HELP! one of the things on my 'bucket list' is to make some passes down the 1/4 mile. I've got the truck pretty much ready. (stude pickup, 60 over 350, 350 auto, chrysler rear end, ladder bars, vega steering, 9.5 slicks, but I'm nervous. going to make initial try at Nostalgia Nats in Bowling Green next weekend. any 1/4 mile vets out there who can give this newbie some advice? thanks much. forgot to add, I'm 64 and have never raced.
That's pretty much it... Also, to learn the staging process watch the other cars for a while before you pull to the line. good luck, -Abone.
I'll be there with the Dunn & Gone nitro funny car, come by and talk with John (the car owner and driver) he's driven just about everything there is to drive down the 1/4 mile. I know he'd be glad to answer any questions. But was most have said, watch the others, take your time and have fun. You will be hooked after the first pass and want to go faster.
Yes, I agree with the others, don't "over think it and go out and have fun"... And don't be intimidated by the staging process, you'll get the hang of it... I'd just like to add a couple more things... In the staging lanes, stay with, or remain close to your truck, don't wonder away from your vehicle... If you have to shoe polish a competition number or "dial-in" on your window(s), make sure it's legible enough for the people working in the control tower to see... Usually there's lots of "first timers" at nostalgia events, from high school seniors to senior citizens (like yourself), so there's no reason to be uptight or intimidated, enjoy yourself... I'm sure your trick looking truck will get lots of admiring glances... Have yourself a good time at the drag strip!... "The Doc" (Celebrity Drag Racing Authority & Visionary)...
If it is your first time there, talk to the track manager and ask for his help. Most times they will take you down the track in a golf cart, and they will show you how to stage, how the christmas tree works, where the finish line is, which way to turn after the run, which lane has the right of way, etc. Ofcourse the manager may be pretty busy during a big event, so it might be best to wait another week or so. Also on the first run, do not worry about the burnout. Just go around the waterbox, and worry more about the staging, and the actual run, so that you can get the feel for the process. Also some tracks have the scoreboards at the finish-line and others do not, so find out where the finish-line is. Most importantly is to have fun. Dragracing is not a spectator sport. Watching it is nothing like actually running the car. Brian
This is good advice above! I do this everytime I go somewhere new.............watch their hand signals and such..so you have a clue on what they expect from you.......Littleman
the staging protocol is important. put the top light on then wait till the other lane does the same. then either you or him are free to put the second light on. Don't roll in too far or the top light will go out, and you will be deep staged. that has to be noted on the car, by printing deep so the tower can see it. Doing a burn out, you want to get wheel speed up, so get in hi gear as soon as you can. if you don't have a line lock just go around the water box.
Watch the tree come down. leave when the last yellow lights. Red lights don't matter during time shots. only during eliminations. I would go to a Teat&tune night once before the event. Even a street night race where the Mustangs and ricers go for a practice session to get familiar with procedures. A T&T night around here you can get 6 to 10 passes in a couple of hours. At a race event you get 2 or 3 time shots and then eliminations start.
for my 60th birthday, my wonderful wife gave me a Doug Foley dragster experience. Might not be a bad idea BEFORE you take your vehicle down the track. here is how much fun it was:
Hi Pastorbc. This is all good advice. Learn the basics but alot of that will come as you do it. Nothing like "hands on" experience. I think the real question your are asking is how do you deal with the pre-run butterflies. When I got nervous before a run, I'd of course go through a mental check list but doing too much of that can rattle you more. Make sure your truck is ready in the pits and then forget about that. The trick I used when I got the jitters was I'd count backwards or say the ABC's in my head. You won't believe how much that will calm you down. My wife raced too and she had a little hand held game she would played in staging. She put alot of "the boys" on the trailer and made it look as easy as if she was driving for groceries. You are going to make little mistakes at first. Everybody does so don't sweat it just learn from it. Have fun!! Eric
hrm2k, that was very nice of your wife to buy you the Doug Foley Drag Racing School dragster experience for your 60th birthday-- That's a very thoughtful b'day present for any gearhead!... Several years ago, my company, Drag Racing Underground, produced a TV commercial for Doug Foley's Drag Racing School, the commercial aired during select NHRA natl events... So I know just how good of a school Doug Foley runs-- Doug knows his stuff... For those who are serious about being competitive (and safe) on the drag strip, enrolling in a school like Doug's can be a good idea... There's a lot to learn about drag racing that often goes overlooked by even some seasoned veterans of the sport... For those who just want to "casually" make some laps down the strip, a trip to school isn't really necessary, although getting to make a fast pass in a dragster like you did is well worth the price of tuition... The most important thing is to be smart and stay safe, and always be aware of the driver in the other lane-- Like I always say, STAY IN YOUR LANE!... "The Doc" (Celebrity Drag Racing Authority & Visionary)...
