First time on the drag strip tonight, tips?

JMCB1001 · 12-10-2021, 05:18 PM

Taking my lovely ‘18 ZL1 to the drag strip tonight. Any recommendations or tips since this is the first time I’m taking any vehicle. I know how to do the launch control in theory but haven’t done it in practice since there is just no good spots in the city to try it on - except the drag strip!

Rock-It Man · 12-10-2021, 05:30 PM

I would advise against launch control for a newbie. Just put the car in track mode.

Once you have fully staged, put your left foot on the brake. When the 3rd yellow light goes on, release the brake and simultaneously apply the gas. Do NOT stab it. Count "one thousand and one" while gradually going from idle to wide open throttle.

If you get wheel spin, try to slow down the throttle application next time around. If you just start with launch control, you won't learn much about your car.

Trochoidal · 12-10-2021, 05:37 PM

I also agree with Rock-it Man. First time down the track I’d get used to the car. Not knowing how well you’ll react to the car breaking loose, you might even want to leave the “nannies” on.

My first pass I turned off traction control and stabilitrac. As mentioned, I’ve never had any good launches in the SS except off from an idle. This was on street tires and not drag radials.

With your ZL1 you may find a different technique works better for you.

JMCB1001 · 12-10-2021, 06:29 PM

Thanks for the advice everyone! I’ll lyk how I do!

TXCSSU · 12-10-2021, 06:35 PM

If your car goes into limp mode, try not to call On-Star while the top fuelers are drag racing. Believe it or not, a buddy of mine did that once. I could almost see the On-Star rep flagging his warranty.

Phil zl1 · 12-10-2021, 06:50 PM

Lucky you i took mine home from the dealer two weeks ago and straight into storage until May. Montreal weather is not winter drag racing friendly to put it mildly.

grampa_ss · 12-10-2021, 07:02 PM

If you're on street tires...do NOT do a big smokey burnout. Just spin the tires for a couple of secs to clean off any debris.
Leave off an idle.
Don't manual shift, let the car shift.

6spdhyperblue · 12-10-2021, 07:22 PM

Push the gas down like there’s an egg under it

Vigilante375 · 12-10-2021, 07:26 PM

Put the suspension into tour and don't use launch control.

TXCSSU · 12-10-2021, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil zl1

Lucky you i took mine home from the dealer two weeks ago and straight into storage until May. Montreal weather is not winter drag racing friendly to put it mildly.

I had to crank the A/C up here because we reached 80 F (26.66667 in Canuckistan). In Texas we don't call them "Summer only tires" we call them, "All year but those two weeks tires".

JMCB1001 · 12-10-2021, 10:43 PM

Well I did abysmal! Lol But I got some practice under my belt. First time on track got 15.09 in tour mode. Awful…second time I improved at 13.347; much better but not what this car is capable of. On the second run I had it in track mode and at the start I spun too much, had it not been for the spin I would have had at least 12 or maybe high 11. Overall it was a lot of fun and I can’t wait to do it again!!

Badmojo · 12-10-2021, 11:04 PM

I'm #4 on the ZL1 Stock 1/4 mile list.

ZL1 A10
Vehicle Settings:

Suspension = Tour
Track Mode PTM Race
Launch Control 10% Slip, 1700 RPM
26 PSI in Rear Tires 3-5 Second Burn Out

TXCSSU · 12-10-2021, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMCB1001

Well I did abysmal! Lol But I got some practice under my belt. First time on track got 15.09 in tour mode. Awful…second time I improved at 13.347; much better but not what this car is capable of. On the second run I had it in track mode and at the start I spun too much, had it not been for the spin I would have had at least 12 or maybe high 11. Overall it was a lot of fun and I can’t wait to do it again!!

Oh I forgot to mention that when I was at the track, my buddy suggested that you look at the lights, and hit it at the same count as the first few yellow lights once the last one comes on. So if you look at how fast one light blinks to the other, you time it so that you hit it when the green turns green. You don't react to it turning green, but anticipate it turning green.

ihada69L78 · 12-11-2021, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMCB1001

Well I did abysmal! Lol But I got some practice under my belt. First time on track got 15.09 in tour mode. Awful…second time I improved at 13.347; much better but not what this car is capable of. On the second run I had it in track mode and at the start I spun too much, had it not been for the spin I would have had at least 12 or maybe high 11. Overall it was a lot of fun and I can’t wait to do it again!!

