Anyone have much time leaving the tree at the drag strip strip please let me know what RPM's you found best to leave at with stock tires. Don't want to go up in smoke.
Depends on the track. Sticky or slick? High altitude or sea level?
Try 3000 and a fast clutch release, then roll into the power. IF it bogs, try a little more RPM. Don't slip the clutch it'll overheat and stick to the floor. BAD.
Depends on the track. Sticky or slick? High altitude or sea level?
Try 3000 and a fast clutch release, then roll into the power. IF it bogs, try a little more RPM. Don't slip the clutch it'll overheat and stick to the floor. BAD.
Have fun and give us some feedback what worked for you.
BTW: On a slick track, with a 7,000' DA my best 60' was a 1.97 On good sea level sticky tracks some have reported 1.7's
Thunder Valley is about 1500' +/-. I'll do like I did my 02 Z06 when it was new. Just leave at about 1500 RPM, like you said pop it and walk into the power and see how it hooks up. No used in smoking into 2nd gear. I've never found this track to be sticky either. I avoid the water box and do just a quick burn out to the lights and get lined up in the tracks grooves. If I can pull a 2.00 60' I'll be happy as hell up here.
2600 rpm ,quick release,26 psi,fast roll on the gas and speed shift every gear. if you get wheel hop back off and live to fight another day dont try to drive through it.idealy you want a little tire slip off the line. imo
2600 rpm ,quick release,26 psi,fast roll on the gas and speed shift every gear. if you get wheel hop back off and live to fight another day dont try to drive through it.idealy you want a little tire slip off the line. imo
^^^ Sounds abt right on a low-grip track...
__________________
George B.
* '08 JSB Z06 11.4 @ 125 on EMTs, 481/454 SAE #s--some bolt-ons...
* '90 ZR-1 SGC built 368ci 'Factory Black Motor' (11.0 @ 130.2 & 11.2 @ 132.4) w/ the 368 (408ci Stroker coming!)--sprayed 120 shot.. 448 RWHP on motor, 560+ RWHP on the spray (SAE #'s)
Not sure rpm is the best way to gauge your launch with stock run-flats. Too many track variables that will make an rpm count worthless.
With stock tires, image for a moment that you are setting at a 4 way stop sign about to cross an intersection. You are in a hurry to cross before another car that's setting at the same stop sign but at opposite angle from you. You want to leave quickly but you don't want to look like an ass for setting there spinning your tires. Release the clutch fairly quickly but don't just step off. Maintain steady pressure on the gas until you feel that you've got total traction under the tires.
Somebody said to speed shift each gear but I disagree unless you have a very sticky track. The second gear shift can be almost as tricky as the launch (on run flats) and it is very easy to loose traction and sideslip. I've seen two wrecks at BG from members here who have tried to slam second gear on stock tires. 3rd and 4th gear are fine to speed shift if you've got the moxy.
Remember, more time is wasted on the launch by spinning (or wheel hop) than any other place on the track. Just get her started and then let the torque of the Z do the work for you.
Not sure rpm is the best way to gauge your launch with stock run-flats. Too many track variables that will make an rpm count worthless.
With stock tires, image for a moment that you are setting at a 4 way stop sign about to cross an intersection. You are in a hurry to cross before another car that's setting at the same stop sign but at opposite angle from you. You want to leave quickly but you don't want to look like an ass for setting there spinning your tires. Release the clutch fairly quickly but don't just step off. Maintain steady pressure on the gas until you feel that you've got total traction under the tires.
Somebody said to speed shift each gear but I disagree unless you have a very sticky track. The second gear shift can be almost as tricky as the launch (on run flats) and it is very easy to loose traction and sideslip. I've seen two wrecks at BG from members here who have tried to slam second gear on stock tires. 3rd and 4th gear are fine to speed shift if you've got the moxy.
Remember, more time is wasted on the launch by spinning (or wheel hop) than any other place on the track. Just get her started and then let the torque of the Z do the work for you.
Mike
i,m not a pro dragger nor do i have mega hp cars but every strip ive run traction hasnt been an issue,i would say under 100 runs down the straight away.the street,well every stop street is diff,some ya blow the tires away some ya get it ,ive scared myself on speed shifts on the highway but never at the drags.not to offend anyone but if ya cant speed shift at the drags dont show up,its a learned art,i do it on my harley.done right its like having 25 more hp.old adage :YA LIFT YA LOSE. this summer i,m planning on better tires on my 07z [not dr,s] i wont see 10,s but 11.3,s .in the hands of a good driver a c6z will go into the 10,s with a little help
....not to offend anyone but if ya cant speed shift at the drags dont show up,its a learned art
YA LIFT YA LOSE.
