OK I suck but I had fun!

[Dad's72Mach]

I'm not sure if its worth starting a new thread for but had my first track experience today. The local SVTOA club sponsored a drag day at an 1/8 mle track. We had a lot of rain last night and this morning so conditions were not ideal but regardless there is no doubt I REALLY need some drag radials or something cuz the stock tires aren't getting it. I also need to work on my launches. Bottom line though...I had an absolute blast! Despite my poor performance (more on that later) I think I got some respect for being willing to take my $50K nearly new car and beat the crap out of it. There was a guy there waiting for the evening bracket events who had a new Camaro SS and he absolutley refused to even make a milk run down the track. Everyone else was running whatever was at hand from a vintage 289 stang to a F150. This kind of fun, relaxation and fellowship is exactly what I bought the car for and frankly something I needed very badly. Anyway speaking of badly, my best run was......drum roll please:

8.7312 1/8 ET
84.49 1/8 MPH

My problem lies in the 60 ft time 2.2003

For those of you who have pondered traction control or not to traction control, this run was without TCS. I actually had a little higher trap speed with TCS on but lower ET. I don't know enough to guess why that would be, maybe one the experienced racers will chime in.

Anyway I'm afraid I may be hooked. In the immortal words of Jeff Goldblum in Jurassic Park: "Must go faster!"

Let's see, drag radials, upper control arm, pulley......

[Joker]

Very cool. Sounds like you had a great time. That's what matters.

[JonW]

If you ever get the chance to run a road course style track, give that a try, too.

[Vette Killer]

Originally Posted by Dad's72Mach

This kind of fun, relaxation and fellowship is exactly what I bought the car for and frankly something I needed very badly.

That is awesome! That's what it's all about indeed

Don't beat yourself up over the times, driving a stick on the strip is a lot tougher than it looks from the stands. There are a lot of guys here that will be able to give you some good pointers, it all comes down to developing a seat of the pants feel for rolling into the throttle and consistency in your shift points. The other tough part to get used to is what feels faster (driving technique) often isn't...the timeslips never lie...lol

I am sure to have an embarassing moment myself shortly when I take mine to the track for the first time this year; the last stick car I drove on the track was a 70 Duster with a 318 4 spd that took very little finese; these cars are a whole new ballgame.

[KR]

Aewesome......you'll find yourself hooked now!...bring on the mods!

[frydguy79]

your 1/8' time are not too bad
upper and lca's will help, some DR"S will make a big diff
i find my times are better with t/c on than off even with the NITTO'S

i have had worse 60' time than 2.2 and still ran ok
you just cant focus on the 60's these cars make big power on the big end

for those that are thinkin running their cars on the track, even if you put a afco or steeda on, you kinda need to think about putting the jumper fuse in where the relay is for the intercoooler pump (thanks VAN) IT will help keep it cooler

i have been hooked since i was 5 with FAST

[Rags]

Hey I'm glad you had a good time, thats what its all about, absolutely turn off the traction control you'll find in the long run you'll have much faster times. I autocross mine, and my times with the TC off are much faster than with it on.

[TOMMY GUN]

I've never run down a 1/8 or 1/4 mile track before. I'd probably not do well either.

It's gotta be a blast.

Glad you had a good time.


.

[King Cobra]

Great to see you are now hooked. Have you ordered the TVS yet?

[TOMMY GUN]

Originally Posted by King Cobra

Great to see you are now hooked. Have you ordered the TVS yet?

.

[Shlbylvr]

As long as you had fun and it sound like you had a blast.


Enjoy.

[Super Snake]

No doubt I would have sucked worse
Good job

[Dad's72Mach]

Originally Posted by King Cobra

Great to see you are now hooked. Have you ordered the TVS yet?

First traction, then maybe a pulley, then possibly the tvs and afterwards likely a divorce lawyer if my wife finds out.

[frydguy79]

Originally Posted by Dad's72Mach

First traction, then maybe a pulley, then possibly the tvs and afterwards likely a divorce lawyer if my wife finds out.

that is why i only do Recalls

[iceman]

Stock tires are tough no doubt. I managed a 1.94 or something my first time out but I also made 18- 20 passes that day and also had a blast. I think my best time was a 12.1 but it was a great time.

I have discovered 60' times are the toughest part with these cars as the launch is tough to duplicate when you get it right. My best consistency came that first year when I was there a lot. I have not run as much since but I hope to find time to get up there again sooner or later.

Shifting points, speed of shift, how straight you stay, engine temps, wind speed, much that can alter time run to run. Wait till you get the 1/4 track - it's a blast to be open throttle through 4th with no fear of the cops sitting around the corner

[JTB]

Originally Posted by Dad's72Mach

I'm not sure if its worth starting a new thread for but had my first track experience today. The local SVTOA club sponsored a drag day at an 1/8 mle track. We had a lot of rain last night and this morning so conditions were not ideal but regardless there is no doubt I REALLY need some drag radials or something cuz the stock tires aren't getting it. I also need to work on my launches. Bottom line though...I had an absolute blast! Despite my poor performance (more on that later) I think I got some respect for being willing to take my $50K nearly new car and beat the crap out of it. There was a guy there waiting for the evening bracket events who had a new Camaro SS and he absolutley refused to even make a milk run down the track. Everyone else was running whatever was at hand from a vintage 289 stang to a F150. This kind of fun, relaxation and fellowship is exactly what I bought the car for and frankly something I needed very badly. Anyway speaking of badly, my best run was......drum roll please:

8.7312 1/8 ET
84.49 1/8 MPH

My problem lies in the 60 ft time 2.2003

For those of you who have pondered traction control or not to traction control, this run was without TCS. I actually had a little higher trap speed with TCS on but lower ET. I don't know enough to guess why that would be, maybe one the experienced racers will chime in.

Anyway I'm afraid I may be hooked. In the immortal words of Jeff Goldblum in Jurassic Park: "Must go faster!"

Let's see, drag radials, upper control arm, pulley......

Any day at the track is better than a day at work.

Sounds like a lot of fun, you'll be amazed how much better you do the next time out.

If there is any type of racing that rewards practice and experience, it's drag racing.

[Ebonee Princess]

Originally Posted by JTB Consulting

Any day at the track is better than a day at work.

Sounds like a lot of fun, you'll be amazed how much better you do the next time out.

If there is any type of racing that rewards practice and experience, it's drag racing.

Agreed, and then some
Glad you had a great time D72M

[gr8snkbite]

sounds like a blast...glad you enjoyed it...