Drag Race ****** - 1st time in Gen 1

[FOMOCOTOSHO]

For those that were following my other thread about racing my Gen 2 ATX against my boss's Gen 1 , unfortunately it never happened because I ended up buying the Gen 1 before it could happen. I just finished on bolting on some add-ons (see my signature for full list) and finally got it out to the drag strip this past weekend.



So go easy on me because this was my very first time at a drag strip. I haven't even watched drag racing except for on tv. I made 4 runs. Keep in mind the track conditions were about VERY HOT (95 degrees), mostly sunny, & VERY Humid (about 80% humidity).

I numbered each run written on top of each time slip. The top ones got cut off in the scan, #1 is on the top right. I circled which lane was mine.

The first run was horrible because I burned & spun out all the way through first gear, then I couldn't get it to grab 2nd gear... so that one was a wash.

EDITED: My 4th run (top left) was my best run - 15.334 @ 94.63mph. (SORRY I MISTAKENLY LOOKED AT THE WRONG ONE ON RUN #2 AND CIRCLED THE WRONG ONE)

I know my R/T's are awful. Everything happened so fast each time that by the time I was staged and I was about to get my RPM's up, the trees were already lighting up so I kept getting caught off-guard.

For comparisons a stock Honda S2000 was only running low 15's for his times each run consistently. He was getting a good launch and never missed a gear from what I could tell watching him.

So what do you guys think? Any feedback, suggestions, thoughts? I am really curious to know what kind of #'s i could get on a normal day more in the 70's and not so humid. But unfortunately I will have to wait until next year, as this as the last open weekend for the year.

 

[K-Dawg]

Looks to me like your best run was 15.334 @ 91.63. Your car number is 464, not 467.

 

[SHOclass]

It looks like your best time was a 15.334 Entry number 464 am I right?

Damn you K-dawg...I must have been writing that as you posted it.

 

[FOMOCOTOSHO]

Sorry guys, my bad. I corrected the posting now.

I would still like some feedback though. What I may be doing wrong & what I need to work on specifically, etc..

 

[SHOCH]

get that 60' to 2.1, 2.2.

 

[frosho]

It seems like it's missing some power, but that could be the hot/humid weather taking its toll. My best run last year (15.09 @ 95mph, 2.4 or 2.5 60') was achieved while the ambient temp was in the mid to lower 30s F.

I am really curious to know what kind of #'s i could get on a normal day more in the 70's and not so humid. But unfortunately I will have to wait until next year, as this as the last open weekend for the year.

Are there no "street nights" at this track during the week? It seems awfully early in the year for them to close down. Our local track (NED) has a street night every Wednesday and Friday through the end of October.

PS Did you remove anything from the car? Spare tire/jack/passenger seat/loose change?

 

[FOMOCOTOSHO]

get that 60' to 2.1, 2.2.

And how would you suggest I do that? Is it just my launch that sucks or what? I really had a hard time getting a good consistent launch even with some stickier tires. I am pretty quick at shifting so I don't think that's an issue.

Nothing has been removed from the car. But there's nothing extra in it either. I only weight about 180lbs.

 

[frosho]

Launching the SHO is just plain difficult and takes some practice. 2.3 isn't bad. It's not great, but it's not bad at all. You just gotta find the right balance between clutch and gas during the launch. The 60' is all 1st gear, so quick shifting won't help you any there.

I don't think I've gotten under 2.4 seconds yet, but I haven't raced with fresh suspension yet either. That'll happen on Wednesday.

 

[SHOCH]

On runs 3 & 4 you were at 2.3.
I like the right heel on the brake hard, toe on the gas 2500 rpm +-, left foot holding at clutch engagement point when tree starts.
I know some will laugh but I've been known to launch w/ the defroster on for a split second to drain some power.
I don't run up to rev limiter in 1st and 2nd, there's dropoff anyway.
pump up the rear tires
try different things is all I can say

 

[K-Dawg]

Was there a headwind? MPH is low for those mods. Your 60' isn't bad, but with some practice you should be able to get it down. Just try different things until you find what works for you. You want the engine in it's power band as much as possible.

Remember, for test and tune, RT doesn't matter. Go when you're ready.

I usually hold the RPM at 3-4k depending on the track and get the clutch out as quick as I can without blowing the tires loose and without bogging. I run it close to the rev limiter on every shift.

 

[Sho Amo]

Launching the SHO is just plain difficult and takes some practice. 2.3 isn't bad. It's not great, but it's not bad at all. You just gotta find the right balance between clutch and gas during the launch. The 60' is all 1st gear, so quick shifting won't help you any there.

I don't think I've gotten under 2.4 seconds yet, but I haven't raced with fresh suspension yet either. That'll happen on Wednesday.

Then why are you giving him advice? He should be giving you advice.

 

[zach44102]

i think we have a 14 sec sho with some practice and a tune. and a cooler track. good run. a+

 

[FOMOCOTOSHO]

Was there a headwind? MPH is low for those mods. Your 60' isn't bad, but with some practice you should be able to get it down. Just try different things until you find what works for you. You want the engine in it's power band as much as possible.

Remember, for test and tune, RT doesn't matter. Go when you're ready.

I usually hold the RPM at 3-4k depending on the track and get the clutch out as quick as I can without blowing the tires loose and without bogging. I run it close to the rev limiter on every shift.

There was no headwind at all-- no wind at all. But remember it was almost 100 degrees and 90% humidity.

With the kind of mods I have.. any thoughts what the optimum RPM shift point is for max power? Where do I start dropping off?

For those that run MTX's I realized I hit redline in 3rd gear right about the end of the track..I just let her wind out because I figured the time I would take to try and shift would hurt me. Is that correct or should I try to shift a bit early ??

 

[Sho Amo]

Im winding mine out and im running 104 traps. My redline is 8k tho.

 

[frosho]

Then why are you giving him advice? He should be giving you advice.

Where did I give him any advice? All I said is that it takes practice to get it right. What's up your ass?

but I haven't raced with fresh suspension yet either

Did you skip over that part?

 

[FOMOCOTOSHO]

Oh and the entire suspension is old & bone stock (except for my rear struts/springs). Nothing is broken, just normal wear & tear.

 

[RonPorter]

I wouldn't even bother going out again until at least mid-September when you can get weather at least in the low 60s, if not cooler.

When we had our SHO drag days in years past, we would go from March until early May, then not again until at least mid September, and usually not until October.

 

[Sho Amo]

Launching the SHO is just plain difficult and takes some practice. 2.3 isn't bad. It's not great, but it's not bad at all. You just gotta find the right balance between clutch and gas during the launch.

I dunno, I guess I kinda jumped the gun a bit. You're also kinda stating the obvious. Honestly, im just kinda fed up with people that have been to the track once and jump on here and give people advice on how to drag race. I dont think I am a very experienced drag racer myself but I have busted 2.0 60ft times in the sho and pretty consistent. So this fall I will be doing some bracket racing.


sorry.

 

[frosho]

It's only obvious to people who have done it... I see where you're coming from, though. I'm obviously no pro either, but I have been to the strip quite a few times. My 60' times weren't very good, but I was hitting them pretty consistently.

Good luck with the bracket racing, and post your results!

 

[FOMOCOTOSHO]

Well good news I was mistaken on the track dates. They have one more track day on Saturday, September 25th. So I will bust it out another day this year to see if I can get some better launches and be more consistent.

I think I will also bring out my Gen 2 ATX and see what that will do as well. I just need to find another driver so I can run them together Anyone in the Fargo, ND area wanna run em? It would be fun to get a few local SHO's to come up & put away some of the local "tuner" crowd. LOL