Drag Racing Tips
 

I'm hitting up the local drag strip. It's my first time out there with my 370z. I thought, I'd ask for some tips and tricks from our drag racing veterans.

How much psi should my front and rear tires be at?
What rpm is our sweet spot?
Should I avoid the burn-out puddle?
Is a helmet required as I don't even know if I could hit 13's, but the 370z is known as a 13 second car?
How much gas should I have in the tank on my way to the track?
Does the track have a gas station?
Should I try 100 octane race gas?
When should I launch at (regarding the tree)?

I've got more questions, but lets give these a start.

1. avoid the burnout if you are on street tires
2. Might as well wear a helmet, wont hurt.
3. 1/4 of a tank
4. Sometimes, but it is usually expensive.
5. No, it wont make a difference, specially if this is your first time.
6. Launch when it turns green!

It is really about getting a feel for the car. Everyone does things differently, what is fast for you may be slow for others.

The first couple of times, launch like you would on the street just to get a feel for the track.

C'mon guys help out a noob.

Launch when the last yellow light flashes :tup:

I ran my street tires at 29psi

Went to the track and timed it perfect with the gas tank level and had only 3 led lights on! Less gas=Less weight.... Gas is 6.1 lbs per gallon FYI



Dont do a burn out if on street tires just spin them quick to clean them off if staging lanes are not clear and clean....


And yes use a helmet


Most track dont have a gas station unless it is race fuel 110 or 113 oct.





DAN

Excellent tips Dan. I will be running street tires (oem potenzas). Just the rears at 29psi right? I hear that I should raise the front tires psi, is this true?

I wouldnt, Just stay at the standard tire pressure you are running on the fronts if you lower it your handeling will suffer yes even if you are going in just a straight line.....






DAN

2 additional thoughts.....

BE SURE race fuel isnt LEADED.

AVOID the WATER (at least with the front tires). You don't want water resting in the tread and when centrifugal force expels that water....guess where your back tires will be going? Good way to get crossed up off the line.

I have to agree it's very important to avoid the water. Ruined my last day at the drag strip last year because they had the lanes blocked off so that it was impossible to avoid the water. Didn't even realize that I was touching the water until someone else told me after watching me run.

Another thing to remember is to take out all the crap from the trunk. I feel like it definitely helped my out a bit. Just keep experimenting till you find the best launch rpm and then keep trying at that rpm.

Most tracks have a gas station fairly close by, but it will require you to leave for gas. I'd plan on having no more than a 1/4 tank when you get to the track. Also, if your engine or transmission temps start to climb, try to cruise around for a bit instead of just immediately stopping after your run. Airflow helps a ton with cooling the car. Everyone else has had some good info so far.

Sub'd. Might give It a try also...

Depending on your track I would reccomend spinning your tires before you get to the line to clean them off. I get better launches that way as sometimes gravel and stuff will get on them and hurt your launch. Also idk if anyone has mentioned this yet but your reaction time has nothing to do with your 1/4 time, so on your first run let the light turn green before you even think about launching, don't rush yourself. Lower pressure in the rear might help your launch very slightly but it also might lower your trap speed. Good luck!

Oh and typically I would lift in 2nd but leave the gas planted when shifting 3rd and 4th. No lift shifts in 3rd and 4th can potentially shave a tenth or two off your time. And don't come off the line too hard ive seen so many new people ruin there times by trying to launch too hard and end up spinning way to much. you should have very minimal wheel spin off the line.

A few other points I need to add:

Don't worry about the guy in the next lane. Just focus on your car, your lane and your time.

DO NOT DUMP THE CLUTCH. You'll just end up spinning out the tires and running crappy times. Just hold your RPM and let the clutch out easy (harder than you would on the street but not dumping it at the same time). Then as the tires grip and the rearend squats, give it more gas.

Don't be discouraged by less than great results your first time (or first few times) at the track. If it was easy, everyone would do it.

Powershift if you're comfortable with it.

And don't forget to have fun.

Post your results too.

transformer - are you sure I should deflate my front tires and not my rear tires instead. our 370z's are rear wheel drive after all.