At the Strip

[Turboguy]

Have been browsing and see that several of us have taken their 300C's to the drag strip. I will be going for the first time this Friday night for the local test and tune. Amost 4000 miles on car and past first 2 oil changes, so should be ready to go. Thought I would see if there are enough racers to start a threat and exchange experiences and tips. I normally race a little turbo Omni, so I know that driving technique and prep can make a huge difference in ET/Speed, especially that first critical 60 Ft. I know I would really like to hear your experiences and I'll post mine after the first trip. Planning on ESP Off, tire pressure about 22, light torque build up on start, feather throttle on line until tires bite (pedaling), holding shift lever till about 5500 (hp peak), and holding on. Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated; love to put it to the Grand Prix and import crowd. take care, Dan

[james jefferson]

Originally Posted by Turboguy

Have been browsing and see that several of us have taken their 300C's to the drag strip. I will be going for the first time this Friday night for the local test and tune. Amost 4000 miles on car and past first 2 oil changes, so should be ready to go. Thought I would see if there are enough racers to start a threat and exchange experiences and tips. I normally race a little turbo Omni, so I know that driving technique and prep can make a huge difference in ET/Speed, especially that first critical 60 Ft. I know I would really like to hear your experiences and I'll post mine after the first trip. Planning on ESP Off, tire pressure about 22, light torque build up on start, feather throttle on line until tires bite (pedaling), holding shift lever till about 5500 (hp peak), and holding on. Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated; love to put it to the Grand Prix and import crowd. take care, Dan

i'm not a racing guy, but why are u lowering your tire pressure to 22lbs?. do you run lower tire pressure on the street too?

[mspeasl]

Originally Posted by james jefferson

i'm not a racing guy, but why are u lowering your tire pressure to 22lbs?. do you run lower tire pressure on the street too?

The lower tire preasure allows a larger foot print to be made by the tire which results in better traction. The answer to the last question is NO!

[Z2SO4]

what he said. I also sometimes just use the ebrake a bit before a run.

p.s. sorry turboguy for taking so long to respond!

["C"for me]

T-guy I don't think you'll have to feather the throttle any. Our little town strip had waaaay more traction than I needed to worry about. If your strip does any kind of prep, you will have to work to spin the tires. It was so sticky that I was afraid of breaking parts. I mean it was STICKY!! I'd have preferred a bit of spin to ensure the power was getting to the ground, but with a bit of power braking and nailing it, no spin.

Z2s04 - E BRAKE?? Huh? Why?

[Z2SO4]

Remove some rubber from the rear wheels by using the ebrake. Something I started doing with my civic and it gave slightly better times. Of course, it is something you don't want to over do because you don't want the car slipping during normal conditions.

[Turboguy]

Wow, great responses-think I'll stay home from work tomorrow and play the net (wish). Mspeas is right about the pressure and not lowering on the street. Slicks really benefit from low pressure and burn-outs just hot enough to bring the compound out-street tires are another story; from what I've seen, lowering pressure a little and driving around the water seem to be best. An initial spin in the box just to clean off the krapola.cc I hope "C" is right about the track being sticky, but Capital raceway is run by Ma and Pa kettle and there is usually very little, if any, compound applied for test and tune nights. It will be great if I don't have to pedal it; will just have to wait and see if it breaks loose. Ok, time to play John Force. Z2So4 is going to get me "kilt" if I burn off wifey's tires-she's going to be there watching so I've got to be really carefull. Once I figure out driving tech, she's going to try. She is very likely to beat my time, so may not tell her everything.. Any advice on shift points?? Thx, and take care, Dan

["C"for me]

Originally Posted by Z2SO4

Remove some rubber from the rear wheels by using the ebrake. Something I started doing with my civic and it gave slightly better times. Of course, it is something you don't want to over do because you don't want the car slipping during normal conditions.

How long you been doing that with "your" C?

I think you have got FWD and RWD all mixed up here. With a Civic, hold the Ebrake on (rear wheels) and spin the FRONTS. On the C, if you try that, well the Ebrake is on the rear and the REAR are the ones you would be TRYING to spin. If you have a C, you know, or should, that ya just ain't a gonna do that very well.

I suggest that no one tries that technique, it is counter-productive.

[mspeasl]

Originally Posted by Turboguy

Any advice on shift points?? Thx, and take care, Dan

Just put in drive and go. These cars are not Drag cars and using the slap stick is useless on the strip. I find that there is to much slipage between shifts to try to "stick it"....

[Z2SO4]

Originally Posted by "C"for me

How long you been doing that with "your" C?

I think you have got FWD and RWD all mixed up here. With a Civic, hold the Ebrake on (rear wheels) and spin the FRONTS. On the C, if you try that, well the Ebrake is on the rear and the REAR are the ones you would be TRYING to spin. If you have a C, you know, or should, that ya just ain't a gonna do that very well.

I suggest that no one tries that technique, it is counter-productive.

*shrugs* Worked for me. Could just be dumb luck, but I tried it after someone suggested it a while back (he had the same setup as me but kept getting better times) and it did give results in all of the cars I have owned since.

Used the ebrake before the run in the parking lot, and then lined up. Went from 14.5 to 14.0 and stayed around that area.