Help me be a better drag racer...

[Fidhle007]

I went to New England drag way tonight made my first attempt at actual, legally sanctioned racing. It was a blast but the best I ran was a 16.2 and I need some pointers. Basically, my launches sucked. I dumped the clutch at about 5k and the back and just shook and bounced violently. I was told this was wheel hop because I let the clutch out too quickly and I'm sure I did. I was all caught up in the moment and I was trying to get a good reaction time. Once I got up and running everything was dandy but that launch was driving me nuts, should I lower my tire pressure more or do more of a burnout to warm them up? I was running my tires around 25 psi and I didn't want to do too much of a burnout because I'm a big chicken. :D

Regardless it was a blast and I fully intend to give it another shot soon, I'd just like to improve my shot at a good time when I do!

Thanks,
Brendan

[shiftbmw]

When you launch, get your rpm's up(maybe like 4k...5000k and I'm guessing your motor is long gone ;-)) and SLIP YOUR CLUTCH. Dumping your clutch has 2 side effects, neither of which help you...you either bog or burnout.

Also, I don't know how big of a difference it will make on street tires(probably not worth it) but when you do your burnout, heat them the fuck up. Light em up and do a brakestand. Then release your brakes and continue burning out until you are well clear of the water(to make sure all excess water is off your tires.

You also want to shift hard and fast. Basically your car takes a beating but it's fun every once in a while.

[der affe]

if you are going to use street tyres, don't do a burn out. street tyres grip best when they are up to a norm temp, not quite cold , but not burning up either. they were designed to work coldish, otherwise you would have to burn out when ever you left the driveway in the morning. experiment by doing a little quick burn just to heat them up. then see how they grip, just don't do a john force.

[Fidhle007]

SLIP YOUR CLUTCH. Dumping your clutch has 2 side effects, neither of which help you...you either bog or burnout...

I think that right there was my issue. My first run I just did a quick peel out and my second I did a full-on brakestand but again only for a few seconds. The second run I was trying to get a good reaction time and in the process I ended up with the back end of my car shaking like a whore on crack. :D

The shifting hard and fast bit I had down. Like I said, once I got going and that aweful chattering had ceased I was fine, it was my launch that was killing me...:drink:

[chuckybob]

lowering tire pressure doesnt much help, you want the most contact area available, and thats almost always at full pressure.

[Fidhle007]

lowering tire pressure doesnt much help, you want the most contact area available, and thats almost always at full pressure.

I thought that too, but it was the cool thing to do I guess. I normally run my pressure a little high so it seems that bringing it down to 35-36 psi should be ideal. I'll be working on my clutch skills first thing tomorrow, it's a good thing my clutch is new and still has plenty of life left...

[StereoInstaller1]

When you launch, get your rpm's up maybe like 4k...5000k

My car just won't do five million RPM anymore.



:D

Luke

[KangamangusDriver]

My car just won't do five million RPM anymore.



:D

Luke

hahahah


Brando call me next time you head up there!!!!!

[Fidhle007]

Brando call me next time you head up there!!!!!

I definitely will! It was a blast but only two BMWs represented. We need more next time and some that can put down some better times...

[blunttech]

the best thing you can do to become a better drag racer is to get a car designed for it.

[PeaveyBassist]

325is can do a 15.6. Thats what I ran with a shitty engine.

Will

[RobertK]

I've always been told that the last thing you want to do is dump the clutch and peel out.

Peeling out = losing traction = more time not moving after the green light = higher 1/4 time.

[Van Westervelt]

Yeah, you have to keep it right on the verge of losing traction. Thats why you ease the clutch out instead of dumping it. Hell, my SETA can do a burnout if I dump the clutch. Ha

[Fidhle007]

Yeah, dumping it was my big mistake.

How's next wednesday? Maybe we can get some of the seacoast people to go too.

PS: fixed my typo. I try not to launch at five million rpm because that's way above my engines peak hp mark and makes for bad launch times.

[PeaveyBassist]

Start launching lower. About 2000rpm and get the clutch out all the way as fast as possible without spinning. If it spins, let the clutch out slower. Also, if it doesnt spin right away then launch higher. Its all about trial and error.

Will