At 04:24 PM 7/12/99 -0400, you wrote:
>as you guys caught in a previous message that i sent out, this wednesday i
>will be racing for my first time in the 1/4 mile.. any tips ??
>3.9 v6 auto...should i just start in drive w/ over drive. or start in 1,
2, d, od?
>or what???...i am running all stock...
>Eric Giblock
Here's a suggested checklist and that's all it is...a guide. You can make
up your
own but, whatever you do, follow it. Afterwards, do an analysis with your
time slip. For your next run,
whatever you decide to change in your checklist, make note of it. Repeat the
process. That's what test and time trials are all about.
Pre-Race Prep
1. You say that you're driving a fair distance to the track. Don't run
until your
truck has cooled down as much as possible. Carefully feel the upper
rad hose,
the fuel injector runner and the intake manifold with your hand. When
it is
just warm to the touch, you can race. You may want to disconnect the
negative
at the battery and hook it back up when you're ready to race so that
the computer
forgets all the street/ highway driving that you've done.
2. You say that your truck is all stock. The OE Invictas will give you
traction problems.
Lower the air pressure in your rear tires about 5 lbs. from recommended
air
pressure. Check that your fronts are at recommended pressure. Use a
portable
air compressor running off the lighter to bring your rears back to
normal pressure
before heading home.
Pre-Staging Prep
3. When you go from the pit area to line up, set your control to 'heat at
the feet'.
Set your temp. control to full heat. Run the fan at full speed. Take
off overdrive.
4. As you enter onto the track, drive around the water pit. You can back
up afterwards
but remain on the dry surface.
5. Set your auto. to second. Hold the brake pedal down. When you hear
the rears spin
or when the truck begins to overpower the brakes, release the brake
pedal and at
the same time quickly depress the gas pedal and accelerate.
6. After 10-20', brake and put the gear into drive (for the 1st time
anyways), turn
the fan off and roll up the window.
7. Slowly approach the staging light, braking with your foot.
Staging Prep
8. Focus on the tree. When the top light lights, brake to a stop.
Creep up slowly riding your brakes with left foot. Be ready to stop
immediately
just as the 2nd light lights.
9. Stay focused on the tree. Bring you revs up a bit but hold the truck
with your
brakes. (My guess for a V6 and stock tires would be 800-1000 rpm).
You could
also just stage there at idle.
Launch
10. Take a deep breath and stay focused on the tree...forget anyone beside
you.
When the third amber lights, release the brake quickly and squeeze the
gas pedal down.
When you sense that you are rolling and there is no tire spin, put the
pedal to the metal.
If there is some tire spin, don't lift up (any time you lift
up...you're out of control,
the race is lost.)
Run
11. Run full out through the end of the trap. If the track has two
turn-offs, take
the farthest one to lessen wear on your brakes.
When you get your timeslip and are back at the pits, go over what you did
and take note
of the various times. If your 60' time is slow, was it tire spin or could
you have
taken it to the floor sooner? etc. etc. Make adjustment(s) for the next
run until
you find what's best for your truck, the track conditions and what you're
comfortable with.
The key is to get the most from truck and driver but be consistent and do
it over and
over until it becomes a habit.
Hope this helps a bit. Let us know how things worked out.
Bob
Burlington, Ontario
'97 CC Sport, 5.2L, 3.55, auto., 4x2, flame red
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