[m1cha3l]

Hello,

I have not been to a drag strip in over 10 years, well actually 20 years if you count taking a muscle car there and boy did I embarrass myself ...

First of all, my car has a sunroof, I'm just under 6'0, all torso, no legs lol, and L and M helmets both leave me with no head room at all. Even reclining the seat all the way back and moving it all the way down doesn't help. Can't move too far back cause short legs . Talk about having to drive in a really weird position. I also wear glasses which were basically on my forehead with the M size helmet

Since it has been so long at the drag strip I drove around the water box, and just casually took off from idle in touring mode running 13.9.

Ok cool, second run, sport mode, competitive mode on, launch control, spun for a good bit, felt power being cut, finally hooked, missed 4th gear since flat foot shifting confused me at the worst time, culminating in 13.7

Went back to the staging area and parked next to a guy with newer Dodge Challenger 392 with automatic transmission. When we compared time slips he showed me 13.8 and 13.3 which is odd because that car runs ~ 12.4 - 12.6.

As we were comparing notes I looked at my tires I saw a lot of sand & gravel which could explain why I spun with launch control engaged and I released the clutch quickly but did not dump or side step it. I also remember a puddle of water or two you basically have to drive through on the way back to the staging area. There was also water near the staging area which suggests that it rained that day.

I'm a bit puzzled as I originally took my 98 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 6M to the track decades ago and ran 13.8 for a ~ 13.4 car, also about a decade ago I took 2010 Subaru Legacy GT to the track and ran 14.1 which is what magazines achieved so I do have some driving ability but man I was so discouraged that I drove back home after only 2 runs and there were only 3 cars running so I could go back to back with no wait if I wanted to.

Kindly asking for help & guidance:

Was the track not prepped?

Sand & gravel on tires?

Should I turn off TC and spin the tires to clean them off quick?

Should I back into the water box, turn off TC, and do a quick burnout? Or drive right into water box and do the same thing?

[2SS Capt]

What tires do you have? If they are the factory runflats ditch them and you'll get a lot more traction... Also if you can upgrade from the 275's to at least 305's out back that will help a lot as well...

[m1cha3l]

Originally Posted by 2SS Capt

What tires do you have? If they are the factory runflats ditch them and you'll get a lot more traction... Also if you can upgrade from the 275's to at least 305's out back that will help a lot as well...

You got it, factory run flats, very noisy and uncomfortable btw, though when I did try out launch control a few times out in the cornfields 30 min outside of the burbs, they hooked with very little spin, and I was pleasantly surprised when I was tossed into the back of the seat.

I run these for the winter and they are so much nicer, you can even punch it in 1st with very little traction loss.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...num=45VR8WTPXL

Definitely considering summer tire replacement but will have to wait until current set is toast.

[Joshinator99]

I ran 12.1 bone stock on the factory runflats (A8 though). Aired them down to 26-27 psi, did a quick burnout to clean off the tires, and went after it. M6 is obviously harder to duplicate.

[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by m1cha3l

Kindly asking for help & guidance:

Was the track not prepped?

Sand & gravel on tires?

Should I turn off TC and spin the tires to clean them off quick?

Should I back into the water box, turn off TC, and do a quick burnout? Or drive right into water box and do the same thing?

First of all, DON'T GIVE UP. Heck, whenever I went to the drag strip, I could only dream of back to back runs, and you threw the perfect opportunity to experiment away by pouting and going home.

I don't think tracks are prepped with street tires in mind, owners don't like to waste prep material on our cars with street tires that tear it up in no time. (The track I went to the most coned us off the prepped strips.) That said, you don't have enough power to need full track prep.

You do want to do a quick burnout in 1st to clean off the tires, yes. Not sure about the water box, try with backing into it and without.

Use competitive mode. If you have magnetic ride control, lock the suspension into Tour, that'll give you the best weight transfer for the launch. Roll into the throttle, don't stab it.

Air down your tires to below 30 psi, or better yet, ditch those shitty runflats and buy some real high performance summer tires. And, as the good Captain suggested, you might want to upgrade both your wheels and tires to 1LE spec.

Good luck, your car should be able to do 12.5 easily.


(By the way, my first ever run was a lowly 13.9, too )

[cjperformance]

What was your mph and 60ft time? ET is mostly about the launch. Easy to screw up if you are learning.

If your mph was low too, then it points to other issues. The DA is abysmal around my area too, so that may have contributed to low ET. The fact another driver/car was slow could be due to high DA (temp/humidity).

[m1cha3l]

Originally Posted by Joshinator99

I ran 12.1 bone stock on the factory runflats (A8 though). Aired them down to 26-27 psi, did a quick burnout to clean off the tires, and went after it. M6 is obviously harder to duplicate.

Consistency of A8 is quite nice to have

[m1cha3l]

Originally Posted by cjperformance

What was your mph and 60ft time? ET is mostly about the launch. Easy to screw up if you are learning.

If your mph was low too, then it points to other issues. The DA is abysmal around my area too, so that may have contributed to low ET. The fact another driver/car was slow could be due to high DA (temp/humidity).

13.9 - 2.6 60ft and 107 MPH
13.7 - 2.3 60ft and 102 MPH

I wish I could remember the exact temps but it was 80/90 degrees and somewhat humid, chances are it rained earlier that day as well.

[m1cha3l]

Originally Posted by arpad_m

First of all, DON'T GIVE UP. Heck, whenever I went to the drag strip, I could only dream of back to back runs, and you threw the perfect opportunity to experiment away by pouting and going home.

