[cthulhucaller]

If it's your first track day, focus on learning how things work, the flow of the track and return lanes, and staying safe.

You don't want/need a big burnout on street tires. Give them a quick punch, then go line up. There was good advice earlier in the thread, which was to make your first runs just like you would on the street.

I hope you have a great (and safe) time, and that it's the first of many trips. Have fun and worry about timeslips later on.

[FlukeSS]

Originally Posted by cthulhucaller

If it's your first track day, focus on learning how things work, the flow of the track and return lanes, and staying safe.

You don't want/need a big burnout on street tires. Give them a quick punch, then go line up. There was good advice earlier in the thread, which was to make your first runs just like you would on the street.

I hope you have a great (and safe) time, and that it's the first of many trips. Have fun and worry about timeslips later on.

I figure I will be able to tell on the first shift rather or not I can go harder or softer.

If the car shifts fairly before 60mph then I'm not going hard enough. If it shifts at 60mph then I'm running optimal, and if I slip to much before the first shift then I know I need to go softer on the pedal.

At least that has been my experience doing my 0-60 runs.

Question though: I know people say to turn everything off, but is stabilitrack really necessary to turn off? When I did my best 0-60 time in 85 degree weather, I had stabilitrak on I believe. (2 quick presses of TC off) as opposed to (10 second hold on TC off)

[MightyBobo]

I admire the thought you're putting into this, but I'd argue you may be putting a bit too much thought into it right now. Like someone who's never gone to a road course talking about how they'll enter and exit corners and stuff, and what speed....when the reality is, much of this comes down to tactile sensations. You'll FEEL the car's reactions to your inputs, and you need to become accustomed to those sensations, and learn from it. Learn to drive your car before you can even worry about much else.

I'd leave your traction control on, unless you 100% know you can keep the car straight with the wheels spinning out of control. If you don't know for sure? Leave it on and just get used to the car accelerating. That, or risk being "that guy" that loses it and doesn't know how to bring 'er back in line in time...

[laynlo15]

I agree with Bobo, don't over think this. Before you even make a pass go up to or around the starting line and watch a bunch of cars make passes. Keep an eye on ones that don't run slicks or drag radials. You'll be able to tell. Watch the starter at the tree when your getting ready to stage, if your not sure how to stage the car they'll help you into the staging beams. Just be calm and after a couple passes you'll be good to go.

[Trochoidal]

Originally Posted by FlukeSS

I figure I will be able to tell on the first shift rather or not I can go harder or softer.

If the car shifts fairly before 60mph then I'm not going hard enough. If it shifts at 60mph then I'm running optimal, and if I slip to much before the first shift then I know I need to go softer on the pedal.

At least that has been my experience doing my 0-60 runs.

Question though: I know people say to turn everything off, but is stabilitrack really necessary to turn off? When I did my best 0-60 time in 85 degree weather, I had stabilitrak on I believe. (2 quick presses of TC off) as opposed to (10 second hold on TC off)

First, I’d say no matter what results you get for how ever many passes you make, you’re going to have fun.

Everyone has their own approach to the drag strip. I do my burnout for street tires in about 6 seconds in second gear with traction control and stabilitrak off. Pre-stage wait for other lane, than stage.

You seem to have your preferred launch so I’d do what you know works on the street.

One press of TCS shuts down traction control and 2nd quick press turns off Stabilitrak(or press and hold to turn both off). So I leave with nothing on. I also launch in 2nd and have had good success with feathering the pedal off idle and getting 1.85-1.88 60’.

I’d suggest first pass with traction control off and stabilitrak on in case the car gets too lose. These cars are rather stable but you never know what can happen your first time down the track.

Your videos should be great to watch after your first time at the track.

I’m sure you know but in case you don’t you’ll get both items to light on the dash.

[Trochoidal]

Originally Posted by laynlo15

I agree with Bobo, don't over think this. Before you even make a pass go up to or around the starting line and watch a bunch of cars make passes. Keep an eye on ones that don't run slicks or drag radials. You'll be able to tell. Watch that started at the tree, if your not sure how to stage the car they'll help you into the staging beams. Just be calm and after a couple passes you'll be good to go.

Agreed with what you and others had said too. This is great advice.

