I used to race at Gateway International Speedway, but I've never been to the strip in Bradenton, FL. If someone that goes there or has been there could answer a couple questions for me I'd be grateful. I really want to see what I can do with my 07' Z since I managed a best of 12.823 with my stock 99' SS.

1. What kind of protective gear would be required for a stock 07' Z? At GIS you needed more gear the faster time your car ran. I assume a helmet would be required? What about a fire suit, etc..? I don't know if the requirements are the same here as there. I'm assuming that I'll run 13.0-13.5, but I guess we'll see.

2. How would you rate the track prep?

I found the website, but I don't see anything about protective equipment required. But it looks like I can make it out there this Thursday from 6-11 p.m. I just don't want to bring gear if I don't need it.

 

I've run 12's with flip-flops, shorts and no helmets. Other times, they wanted me to wear pants and a helmet.

Bring a helmet but don't use it unless they tell you to. I'd wear shorts for obvious reasons but bring pants just in case.

Prep will be alright on test and tunes but look for special events like Saturday night showdowns or runday Sundays for better prep.

Also, you should sign up for the Tamparacing.com event on the 24th of November. They're going to be some of us out there

 

+1^^^....Jay did you get a fire suit.I bought just the jacket(Simpson).Are you gonna race before the 24th or wait until then??

 

Good luck, but I doubt you'll see a 13.0

Honestly its hard to get the car to behave enough to get even close to that - plus will your clutch even be broken in in time?

I'd like to see competition, its a better track than Gainesville, the temps shouldn't be "terrible" but depending on mileage of your car I'd bet a 13.3/13.2 will be the BEST you could manage. My run was absolutely the best I could drive the car (I really doubt someone else would have done better) and it blew all my other runs away in trap speeds both 1/8th and 1/4 - yet I still only saw a 13.2.

A 13.5/13.6 is easy once you get the launch down though. Good luck, you might make me go back next week to try for better. Trying to save the $$ for better things (like rear tires )

 

Yeah, the clutch was replaced first a few weeks ago. It's already broke in. Then I had to take it back because the tranny was still grinding gears when shifting to 2nd and 5th, but not too bad as long as I didn't try to shift fast (which made it terrible for racing unless I was in 2nd when I started). I didn't have time to get it in sooner, so I just dealt with it. They found metal shavings in the tranny case (prob from gears grinding) so they replaced the entire tranny. That's twice for warranty work already. I think that there's some kind of lemon law in Florida that states that if a car has to go in for major warranty work 3 times then they have to replace the car. Someone told me that the other day, but I don't know personally. I hope not, unless they can give me the exact same car!!

I seriously doubt I'll nail the launch on my first run, even with my past racing experience (plus it's been a while). But I'm going to practice a few launches on a back road just to get some kind of feel for it since I rarely spin my tires when taking off (I hate replacing tires). I'm hoping by my 2nd or 3rd run I'll have my launch down. From what I've read on this forum, the launch sounds like it's exactly the same as my SS was so it shouldn't be a problem. Probably drop the back tire pressure to 30 psi and launch at 3k rpm on my 1st. If I spin too much I'll drop to 2500 rpm for the 2nd. If I bog (which I doubt at 3k) then I'll increase the psi to 35. I'm not going to worry about cutting a perfect light, just nailing my launch and getting my time. But if I cut a good light, that'll just be a bonus.

I will need to change my air filters though, unless they did it for me at the dealership. I have almost 10k miles and they haven't been changed to my knowledge. I'll just pick up some cheap Frams or something if they haven't been changed, should still count as stock imo (might be worse than stock, lol). Going to get K&N, of course. But I want a great stock time before changing anything so I have a good base number to work from. With that many miles my engine should be broken in fairly well too. A 13.0 is in my sights, but I'm not going to be disappointed with a 13.5 either. Not for a first day at the track anyway.

Maybe I'll see you out there. I'm hoping to go this Thursday as long as the weather looks promising. Can't miss me. I'm the only 07' Silver Alloy with chrome rims that I've seen around so far.

 

I don't run Bradenton, too long a drive, but try 35 psi first....it grips better for me.

 

35 grips better than 30??

Bradenton emailed me back with the rules. I thought I'd post them incase someone else was curious.

"Basic rules:

1. Any driver must have valid drivers license.
2. Overflow container & battery hold down required.
3. Drive shaft loop required for cars faster than 13.99 (recommended for all).
4. Seat belts (5 point harness for cars faster than 11.99) required.
5. Cars must be in good/safe operational condition.
6. All convertible drivers must where helmets & can’t have passengers.
7. Faster than 13.99 drivers must where helmets and can't have passengers.
8. Cars faster than 11.99 require roll bar, fire jacket, 5 pt. harness
9. All cars faster than 10.99 require cage.
11. Convertibles faster than 13.49 require roll cage or roll bar or roll hoop.


For more in-depth requirements please see the tech representative at the track.

Rev: 09/26/2007"

 

I won't get into the mechanics of it again, but the stiffer sidewall allows less and less tread on the pavement with less pressure. I've (as well as Veetec and warmmilk) had much better luck at stock pressures.

 

I'll just borrow yours

I'm not going to run until then. I'm remodeling a kitchen at night after work.
Hoping to raise money for tial wastegate, open dumps and a clutch...

 

All right, I'll give it a try then. Thanks.

 

Would they consider an "Employment purposes only" license a valid license? What if I was a pro drag racer, then I would be doing my job.

 

NP bro.

Your results may differ, but the mechanics make sense, and my experiences playing the the pressures agree.