Hey guys, my first time ever at a track was this last Sunday and I thought I did horrible.

Here are my times:
R/T .530 .414
60' 2.614 2.678
1/8 9.911 9.591
MPH 76.14 81.65
1000 12.682 12.235
1/4 15.008 14.425
MPH 97.7 101.2

My 3rd run I faulted out but is there any way I can improve it? Since it was my first time ever, I know I didn't arrive at the track w/ much neccessary knowledge as I should've. I left with gained knowledge though.

Can I get some pointers? I'd love to be able to improve.

 

Your times and knowledge exceed 90 percent of the bench racers around here.

The bad point is that your times are terrible. The good point is that leaves plenty of room for improvement. And like 90 percent of new racers, the primary problem is 60 foot times. You are either too aggressive with torque and spinning the tires, or not putting the throttle to the floor. Get those 60 foot times down to 2.0 seconds and you will be running better than 14.0 seconds. Good show.

 

Your 60 foot times leave a lot of room for improvement, and when lowered, will significantly reduce your 1/4 mile times. Are you dumping the clutch and spinning? Or are you taking it really easy off the line?

If you're spinning badly, I'd recommend you launch from a lower rpm and quickly slip, rather than dump, the clutch. If you're simply taking it easy off the line, I'd say quickly slip the clutch from a higher rpm.

Perfecting the launch takes practice. Keep at it, your times will drastically improve when that 60 foot drops.

 

Yes, as these two already said, you need to work on your launch. The trick to launching with a manual transmission is using the clutch to control wheel spin. You don't want to let it out as fast as you normally would on the street. You want to rev higher and let it out slower (practice around 2000-2500 until you get used to it). Naturally this is hard on the stock clutch, but it should be fine while the car is totally stock as long as you aren't burning it. Practice a few times on a back road somewhere so you don't have to waste runs trying to get a feel for the clutch. You aren't going to grip as well on the street, but it should get you started. If you spin the tires then push the clutch in more. If you are gripping then keep letting it out. It's a balancing act. A perfect launch would be to let it out as fast as possible without spinning the tires at a high rpm.

 

www.rangeracceleration.com

just do less of a burn out then it says to do on that site

 

I don't have much to add to what the others have said except for "keep practicing", and don't try to be a hero.

 

A bogged launch is better than a lot of spin. Always err on the side of less power.

I run a 13.5 with a bogged launch, a 13.7 with spin....

 

Thanks for the tips and encouragement!!!

After Sunday I couldn't help but going home and feeling like a total loser running such horrible times..
So I know I need to practice my launches a lot but when I practice on a back road and if I rev up to near 2000 my tires start spinning. So I think I'll have a hard time practicing those..

Here's somthng to laugh about: When it was my turn to go up, instead of going around the water box, I went THROUGH it... Stupid. I know I shouldn'tve but the guys were standing in my way so I figured what the heck. That caused my tires to spin on the track at 2000, which is pretty bad..

My first run, I didn't even stage properly. My second was a bit better because I was watching the light and what I noticed when I think back was that my clutch was all the way on the ground (which wasn't neccessary) and I think that was part of what added to my time. Also, I always try to avoid spinning the tires as much as possible because I know that adds time so I realize a bogged launch is better than spinning the tires.

More tips!! Pointers!!! Thanks so far for everything.

 

13.5 stock BTW is very awesome and I'm so far from that number!!!! Sure gives me somthing to try to work towards though. How long did it take you before you could get those numbers consistently?

The cherry on top of my bad day at the track was some dumbass decided they didn't like me so they decided to run their keys along my fender.... I would think going to a track would have less of those kinda ppl but I guess they're just everywhere......

 

Go around the water, spin the tires briefly to clean them off and relax at the staging pad. Launch when you are ready not when the lights drop. Dont go WOT right out of the hole. As you release the clutch apply power smoothly. Finding that fine line of your rear tires traction is very difficult for a novice but it will come. Once you feel it some, you will realize you can launch harder without spinning. Keep a log of your runs, and what launch rpm/technique you used. Seat time is the answer. Good luck, I have more respect for you running 15.0 and TRYING than half of these Z bench racers we have on this site.

 

i just gotta give props for not only posting times that you know aren't the best but also trying to learn rather then just spouting off on "how its done".


Hi my name is Bill and I suck at drag racing

road course FTW! hehe

 

What track in FL were you at? I hate people who do that crap, props for going out at the track and learning something. It seems like you have the right attitude about it, you should do well, just keep practicing

 

+1

 

What year/trim level is your Z?

I agree with everything alberto said EXCEPT....I don't drive around the water box (spin my tires a bit longer to ensure they are dry, but still barely any at all, maybe 2-3 seconds).

I don't go around the box because they only sweep the water box at the track I usually go to, so it leaves all the crap I don't want on my tires where I would drive to avoid the water....easier to get water to sling off than a bunch of rubber/rocks.

It took me probably 50 runs to get consistent in this car, 50 in my last car, and now I have I'd guess upwards of 200 runs total. The tricky thing is getting a feel for the way the clutch reacts. You don't want to just release it, you want to slip it, meaning let it out VERY slowly so the slip is in the clutch not the tires. It wears the clutch a lot, and you'll hate doing it, but thats how you get awesome launches in a car with only moderate torque.

Last time I was at the track 2/5 runs were trash, so don't give up just because you make mistakes, we all do, the more practice you have, the better your good runs will become.

 

Show us how its done here: https://my350z.com/forum/drag/233840-top-25-1-4-mile-times-for-tt-st-supercharger-nitrous-bolt-ons-stock.html.

 

You know what Alberto? When you say spin the tires, you mean somthing like a quick burn out right? Nothing that involves a line lock kit? I was thinking about getting a line lock kit just for that purpose..... Okay, more practice w/ the clutch!!!!!!!

Hi Bill, me too.

Jimmy, I was at the track in Bradenton. And we ALL hate that crap. I just would think going to a track, where all drivers share the same enthusiasm and love for their cars and racing would be more mature... It sucks. But life goes on. Ha. If only I could find that person I oughta..... LOL

Peak350, It's an '03 Touring. The Bradenton track only sweeps the water too but I don't know any better (at the time.)

DavidV, one day!!!!!!

I'll have to print this page out and memorize all of this.

Keep the tips and pointers coming!!!

Is there any little stuff I should do? Like releasing rear tire pressure to 15 20 PSI, etc etc? Thanks guys! All the little things count, and when it all adds up, it makes a difference.

 

There are some tips that might be worth 1/100 or 2/100 seconds, but you need to knock off some serious time. Practice 60 foot times and don't be concerned with anything else.

BTW I run 30-34 PSI on street tires.

 

I wonder what sweeping the water means....every time I have been there the guy sprays down the water box real good. Maybe they don't spray the box down for the guys on street tires for a reason..hmmm

 

I took what he was saying to mean they sweep the rocks and other crap off the track in the water box, but not outside, so if he drives around the water box he picks up a bunch of debris. But maybe i'm missing something.

 

Yeah, they spray it every 2 or 3 cars and sweep it whenever there is a visible amount of rubber/rocks in it.