Perhaps everyone has not "learned" this "art" you speak of and I suspect it's a little difficult to learn practicing in the bedroom.
Sounds like you feel you are pretty expert on the drags but I don't think the thread starter has all your years of experience or he probably wouldn't have asked the question that he did.
I'm not sure "YA LIFT YA LOSE" is the best way to help someone who is trying to get a handle on basic launch techniques, ya think
Mike
btw, if you had been to 2 of the Z06 fests in BG where people lost control of their Z's (and wrecked) trying to hit second gear too hard, you might understand what I'm saying
with all those cars and bikes i think he has raced before wouldnt you think ?i think we gave him some good tips on launch,i expanded to let him know its not a monster at the drags.on the street it will bite ya.you gave no data on the wrecks [like were they first timers] how about the number of wrecks of cars leaving the vette factory by new owners wearing their pj,s.cant we all just getalong
with all those cars and bikes i think he has raced before wouldnt you think ?i think we gave him some good tips on launch,i expanded to let him know its not a monster at the drags.on the street it will bite ya.you gave no data on the wrecks [like were they first timers] how about the number of wrecks of cars leaving the vette factory by new owners wearing their pj,s.cant we all just getalong
Not trying to be a smartass, just saying that it helps to answer a question in a way that might assist the person asking it. Just because a person has owned several Vette's doesn't mean he/she has done a lot of dragstrip time.
I suspect if he had tons of experience at the drags, he wouldn't have asked the question that he did. Instead of poking fun at anyone who is not an expert drag racer or 'speed shifter', perhaps it is better to give them some good basic advice so that they can have a good time at the track and still be safe. Neither of the folks who messed up their cars at BG were total rookies at the strip but then again they were also not 'experts' either. I don't believe either of them were wearing their pj's at the track on those days.
I enjoy drag racing. Been doing it off and on again for over 30 years but I try and not insult people who are novices at the track with things like "if ya cant speed shift at the drags dont show up, its a learned art" or "YA LIFT YA LOSE". It doesn't encourage people to learn the sport and allow them to have a good time (safely) while they are learning. Stuff like that just makes people more gunshy about even trying or maybe they push 'too' hard to meet others expectations and end up hurting themselves or their cars.
Helping them 'learn' is one way we "can all just getalong".
George:
No advice, except to check this link: Z06 Launch Techniques
Ranger now has a C6Z06 that he has taken down on street RF's and DR's as well. Some of the east side guys here have the data ... under 11.0 i think.
FWIW
__________________
^VIR Turn 3 '08^-MungoZ06-'03 QS/ModRed - NCCC, NASA NCM Member - Z06 Fest IV,V,VI,VII
i'm not trying to insult anybody but....
that has got to be one of the dumbest comments i have ever heard anybody say!!
those are the exact words NOT to say!! whats worse.. a bad 1/4mile time or a wrecked car??
i've been to the dragstrip once or twice and you'll NEVER find a fellow dragracer give that advice!!!
Never been to the track, eventhough I grew up street
drag racing every opportunity (mostly in a 1970 Ram Air GTO, but also an LT-1 vette, & 67 L-36). Well, that car was a blast, but it was slow (maybe high 13's at its best) compared to my new 08Z.
I plan to hit the local drag strip as soon as I hit a few hundred miles on my car and help is much appreciated.
One question, however, was touched on in this thread. How to protect your car. I will take that one farther and ask how to drive it so as not to rag it out.
Seriously, I probably will never wax this car (I am no waxer), but even with the excellent cars I have owned, this one I am going to keep for a long time. I am not interested in the ZR-1, even if I wanted to pay for it -- the window needs a truck load of clearasil IMO. So, I want to protect it. Any advice? Thanks.
You going to Capitol or MIR?
There's a link in post # 12 above on launch techniques.
Think I already recommended clear bra ... if you want something temporary ... might look at this stuff (I'm planning on trying it for track days:
ISC Surface Guard Tape - available from SafeRacer ... comes in 2 inch or 4 inch width
Formerly referred to as helicopter/leading edge tape. Surface Guard Tape is an extremely tough, clear, conformable polyurethane tape. This tape provides excellent paint protection from punctures, tearing, abrasion and erosion.
Brand New, Thin .008 mil high-gloss, flexible, highly durable and abrasion-resistant clear polyurethane tape. UV-stable-non yellowing for outdoor applications.
Applications for surface protection tape are endless. From race cars to passenger cars and trailers, motorcycles, karting, streetrods, boats, semis, tractors, rv's and all in between. Anywhere a surface, unpainted or painted, that is prone to scratching, chipping or weathering, ISC's Surface Guard Tape can do the job."
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On good sea level sticky tracks some have reported 1.7's
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