Going to the track for the first time
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From: Buford, GA
Going to the track for the first time
Ok guys. Tried to search, apparently the limit is 4 characters now. I'm headed to the track Friday night. My truck is totally stock. What should I do? I see people with hoods open in the lines waiting to run, pushing cars/trucks, ice on the intake, and the list goes on. I also read about lowering tire pressure. What do the pros recommend? Thanks
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Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Warner Robins, Ga, CSA
Michael: OK, I'll try to help a fellow Southener. First of all, try to arrive at the track with under 1/2 a tank of gas(1/4 to 3/8s of a tank). If you run low, just buy a gal. or two of the 100 unleaded gas at the track. A ballpoint pen will come in handy. When you have been teched, shut the truck off and raise the hood--add ice--and go watch a few passes--pay attention to the launches and find out(know) where the turn-offs are.
1. Bring a helmet as you will need one if you drop below 14.000 seconds. You might also bring a couple of bags of ice and a towel to 'ice' down the intake adaptor before/between runs. You will need a 'real' air gauge--not one of those sliding-scale 'toys'--as you will need to drop the rear tire psi to about 28 psi 'hot'.
2. I removed(permanately) my hitch, spare tire, and jack for weight savings. I remove my tail gate and leave it at home.
3. Close both windows. Go around the water-box with F1s on. Once the racer in front of you has launched(NOT BEFORE), you can brake-torque and just spin the rear tires for a second or two to clean them off. You do not want to do a burnout on stock tires.
4. Roll up to the starting 'line'(some guys punch the o/d 'off'--some don't?) until the pre-stage light comes on--Stop rolling. Some guys(me too) move to nuetral and blip the throttle a time or two to lower the IAT--back to 'drive' and leave it there. Do not manually shift it.
5. If the other guy has already pre-staged. then slowly, creep forward(about 9 inches) until the stage light comes on--brake firmly. If he is staged now, watch the vertical amber lights. Bring the rpms up to 8-900.
6. As the third amber comes on(do NOT wait to see the green light), roll onto the throttle. Don't smash it as the tires won't hold that much torque. As you feel them grip(hopefully?), mat it and hang on
. Start braking after you're sure you're past(duh) the 1/4 but don't smash them. If you miss the first turn-off, do NOT turn around on the track?
7. Get your time slip and read it. Shut down, ice, and let it cool down before the next pass.
I know I've forgotten things to do or not to do, but this will get you started. Good luck.
Dan
1. Bring a helmet as you will need one if you drop below 14.000 seconds. You might also bring a couple of bags of ice and a towel to 'ice' down the intake adaptor before/between runs. You will need a 'real' air gauge--not one of those sliding-scale 'toys'--as you will need to drop the rear tire psi to about 28 psi 'hot'.
2. I removed(permanately) my hitch, spare tire, and jack for weight savings. I remove my tail gate and leave it at home.
3. Close both windows. Go around the water-box with F1s on. Once the racer in front of you has launched(NOT BEFORE), you can brake-torque and just spin the rear tires for a second or two to clean them off. You do not want to do a burnout on stock tires.
4. Roll up to the starting 'line'(some guys punch the o/d 'off'--some don't?) until the pre-stage light comes on--Stop rolling. Some guys(me too) move to nuetral and blip the throttle a time or two to lower the IAT--back to 'drive' and leave it there. Do not manually shift it.
5. If the other guy has already pre-staged. then slowly, creep forward(about 9 inches) until the stage light comes on--brake firmly. If he is staged now, watch the vertical amber lights. Bring the rpms up to 8-900.
6. As the third amber comes on(do NOT wait to see the green light), roll onto the throttle. Don't smash it as the tires won't hold that much torque. As you feel them grip(hopefully?), mat it and hang on
. Start braking after you're sure you're past(duh) the 1/4 but don't smash them. If you miss the first turn-off, do NOT turn around on the track?7. Get your time slip and read it. Shut down, ice, and let it cool down before the next pass.
I know I've forgotten things to do or not to do, but this will get you started. Good luck.
Dan
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Joined: Dec 1997
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From: L'ville, Ga
Wear long pants!
Assuming you are going to Commerce, it was $15 the last time I went, which was late last year.
Don't ice in the staging lanes, they don't allow that.
Stay with your truck in the staging lanes. I hate it when somebody is in front of me, and they leave their car, backing everybody up.
Assuming you are going to Commerce, it was $15 the last time I went, which was late last year.
Don't ice in the staging lanes, they don't allow that.
Stay with your truck in the staging lanes. I hate it when somebody is in front of me, and they leave their car, backing everybody up.
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From: Buford, GA
Cool thanks. I was there 2 weeks ago and it was $15 to race or to spectate. The part about the helmet if your below 14, is that true? I've got one but I never see anyone wearing helmets, but I guess not many people get below 14's. And yea I am going to commerce.
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I've only been once and the two items I need to practice are going on the 3rd yellow and not green and not putting the pedal to the floor when I finally do go. If you go on green and punch it, your reaction times and 6oft will suffer.
