PART 2:
3. It's my first time at the track. I keep peeing my pants, crying uncontrollably, and for some reason I seem to be driving like crap, what gives?

Yeah I thought it was going to be a piece of cake too. Then this crowd of people appeared, 600hp drag cars started showing up everywhere, this announcer started talking, and this blasted flashing light starting thing apparently cast a spell which erased all knowledge of my ability to drive my car. Lights flash, brain goes dead, right foot down, left foot up, did I shift back there?, what did I launch at?, did I even launch?, have I even ran my car yet?, what's a car?

It happens, called being nervous and distracted. The first thing I learned is to FORGET THE STINKING LIGHT AND THE GUY BESIDE YOU, until you get the hang of it. Remember your reaction time HAS NO EFFECT ON YOUR ET. You can sit at the light for a week if you want and still pull the best run of the night.

Don't worry about reaction times your first night. Just focus on a good launch and not missing shifts.

Did you get paired up with John Force this run? That is one of the most annoying things ever. Let the 600hp open header Camaro launch ahead of you, it makes sure you don't get creamed, and you get to focus on your run once he is done sliding around the track.

Remember it takes practice. Get the jitters out then start having some real fun.

4. Tire stuff.

Run high pressure in the back to keep it from squatting/unloading front. Lower the front pressure just enough to were you are getting good traction. Don't drop it down to 3psi or something. Remember you are on street tires. The lower the pressure the more the rolling resistance. Find the proper balance. A stiffer sidewall tire will generally be run at lower pressure for obvious reasons. Check them right before runs for consistency, pressure can change throughout the night.

Tip: For us without compressors fill them all the way up at a gas station and work you way down during the night. Don't bleed them low from the beginning because if it's too low you are stuck with it all night.

I generally ran around 20-22psi.

DO A DRY BURNOUT. Notice I said DRY, not a wet. Go in the water box and you might as well make a run on ice with street tires. Some people will argue about this, when they pull better 60' times than me I'll listen. Driving between runs you pick up dirt and other crap, doing a dry burnout will clean them off simple as that, and depending on the street tire a little heat might actually help. I usually pull the ebrake, but not necessary.

5. Do your normal maintenance, such as spark plugs more frequent if you want the best times. Mine always loved a fresh set of plugs. Little story, I was at the track one night car was "only" trapping 96mph, I knew something was up, check the plugs, they were fouled out. I ran to the store and picked up a new set, installed them in the parking lot, and my trap speeds bumped back up to 99mph I kid you not. A well running car means everything.


6. What's some simple stuff I can do?

Easy. Take out your seats and spare tire, remove the power steering belt, and unhook the exhaust. All free and they worked for me well.


7. Ok I've got everything down, launching good, and taking care of the car. What should I expect?

We are now saying you have a well running R, you know it by heart, and can launch/shift the fool out if it. You are also blessed with a good track and location.

Bone stock- 14.2-14.4
Free mods-13.9-14.2 (weight reduction)
Bolt-ons-13.6-13.9 (depending on weight)


Some personal times of note.

14.03@99.35mph- AEM CAI, free mods listed. This was before I had ever landed a 2.1 60' as well, but was due to the fact that I launched in the power band. It does
make a difference.

14.3@97mph- AEM, full interior, 115lb passenger.

14.3@96mph- Full interior, AEM CAI, JDM DC header modified to fit stock exhaust, 200lb passenger.

14.4@95 in 80 degree heat with extremely high humidity. Just AEM CAI and no exhaust.

13.8@98mph with a 2.0 60'. AEM CAI, JDM DC, running on 22lb CRV rims.

and the big 13.7@100.42mph. Same mods as the 13.8 listed above just a better night.

End notes: These times are not from some mizzad driving gift on my part. It came from simple practice and figuring out what works and what doesn't.