I do not see that anyone has mentioned this yet but, look over how the shut down area and return road it. Most tracks exit left or right in the shut down area. If you are in the far lane, you MUST not cross over in front of the other car in the shut down area. This is where collsions can happen! Ask a tech official or someone who knows that track. the other thing that bugs me is you are using slicks. You may be wiser learning on street tires as slicks act differently. Watch you air pressures in both rear tires and keep them the same. Bring a special low pressure tire gauge with you in your vehicle. check you tires as to to as is possible, to your run as they can change, esp if one has been in the sun. Be carefull and have fun. Also may be best to not make a hard pass the first time. Make an easy 17-20 second pass, let the other guy gt well ahead of you, then you can study and understand the shut down area. my .02 Steve Steve Hosting- 1st annual Pontiac/Buick/Olds Fall Fest Sat Nov 28 Phoenix www.pbofallfest.org (site pending) Hosting- 8th annual Nostalgic Show & Go! March 27-28, 2010 Phoenix www.nostalgicshowandgo.org Make plans to attend
All good advice, remember don't rush, do everything delibertly. Safety first, if you get out of shape the run is lost, so don't try to be a hero and get back into it. As was stated before take an easy first pass to get the butterflies out. Have fun!! On my first pass I was more excited than getting my first---You know!! After awhile its seems like you could eat lunch on the way down the track.
LMAO!! First pass gitters. The adrenaline is awesome. Stock engine or full on race built. Going down the 1/4 mile is a plast!
Point---Shoot---keep your eyes open-----breathe----have fun--you're gonna love it I'd rather cut em off than finish second
Reading all these replies reminds me of my first time at the track. Still in high school 68 camaro small block 4 gear. I'm extremely nervous I back in to the burnout box.(problably worthless with street tires) I was a broke school kid no money for a line lock. I had to do the dump the clutch and hold the brake. Anyways I dump the clutch and the car hops violently.Took me a second to realize I left the car in reverse. I felt like a huge douche bag. Some tracks will let you have a passenger might be a good idea to do a ride along first. I did this for my dad his first time down the track he was in his fifties. Be safe and have fun.
Most tracks have a test and tune night. This is very helpful this way you can make a few passes before you really go for it. I made a few passes the night before the Texas Thaw. First time on a track loads of fun...never knew a car could pull so hard for so long. When the last yellow drops hit the throttle before the green comes up. People would get the jump on me until I figured this out. And most of all...stay safe and have fun.
What Steve said. ALSO if you are lined up next to a fast or loud car or any bike, sit at the green. Let them get down the track some BEFORE you go. First trip to the track you don't need to race a car so loud you can't hear yours, one the might break and run into your lane, or a bike. David And never laugh at the girl at the drivers meeting, she might put you on the tailor your first pass.
Good advice. Make sure the truck is safe. Go to the track website and see what they check for. Usually all lugnuts, belts, helmet, overflow for the radiator, reverse lockout. Have all loose items out before going to the lanes. Find out what lane you belong in. When you are close, make sure the windows are up and you are belted in.
I may suggest if you know anyone in your area that has some drag race experience that isn't driving that weekend, buy them a pass and some grub and have them go along with you first time. Take it easy first pass. Oh, and have fun!!
You're getting a lot of good advice, all I'll add is try to get the left lane, that's the "passing lane". Have fun
dito on all of the above but let me just add this - If you have run your truck hard on some back roads or streets , DONT be shocked by the way it leaves on the track - whole lot different - much better bite and as we all can tell you - thats when you shatter parts and thats embarasing - Ive done it myself - Have fun and if your a racer at heart the first pass wont be the only one - Jaxx
Tech at Bowling Green is pretty good, they will check your car over, so make sure you have your ducks in a row....I would try to get out this week at a local test and tune as mentioned...racing for the first time with alot of folks in the stand make for a nervous pilot....tire gauge is very important...check the air in the staging lanes...I would run 15lbs for your first pass.....if it goes crooked don't try to drive out of it, just get out of the gas and let the caster straighten you out....don't worry, you will love it....the driving is the funnest part!
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