Quarter mile experts advice needed!

[2002Z06Yellow]

i just came back from track... i am a first timer and would like to know what am i doing wrong?

first run
60' 2.23
1/8 8.45@89.96
1/4 12.92@108

second run
60' 2.39
1/8 8.65@89.64
1/4 12.99@113.5

i did better on the first turn even though i missed fourth.. if i didnt miss what would my ET be? the second run.. what is wrong? am i doing a really bad job on the 60's? please advise me.. i want to aim for a consistent 12.4@115+ and would like to konw how to

its not so bad for a first timer.. the tree was a little tricky .. especially when i am nervous!

thanks
hassan

[landbaron]

First time out it's hard to put it all together. I did my first time just before Thanksgiving at MIR. Your runs are not that far from mine. 60's=2.2, 1/8=90, 115 speed, 12.6.

If you didn't spin to much at the line than you might need to practice shifting faster.

We both need to work on our 60's. That will increase both our times significantly. I would love to know how to get them down to around 1.8 on the stock tires.

I launched at around 2500 rpm & bogged everytime after the initial spin. I tried at 3000 rpm & spun a lot w/ no significant change in times. I'm looking forward to hearing the responses you get. Gd luck!

[JAvery20]

Your MPH is definately there. Its the 60ft time that is killing you.

You'll have to work on your launches.. or just buy DR's.

I think the rule of thumb is for every .10 you cut off your 60ft time, you'll shave .15 off your E.T.

Don't worry, some of more experienced guys around here will set you straight. Your times really aren't that bad for it being your first time out. Good luck

[2002Z06Yellow]

thanks.. i think i shift fast enough.. maybe i need to work the clutch and lanuch

[robz]

For the first time out you did well. If your gonna stick with F1's then make sure you lower tire pressure and may want to try a full burnout. Practice alot.

[KCMAGS]

I think most people would agree it takes alot of seat time to be any good. I made about 75 passes last summer & I'm just starting to get comfortable with it. The good people on board here can run better than me with alot less car. It takes time. Good luck & have fun.

[2002Z06Yellow]

thanks... still i need help people

[Paul]

Do a search on "launch technique" and you'll see lots of info. Look for posts from Ranger and J-Rod as both of these guys have run some very good times in completely stocks cars.

Each one of us must develop his/her own unique style of driving. Each car and driver are different so there is no simple solution to improving your times. Seat time, determination, and experimenting will get you better times.

I started racing last year with times similar to yours. F1s are not great on the drag strip. Going from F1s to BFG drag radials improved my 60' times tremendously. Going from BFGs to ET Streets improved them even more. Upgrading your clutch will help as well. The stock clutch will not hold up to very many aggressive launches. I cut 1.4X 60' times on ET Streets with near-redline launch. I fried my clutch pretty quickly after switching to sticky tires.

I feel you, bro, because I was in the same position not too long ago but there just isn't a simple solution. Tires help quite a bit but YOU HAVE TO PRACTICE. I took a lot of advice from different drivers but, in the end, I developed a driving style that suits me and my car best.

One more thought.... If possible, have your runs recorded. I have probably over 100 runs on tape and I watch them often. I learn something each time I review the tapes. You won't be too popular with your wife (if you have one) for watching what seems like the same run over and over again.


Paul

[MikesZ06]

Hassan, looks like you've gotten some very good advice from the folks here. Seat time is the most important of all. Like anything else, the more you do it, the better and more comfortable your get.
Here's a couple of tips I'll throw out (credit for these go to posts from 2 years ago from others that I found to be true at the track...mostly powershifter and Ranger)

1. Initially, don't worry about your reaction times at the lights. Concentrate on getting the launch you want and feel comfortable with and don't let the tree be a distraction.

2. With F1's (and depending on your track conditions, prep, etc) it is unlikely that you'll get much below 1.9 60" times. Some tracks are better, some are worse. Lower your air pressure in rear tires down to the low 20's and keep the front ones at max tire pressure.

3. I don't know whether or not a full burn out is that helpful with stock tires but you need to do enough of a burn to get them nice and hot.

4. On stock tires, don't hammer your launch! Pretend your leaving from a stoplight hard and then when you get good grab, it's time to take it to the floor.

5. Initially keep you eyes peeled on the rpm gauge and try hard not to bump the rev limiter (that's a time killer at the track). Try to shift at about 6300 to 6400 rpm. After enough practice you won't even have to look at the gauge, you'll just "feel" when to shift.

6. Try to be as smooth as possible when shifting rather than jerky and rough. You'll miss gears a lot less that way.

7. And lastly, practice, practice, practice and have fun with it. The fun part is what it's all about.

Mike

[2002Z06Yellow]

i like advice number 1! cuz the tree kept me nervous(espcially i was racing two cobra's and a viper GTS)

as for the rev limiter.. in first gear it bounces back even before the 6500.. what can i do about that?

[z06_23_45]

Your hitting the rev limiter before 6500? Have you done anything to lower the limiter? Also, you say it kicks in below 6500, so at what rpm does it come in at.

[MikesZ06]

Your rev limiter should be factory set at 6600rpm's.
There's a lot to concentrate on at the track. Test it out on the street someplace and make sure you're not mistaken about when it bumps.
Things move very quickly in the cockpit of a Z on the track and it's easy to be mistaken about that sort of thing.

[NewZO6]

First off, both of your runs are in the 12's which is excellent for your first time out. Not many get in the 12's right off the bat.

Second, you definitely need to lower your 60' times. If you're running stock tires I wouldn't expect much below 1.9's and it'll probably take a lot of practice to get there. Sticky tires will help but you still need practice to make it all work.

Third, don't worry about the guy in the other lane. You're not racing against him. You need to concentrate on YOUR driving, not his. Try and pretend there's nobody in the next lane and just drive the car, make your shifts and keep the car in a straight line. If you worry about the tree and reaction times you'll end up spinning the tires and your times will reflect it.

Fourth, remember to just have fun. You're not on TV and you're not running for money. Just enjoy it.

[robz]

If the tach lags slightly, your tires spin, or you powershift, any one of these can cause you to hit the limiter. I would recommend trying to shift at say 6300, fast and smooth without powershifting and see how you times are on a clean run. I agree with all the others about practice. I have about 100 runs and am just starting to get the hang of it.

[2002Z06Yellow]

yeah i guess i have to do a lot more practice.. as far as the rev limiter comment.. it can be described as the tach lags! cuz in all other gears i can shift at 6500 without hitting the revlimiter.. but in first it moves so quickly that it hits the rev limiter even before the tach gets to 6500.