First time at track. Advice needed

If I remember reading correctly, on a 6 speed car, disabling the traction control via the switch truly does defeat the system (but probably not the speed governer). Since it's so simple, I'd just yank the TRAC fuse and throw it in your ashtray for that day, though. Also, if you want to limit your ECU from retarding timing, I'd try to get at least a bit of race gas in your tank. That way you should be able to turn some good trap speeds at least!

As far as launching, I can't help you from personal experience, but drag racing is all about the first 60 feet. You need to balance the need to put up a good time with your need to keep your clutch alive for future use. It also makes a tremendous difference what type of tires you have on the car, to say nothing of the track prep itself. For me personally, if I were to ever drag race, I'd be much more interested in the trap speed than the ET, mostly because I'd be worried about my clutch. Of course I worry about stuff, and can't usually afford to fix it when it breaks.

I thought your car was for sale a while ago. Did you decide to keep her? Good luck at the track.

Steve T.

bally said:

Hey guys,
Well this friday I am going to the track for the first time. My car has some mods. Downpipe, BCC, Air filter, Raised boost to about 17psi to 18 sometimes. This is my first time ever at the track so I dont really know the ins and outs. What rpm should I launch at? 4000? and what about the traction control fuse? Does it make a difference to the times and does it function the same as just turning it off?
Any advice appreciated.
Thanks
Bally

Click to expand...

Bally,

I can give you the technique I use but you really have to practice to get a feel for it on your own.First,you can reset your ECU after each run by pulling the 2 fuses labeled ECU in the fuse box next to the battery.Leave the fuses out for 30 sec. Note:This is where you will also find the traction fuse.Now depending on track conditions,I usually set my rear tire pressure between 18psi and 12psi.18 to start and progressively lower depending on my 60 ft.

Now,once youre prepped its time to go to the line so I pull in the lane and do a smokey burn out without pulling in the water.(Im on drag radials so youll need to just clean the tires off and probably not do a big burnout.)
As I pull to the line I pump my clutch pedal about 8 times(This makes the clutch bite a little better) I tach the car to 5500-6000 and ride the clutch off the line.With this I can cut 1.8-1.9 60 footers.Im not the best yet but Im still learning myself.Let me know how you do.Remember its important to make sure you launch OVER 4500 so that both turbos are powering out of the hole.

Hope this helps,

Joe

I reset my ECU before each run and pull the TRAC fuse. I run street tires (only 255's) and have found that I hook up best at 30-32PSI, although some people have had goos luck going down into the mid 20's, I think you need to mess around with your tire pressure and find out what works best for your tires and track.
luanching over 4500RPM's would be ideal, however I can never luance that high without massive wheel spin, on drag radials you should be able to though.
I usually luanch at about 4000RPM's and just dump the clutch and floor it, I can usually get 2.15-2.25 60' like this which isn't great but it doesn't kill my clutch. I'm sure I could do better by slipping the clutch but I'm not ready to buy a new one right now.
It takes some practice to luanch a 6-speed well, so it may take a bunch of runs before you get it.
Good luck and let us know how you make out.