Need advice for a 1st timer at the Drags.

[JoeS]

We have Auto-cross on Saturday and Drags on Sunday (Trials until 10:00 AM, Matching Times, Record and Two E.T. Drags). I’m not concerned about Auto-cross, but I’m hesitant about the Drags.

My car is STOCK and I’ll be on STREET tires Kuhmo MX’s in the rear (same as used for Auto-cross).

Any and all tips (or words of caution) will be appreciated. Things like burn-out (heat the tires) or not, launch RPM, how much gas peddle when shifting & etc.

Understand that I’m not trying to break any land-speed-records. I just want to have a Fun and Safe day.

Thanks in advance,
Joe

[Kat]

Most important run in COMP MODE

I would stay out the water and just spin the tires to clean them off. For the first pass I would launch at 2k like your leaving from a stop and make it a shake out pass to get the feel for the car and the track. From there you can adjust your launch either up or down.

If you have time read Rangers tips that are a sticky on the top of this forum

Have fun

[case2307]

Originally Posted by Kat

Most important run in COMP MODE

I would stay out the water and just spin the tires to clean them off. For the first pass I would launch at 2k like your leaving from a stop and make it a shake out pass to get the feel for the car and the track. From there you can adjust your launch either up or down.

If you have time read Rangers tips that are a sticky on the top of this forum

Have fun

Totally agree with everything that Kat posted. Good luck!

[JoeS]

Originally Posted by Kat

Most important run in COMP MODE

. . .

If you have time read Rangers tips that are a sticky on the top of this forum

Have fun

Thanks Kat - I looked at Ranger's tips - just what I'm looking for. Wish me luck.

Joe

[IT L GO]

Good Hunting Joe, let us know how you make out.

[Zippy]

Don't turn until after driving 1/4 mile.

[Kat]

Originally Posted by JoeS

Thanks Kat - I looked at Ranger's tips - just what I'm looking for. Wish me luck.

Joe

Good Luck and have fun.

PS-Since you auto-x I'm sure you will do fine

PSS- I haven't read Rangers post in a while in case it isn't mentioned. If the car does start to get loose and you let out of it don't get back into it. The pass is lost.

[Z06 Steve]

wheel hop=abort run

[wvphoto]

if the assend gets loose..
don't try to correct or adjust..
just lift off the gas..
stay out of the wall !!!!!

very important.

very important

i have seen 2 accidents at the track in my short career.. and both thought they could correct the wiggly tail.

as for launching..

dont wait for the green light..

go on the yellow just before the green.. you reaction times will be better...

good luck and have fun

[Kat]

So how did you do?

[JoeS]

KAT:

Not as good as I hoped. We dodged the rain all day - very humid.

I made every mistake there is - hit the rev limiter way too many times. But, and this is a very big but - I had a BLAST!!

I got 7 runs in with 3 in the 13.4s. The best was 13.443 with 109.71 mph (and yes I hit the rev limiter going into 2nd and also 3rd). My worst was 13.890 with 106.25 mph.

I think more practice is certainly in the future (and very much needed)! The good news is - in "Matching Times" I took 2nd place in my class (14 cars).



I also had the "sticking clutch on the floor" show up - down-shifting after the run - just popped it up with my toe. Happened twice, so after that I coasted and used the brake more - no more sticking.

Joe

[Kat]

Congrats on the 2nd place

If you do happen to go drags again, we found with the stock clutch if you pump it like three times before we staged it prolonged it's life a little longer.

[JoeS]

Originally Posted by Kat

Congrats on the 2nd place

If you do happen to go drags again, we found with the stock clutch if you pump it like three times before we staged it prolonged it's life a little longer.

Good FYI - I'll store that in the gray matter for the future.

Thanks,
Joe

[panzer]

Monitor your clutch fluid reservoir. Ranger swears that a faster rate replacement of the clutch fluid has helped keep his original stock clutch working long past its expected life. He made allot of passes on his OEM 2002 clutch. It is normal that the fluid gets black because that comes from the seals, However the high heat generated by a drag pass breaks down the fluid faster and leads to your sticking clutch.

[JoeS]

panzer

I understand what your saying - but my "sticking clutch" seemed to be mechanical in nature.

My clutch pedal only had about 1 & 1/2 inch of movement with immediate clutch engage. All I had to do was pop it up with my toe - then I had normal clutch action again.

I read to posts about the clutch spring and I think I may remove it as suggested. But I'm still open to ideas or suggestions on this.

Joe