Badmojo gave you the best advice you will get❗️❗️❗️
Instead of launch control you can just leave at 1,000rpm. If you don’t spin try 1250 and then 1500. 26 pounds is important.

12-10-2021, 05:18 PM	#1
JMCB1001 Drives: 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: May 2019 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 25	First time on the drag strip tonight, tips? Taking my lovely ‘18 ZL1 to the drag strip tonight. Any recommendations or tips since this is the first time I’m taking any vehicle. I know how to do the launch control in theory but haven’t done it in practice since there is just no good spots in the city to try it on - except the drag strip! __________________

12-10-2021, 05:37 PM	#3
Trochoidal Drives: 2017 Camaro 2SS A8 Join Date: May 2019 Location: USA Posts: 1,656	I also agree with Rock-it Man. First time down the track I’d get used to the car. Not knowing how well you’ll react to the car breaking loose, you might even want to leave the “nannies” on. My first pass I turned off traction control and stabilitrac. As mentioned, I’ve never had any good launches in the SS except off from an idle. This was on street tires and not drag radials. With your ZL1 you may find a different technique works better for you. __________________ 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“

12-10-2021, 07:02 PM	#7
grampa_ss Drives: 2016 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Stansbury Park, Utah Posts: 1,092	If you're on street tires...do NOT do a big smokey burnout. Just spin the tires for a couple of secs to clean off any debris. Leave off an idle. Don't manual shift, let the car shift. __________________ 2016 2SS, MRC, NPP, A8. Procharger P-1X,Stage II,std bypass, 3.9, Alky Meth - 10.84 @129 - DA+2000 New Mods - GPI drop ins, Kooks 2", LT4 fueling, Cam, Circle D Converter, 3.5 pulley & dual nozzle meth.

12-10-2021, 07:22 PM	#8
6spdhyperblue Drives: 6th gen Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: US Posts: 3,675	Push the gas down like there’s an egg under it __________________ ‘22 2SS 1LE M6 Summit White - RF, Flexfuel, LT2 intake, 95mm tb, ATI udp, VT ramair, full 28” dragpack - 11.68@122 ‘16 1SS M6 LT2 intake + boltons on DR 11.0@126+ (Sold)

12-10-2021, 10:43 PM	#11
JMCB1001 Drives: 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: May 2019 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 25	Well I did abysmal! Lol But I got some practice under my belt. First time on track got 15.09 in tour mode. Awful…second time I improved at 13.347; much better but not what this car is capable of. On the second run I had it in track mode and at the start I spun too much, had it not been for the spin I would have had at least 12 or maybe high 11. Overall it was a lot of fun and I can’t wait to do it again!! __________________

12-10-2021, 05:30 PM	#2
Rock-It Man 376 cubic inches of fun Drives: 2023 Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MA Posts: 4,031 View My Garage	I would advise against launch control for a newbie. Just put the car in track mode. Once you have fully staged, put your left foot on the brake. When the 3rd yellow light goes on, release the brake and simultaneously apply the gas. Do NOT stab it. Count "one thousand and one" while gradually going from idle to wide open throttle. If you get wheel spin, try to slow down the throttle application next time around. If you just start with launch control, you won't learn much about your car.

12-10-2021, 06:29 PM	#4
JMCB1001 Drives: 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: May 2019 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 25	Thanks for the advice everyone! I’ll lyk how I do! __________________

12-10-2021, 06:35 PM	#5
TXCSSU Account Suspended Drives: 2022 ZL1 M6/Nissan Leaf Join Date: May 2016 Location: Dallas Posts: 1,138	If your car goes into limp mode, try not to call On-Star while the top fuelers are drag racing. Believe it or not, a buddy of mine did that once. I could almost see the On-Star rep flagging his warranty.

12-10-2021, 06:50 PM	#6
Phil zl1 Drives: 2022 zl1 Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Montreal Posts: 76	Lucky you i took mine home from the dealer two weeks ago and straight into storage until May. Montreal weather is not winter drag racing friendly to put it mildly.

12-10-2021, 07:26 PM	#9
Vigilante375 Drives: 2018 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,368	Put the suspension into tour and don't use launch control.

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