Well, I am going to my very first drag race in just over a week. Sister’s birthday, and she wants me to pilot my slow *** camaro onto the strip.

I would love to get myself a decent reaction time, but I dont know how to practice. Also, driving a (Basically) stock 305/5-speed, any one got some launch tips for me?

I know its a stupidly slow car, but, I aint ever been on a track, and its what the birthday girl wanted.

Ugh, my worst fear is I will meet a nice girl on the track, then she will be watching me have a slow reaction time, then floor it and squeal the tires, and have a twenty second pass.....


Edit: Im going to have to install an after market tach, which I have wanted to do any way, and i dont know if leaving the back seat on the garage floor that night would make even a 1/10 second diffrence, but I might do it any way, just because the sister would think its awesome.

"No, we have to get as much wieght off as possible!"

 

Dont do it..... run the other way unless you want to be broke for the rest of your life


Anyway here ya go on that PRACTICE
http://www.speedwaybids.com/trees/tournamenttime.php

 

Speed means nothing in a bracket race.

To get a good reaction time, launch when you see the last yellow light come on. By the time you and the car react, the light will be green as you break the starting beam.

You'll probably run a 16 second 1/4 mile if you don't miss a shift etc. Maybe a 15 second run.

Racing is an addiction. Make one pass and you'll want to do more. My season is over and I now have to wait until May to get back on the track.

I wouldn't worry about "meeting a girl at the track"

 

I already have the more power need, but this is the first time I have been able to get to a track.

I had a 383 in my last Camaro, its too late, I will be broke forever!

I know its the other type of tree, with the progressive lights. I have always been pretty good on the practice trees, but thats a bit different than doing it for real....

 

Just do it exactly how stephen said and you should be fine.And yeah,Iwouldnt worry about a bunch of single chicks swarming around the dragstrip.

 

Lol. I know that, it was an exaggeration, but I really dont want to just light up the tire.... That would make me sad

 

Ya most girls there will be with there boyfriends.

Dont wory about looking bad, it takes practice. The first few races you will be so excited it wont matter but after that start paying attention to what helps and what hurts ur et.

btw dont slam the gears in that t5 even a stock 305 can break one

 

Slow reaction times and a slow vehicle do not look bad.

Trying to stage right beside the tree or with your back wheels looks bad.
Launching while in reverse looks bad.

 

I have an 89 RS 305 TBI and a 5 speed.
I had a best 1/4 of 16.2, and if I remeber correctly a 10.2 1/8th.
I launch mine between 4,500 and 5,000 RPM. Don't really care about my tranny though. It's already pretty bad and was when I bought it.
My rear tires are on steel rims and I think they are 9 inch wide. Pretty sure the same height. I only spun the tires once. After someone lost oil or coolant and made the lane slick.
Also I found if I air down my tires (street tires) to 25 PSI and launch at 3,500 it has to much grip. 4,5 to 5 is great.
If you wait for the green just go back around, and try it again, if you red light your close.