Im afraid of
1. stalling.
2. starting before the light turns green.
3. missing a shift (espesialy third).

Am i the only one that worries about this stuff?

 

so learn how to drive the car then go to the track

 

Why would you stall? Do you know how to drive a manual? Anyone who has any business racing wouldn't be worried about stalling. Most drag racing newbies have problems with getting traction.... it's really simple to light the tires up. If you can't at least do that, you should probably work on your basic driving techniques before you head to the track.

On a test and tune night it really doesnt matter when you leave the line as long as youre staged... If you leave too soon and red light, it doesn't matter.... If you want to sit there for 5 seconds, it doesn't matter. You get a perfect reaction? Guess what? It doesn't matter... The timer starts when you cross the starting line regardless of your reaction. When you are first learning you should not even worry about your reaction. It's completely irrelevant to anything at that point. At least get your launch consistant before you start worrying about your reaction. Even if you plan on bracket racing, if you cut perfect lights but your launches are all over the place, your ungodly reaction is worthless.

Missing shifts can happen even to professional drivers(albeit not very often). It's not something you want to make a habit of, but it's not something you should lose sleep over either. If it happens it happens. Honestly I don't see how you could miss 3rd gear unless your tranny has issues. If that's the case it's not your fault anyway.

 

you are an idiot. are you that self concious that you would cry if you stalled your car at the light? grow some ****ing *****. so what if you stall? do you think you are the first person to do so.

do us a favor and think before you decide to start a useless, rediculous thread. and another favor and stay away from drag strips.

 

Disrespectful Members will get banned

Come on now, he didn't do anything to you. Show some maturity. You were a noob once too. If you don't like someones post/thread enough to break out the cursing and name calling, maybe you should just take a deep breath and keep your worthless inflammatory comments to yourself.

BTW, it's spelled 'ridiculous'.

 

I've been driving a manual for about a month. I guess im just worried that im gonna look like a fool if I mess up. I can drive the car pretty good right now, but I dont know how im gonna do under pressure.

 

Best thing to do is what roast suggested, and have a friend go with you to show you how you tech in, how to stage, how the lights on the tree work, and how to come back down the return road and collect your slip etc. If you dont have a friend that can show you, go to the track as a spectator and watch/learn as much as possible. Also, check with your track, many times you can request N/T which is no time upon tech in, and what you run wont go up on the baords if your embaressed of a bad time. Eevrybody has to start somehwere, dont get let down easily, you will need to work on things. Go and most importantly have fun. Good luck and post up on how you did.

 

thanks for the advice. you guys realy boosted my confidence. im gonna suck it up, and go for it. if I mess up, thats ok. ther's allways next time.

 

before you go find an empty parking lot and try a couple launches....just rev the car up to like 3k rpm and drop the clutch and see what happens. Also for shifting practice when you are driving around the streets just try to shift as fast as you can...you dont need to redline all the gears to practice shifting faster.

 

totally uncalled for.

to the op, dont worry about messing up. It just takes practice. Chances are you will miss third ( i did several times) and youll probably roast the tires through first and cut a 2.6 60' ( i did ) but in the end youll also have fun and learn a little bit and figure out what you need to work on.

Dont let the regulars intimidate you, youre there to learn and try to set a personal best, not to impress them. If you have access to a camera and headrest mount you could video tape your runs to see what you mess up one.

On the first stage, youll be nervous as hell, dont worry about the guy in the lane next to you. ITs you vs the clock. You dont have to lauch right when the tree hits green, try to focus on launching well and work on reaction time later.

 

dont start at 3 k on stock tires/clutch youll spin and burn like crazy. Start at 1500 and step up the rpms to where you get the perfect launch that doesnt bog or spin too much. Youll figure out what works by looking at your 60' time which dictates your run.

Also, street traction does not equal track traction.

 

Damn, I wish I could do every thing perfectly the first time like you.

 

Stop being a ***** or don't drag race.

 

Not to fret. There is a first time for everything. The first couple of times just run test & tune: its just practice. Racing officials are very in tune with who are the practiced racers, and who are the jeeps. If you have problems on the staging pad, watch the official for signals. You paid your money - take your time. When you move onto the staging pad, that lane is yours. Green light, red light, no matter.


Hopefully you will graduate from test & tune to Summit ET racing. This is where reaction time does matter. The winner stays for another round. The loser goes home.

 

Dude, do everyone a favor and go play in the freeway.


The only thing you need to worry about is concentrating on doing what you know should happen. Don't think about "what might happen" or "what if i mess up." You need to just focus on what you know. Follow the advise of the other guys here in the thread and on the board, and then get out there and practice! You're new to the manual, so cut yourself some slack. Remember the entire reason for going is to have fun and ENJOY IT!

-Acree

 

Actually the only thing you need to worry about is not to crash your car or into someone else's

The Z loves to fish tail and if you're not familiar with drving a powerful rwd car you need to be very careful and take your time.
There are lots of beginners at the tracks and not matter what ,the first few times you'll go you'll probably suck.

Most important advice is to get off the throttle if you feel you're loosing control and the rest is just practice
Drag racing is very fun and you're gonna love it once you get the hang of it, just be patiend and remember Rome was not built in a day

 

Oh yeah I will also rape you in Halo 2!

 

This thread is hilarious....I forgot we were talking about drag racing.

 

Don't listen to this fool...If this thread is so useless, why is he reading it?

Anyway, Everytime I go to test & tune, I stress mostly bc of the adrenalyne rush (i know I spelled that wrong) and when it comes down to it...you just gotta do it. Everytime I line up, my heart is racing and Im all worried about making the most of the run, but its really not that bad, in fact its the best feeling running, even if you **** up...NOBODY'S perfect!

 

just do it bro, live and learn