I don't think tracks are prepped with street tires in mind, owners don't like to waste prep material on our cars with street tires that tear it up in no time. (The track I went to the most coned us off the prepped strips.) That said, you don't have enough power to need full track prep.

You do want to do a quick burnout in 1st to clean off the tires, yes. Not sure about the water box, try with backing into it and without.

Use competitive mode. If you have magnetic ride control, lock the suspension into Tour, that'll give you the best weight transfer for the launch. Roll into the throttle, don't stab it.

Air down your tires to below 30 psi, or better yet, ditch those shitty runflats and buy some real high performance summer tires. And, as the good Captain suggested, you might want to upgrade both your wheels and tires to 1LE spec.

Good luck, your car should be able to do 12.5 easily.


(By the way, my first ever run was a lowly 13.9, too )

Oh I'm going back as soon as I can I just did not expect the outcome to be the way it was. I was discouraged and disappointed which is why I caved so quickly but I'm not giving up.

Sounds like a plan, I didn't notice all of the tire debris until after the runs. I will try couple of different options with and without the water box.

I do have MRC but I have not tried changing the individual mode settings, I know you can program steering, throttle, suspension "independently" .

I also didn't want to break anything so I was hesitant of launching and burn outs blah blah blah, probably worried needlessly. First new car ever lol and I'm in mi mid 40's so wanted to baby my baby.

Definitely looking into new tires when time comes, I strongly dislike OEM rubber.

I will bring tire inflator with me next time or maybe track has one but yeah, door sticker recommends 34 or 35 PSI and by the time I got to the track it was at 38 PSI for all 4.

Thank you!

[cjperformance]

Originally Posted by m1cha3l

13.9 - 2.6 60ft and 107 MPH
13.7 - 2.3 60ft and 102 MPH

I wish I could remember the exact temps but it was 80/90 degrees and somewhat humid, chances are it rained earlier that day as well.

I dont have any specific advice for you... 102 is low, but not sure if 107 is where a 6 speed should be.

The launch is soft as you already knew. Try on a cooler day and uhhhh.... drive harder. Cant baby it and get good passes

[Joshinator99]

Originally Posted by m1cha3l

13.9 - 2.6 60ft and 107 MPH
13.7 - 2.3 60ft and 102 MPH

I wish I could remember the exact temps but it was 80/90 degrees and somewhat humid, chances are it rained earlier that day as well.

Are you letting off at 3/4 track…?!? Serious question lol!

[Kamero6]

Originally Posted by m1cha3l

Hello,

I have not been to a drag strip in over 10 years, well actually 20 years if you count taking a muscle car there and boy did I embarrass myself ...

First of all, my car has a sunroof, I'm just under 6'0, all torso, no legs lol, and L and M helmets both leave me with no head room at all. Even reclining the seat all the way back and moving it all the way down doesn't help. Can't move too far back cause short legs . Talk about having to drive in a really weird position. I also wear glasses which were basically on my forehead with the M size helmet

Since it has been so long at the drag strip I drove around the water box, and just casually took off from idle in touring mode running 13.9.

Ok cool, second run, sport mode, competitive mode on, launch control, spun for a good bit, felt power being cut, finally hooked, missed 4th gear since flat foot shifting confused me at the worst time, culminating in 13.7

Went back to the staging area and parked next to a guy with newer Dodge Challenger 392 with automatic transmission. When we compared time slips he showed me 13.8 and 13.3 which is odd because that car runs ~ 12.4 - 12.6.

As we were comparing notes I looked at my tires I saw a lot of sand & gravel which could explain why I spun with launch control engaged and I released the clutch quickly but did not dump or side step it. I also remember a puddle of water or two you basically have to drive through on the way back to the staging area. There was also water near the staging area which suggests that it rained that day.

I'm a bit puzzled as I originally took my 98 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 6M to the track decades ago and ran 13.8 for a ~ 13.4 car, also about a decade ago I took 2010 Subaru Legacy GT to the track and ran 14.1 which is what magazines achieved so I do have some driving ability but man I was so discouraged that I drove back home after only 2 runs and there were only 3 cars running so I could go back to back with no wait if I wanted to.

Kindly asking for help & guidance:

Was the track not prepped?

Sand & gravel on tires?

Should I turn off TC and spin the tires to clean them off quick?

Should I back into the water box, turn off TC, and do a quick burnout? Or drive right into water box and do the same thing?

It just takes time to master a new vehicle.
I'd focus more in being consistent than the actual times you're getting.
You can shave times with practice but there's a sweet spot where you're fast, consistent, and you're not destroying the car (even more in a manual).

[beowulf556]

I've been getting similar times with my m6 on the supercar tires. Absolutely no grip at launch, spins and fish tails. Really takes some finess working the clutch and gas to not spin the tires, but then that kills your 60ft and everything after. I did just put on some nitto 555r2s and can't wait to try them.

[jlaudio11]

I’m guessing by your location you were at Greatlakes dragaway. They run a lot of nights but track prep can vary a lot night to night there. Little things to do is to not leave the car running in the staging lanes while you’re waiting, it can heat soak the intake and really hurt performance, especially on an already hot day. They also have an airline at the barn between bike short staging and the main staging lanes. You can just bring a tire gauge, air down when you get there then air up when you leave. I would shoot for mid 20’s air pressure personally. Launching is just going to take practice and getting a feel for what the car is doing and how much it will take. I’d start from a known point of traction and gradually work to more aggressive till you find the limitations and eventual sweet spot.