Noob Questions

JitteryJoe · 07-01-2021, 09:44 AM

I bought a M6 LT1 back in January and am starting to get the itch to take it to the drag strip (Edgewater outside of Cincinnati if anyone is local). I've been to test and tune night once or twice with some embarrassingly slow cars which I would never even think of trying to race competitively. The track follows NHRA rules which seem confusing as hell to me. Not sure what class the Camaro falls into because it's all based on "NHRA Rated" HP and weigh and when I look at the link it seems to list the COPO car and a bunch of engines that don't appear to be the factory LT1.

I should obviously start with some test and tune nights to get a feel for the car at the strip and get an idea of how consistent of times I can run (or lack thereof in a M6).

I think I want to go with one of the index classes I'd imagine? I see 11.50 (too quick without DR's and a bunch of bolt on's / tune) and 13.00. 13 would probably be better as I wouldn't have to beat up a brand new car.

All of this is theoretical of course, I imagine I'm going to get there and everyone is going to be running within .05 of the index and I'm going to get my ass handed to me in the first round. Mainly doing this for fun but also don't want to be dead last either.

Is there insurance I should be looking into since this is a brand new car. I'm guessing it's going to be prohibitively expensive?

Somebody convince me that this is not a terrible idea on all fronts.

Trochoidal · 07-01-2021, 05:55 PM

This is not a bad idea at all. I’ve never been asked about buying insurance at a drag strip. Actually test and tune is perfect. Get to the track when it opens. Hope there are not a lot of cars. Hopefully all fluids stay in the other cars and not on the track. Get in as many passes as you can and have fun. The 13.0 index seems to slow and I see you breaking out.

s346k · 07-01-2021, 05:59 PM

you want to 13.0 index race a bone stock m6 camaro on 245 all season tires? i mean, let's be honest, all of that sounds like a colossal waste of time and energy. in the rare event the car does hook, it'll be difficult to hold it back to 13.0 consistently. i would at least throw a set of tires on it, but even then you'll be competing with torque management.

test and tune is fine. hit up some unpopular 1/8 mi tracks if you want to practice launching.

all you need to race is the right helmet. i think they are up to snell 20 now.

JitteryJoe · 07-01-2021, 06:42 PM

What's the cheapest helmet to buy? I forget what brand it was but 150ish seems to be the cheapest.

Was wondering if 13 was too slow even with a granny launch... I thought I read in the rules that you could post a lower time on your windshield but you were committed to it for the night (obviously)

s346k · 07-01-2021, 07:01 PM

probably g force.

i think you'd be better off bracket racing, at least you wouldn't have to hold the car back so much on every pass. either way, you are probably going to lose in the first round to a race car haha.

07-01-2021, 09:44 AM	#1
JitteryJoe Drives: 21' LTI, '18 Traverse, '15 Mazda 6 Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: At the end of the DHL/Amazon Runway, KY Posts: 183	Noob Questions I bought a M6 LT1 back in January and am starting to get the itch to take it to the drag strip (Edgewater outside of Cincinnati if anyone is local). I've been to test and tune night once or twice with some embarrassingly slow cars which I would never even think of trying to race competitively. The track follows NHRA rules which seem confusing as hell to me. Not sure what class the Camaro falls into because it's all based on "NHRA Rated" HP and weigh and when I look at the link it seems to list the COPO car and a bunch of engines that don't appear to be the factory LT1. I should obviously start with some test and tune nights to get a feel for the car at the strip and get an idea of how consistent of times I can run (or lack thereof in a M6). I think I want to go with one of the index classes I'd imagine? I see 11.50 (too quick without DR's and a bunch of bolt on's / tune) and 13.00. 13 would probably be better as I wouldn't have to beat up a brand new car. All of this is theoretical of course, I imagine I'm going to get there and everyone is going to be running within .05 of the index and I'm going to get my ass handed to me in the first round. Mainly doing this for fun but also don't want to be dead last either. Is there insurance I should be looking into since this is a brand new car. I'm guessing it's going to be prohibitively expensive? Somebody convince me that this is not a terrible idea on all fronts.

07-01-2021, 05:55 PM	#2
Trochoidal Drives: 2017 Camaro 2SS A8 Join Date: May 2019 Location: USA Posts: 1,656	This is not a bad idea at all. I’ve never been asked about buying insurance at a drag strip. Actually test and tune is perfect. Get to the track when it opens. Hope there are not a lot of cars. Hopefully all fluids stay in the other cars and not on the track. Get in as many passes as you can and have fun. The 13.0 index seems to slow and I see you breaking out. __________________ Roto-Fab w/sound tube delete, Katech ported TB, Pray IM, Velossa, DD side markers, DSX FF, UPR Catch can, Halo brace, My custom vent gauge pod Originally Posted by arpad_m - “Aww, yet another oil thread with almost the same question in the OP“

07-01-2021, 05:59 PM	#3
s346k Drives: like an old lady Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: indiana Posts: 2,395	you want to 13.0 index race a bone stock m6 camaro on 245 all season tires? i mean, let's be honest, all of that sounds like a colossal waste of time and energy. in the rare event the car does hook, it'll be difficult to hold it back to 13.0 consistently. i would at least throw a set of tires on it, but even then you'll be competing with torque management. test and tune is fine. hit up some unpopular 1/8 mi tracks if you want to practice launching. all you need to race is the right helmet. i think they are up to snell 20 now. __________________ 2016+ camaro: everyone’s first car

07-01-2021, 07:01 PM	#5
s346k Drives: like an old lady Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: indiana Posts: 2,395	probably g force. i think you'd be better off bracket racing, at least you wouldn't have to hold the car back so much on every pass. either way, you are probably going to lose in the first round to a race car haha. __________________ 2016+ camaro: everyone’s first car

07-01-2021, 06:42 PM	#4
JitteryJoe Drives: 21' LTI, '18 Traverse, '15 Mazda 6 Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: At the end of the DHL/Amazon Runway, KY Posts: 183	What's the cheapest helmet to buy? I forget what brand it was but 150ish seems to be the cheapest. Was wondering if 13 was too slow even with a granny launch... I thought I read in the rules that you could post a lower time on your windshield but you were committed to it for the night (obviously)

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