Wish me luck. And any advice?

[Bluextc]

I'm planning to take the car to the track for the first time tomorrow night.
Background, I've only been to the track once, last year, for 2 hours of NMRA (the husband's not especially thrilled with going). So... I have no clue what I'm doing and I'm going to be alone, so nobody to help me figure out what I'm doing. I know I need pants, long sleeves, and a helmet.
Any further advice would be really appreciated...

 

[Matt94GT]

Have a good time?~! & take care.

never been to the track my self...

 

[DropTopPony]

don't make any U turns....and they like it when you are touching up your lipstick at the staging light

 

[Bluextc]

lol, thanks! I'll try to keep the u turn and lipstick tips in mind.

 

[realitygt]

lol just a couple days ago i did the same thing theres a thread somehwere about it

but i never got to go to the track i was gonna go with my friends and they never made it.. going by yourself isn't fun

so... im still a drag virgin

 

[Passenger]

All tracks are different, but at my local track (Bristol's Thunder Valley) when they host drag events for street legal people (twice a week normally). You MUST have on pants and a shirt that the sleeves come atleast down to your elbows. Helmet is required for cars that run 13.99 or faster. Windows must be rolled up, and don't forget to turn on atleast your parking lights as soon as it gets dusk! Always listen to the guys running the staging lanes, flirt with them since your a female, and you'll probably get through the lanes faster, haha

 

[95Boss]

That your husband choses not to accompany you is quite perplexing to me and somewhat disappointing. Any support is a very welcome thing when competing in any kind of race not to mention the sharing of the experience with a loved one. Kind of sad, really. Anyway, I'm sure everyone here wishes you luck. You go girl! O0

 

[Lightning Struck]

Dont go,...............cuz once you do YOUR HOOKED :bunny3: :bunny3:

 

[Steven]

Dont go,...............cuz once you do YOUR HOOKED :bunny3: :bunny3:

thats the gods honest truth :hammer:

 

[Bluextc]

That your husband choses not to accompany you is quite perplexing to me and somewhat disappointing. Any support is a very welcome thing when competing in any kind of race not to mention the sharing of the experience with a loved one. Kind of sad, really. Anyway, I'm sure everyone here wishes you luck. You go girl! O0

Part of the problem might be that I keep trying to talk him into running his car, too, and he doesn't want to. He says something will break, and I told him that's just an excuse to upgrade! lol. He didn't think it was so funny, tho.

Dont go,...............cuz once you do YOUR HOOKED :bunny3: :bunny3:

It's very possible this is the other reason he doesn't want me to go, haha.

 

[scarface]

just have fun

 

[Bluextc]

just have fun

I will try. I'm scared to death I'm gonna look like an idiot tho.

 

[Lightning Struck]

just have fun

I will try. I'm scared to death I'm gonna look like an idiot tho.

Let me tell you something chick there is NOT A PERSON ON THIS BOARD that didnt feel the same way thier FIRST TIME :rollinglaugh: :rollinglaugh: :rollinglaugh: dont be nervous just let it roll uttahere: Remember NOT to over-rev on the line, and leave when you see the Last light turn yellow. Smoth launches will give you good et's

Make sure you have your radio OFF as well as your A/C..........and dont have your seat back in the PIMP position either have it up right so you have a good feel for the car, WEAR your seatbelt too O0

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Run it lower on gas, ditch all the poo in the trunk, and have a good time! Dont worry BTW, I did look like an idiot my first time premature launch syndrome, lol.

 

[Bluextc]

Thank you! And I just filled the tank tonight.
Also, possible good news for me... I am super shy in person, so going alone really is terrifying, lol, but my 18 year old neighbor and his friends said they think they're going tomorrow night, and if they do, I can come with them.

 

[Lightning Struck]

Thank you! And I just filled the tank tonight.
Also, possible good news for me... I am super shy in person, so going alone really is terrifying, lol, but my 18 year old neighbor and his friends said they think they're going tomorrow night, and if they do, I can come with them.

ahhhh you filled the tank :-[ :-[ :-[ thats going to cost you.....both in your pocket AND et on the track :rollinglaugh: :rollinglaugh: :rollinglaugh:. Your shy ??? ??? ahhhh come on now, fess up ^-^ ^-^ ^-^ ^-^

Hope you have a good time, and post those slips when you get home

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Yeah I understand, i also suffer from dual personalities, in my professional life I am Mr. Amazing, but at home very private, lol. Let us know how it went!

