Amateur drag racing

[t.mcginley.jr]

Hi guys,

This is probably the most noob thing I've ever posted, but I've honestly never been to a drag strip/raceway before . So I've got some noob questions:

1. I know drag strips have some kind of compound they put down where you start out for more grip, so when you launch it's different then on the street. What rpm range would it be good to launch an NA auto?

2. What kind of 1/4 mile times do stock NA's usually run?

3. What's the convention with the light tree thing? I mean I know green means go, but what are the other lights? I know there's some kind of sequence..

My friends keep wanting to race me at the local drag strip and I've turned them down up until now but I am curious to see what my car runs. I just have a stock NA with TT heads, pop charger, headers, magnaflow cats and 2.5" catback.

Thanks!

[bartZ32tt]

1. don't over-think it. with an auto, just smash the skinny "go" pedal when you're ready; don't do a "neutral-drop" or you'll trash your transmission. with drag radials, you want to heat them up via a break-stand first before launching to increase the traction.

2. 156489465353.5 seconds

3. red=stop. yellow=get ready to go. green=go.
*Spoiler alert* pros launch on the last yellow/amber light to get a good reaction time.

[nix300zx]

Agreed, don't over think it too much, you'll have no problem with traction. Green light and punch it from in D. If you run in the 16s for a stock na you'll be doing good. With age of the car I'd look for 17-18s. With the tree the biggest thing to know is the top 4sets of 2yellow lights are stage lights. When the last stage is lit you have .5 sec before green. So the 3vertical yellow will just about flash then green. Just focus on having a good time!

[Nismovs]

Depending on the track, they usually call it street legals (at my track at least) and they have the tree set on a quick stage where if you wait till green to move, you're already too late. they might have it set so yellow to green is barely a second so you punch it on the final yellow stage.

As for an auto N/A and launch rpms... trial and error. There are too many factors to get a clean launch. Tires, track temp, humidity, etc. My 5 spd N/A ran 15.6 on stock sized Hancook ventus tires, slipped the clutch at 3500rpm for a decent launch.

If you are going to run it on street tires-even high performance-don't do a smokey burnout. when the tires light, count to two and roll off it. Hot street tires will get real slippery on the track.

Like they said, have fun, relax and do what you're comfortable with. Running the 1/4 is an unreal sensation and will have you hooked after your first run. And as for the 17-18 second pass... my 7500lbs 5spd dually runs a 16.2 with very basic mods. Even N/A, these cars a decent quick on the track, you just have to know what your doing first.

[IonZ32]

You guys summed it up well!

Youre going to have two stage lights at the top of the tree. Bump in slowly until the top light comes on (pre-stage) Then youre going to slowly bump into the second set of lights. Bump into the second set very very slowly moving in small increments. You'll want your front wheel just barely in the second beam to turn on the stage light. This way youre leaving from a consistent spot everytime (just barely in the stage) It'll help with your reactions and consistency when you inevitably decide to race more. Good habits are much easier to start the first time!

And like mentioned above, if they run a full tree (one yellow comes on after another starting from the top) leave at the bottom yellow.
Launching an auto is very easy, grab a lot of brake with your left foot and bring the revs up a bit with the other foot, when ready, let the brake off and go full throttle!
Its kinda tough to describe over writing, much easier to understand when you're out there, it will make perfect sense after a few runs. I bracket race my 1964 Malibu often at street legal drags and NHRA Bracket races in the Sportsman and Street class. Its a ton of fun, and very, very addictive. Have fun and let us know how you do!