Going to the track... first time

[Matt's 03 GT]

Hi guys:

I am going to the track for the first time in early December... (California Rules) ...

My car is stock with the exception of a removed air silencer, K&N drop in, and CDC's side exhaust cat back. The car has about 35,000 miles on it.

Is there anything specific that I should do to prepare to run other than the obvious tune and fluids?
Do you think I should get the MGW shifter now (it will be a christmas present)?
Based on street driving I expect to launch at about 3K and slip the clutch. Is this about right?
Also, What should I expect for times and MPH. I am hoping for low 14's at about 95MPH... is this realistic???
If anyone has tips/tricks or anything that I am missing please share and help a newb out.

Thanks to all that can help,

Matt

 

[trailblz]

One big thing is watch drag racing on TV. You don't want to be that guy at the track that stages way past the staging lights at the actual tree revving like crazy, waiting for the green that will never come, while the 100 people in the stands are laughing....

Also, I would recommend not hoping for anything your first time, I think you will find yourself disappointed. After your first day, then you can start working on getting better.

Probably the biggest thing you can do is HAVE FUN while you are there. Don't try and get too serious, remember this is supposed to be a hobby!

 

[40oz]

ask questions when you get there. The people running the staging lanes can help you out with where to line up. You might want to spend a little time watching the starting line to see where people line up, and notice how the staging lights work.

Don't drive through the water, and don't do a huge smoky burnout.

Lower your tire pressure to ~20lbs. in the rear (make sure you fill them back up before you leave).

Be prepared to be humbled - you probably won't be able to hit your goal the first time out. You're not racing anyone, so work on launching and getting a low 60', which will net you lower ET's as long as you can shift fast enough. Your reaction time doesn't affect your ET.

Be careful about slipping your clutch doing back to back runs. You can warp your pressure plate that way lol.

Good luck and have fun. If you leave pissed off, you wasted your time and money.

 

[Matt's 03 GT]

I will be going with some friends. One has a '60's era Chevy truck that runs 13.20's n/a (1.7 60 foot times!!) and will be going for 11's with a 125 shot of Nitrous!! This will be my first time to the track. I will ask a bunch of questions and do my best and I won't be alone.

My only fear is that I will have too much fun. I will be taking the wife and making her take some passes too... if she is on my side there will be no stopping us!!! Let the mods begin.

I am just looking for a target to shoot for regarding et and mph. I have always driven stick and consider myself a good driver. I am comfortable powershifting and I am learning this car quickly (only had it 2 months). With some seat time what should I be looking for with the mods above?

Thanks again,

Matt

 

[Stangdriver13]

First time at the track i ran a 14.2 @ 99.5, my goal was also to run low 14's in the upper 90's so i met my goal, however, my 60' times were not very good, my best was a 2.25 60' ouch! Haven't been back since due to weather, but i'm goin to strongly suggest getting the MGW, prolly cut a tenth off of my times. Also, don't promise the wife that she can drive, cause i know i was trying to get every run i could, and wasn't about to hand off my run to let someone else drive.

 

[94GTStang]

I went to the track for the first time in the 04GT and with the mods below, managed a 14.06@100 with a 2.1 60'.

Just be easy off the line and slip the clutch. I found that revving it to about 1500 did the trick for me. But I'm sure if I revved it higher and slipped it more I could've gotten a better time.

Oh... and don't go into the water box with street tires. Even though I had Nitto 555's, I still went around it.

 

[BLUE03GT]

Hi guys:

I am hoping for low 14's at about 95MPH... is this realistic???

Matt

a stock 99+ GT traps around 98mph and is capable of 100-101 stock... so even though its going to be tough for you your first time... you should be able to hit 13's with that mph however i dont think you will...

i predict 14.4@97mph...

 

[dseibert]

I've run a best of 14.00@99mph in my 2001 convertible. Most coupes I see at the track I run are in the 13.7 to 13.8 range with the typical exhaust and CAI.

Good luck and have fun. It is a blast. You'll be hooked once you do it.

 

[Matt's 03 GT]

Also, don't promise the wife that she can drive, cause i know i was trying to get every run i could, and wasn't about to hand off my run to let someone else drive.

But I need her on my side... the more she is into it the quicker I can get a 12 second daily driver... then an 11 second and so on

You guys have given me hope. I will see I can order the MGW now and get some time with it before next month. I will report back once I have run and let you know how I do.

Personal Goals: Have fun, run mid to low 14's, get hooked on drag racing

 

[01BlkGT]

My car was running 14.0@99/100 stock. I usually leave the line around 2.5k while slipping the clutch. The lowest I ever lowered my air pressure on the tires was 30psi. Street tires are not like DRs, which work best at lower air pressure. You'll lose contact patch by having them under-inflated just like you do when they are over-inflated. Few tips, try to get there when the gates open and watch things for a bit. Being that you don't have a purpose-built race car, don't be one of those idiots that is pushing their car through the staging lane. Nothing worse than a 15,14,13 second car which is pushed through the staging lane. Don't drive through the waterbox like mentioned above, and only spin the tires for a brief second to dust them off. No need for a burnout. Do courtesy stage whenever possible. Also, and a biggie....if you are in the lane opposite of the track exit, always check to see where the other guy is before crossing over. Seen to many rookies create dicey situations by just crossing over to exit. Have fun and the only number you should really focus on is the 60' times. When you start dropping those, you'll see drops in the 1/4 times.