[MightyBobo]

Oh, a few more nuggets of wisdom:

You're neither winning or losing any trophies - only bragging rights and a damaged ego if you even allow that to happen. You can, however, lose your car.

Race your own race. When you line up next to someone, focus on getting your OWN launch correct, and not whether you win the race or not, because who gives a f---. The fans sure as hell aren't paying for any damage you get if you lose it pushing yourself too hard. Only you.

And finally: the first step to getting good at something, is sucking at it. Your 60' will probably suck. Your launch timing will probably suck. Your speeds and times may be "worse than average". Guess what: we were all there once, and it takes time, practice, and MONEY to make it better. Just go and have fun.

[Trochoidal]

Originally Posted by MightyBobo

Oh, a few more nuggets of wisdom:

You're neither winning or losing any trophies - only bragging rights and a damaged ego if you even allow that to happen. You can, however, lose your car.

Race your own race. When you line up next to someone, focus on getting your OWN launch correct, and not whether you win the race or not, because who gives a f---. The fans sure as hell aren't paying for any damage you get if you lose it pushing yourself too hard. Only you.

And finally: the first step to getting good at something, is sucking at it. Your 60' will probably suck. Your launch timing will probably suck. Your speeds and times may be "worse than average". Guess what: we were all there once, and it takes time, practice, and MONEY to make it better. Just go and have fun.

These nuggets are straight facts and everything MB said does happen to all of us at some point.

[laynlo15]

Its just TNT so no bracket racing. Have fun.

[Martinjlm]

Where you going? Milan? Lapeer? Somewhere I’m not familiar with? If it’s Milan or Lapeer I might be down for showing up with you. I’ve run both places multiple times, but haven’t run either one yet this year.

FWIW, Motor City Camaro Club usually rents Milan for a day once a year. Paid members who sign up get to run as many quarter miles as you and your car can tolerate. Membership costs less than admission to either Milan or Lapeer.

[s346k]

suggestion on those tires

lower the air pressure and do not do a legitimate burnout. those tires get hot fast and as a result, greasy. go around the water box if possible and stop where it's dry, spin a few revolutions to clean them off, 2-3 seconds. i think i saw best results when they were around 25 lb cold, been a minute.

[wnta1ss]

Agree with laynlo15, avoid the water if possible. I use the single tap of T/C to turn it off.

Look for the groove (2 dull black lines going up the track) and line your tires up in them when you stage. Best traction is here. See below, yellow arrows pointing to the tire tracks that you want to be in.

[FlukeSS]

Originally Posted by MightyBobo

I admire the thought you're putting into this, but I'd argue you may be putting a bit too much thought into it right now. Like someone who's never gone to a road course talking about how they'll enter and exit corners and stuff, and what speed....when the reality is, much of this comes down to tactile sensations. You'll FEEL the car's reactions to your inputs, and you need to become accustomed to those sensations, and learn from it. Learn to drive your car before you can even worry about much else.

I'd leave your traction control on, unless you 100% know you can keep the car straight with the wheels spinning out of control. If you don't know for sure? Leave it on and just get used to the car accelerating. That, or risk being "that guy" that loses it and doesn't know how to bring 'er back in line in time...

Well to be honest, I'm not that new to driving these cars, and I'm not afraid of driving fast or accelerating hard, I know how to recover from a fishtail / tail spin (Also, I've driven V8 rear wheel drive cars since I was 17 but don't forget I live in Michigan where we drive in snow regularly)

I was wondering if I could keep stabilitrak on more than anything. It will help with the fish tail more if I get overzealous.

Yes I put a lot of thought into things. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

And yes my only intention is to learn to get out of the hole properly and consistently.

[FlukeSS]

Originally Posted by Martinjlm

Where you going? Milan? Lapeer? Somewhere I’m not familiar with? If it’s Milan or Lapeer I might be down for showing up with you. I’ve run both places multiple times, but haven’t run either one yet this year.

FWIW, Motor City Camaro Club usually rents Milan for a day once a year. Paid members who sign up get to run as many quarter miles as you and your car can tolerate. Membership costs less than admission to either Milan or Lapeer.

US-131

Test n Tune from 6pm to 11pm

P.S. Might consider that: But Milan is closed this year, and no announcement yet on rather it is re-opening. (New ownership I guess?)