ratter Member 6,793 Member For: 18y 6m 27d Gender: Male Location: @ my laptop Posted 03/03/13 10:01 AM Share Posted 03/03/13 10:01 AM mph does not always tell the 100% truth as many believetaken from another siteOk everyone. Just as some background about myself, I'm a 23 year old who had thefortunate luck of growing up with a father who owned a very successful dragstrip for 22 years (New York International Raceway Park in Leicester, NY nearRochester). Over the years I've gained insane insight into the world of dragracing, some of which most average or inexperienced racers would never know oreven consider to be a factor in your times. Here's some, and please do add if Imissed anything.1. WINDMost racetrackshave an American Flag a flyin'. My father had one right next to the startingline. It wasn't happenstance... he put it there so that racers could look to seethe wind direction and roughly how fast it was moving. A headwind slows downcars up to two to three tenths (that's like a 15.0 vs. a 15.3) Crosswinds(perpendicular to the car) can also slow you down, and a tail wind can help yougain speed and lower ET. Remember this and take note when you run!2. Heat/HumidityI have adegree in meteorology and in a bunch of physics classes I really got to figureout how heat and humidity affect motor performance. Heat is the number one powerreducer, which is why we are always trying to eliminate it (TBS, COLD airintake, interCOOLERS). A hot day will slow the car down, its just how it works.Consequently, too cold will also have adverse effects.ALSO, and even some advanced racers may not know, but trackshave an ideal temperature as well. Traction compound turns to sludge when itstoo hot, especially when the sun is overhead. Most of the fastest runs occurafter 3pm or so, or even near dusk, when the track isn't sucking in all thelight from the sun. Ideal track temp is about 68 degrees or so, which meansearly or late season for most. Now this effect with street tires isfar less that those with 500hp, and slicks, obviously.Humidity, you simply want less. The more humid it is, the lessoxygen there is, the lesser the "quality" air going into your car.3. WEIGHTI've seenpeople take out spares/seats etc. Maybe even go on a diet? LOL. What about gas?I see so many people show up to the track with a FULL tank of gas. FYI, a gallonof gas weighs 6.18lbs. Our fuel capacity is 13 gallons. You do the math... but Idon't like an extra 60 lbs in my car if I don't need it. Figure out the mileageto the track and then leave home with the bare minimum for your truly idealtimes.4. I think that if you post onhere, especially for newer or more inexperienced people... you should list allapplicable mods, the RPM you launch at, and whether you power shifted or grannyshifted. Some people don't know how or aren't willing to power shift and that ispretty much the difference between the 15.2 guys and the 14.9's stock.5. AltitudeSome trackswill be able to tell you, or you can find an experienced racer in the pits withthe handheld computers that give you the altimeter. This also effects engineperformance based on air density most of the time. Higher pressure will usuallygive you a better running car. Consequently, high pressure usually means sunnydays too!6. For our cars (Si's etc.),unless you are putting down insane horsepower, there is NO NEED to roll throughthe water. I go right around. You're immediately giving yourself a disadvantageby dirtying the tires andwetting them. Heating them up will take off miles that they could be used for,and will give you a negligible effect if any. Just get better tires inthis case.7. Tire pressureHow many of you have a pressure gauge in your glove box at thetrack? How many use it? This is HUUUUUGE when dealing with traction/topspeed/etc. Check tire pressures and play with them to find your ideal spot. Youwant a balance between traction and top speed. Experiment! Most tracks have freeair somewhere on sight ( or make buddies with someone who has an air tank!)8. Talk to other racersThere is ALWAYS someone who knows more than you. Lanes at certaintracks can make a huge difference. At my dad's, the right lane is always fasterfor some reason. That could be a huge difference.9. Analyze and PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!Read the time slips at each part. Figure out what they mean ifyou don't. Compare with others on the board to see where you are and where yourweaknesses are. This will tell you what you have to work on. MPH and 1/4 timecan't be their best until your 60', 330', 660' and 1000' are perfected!I hope this gets you started on your way todrag racing. I strongly urge anyone to try it out if you haven't before. It'ssafe, fun and god I love the smell of the track. Good luck! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bossmang FREAKY Donating Members 12,432 Member For: 14y 11m 29d Gender: Male Location: Melbourne Posted 03/03/13 10:07 AM Share Posted 03/03/13 10:07 AM your car made good power ford freak.. tune look good to mate.cheers markyer was a nice smooth curve.I think that's what mark was referring to mick! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kosij Donating Members 2,045 Member For: 13y 4m 14d Gender: Male Posted 03/03/13 10:14 AM Share Posted 03/03/13 10:14 AM And I assume afrs and boost! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F1PERFORMANCE Donating Members 104 Member For: 15y 9m 11d Gender: Male Location: VIC Posted 03/03/13 01:09 PM Share Posted 03/03/13 01:09 PM This is how you tie down a high hp car and if done this way you can go from dyno to dyno with little or no power difference with a DD dyno.. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bossmang FREAKY Donating Members 12,432 Member For: 14y 11m 29d Gender: Male Location: Melbourne Posted 03/03/13 07:34 PM Share Posted 03/03/13 07:34 PM They know how to tie down carsEnd of story. Stop fkn the thread about it. Ok back to me being a movie star 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rednose RNS10S Donating Members 2,229 Member For: 18y 4m 8d Gender: Male Posted 03/03/13 07:49 PM Share Posted 03/03/13 07:49 PM mph does not always tell the 100% truth as many believetaken from another siteIt tells enough, but as I said before as long as everyone had fun. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulie2256 Donating Members 7,441 Member For: 16y 1m 2d Gender: Male Location: SE Melbourne Posted 03/03/13 08:52 PM Share Posted 03/03/13 08:52 PM cheers markyer was a nice smooth curve.I think that's what mark was referring to mick!It was Adam with the question Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bossmang FREAKY Donating Members 12,432 Member For: 14y 11m 29d Gender: Male Location: Melbourne Posted 03/03/13 11:05 PM Share Posted 03/03/13 11:05 PM My bad. Yes your right it was Adam. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirStrike Donating Members 387 Member For: 16y 1m 2d Gender: Male Posted 04/03/13 02:53 AM Share Posted 04/03/13 02:53 AM LMAO @ watching the DD video. Didn't see a single wheel chock at Springy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freeze_dk I am dissatisfied with my current employment situation Donating Members 8,610 Member For: 18y 2m 26d Gender: Male Posted 04/03/13 03:48 AM Share Posted 04/03/13 03:48 AM Saw them chock every car at springy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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