 

[TRUUBLE]

Make sure you drive AROUND the water box and back in for your burnout. Nothing pisses off the guys who run slicks more than seeing someone drag their street tires through the box and get water on the track.

Launch AS SOON AS YOU SEE the third yellow. Reaction times won't affect your ET, but they're good for braggin rights.

MOST IMPORTANT Don't be afraid to ask questions!! Everyone was a virgin at one time or another and they will all be willing to help.

I would tell you not to get nervous, but you will get nervous . . no matter what. It'll take a few trips down the 1320 before you are comfortable with it.

Figure out where the return road is BEFORE you make your first run. Pay attention to who has the right of way. For example, if the return lane is on the left (and most of them are) the left lane ALWAYS has the right of way at the end of the track. DO NOT pull in front of a slower car if it has the right of way . . . it'll make the track officials real mad.

If you are on street tires, you should NOT do a burnout. Just spin the tires enough to clean them. The type of rubber used in street tires does not grip more when it gets hot . . . in fact it's just the opposite. If you are running drag radials or slicks, do a nice smoky burnout. You probably don't have a line lock, so you'll have to light the tires and jump on the brakes at the same time to do your burnout.

I've never actually been to the track . . but this is all stuff I've heard . . . :

 

[Lightning Struck]

Make sure you drive AROUND the water box and back in for your burnout. Nothing pisses off the guys who run slicks more than seeing someone drag their street tires through the box and get water on the track.

Launch AS SOON AS YOU SEE the third yellow. Reaction times won't affect your ET, but they're good for braggin rights.

MOST IMPORTANT Don't be afraid to ask questions!! Everyone was a virgin at one time or another and they will all be willing to help.

I would tell you not to get nervous, but you will get nervous . . no matter what. It'll take a few trips down the 1320 before you are comfortable with it.

Figure out where the return road is BEFORE you make your first run. Pay attention to who has the right of way. For example, if the return lane is on the left (and most of them are) the left lane ALWAYS has the right of way at the end of the track. DO NOT pull in front of a slower car if it has the right of way . . . it'll make the track officials real mad.

If you are on street tires, you should NOT do a burnout. Just spin the tires enough to clean them. The type of rubber used in street tires does not grip more when it gets hot . . . in fact it's just the opposite. If you are running drag radials or slicks, do a nice smoky burnout. You probably don't have a line lock, so you'll have to light the tires and jump on the brakes at the same time to do your burnout.

I've never actually been to the track . . but this is all stuff I've heard . . . :

Who the hell told you that line of horse crap ??? Ive never heard such a total crock of B.S. in my life




:hammer: :hammer: :hammer: :hammer: :hammer: :hammer: :hammer: :hammer: :hammer:

 

[trav_19]

first tip enjoy it ...

my first time i couldn't hold the clutch to the floor i was so excited/nervous...(centerforce dual friction clutches are heavy too )

avoid the water just drive around it ....

go up slowly to the tree when you see the top yellow light light up stop you just have to inch foward then the second yellow light will engauge....if the guy next to you is already staged ( term for both lights lit up) then rev your engine to your desired launching rpm and wait ... it will begin shortly.

i suggest with a mostly stock car on stock tires a 2000- 2200 launch it seems to grip around there and gets you out of the hole... do as others have said leave when you see the 3rd. big yellow light...(the bottom one :hammer: ) let her rip down the track ...you shouldn't have to shift into 5th maybe at the top end ...do you have a gear?? ..

there is usually a cone or something to let you know the end of the track hold it to the floor until your front tires are past i usually hold it till the cars mostly past just to make sure...then let up...slow down and look for the exit off the track

remember pants...wear your seatbelt...and windows up...most of all have fun!!!!!

and i dont think you will be required to wear a helmet 13.99 and faster requires it but its never a bad idea to have it...

on and i almost forgot..when you get there you must get your car teched in...some tracks its a breeze others its a bitch haha but be patient and listen to what they have to tell you ..if they make you open your hood make sure you have a catch can for the coolant ..i doubt you would have taken the stock one off...and make sure your battery is securly mounted and play the its totally stock thing they should let you through no problem O0