First Time At The Drags

[Bfneo]

Gday guys im entering my Bf XR6T UTE (343 kw at the wheels) in the street 2 strip drags in adelaide next week.

this will be my first time entering, just after any advice on stuff like, pre checks, better tyre set ups, take off methods etc

im currently running 19in FPV silver argents with Falken 245/35r19 tyres but have access to smaller stock au falcon wheels.

wondering what would be better, 19's or 16's and purchase better tyres etc.

any and all advice would be muchly appreciated !!!!

[sexual harrassment panda]

manual or auto?

[Justa6]

If you are keen on the drags and plan on going a bit, you would really benefit from the 16" with some et street radials.

Only thing, the 16" wheels are probably only 6 or 6.5", not really wide enough for a 255. Would have to get them widened or maybe find some 16x7" mags.

[Justa6]

Find a 16x8 mag sorry.

Edited 18/04/14 11:07 PM by Justa6

[Boganspeed]

If its your first time, just run what ya brung, no use spending money on tyres for your first ever runs.

You may not even like it that much (as if !), or you might buy tyres and only use them once a year.

As for prechecks, just make sure eveything is healthy and secure (battery clamp, tread, fluid leaks) and there's no crap floating around the car or in the tray, otherwise you may have trouble with scrutineering.

Also check what standard of helmet you'll need, it should be AS1698 NZS (I use a half face in the car but it can be a dirt or road helmet if that's what you have, as long as its the right standard), you'll need long sleeves and pants and shoes.

You can let some air out of the rear tyres but make sure you can put air back in them at the end of the night.

I dont believe street tyres need a big burnout and plenty of people just drive around the water.

But burnouts are fun so if you want to do one, do it.

I roll right through the water and start with wet tyres on the dry part just past the water. No use finishing your skid in the water because you're tyres will be wet when you roll out of it.

If you're launching an auto, hold the car on the brake and bring the boost up until the point that the brakes start to struggle to hold it, then lit it rip. If it bags the tyres, use less boost and throttle next pass. Then start working it out for yourself. Keep it off the rev limiter.

Forget about trying to cut a good reaction time unless you're competing.

Its a street meet, nobody gives a crap about reaction times and they DO NOT affect your ET.

In an auto T, you need to worry about getting some boost up but not too much so concentrate on getting your launch right to get the ET down rather than a good reaction time.

With 340kw you'll probably outrun the auto function so I shift manual and hit the shifter in first at around 4500rpm as by the time the gearbox changes, you can easily be 1000rpm further up the tacho.

If manual, just start feeding the throttle and releasing clutch on the last yellow and try to balance your launch rpms with wheel spin.

Go easy on the gear changes, axles break if youre too hard on them.

I've also had axle tramp that bent my axles so if it tramps, get out of the throttle. You can always get another run, but wobbly axles need to be repaired.

Pay attention to the 60ft time on your time slip, this will really tell you the differences between your runs and what effect the changes you make to your start line technique are having.

Don't put any pressure on yourself. Expect to be sh*tting yourself before your first run, but once youve done it once, the nerves will go away.

Track staff are used to newbies so they should be patient and give you guidance.

Other racers are usually happy to give advice too if you dont know what to do.

Dont forget to start slowing down after the finish line, we dont want to see pics of your ute buried in the sand trap because you left the braking too late.

[JVK]

^^^^^^Boganspeed has pretty well coverd it all,good post. Main thing is have a go and have fun.

[FPV TRANNY]

343rwkw=tyre fyrer

[Bfneo]

Thanks guys muchly appreciated ! Yes it's auto

[Buf-Phoon]

give it a hit and good luck

1st ever run way back when was crapping myself

230 rwkw got me a 12 which was quick at the time the rest was just fun.

340kw launch will be key, this will be trial and error to find traction limits.

if manually changing keep it in the sweet spot of the torque curve

Revs don't always equal speed

Thing is a PB is a PB the more runs the better it will get and the more fun you will have

[Bfneo]

Yeah I'm really excited to give her a crack ! But I know first hit I'm gonna be sh*tting it haha

I'll make sure I post up my runs for all your view pleasure !