Heading to the strip for the first time!

[BigSkySN95]

I've got a bone-stock '95 GT w/ 5-speed and I'm trying to get a baseline before adding any mods. Just looking for suggestions on getting a good launch on street tires.

 

[scarface]

Ive always feather the clutch and launched low... its hard to explain, its more of a "do" thing.

 

[Paul]

Drive around the water. Pop the clutch a bit and roll the tires over a couple times to clean the crap off of them. Stage the car and stop as soon as you see the second yellow light up. This will give you a couple inches before you break the beams and the clock starts. You could even "shallow stage" (first bulb only) if the track permits.

Rev to 2600 rpms, let the clutch quickly with your foot (don't let it "snap" up), and roll the throttle down simultaneously. Do this as the last yellow light comes on. Adjust RPM according to your 60' time and see what works best. I've done 2.01 on normal tires with my very lightly modded 95 GT, and I think with a very good launch, you could potentially better than that.

If your transmission is not your friend, feel free to keep the throttle matted and WOT powershift through 2nd and 3rd.

Do this over and over and over again. Don't worry about letting the car cool down, just get as many runs in as you can, and practice, practice, practice. All you really need to worry about at first is learning the launch.

Paul.

 

[BigSkySN95]

Thanks for the tips, I'll put them to good use tonight. I'm hoping for a 15.5 which is about average for a stock 5.0 at our elevation of 3700'

 

[Paul]

No problem dude, good luck. If weather permits, I'm going to go abuse one of my cars at the track tomorrow too.

 

[Mr. OAM]

I'll be going to the track for the first time ever this year too. How are the lights going to go? Will there be a couple yellows lighting up after both stage lights, then a green, or will they just all light up and then green? I don't expect to do well the first time out, but I don't want to be sitting there after the other guy has left.

I already know how to launch this car, auto tranny but I know how it spins the tires and how it will just leave, it will just take practice to get the timing with the tree down.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[BigSkySN95]

Well I ran pretty consistantly in the high 15's with a best of 15.7 twice. I'm happy because that was what I was expecting to run, plus I was faster than the other 2 SN95's that night. Now it's time to bring on the mods!