when the tree comes into play and its the first car to the stripe. That is one of the reasons why I've been pushing for more heads up racing events. Hope we can get this off the ground.
Rob, I somewhat agree and disagree at the same time with your premise. When I was stock (or close to it) the track prep made a hell of a lot less difference than it does now.
The more power, the harder to get traction, the more track prep effects ET's. (IMHO)
Mike
No doubt Mike, thats why in my original post I geared the thread toward cars closer to stock with less than 500 ponies.
Often times people run there cars a few times per year and don't understand how much practice it takes to run well and then just chalk it up to "the track wasn't good". Anyway it's an interesting discussion.
I hear you Mike, thats why in my original post I geared the thread toward cars closer to stock with less than 500 ponies.
Often times people run there cars a few times per year and don't understand how much practice it takes to run well and then just chalk it up to "the track wasn't good". Anyway it's an interesting discussion.
Rob, I just reread your original post! My bad, brutha
Your post quantified very well what you were saying and I didn't read it thoroughly enough.
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I agree and disagree based on the tire you run. I used to run drag radials and ONLY hook well when the track prep was Excellent and I wasn't behind a bunch of street cars. NOW.......with the ET streets.......hell, I can dead hook and bog the car at a 6500rpm launch!!!
How I haven't broken anything yet is beyond me. I guess it's a matter of time!! And even at last years' fest ,when track prep "sucked"......I had my best 60' to date!! I was even spankin' McRat off the line !!! (and what a glorious moment that was!) All in all.....it comes down top the adaptibilty of the driver.
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.Instead of blaming the track, go out and practice,practice, practice. I used to blame the track,too. 
I know it's me and the car...period. If you have a car that is prepped right (power, tires, clutch) then the numbers are in your hands.
And even at last years' fest ,when track prep "sucked"......I had my best 60' to date!! I was even spankin' McRat off the line !!! (and what a glorious moment that was!
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